Happy Birthday Gertrude Stein, Rainbow Honor Walk honoree
Today on the anniversary of her birth, we celebrate the life and legacy of Rainbow Honor Walk honoree Gertrude Stein (February 3, 1874 – July 27, 1946).
A towering figure of literary modernism, Stein was a poet, novelist, playwright, and cultural catalyst whose Paris salon helped shape 20th-century art and literature, championing voices such as Picasso, Matisse, and Hemingway. Living openly with her lifelong partner Alice B. Toklas, Stein defied convention and expanded the language of identity, desire, and selfhood—leaving an enduring imprint on both modern letters and LGBTQ+ history. www.rainbowhonorwalk.org
At the link below, read historian Bill Lipsky’s tribute in SF Bay Times.
Rob Lawless’s “10,000 Friends” interview with David Perry
Ahoy! Thanks to Rob Lawless for interviewing me as part of his “10,000 Friends” Project! Please support the project and learn more at https://www.robs10kfriends.com
Below: my interview with Rob as posted on his Instagram page @robs10kfriends.
“It’s the one thing that’ll be in my obituary that I did that was smart, besides marrying my husband.”
While David Perry was the last of his friends to move to San Francisco — “the A group moved, the B group moved and suddenly I had no more friends left in DC” — he’s certainly left his mark on the city.
“I’m the founder of the world’s first LGBT Walk of Fame, the Rainbow Honor Walk. It’s 3 ft by 3 ft bronze plaques to LGBT heroes and heroines in San Francisco, and you can read all about it at RainbowHonorWalk.org.”
The walk is fitting, though, as David’s been a huge fan of history since his childhood.
“I remember my mother and I were in our den in Richmond, Virginia, and the movie, ‘Titanic,’ with Clifton Webb and Barbara Stanwyck [came on] and we sat there watching it, and I was rapt with attention.”
He became obsessed with maritime history and ocean liners. So after studying Theater & Voice at SUNY Fredonia, moving to DC and relocating to San Francisco, David traveled around the world, writing the newspaper for the Crystal Cruises’ Symphony. And in that time, when James Cameron’s “Titanic” came out, he began doing presentations on the ship, leading to a career in speaking.
Still a writer, though, David penned several hundred articles and a best-selling novel (“Upon This Rock”), while helping amplify other people’s stories through his show, “10 Percent,” and his PR firm, David Perry & Associates!
He’s lived a fulfilling life so far, but more than his work, he’s been molded by his loved ones, including his husband, his friends, his mom, his maiden aunts and his grandmother!
“I always say, if you’ve ever seen that old show from the 1980s, ‘Designing Women’ — a group of Southern women — that my family was a cross between the Golden Girls and Designing Women, and those women raised me.”
WHY: After an extensive 4-year long rehabilitation of the building, the iconic Castro Theatre will reopen its doors this February. Media are invited to cover the official reopening of the venue
WHEN: Friday, February 6: 5:45pm *
* San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, along with SF Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, California State Senator Scott Wiener, Another Planet CEO Gregg W. Perloff, APE Senior Vice President Mary Conde and community members will official open the Castro Theatre by “cutting the ribbon” prior to the Castro’s first public event: A screening of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” to benefit the nonprofit Castro Benefit District.
WHERE: The Castro Theatre: 429 Castro Street, San Francisco
WEB: www.thecastro.com
About The Castro Theatre
The Castro Theatre is a world renowned iconic venue and cherished landmark. Located in the Castro Neighborhood, San Francisco’s LGTBQ+ cultural epicenter, this designated historic landmark is the heart of the community. The Castro’s captivating interior was designed by one of San Francisco’s most prominent architects, Timothy Pfleuger. Built in 1922, the movie palace features a lavish yet intimate interior with diverse architectural influences ranging between Spanish, Asian, Italian and Art Deco. A century later in 2022, Another Planet Entertainment entered into an exclusive partnership with the theatre to execute a significant $41 million rehabilitation of the building. This includes major renovations to accommodate a wider variety of entertainment; opening the venue for the first time to standing room musical performances while still maintaining the seated experience for cinema, comedy and more.
The re-opening will showcase the revitalization of the ceiling’s stunning original artwork along with the sgraffito murals and a long hidden historic proscenium, all masterfully restored by Evergreene Architectural Arts. Additionally, BuildIT, the world’s first LGBTQ construction advocacy organization, has played a major role providing specialized trade professionals to the project. Other key elements include modernizing the historic chandelier, revival of the iconic neon blade sign and marquee, and the installation of the world’s largest and most versatile digital organ. The building will feature modern amenities with a new HVAC system, additional restrooms, and for the first time a fully ADA accessible orchestra, stage and dressing rooms. Another Planet’s momentous effort will ensure this cultural gem will continue to serve as an inclusive global beacon for cultural expression to be enjoyed for generations to come.
