October 15, 2007

Folsom Street Events™ Defends Folsom Street Fair™ from Attacks by the Extreme Religious Right

Press release:

San Francisco charity calls upon the community to call Miller to show its support

San Francisco, October 10, 2007 — Today, the Board of Directors of Folsom Street Events released the following statement about its signature event, the Folsom Street Fair.

Andy Copper, President of the Board of Directors, stated, “We can no longer stand by while Folsom Street Fair remains under attack. The Catholic League insists upon provoking its followers, resulting in emails and phone calls threatening us with everything from ill-will to bodily harm. We understand that The Catholic League believes it is doing ‘the right thing’ but they are attacking our San Francisco values of community, diversity, education, and freedom of self expression. If they do not share in our values or do not understand them, that’s fine; but, they have never opened up a dialogue with us. They have only stood in judgment, making threats. We can no longer remain silent on the issue.”

Andy Copper added the following, “To date, we have donated over $5 million to charities serving the community’s needs in the areas of public health, human services, and the arts. Sponsorship dollars only underwrite the direct expenses of the Fair itself. Miller’s sponsorship does not support the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence or any other charity that benefits from the Fair. The donations brought in at our gates from individual community members support our charities. Additionally, Folsom Street Fair generates approximately $36.4 million in travel and tourism dollars benefiting San Francisco and the nation.”

In closing, the organization asks the following, “Please support FOLSOM STREET FAIR by calling Miller Brewing Company and thanking them for not caving into extreme right-wing pressure, requesting that they pull out from presenting sponsorship of our Fair. We have worked successfully with this company for many years, and they have been very supportive. This is no longer an issue of our poster image, but it is an issue of free speech and freedom of expression. We think it’s important for Miller to hear from you – the people who enjoy the Fair! Please contact Miller spokesman Julian Green at green.julian@mbco.com or call 1-800-MILLER 6 or 414-931-2000 to let them know how much you appreciate their support.”

Presenting sponsors of the event were Miller Lite/Miller Genuine Draft, NakedSword, TitanMen.com, and GLOSS. Premier sponsors are RECON, Hot House Entertainment, Elbow Grease, Mr. S Leather, and Maximus Vodka. Charter sponsors were Steamworks, BigMuscle.com, Blow Buddies, Dungeonbeds, Leatherpost.com, Joie de Vivre Hospitality, and Powerhouse. Media sponsors were LIVE 105, SF Bay Guardian, IN LA Magazine, and Bear Party Magazine.

Major beneficiaries included AIDS Emergency Fund, Dolores Street Community Services, Frameline, Healing Waters, Lyon-Martin Health Services, Pets Are Wonderful Support, Positive Resource Center, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, STOP AIDS Project, and Tenderloin Health. Supporting beneficiaries included Berkeley Free Clinic, Black Rock Arts Foundation, GLBT Historical Society, Transgender Law Center, and Triangle Martial Arts Association.

About Folsom Street Events

Folsom Street Events is a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency that produces four annual fetish events: Bay of Pigs™, Up Your Alley™, Magnitude™, and the Folsom Street Fair™. The mission is to create volunteer-driven leather events that provide the adult alternative lifestyle community with safe venues for self-expression while emphasizing freedom, fun, frolic and fetish and raising funds to benefit charity. In 2006, over 350,000 attendees raised $301,512 for charitable donations. 2008 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Folsom Street Fair.