San Francisco, a city celebrated for its vibrant LGBTQ community and history, played host to an unconventional and inclusive event named “Gaypec,” coinciding with the Asia Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in the city this week. The event, characterized by its lively drag performances and a strong message of inclusivity, aimed to integrate the spirit of San Francisco’s LGBTQ community into the international summit.
City Supervisor Rafael Mandelman spearheaded the initiative, collaborating with the mayor’s office and other gay politicians. “It seemed to me that if an event like this is happening in San Francisco, there has to be some part of it that’s gay,” Mandelman expressed. The event was organized in the Castro district, known as one of the original and significant ‘gayborhoods.’ The objective was clear: to provide an open and joyful space for people from countries with varying levels of acceptance of the LGBTQ community.
Despite same-sex marriage being legal in only four of the 21 APEC member states, according to data from the Pew Research Center, and gay sex being criminalized in at least three, the event underscored a powerful message of acceptance and celebration of queerness.
The event took place at Beaux, one of San Francisco’s renowned gay bars, and attracted a diverse crowd, although most attendees were not APEC delegates. California assembly member Evan Low, present at the event, highlighted the restrained enthusiasm among some APEC delegates who expressed their desire to attend but were unable to due to the potential risks involved.
While the event primarily drew in locals, including Stephanie Wong and Khoa Tran, founders of the San Francisco tech startup reverylab.com, it also piqued the curiosity of others outside the LGBTQ community. For them, “Gaypec” was not just a celebration but also an opportunity for networking.
The event also touched the hearts of many, like university student and APEC summit volunteer Mark Anthony Catalan. Initially skeptical about the event’s authenticity, Catalan’s realization of its legitimacy inspired him to attend. “I was like, ‘what is Gaypec?’ This is not real,” he remarked. His decision to participate was driven by a desire to demonstrate the presence and significance of the gay community to world leaders.
“Gaypec” stands as a testament to San Francisco’s enduring legacy as a beacon of LGBTQ rights and inclusivity, especially during a time when the city played host to an international economic summit.
READ MORE: