10 exceptional reads that span the varied LGBTQ rainbow

“Impresario of Castro Street: An Intimate Showbiz Memoir” by Marc Huestis

As the veteran showgirl sang in Sondheim’s “Follies,” Marc Huestis has seen it all and, my dears, he’s still here. Many San Franciscans know Huestis for his two-plus decades of celebrity events at the Castro Theatre, including tributes to golden age stars such as Debbie Reynolds, Sandra Dee and Jane Russell, and last year’s sellout Kim Novak event. But Huestis is also a recognized independent filmmaker (1982’s “Whatever Happened to Susan Jane?”), activist and member of the Castro community of the radical late ’70s. Huestis doesn’t hold back when it comes to spilling the tea on misbehaving stars (his chapter on celebrity offspring Christina “Mommie Dearest” Crawford is deliciously told) and, more importantly, himself. His frank writing about gay cruising culture, crystal meth use and the AIDS epidemic are just as gripping as his show business tales: Huestis’ memories of the late ’70s, ’80s and ’90s in San Francisco’s gay community are a welcome addition to the LGBTQ library.

“My whole life has been very organic and do-it-yourself, which I tried to capture in the book,” Huestis says. “One part of my life has always led me to my next act. And everything in this book is absolutely true; I hate it when people embellish! With the kind of life I’ve had, I didn’t need to embellish anything. I mean, how many people have Harvey Milk and Debbie Reynolds as characters in their memoirs?” (Outsider Productions; 362 pages; $19.99 paperback)

Huestis launches his book at 6:45 p.m. Sunday, June 23, with a special event presented by Frameline at the Victoria Theatre.

“My whole life has been very organic and do-it-yourself, which I tried to capture in the book.”

Marc Huestis, S.F. filmmaker

Steven Underhill

Steven Underhill Marc Huestis stands before the Castro Theatre, where he has spent decades pitching tributes to Hollywood celebrities.