Latest news with #Landis
San Francisco Chronicle
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
How queer Gen Zers are transforming the S.F. nightlife scene
It's a Thursday night in the Mission District and a glitter-drenched crowd of 20-somethings are gathered around a dance pole in the middle of a cozy apartment. Some take turns twirling around and twerking on it while others lounge nearby, sipping drinks and swapping hugs. Cheers erupt above the booming music every few minutes as guests trickle in — some in torn jeans and T-shirts, others in bikini tops and fishnets — filling the room with sweaty, kinetic energy. But the house party is merely a warm up to the evening's main event: Queen Out, a new rave series shaking up San Francisco's queer nightlife. Queen Out, founded by Jimmy Hadden and Abby Landis, launched in February as a direct response to what they observe as a stagnant queer nightclub and bar scene in the Castro. While the neighborhood has long been celebrated as a haven for gay men — particularly white men who sought refuge there in the 1960s and '70s — the two say it hasn't evolved with the diversity of today's LGBTQ community. With Queen Out, they aim to create an inclusive alternative, particularly carving out a space for Gen Z and younger millennials. Hadden, 29, and Landis, 26, met at the inaugural Portola Festival in 2022, quickly bonding over their shared music taste. Landis, who is of Taiwanese descent, has been performing under the moniker DJ Mama San for five years and began throwing queer parties in the summer of 2024 after growing frustrated with the lack of sapphic-focused nightlife options. Hadden, who is a bisexual Black man, also observed 'it's very homogenized' in the Castro. Queen Out seeks to challenge that status quo. 'It's a kind of bucking the trend and pushing back against kind of what the culture has been,' Hadden said. DJ China G, a Chinese American artist and mentor to Landis, noticed a similar need in the early aughts and filled the gap by co-founding Rebel Girl, a lesbian party series that ran from 2000-2009. Queen Out, the Generation Xer believes, is channeling that same spirit. 'It's a refreshing, inclusive and much needed alternative to the mainstream nightlife scene in the Castro,' DJ China G said. 'It's beautiful to witness this next generation of queers carrying the torch.' The monthly event has become so popular that this month — notably Pride Month — marks the first time they've hosted multiple events. The duo also had to move it from the nearly 500-capacity The Cafe — the largest gay bar and club in the Castro, where they sold out their first four Queen Out parties — to Public Works, a Mission District venue that holds 1,200, for their most recent event on Juneteenth. 'I feel like a lot of queer BIPOC people don't get a lot of spaces like this, so it's important that when they're available to us we take advantage of them,' said Lia Kitahada, a 25-year-old Japanese American lesbian who lives in Hayes Valley, during the party on Thursday, June 19. 'More events like this are needed.' Queen Out feels especially urgent amid renewed political attacks on LGBTQ rights from President Donald Trump and his administration. From anti-diversity, anti-equity and anti-inclusion policies to the weaponization of the law against transgender people and the shut down of the national suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth, events like these serve as vital affirmations of queer identity and solidarity. 'Community is always important, but especially in a time like this' said 24-year-old Berkeley resident Hallie Macaulay, who identifies as a white gay woman. Queen Out, she noted, brings like-minded people together 'to really lean on each other and feel less alone. It's a major thing that gives hope.' Hadden agreed these events are crucial, particularly for those actively involved in LGBTQ advocacy and resistance. 'It wears on you,' he said. 'You need spaces to queen out, so that you can recharge your battery.' 'We need a place where we can just feel safe and shake ass and have fun,' Landis, who identifies as queer and uses they/them pronouns, added. 'Otherwise the world can feel like it's way too much.' In addition to hosting the parties, Landis and Hadden have been donating a portion of Queen Out proceeds to various LGBTQ charities. Thursday's event benefited the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, which defends the rights of Black trans people. Both Hadden and Landis research talent for each Queen Out event, scouring the internet for up-and-comers and pulling from their own ever-expanding music libraries. As DJ Mama San, Landis has spun at several local events and is slated to perform at the Outside Lands festival's queer open-air dance floor, known as Dolores', on Aug. 8. But they chose to sit out the Juneteenth Queen Out party to make room for Black artists to shine. That night's lineup featured R&B pop artist Bayli and DJ Prosperity Room, both based in New York, and Bay Area DJ Queermom, who helped fill Public Works by 11 p.m. The crowd of at least 500 moved fluidly throughout the two-floor venue, with those on the dance floor bathed in colorful lights and fully immersed in the thumping hyperpop music, which included remixes of tunes by Whitney Houston, Doechii and Charli XCX. There wasn't a phone in sight. In bathroom lines and tucked-away corners, strangers exchanged Instagram handles and fashion praise. It was clear this wasn't a typical night out at the club — Queen Out felt like true community, a place for queer people to find genuine connection. 'I think we brought a whole new generation of club kids to the Castro,' Hadden said of their Queen Out events at The Cafe. 'I really hope what we're doing spreads … to all of San Francisco, all of the Bay.'