About Another Planet Entertainment:
Established in 2003, Another Planet Entertainment (APE) is the largest independent promoter in the U.S. and has produced and promoted thousands of events with artists as diverse as Radiohead, Neil Young, Kendrick Lamar, Adele, Daft Punk, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Lizzo, Metallica, Bruno Mars, twenty one pilots, Bruce Springsteen, Mumford & Sons, Zedd, Paul McCartney, Fred again.. x Skrillex, Florence + The Machine and Olivia Rodrigo. Named Top Independent Promoter (U.S.) by Billboard Magazine in 2015 and 2016 and Top Independent Promoter (Worldwide) in 2017, APE is the exclusive promoter for the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, the Fox Theater in Oakland, the historic Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, The Independent and The Castro in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic, as well as co-promoter of The Bellwether in Los Angeles. In April 2025, APE welcomed Channel 24, a new property in Sacramento to its portfolio. In addition, APE produces the award-winning festival Outside Lands (since 2008, ranked #4 on Billboard’s Top 50 Festivals of 2022) in San Francisco. In 2024, APE launched Golden Gate Park Concerts, an unprecedented standalone event series on the Polo Field in the iconic San Francisco park. The inaugural event with System Of A Down marked the first ever headline concert in the park after dark, preceded only by daytime events. APE also operates an artist management arm, Another Planet Entertainment Management, with a roster that includes two-time GRAMMY-nominated artist Tycho, and a private events division Another Planet Event Group.
“My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels: In Control, Being Controlled, Out of Control!” by Tom LeNoble
2026 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite
30 January 2026 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA: The 2026 Independent Press Award recognized “My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels: In Control, Being Controlled, Out of Control!” by Tom LeNoble in the category of Inspiration as a distinguished favorite.
The competition is judged by experts from different aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, designers, booksellers, librarians and professional copywriters. Winners and distinguished favorites are based on overall excellence.
Risk. Resilience. Reinvention.
Tom LeNoble’s life has been anything but ordinary, rising from the “Shack” with no hot water to the heights of Silicon Valley, and helping build some of the world’s most influential companies. He’s been a crowd-favorite performer, a bold leader, and a survivor of two life-threatening illnesses after being told three times he had six months to live. He’s navigated the AIDS epidemic’s heartbreak, personal loss, and the high-stakes world of Facebook, Walmart.com, Palm (HP), and MCI (Verizon), guiding startups and leaders through change.
In “My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels,” Tom shares unflinching lessons on living fully, leading boldly, and loving fiercely. With candor and wit, he proves that no matter the storms you face, resilience is possible—and reinvention is always within reach.
In 2026, the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD saw a large participation from well established authors and publishers across the globe, including those residing in Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States. Authors such as Brad Feld, Judith Briles, Tony Jeton Selimi, Michael Pronko, Jack Fritscher, PhD, Nate Regier, PhD, Lawrence Kane & Kris Wilder, Greg Broadmore and Miriam Udel were among the winners list chosen from thousands of entries.
Publishing houses included Forbes Books, Friesen Press, Historium Press, Johns Hopkins University Press, Mad Cave Studios, Northwestern University Press, Princeton University Press, She Writes Press, The History Press, and University of California Press.
“The 2026 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD recipients reflect the incredible momentum within the independent sector,” stated Gabrielle Olczak, INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD President and Award Sponsor. “Independent voices are no longer just an alternative; they are leading the way in literary innovation. By highlighting these winners, we are celebrating a global community that refuses to be sidelined and continues to set new benchmarks for excellence.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom LeNoble is a seasoned executive, leadership coach, and sought-after speaker whose career spans industry giants, groundbreaking startups, and transformative coaching work. He has held key roles with renowned companies such as MCI (VZ), Walmart.com (WMT), Palm (HP), and Facebook (META), and contributed to the success of innovative ventures including SupportSpace (BBY), iPrint.com (acquired), and SpeedDate (MTCH).
As the founder of Taranga Enterprises, Tom has led initiatives that drive measurable results and spark innovation, with leadership experience across operations, customer service, human resources, mergers and acquisitions, sales, and coaching. His passion for developing people led him to serve as CEO of The Academy for Coaching Excellence, where he empowers individuals and trains the next generation of coaches. He also serves as a Leadership Coach with the Miller Center at Santa Clara University, working with entrepreneurs around the world to unlock their leadership potential.
Tom is widely recognized for his ability to blend strategic insight with personal empowerment, inspiring audiences and clients alike to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. His commitment to service extends beyond the boardroom through deep philanthropic involvement, focusing on underserved communities, women, youth, and education.
A survivor of life-threatening illness, profound loss, and personal challenges, Tom speaks with authenticity about resilience and the power of living fully. His journey has deepened his appreciation for every moment, fueling his mission to help others navigate risk, embrace change, and create meaningful impact.
