Louis Biedak, better known as Lulu, has lived in the Castro for 45 years. The drag and performance artist is now facing eviction—for the second time.
"I lived in an apartment for 22 years and got evicted on the Ellis Act," Biedak tells Hoodline. "Now I am getting evicted on an owner move-in after being here nine and a half years."
He considers the Castro home and wants to stay in the neighborhood—not an easy feat to accomplish in a market where median rents have topped $4,225.
Biedak's Lulu has a long history of performance and community service in the city, having performed with several members of the legendary Cockettes back in the 1970s, as well as being a member of the Angel of Light theater company, a Cockettes offshoot. Lulu also stepped up to the plate during the peak years of the AIDS crisis, performing in many fundraisers for friends who were sick.
Photo from documentary: Lulu Gets A Facelift
Among many other credits, Lulu has performed in films and at many of Marc Huestis' classic film shows at the Castro Theatre.
"Lulu has been a good friend for over 40 years," Huestis tells Hoodline. "He was a supporting player in so many of my films and shows that I call him the Agnes Moorehead of my stable of stars."
Lulu's appeal, says Huestis, goes far beyond the stage and screen persona. Huestis referred to his friend's great hospitality and generosity. "His eviction is just another example of the creative life force being sucked out of our city and community. And what is replacing it? Zombies from the Twittersphere whose main claim is the money they can burn to buy up our town. Sad, sad sad."
The stress of situation has taken a toll on the performer. "I am so stressed out that I am getting itchy all over," says Biedak. "I cannot swallow or sleep. I am getting psychiatric care while this is going on."
Biedak says that he survives on social security and also works as a massage therapist in order to make ends meet, which is not nearly enough to find a new apartment in the current market.
"With the help of Marc Huestis I opened a fundraising campaign to help pay for my lawyer expenses, and to get some people to come over and liquidate my estate and move my things to who knows where," he tells us.
Biedak tells us that the community has been generous and the initial fundraising goal has been met, but that more funds are needed. "Getting a new home now is nearly impossible," he says, noting that $5,000 of the money already raised is going towards legal fees.
If you are interested in helping donate to Lulu, check out the GoFundMe page. And if you've seen Lulu perform on film or in-person, share your experiences with your fellow readers.
