My favorite part of being your #HFWB royal coronation coordinator is that I get to witness firsthand the fierce contributions of our communities best, brightest, and babeliest! (That and the only person who tops the queen is the one who puts the crown on her head.) Seriously, I always find myself developing crushes on these kids who are already winners to me! But, as capitalism dictates, there can only be ONE king and queen, and you must be present at the ball to vote, so if you want to see your BFFs win, you better GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Once again, all of the finalists have chosen community beneficiaries that they’re raising money for. Thanks to the Levi Strauss Foundation, the king and queen will each get to give at least $1,000 to the org of their choice! (And you can help chip in to those donations by visiting the photobooth and coat check.) And, we like to take care of the winners themselves too, with treats from Paxton Gate, Virgil’s Sea Room, and more TBA, plus B-12 shots from Doctor Stephen and they each get a Season Pass to Hard French!!!
So, keep cool and carry on and read about your nominees in alphabetical order (with queens first because we know they’re most important!) and the wonderful projects they’re supporting!
hearts,
Lil Miss Hot Mess
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Queen
Badtima
Seven-word self summary: Your favorite fun vegan bartender
Why I want to be queen: I would love to be Hard French Winter Ball queen so that I can make a small difference in the world, by supporting a great cause and by being generally fabulous.
Beneficiary: Rowdy Girl Sanctuary is a female owned an operated fledgling farm sanctuary that is doing great work to further the causes of veganism, compassion, and environmental sustainability. Environmental destruction is a problem that all communities have to face, and are directly affected by. We all have to live on this earth, so we might as well take great care of it while we are here, and Rowdy Girl is making a lot of progress towards this cause.
Words from friends: “Femme as fuck and butch as brick. Bartender with a heart of gold.”
Dulce De Leche
Seven-word self summary: SF drag queen with a deep love for soul music
Why I want to be queen: I love Hard French and think I would make a great queen. I’ll be fair in all my ruling and keep that party going!!!
Beneficiary: I think Homobiles has become the newest pillar in safety services offered to the SF community. Like any new non profit, they need funding!
Words from friends: “Big, beautiful and full of LIFE–she gives everyone a chance to shine.”
Persia
Seven-word self summary: International Glamorous Drag Queen
Why I want to be queen: I want to win HF Queen because I want donate my win to my favorite children’s after school arts program, CASA. Our children are our future.
Beneficiary: CASA is known for top-notch creative arts programming. Being a San Francisco based after school program, we are most proud of our social justice work and focus on social-emotional development. Many of our students graduate with a love for the arts, but more importantly, they leave us with a drive to be a better human being.
Words from friends: “I mean, have you seen those shoes? And that voice! Google Google Apps Apps! ”
Yves Saint Croissant
Seven-word self summary: Watch out Fashion, there’s a new Saint in Town
Why I want to be queen: I want to be Hard French Queen 2015 to lead the children to the most jiggalicious dance party in town!
Beneficiary: I’m supporting Gender Proud, which focuses its efforts toward transgender people to self identify with the fewest possible barriers. San Francisco is a place where I feel totally free living as a Drag Queen and I want to funnel my successes to areas that don’t have the same privileges. At present Gender Proud’s attention is primarily on Brazil, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.
Words from friends: “Brings the smiles to the party and has glamor for days.”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
King
DJ Downey
Seven-word self summary: The man behind the curtain (on Fridays)
Why I want to be king: I’ve always wanted to live in a castle.
Beneficiary: The SF LGBT Community Center’s mission has evolved, and a new focus of theirs is to make sure it is financially viable for people who live in the city to remain in the city with the addition of financial services like lending circles and small business mentoring. And they still serve as a resource for the most underrepresented in our community.
Words from Friends: “One of the sweetest men in all of SF!”
DJ Tori
Seven-word self summary: SF XoLa with a heart of gold n glitter
Why I want to be king: Would Luh to be king because I Luh HardFrench n I Luh all the Queers that throw this event it would be an honor.
Beneficiary: CASA is known for top-notch creative arts programming. Being a San Francisco based after school program, we are most proud of our social justice work and focus on social-emotional development. Many of our students graduate with a love for the arts, but more importantly, they leave us with a drive to be a better human being.
Words from friends: “Taking a fuzzy photo with him is like being shot by the paparazzi!”
Hytham Rashid
Seven-word self summary: Gay Palestinian Muslim Medical Student / Party Promoter
Why I want to be king: I want to be king to raise awareness to youth homelessness, which disproportionately affects LGBTQI communities! Also, I’m moving to Miami for school, so this is my last chance to transform what little social capital I might have from partying at Hard French over he past few years into material wealth for an organization close to my heart.
Beneficiary: I’m helping Homeless Youth Alliance because they helped me when I was a homeless queer teen in SF, so they deserve whatever I can give them! I’m not very smart or rich yet, but someday I hope to come back to SF and empower other queer homeless youth by improving the accessibility of socioeconomic opportunities like safe housing, quality healthcare, and competitive educations.
Words from friends: “Selfless, caring, and hardworking, be it through health efforts, workshops, parties, or papers.”
Miss Jay
Seven-word self summary: Gender progressive moving forward queer San Francisco
Why I want to be king: As King of Hard French, I will be able to represent the community on all levels, proudly and loudly, spreading love and happiness!!
Beneficiary: Gender Proud, to inspire the youth to live their true authentic selves with pride and positivity.
Words from friends: “Too fierce, too funny, too loving and too giving! She’s a goddamn force-tress!”
Hard French 