ABOUT THE AWARD: The Independent Press Award (IPA) is a prestigious annual book awards program specifically designed to honor excellence in the independent publishing community. It is open to self-published authors, small presses, and university presses worldwide. The Independent Press Award is announced every spring and is open to independent authors and publishers.
The fall book competition, NYC Big Book Award, https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/ permits all authors and publishers, including the big five publishers, to submit their books for competition.
Join us at the Awards Dinner & Ceremony on April 25th to celebrate the recipients of both programs as they receive their awards on stage. The ceremony is part of the BookCAMP event, a publishing industry conference held in the New York metro area, April 24-26, 2026, https://www.independentpressaward.com/ipabookcamp.
2027: Una verdadera causa de celebración por David Eugene Perry
Me encanta la historia. De niño, en 1976, me sentaba frente al televisor con una grabadora de casetes para grabar los “Bicentennial Minutes” de Walter Cronkite. Había estado anticipando una celebración gozosa del semiquincentenario de nuestro país este año: había estado.
Como se vuelve vergonzosamente más claro con cada tuit, el presidente actual —legalmente elegido, en verdad— no está a la altura ni interesado en la unidad, la dignidad y la gravedad que este momento merece. Por lo tanto, he decidido centrarme en otro aniversario importante: no el inicio de nuestra lucha por la libertad, sino aquel aspiracional por la verdadera igualdad de justicia ante la ley.
En 2027, Estados Unidos alcanza un hito discreto pero profundo: 240 años desde la firma de la Constitución de los EE. UU., el documento que reformó el futuro de la nación y sentó las bases de la democracia estadounidense tal como la conocemos. Ese noble sueño puesto en pergamino ha tenido tiempos difíciles últimamente. Quizá sea hora de un pequeño repaso histórico.
La cronología constitucional:
La creación de la Constitución no fue un solo momento, sino un proceso deliberado que se desarrolló a lo largo de varios años críticos:
• Mayo–septiembre de 1787 – Los delegados se reúnen en la Convención Constitucional en Filadelfia, inicialmente encargados de revisar los Artículos de la Confederación.
• 17 de septiembre de 1787 – Se firma la Constitución de los Estados Unidos, estableciendo un nuevo marco para el gobierno federal basado en la separación de poderes, los controles y equilibrios, y la soberanía popular.
• 21 de junio de 1788 – Se logra la ratificación cuando New Hampshire se convierte en el noveno estado en aprobar la Constitución, alcanzando el umbral necesario para que entre en vigor.
• 4 de marzo de 1789 – La Constitución entra oficialmente en vigor, marcando el inicio del gobierno federal bajo su nueva estructura.
• 15 de diciembre de 1791 – Se ratifica la Carta de Derechos (las primeras diez enmiendas), salvaguardando libertades fundamentales como la libertad de expresión, la religión y el debido proceso.
El nacimiento de la presidencia estadounidense:
Junto con la Constitución surgió una institución completamente nueva: la presidencia.
• 30 de abril de 1789 — George Washington es investido como el primer Presidente de los Estados Unidos en la ciudad de Nueva York.
• 1789–1797 – Washington cumple dos mandatos, estableciendo precedentes duraderos: el Gabinete, el control civil de las fuerzas armadas, la independencia judicial y la transferencia pacífica del poder.
Por qué 2027 importa:
Mientras la nación conmemora con razón 2026 como el 250.º aniversario de la Declaración de Independencia, 2027 marca algo igualmente vital, si no más: 240 años desde que los estadounidenses se comprometieron a gobernarse bajo el imperio de la ley, y no bajo la tiranía de los individuos.
La perdurabilidad de la Constitución no es accidental. Sobrevive —si no prospera en este momento— porque equilibra estabilidad con adaptabilidad. Es un marco lo suficientemente fuerte como para habernos guiado durante 239 años y —si renovamos nuestro compromiso con él— capaz de sobrevivir al presidente actual y a su régimen conscientemente cruel.
Estados Unidos de América nació durante la Ilustración, aunque una “Ilustración” que confinó a millones de seres humanos a cadenas y servidumbre. No siempre “lo hicimos bien”. Pero, al acercarnos al aniversario de nuestros a menudo titubeantes intentos de una unión más perfecta, concentrémonos en cumplir —y ampliar— los derechos inalienables de Nuestra Constitución. Eso —especialmente si las elecciones de medio término de este año nos dan esperanza de tal cumplimiento— merecerá gallardetes y fuegos artificiales en abundancia.
David Eugene Perry es un autor galardonado y estratega de comunicación con una larga trayectoria. Originario de la Commonwealth de Virginia, aprecia el lema y la bandera de su estado: Sic Semper Tyrannis / Así siempre a los tiranos, con un déspota y su corona caída bajo los pies de la diosa romana de la Virtud.
