As a quick reminder, we'd like to let you know that the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are holding a community meeting tonight regarding the future of the annual Pink Saturday celebration. The meeting will take place at 6pm at the Eureka Valley Recreation Center (100 Collingwood Street).
District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener and the San Francisco Police Department will be on hand to discuss what is working with the event, what is not, and what changes should be considered.
The community meeting was planned to address both the perceived escalating violence at the event over the past several years, and a growing sense that the event is no longer about celebrating Pride, but instead a magnet for people looking to cause trouble.
This year, one of the Sisters and his husband were attacked in broad daylight at 18th and Castro during the event. Last year, a woman was brutally attacked and the perp was found guilty of assault and battery charges. In 2010, three people were shot at the intersection of Market and Castro, an incident that resulted in the death of a 19-year old.
The Sisters posted the agenda for the meeting tonight on their website as follows,
As the Sisters explore hosting Pink Saturday for 2015, we invite all in the community, both Castro Community MUMC members, residents, and residents of surrounding neighborhoods to join in the discussion. We all recognize that the event has evolved dramatically over the years, and this meeting will explore issues around cost (both to the city, local business, and the Sisters), Safety (of residents, event goers, and Sisters), and explore options for evolution of the event should the Sisters plan to host the event in 2015.The Sisters have a long and cherished history of making this event a queer community event. All can agree that the atmosphere of the event has changed dramatically over the last several years. Our goal is primarily, the safety of all in attendance in and around the event footprint, and for this we rely on help from the City, SFPD, and organizations like CCOP (Castro Community On Patrol) and residents in our communities. If Pink Saturday continues as a Sister Event, we want to bring Pink Saturday back to its Queer Community Glory Days, but we can't do it without your help and input. Be prepared to tell us what worked, what didn't, but more importantly, what your suggestions might be to improve the event and make this a viable and safe community event.
Stop by the meeting tonight to discuss what you think can be done to rework the Pink Saturday celebration. We'll see you there!
