PRESS RELEASE

Editorial Contact:

Ranjeev Singh, Marketing Committee Chair

Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation

Email Ranjeev@grassrootsgayrights.org

Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation Announces 2021 Season of Events Details:

Beneficiary Organizations, DJs, and Posters for REAL BAD 32

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. July 18, 2021 —  Coming out of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation today announced their 2021 season of events and beneficiaries. The Foundation produces the annual REAL BAD fundraising party that follows San Francisco’s world-renowned Folsom Street Fair on Sunday, September 26th at 1015 Folsom. The Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation also announced that it will donate 100 percent of the general admission ticket price to the historically sold-out event REAL BAD.  Last year, the Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation raised $20,000 during the pandemic and has raised over $3.27 million throughout the organization’s history.

The two LGBT health and community service organizations named as beneficiaries of the Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation represent diverse causes within the community. The beneficiary organizations selected to receive new funding this year are:

SF Gay Men’s Chorus

The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus creates extraordinary music and experiences that build community, inspire activism, and foster compassion at home and around the world.

Solano Pride Center

Solano Pride Center is led by and devoted to serving Solano County's LGBTQ community. The center prioritizes serving

LGBTQ youth, seniors, people living with HIV/AIDS, and those experiencing challenges with mental health. They

aim to build a strong, healthy, equitable, and just community.

Miguel Jimenez, Event Chair for this year’s REAL BAD 32 party said, “ We’re focusing our support on our two returning local beneficiaries.This year’s theme for REAL BAD is resilience and I can feel that strength here today. I am proud to see how our community is coming back together and supporting each other.”

In addition to these two organizations, the Foundation also continued its support of Flagging In The Park by contributing  to their 2021 beneficiaries.

At the conclusion of this season, the Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation targets donating over $3.27 million to worthy non-profit organizations.

REAL BAD 32 DJs:

The foundation today unveiled this year’s DJ talents and we are celebrating our local California talents. Opening for the Main Room at REAL BAD 32 will be DJ Matt Effect from San Diego, California. Since 2006 Matt had captivated audiences with his dynamic sounds from internationally successful parties like Sydney Mardi Gras to mega events like Matinee, GayDays and celebratory pride events in the US and Canada. Following DJ Matt Effect, our locally beloved DJ Russ Rich.

Award winning DJ/Producer Russ Rich claimed San Francisco as his home since 1997. In 2006, DJ Russ Rich debuted his signature happy, uplifting vocal sounds and launched his career.  As his sound progressed, Tribal, Tech House and Progressive House became his powerful, immersive signature that energized the dance floor and transcended audiences on a magical journey. His music sets are creative and uniquely mesmerizing, which is the reason he became a well-known and respected member in the San Francisco DJ scene. After five years since the debut, Russ has won awards like the San Francisco’s Next Top DJ 2011 and nationwide contest for Gay Internet Radio Live 2013. His past events include the internationally acclaimed “Magnitude,” “Bay of Pigs, and “ROUGH” (all by Folsom Street during their Up Your Alley and Folsom Street Fair weekends). Since 2013, Russ has held a residency at the world-renowned event “PLAY-T-Dance” where he creates a uniquely tailored, electronic journey year after year. He has also spun to tens of thousands of revelers at both the Up Your Alley street fair and the main stage at Folsom Street Fair. Known for his versatility and range, Russ also headlined events like “Hero” at the magnificent Ruby Skye (now August Hall), “Colossus” at the legendary 1015 Folsom, “Industry" at the beloved Mighty (now The Great Northern), and countless others in his hometown. Outside of SF, several lucky audiences had their taste of DJ Russ Rich in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapoli, and Palm Springs. Not to mention, he launched his first international set in London for a record label party.

Our Underground Lounge will offer an alternative dance floor and making his San Francisco debut is Los Angeles based with British roots DJ Paul Cowling. Known for his innovative and powerful deep dark cosmic beats, where house, techno and progressive coalesce in after-hours and underground warehouse parties. Paul has been featured at iconic venues including London’s Ministry of Sound, Fire Vauxhall, Avalon Hollywood, Exchange LA, and Sound nightclub in Hollywood. His distinctive cosmic-techno sounds have snagged him gigs for Insomniac and Anjunadeep and shared line-ups with Chus + Ceballos, CamelPhat, Yotto, Markus Schulz, and the list goes on. Further, Paul spins at pride festivals throughout California, teamed up with Oscar Velazques, Dani Toro, Danny Verde and Nina Flowers just to name a few. Between London and Southern California, DJ Paul Cowling has an international residency at A:M After-hours at Fire Vauxhall and Roosterfish in Venice, California, where he spins an eclectic mix of deep house, funk, and nu disco vibes. 

REAL BAD 32 will also feature world-class lighting, laser, and video production. The lighting and laser show will be designed and operated by Robert Sanders of RagerLazer.

About the Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation and its Season of Events

REAL BAD is  produced by the Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. These annual fundraising events are completely volunteer-produced, and are distinct in that the costs of producing the events are underwritten entirely by the party’s Hosts, a Circle of Friends who volunteer their time and resources to make REAL BAD a yearly sell-out success. This unique support enables 100% of the general admission ticket price from REAL BAD to be donated to charity. The total donated to worthy non-profits over the event’s 32-year history is more than $3.27 million. The Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation changes lives by supporting organizations that promote a happy, healthy, and connected LGBT community.

For more information, visit www.realbad.org and www.grassrootsgayrights.org