S.F.'s new Pride festival faces backlash over stance on war in Gaza

San Francisco Chronicle​

6 hours ago

Two Bay Area artists have pulled out of SoSF, because of organizers' stance on the war in Gaza, and are instead planning their own competing Pride event.
DJ Adam Kraft, founder of the event company Fake and Gay, and drag queen Nicki Jizz, who created the 'Reparations' drag show, opted to part ways with the outdoor music event scheduled for June 28 shortly after Oakland native Kehlani decided to drop off the lineup as SoSF's headliner last week.
'SoSF made a statement regarding Kehlani's stance and language being pro-Palestine, which resulted in a wave of comments asking them to clarify exactly what issues they had with Kehlani's position and language,' Kraft told the Chronicle on Monday, June 9. 'We, along with the majority of our community, stand with the Palestinian people, and felt that message should not be obfuscated.'
The Chronicle has reached out to SoSF organizers for comment.
The since-deleted statement by SoSF was posted to social media in May shortly after Kehlani faced concert cancellations by Cornell University and Central Park's SummerStage Pride concert over what the Ivy League deemed 'antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments.' As first reported by the Standard, the statement noted that the festival's team 'fundamentally disagree' with Kehlani's language, and went on to explain they were seeking to 'engage with her team' instead of canceling her San Francisco appearance.
A joint statement by Kehlani and the festival was also included in an effort to smooth over any new criticism.
'No person should ever fall casualty of a war they did not choose and do not support,' the statement read. 'This sentiment extends to Jewish people, the same way it extends to Palestinian people, the same way it extends to all people.'
In April, Kehlani responded to her Cornell concert cancellation with an Instagram video clarifying that she is 'anti-genocide' and 'anti the actions of the Israeli government.' But she has continued to be criticized for her views.
The singer has frequently used her platform to voice her opposition to Israel and Zionism, and included the phrase 'long live the intifada' in the music video for her 2024 song 'Next 2 U.' The phrase translates to 'uprising' or 'resistance' in Arabic, but is also considered by some as a call for violence against Jews.
While announcing Kehlani severed ties with the event on Instagram, SoSF organizers revealed that the one-day celebration would no longer be at Pier 80's warehouse. Instead, it's set to take place as a block party across the street at 900 Marin St.
That post has since been deleted, though this information is still on the event's website.
It is still unclear why Kehlani, who identifies as a lesbian and uses she/they pronouns, withdrew from SoSF. But Kraft said that it did influence his and Nicki Jizz's plans to cancel their appearances.
'We pulled out of SoSF because we felt like our and our community's voices were not being heard or considered and for a Pride event, especially in this moment under the current administration, uplifting queer voices should be of the utmost importance,' Kraft said. 'I just couldn't bring myself to be a part of an event which started to feel more and more exploitative of pink dollars during such a crucial time.'
'This was an easy decision to make to stand up for what's right,' Nicki Jizz added.
Looking ahead, Kraft and Nicki Jizz are determined to pull together their own Pride weekend event.
'We would love to be able to provide an alternative space where people feel more comfortable and excited to attend, and know that their money is not going to a cause or entity that is actively in opposition to their own views,' Kraft said. 'It is super last minute to attempt to do something, but we are trying our best.'
Both Kraft and Nicki Jizz noted that the SoSF organizers they have worked with throughout the process have been 'understanding' and 'supportive.' But Kraft pointed out 'it feels like mixed messaging,' as the way in which organizers have continued to promote the event doesn't align with their behavior behind the scenes.
One example he cited is that when SoSF shared its new flyer, sans Kehlani, they made no mention of his or Nicki Jizz's departure.
'To me that speaks volumes,' Kraft said. 'They were only using us for our local audience reach and did not value us as contributors to the event.'