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landis Communications CEO Sean Dowdall Named 2025 Business of Pride Honoree as Award-Winning Agency Celebrates 35 Years of Impact
Leading LGBTQ+ Business Leader Recognized During Pride Month as Agency Adds Six New Clients and Earns National Industry Honors SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pride month brings extra reason to celebrate for Landis Communications Inc. (Landis), as the San Francisco Business Times (SFBT) has named President and CEO Sean Dowdall a 2025 Outstanding Voices and Business of Pride Honoree. The prestigious recognition highlights LGBTQ+ business leaders who are making a significant difference in their communities and companies – a perfect reflection of Landis' 35-year commitment to purpose-driven communications and community impact. The Business of Pride honor adds to Dowdall's distinguished record as a leader in both the LGBTQ+ business community and the broader San Francisco Bay Area. Landis has been a multiple-year winner of the SF Business Times' top philanthropy awards and has consistently ranked among the top LGBTQ+ businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area, reinforcing the agency's deep roots in community leadership and social responsibility. Mr. Dowdall reflected upon this moment in a uniquely personal blog entry. "Being recognized as a Business of Pride Honoree is deeply meaningful, especially during Pride month when we celebrate the progress our community has made while acknowledging the work still ahead," said Dowdall. "This recognition reflects not just my personal journey, but the values that have guided Landis for 35 years – using our platform to amplify voices that matter and create meaningful change in our communities. We are enormously proud to be a values aligned business." The SFBT recognition comes during a banner year for the award-winning agency. Landis was named to the PRNEWS Agency Elite Top 120 for the fifth consecutive year and ranks among O'Dwyer's top PR firms for 2024. The agency also won PR Daily's national award for Best Nonprofit Campaign, highlighting its leadership in purpose-driven communications. Adding to its trophy case, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) San Francisco chapter awarded Landis the coveted "Standout Tactic of the Year" award for its imaginative and impactful General Sherman campaign for Save the Redwoods League. This award recognizes exceptional creativity and effectiveness in public relations tactics. Reflecting the agency's continued growth and industry recognition, Landis has recently welcomed six new clients to its roster: Align Surgical Associates, National Rainbow College Fund, Mechanics' Institute, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Mother's Milk Bank and Western Rivers Conservancy. "Our success over 35 years has always been rooted in putting our clients first while staying true to our values of community impact and social responsibility," said Dowdall. "As we celebrate this Pride recognition, we're reminded that our work extends beyond traditional PR – we're helping organizations create lasting change and build meaningful connections within the communities they serve." ABOUT LANDIS COMMUNICATIONS INC. (Landis): Celebrating 35 years in business, Landis is an award-winning, full-service, integrated public relations, marketing communications, digital and social media agency. The agency offers a unique mix of expertise in healthcare, environmental, corporate, consumer, B2B, B2C, technology, arts/culture and nonprofit marketing communications. Ragan's ACE Awards named Landis America's #1 Small Agency and America's #1 Healthcare PR Agency. Landis also is the San Francisco/Silicon Valley member agency of the Public Relations Global Network, with 50+ agency affiliates worldwide. For further information, visit Landis online. Contact: Brianne Murphy Miller650.575.7727brianne@
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landis Communications CEO Sean Dowdall Named 2025 Business of Pride Honoree as Award-Winning Agency Celebrates 35 Years of Impact
Leading LGBTQ+ Business Leader Recognized During Pride Month as Agency Adds Six New Clients and Earns National Industry Honors SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pride month brings extra reason to celebrate for Landis Communications Inc. (Landis), as the San Francisco Business Times (SFBT) has named President and CEO Sean Dowdall a 2025 Outstanding Voices and Business of Pride Honoree. The prestigious recognition highlights LGBTQ+ business leaders who are making a significant difference in their communities and companies – a perfect reflection of Landis' 35-year commitment to purpose-driven communications and community impact. The Business of Pride honor adds to Dowdall's distinguished record as a leader in both the LGBTQ+ business community and the broader San Francisco Bay Area. Landis has been a multiple-year winner of the SF Business Times' top philanthropy awards and has consistently ranked among the top LGBTQ+ businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area, reinforcing the agency's deep roots in community leadership and social responsibility. Mr. Dowdall reflected upon this moment in a uniquely personal blog entry. "Being recognized as a Business of Pride Honoree is deeply meaningful, especially during Pride month when we celebrate the progress our community has made while acknowledging the work still ahead," said Dowdall. "This recognition reflects not just my personal journey, but the values that have guided Landis for 35 years – using our platform to amplify voices that matter and create meaningful change in our communities. We are enormously proud to be a values aligned business." The SFBT recognition comes during a banner year for the award-winning agency. Landis was named to the PRNEWS Agency Elite Top 120 for the fifth consecutive year and ranks among O'Dwyer's top PR firms for 2024. The agency also won PR Daily's national award for Best Nonprofit Campaign, highlighting its leadership in purpose-driven communications. Adding to its trophy case, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) San Francisco chapter awarded Landis the coveted "Standout Tactic of the Year" award for its imaginative and impactful General Sherman campaign for Save the Redwoods League. This award recognizes exceptional creativity and effectiveness in public relations tactics. Reflecting the agency's continued growth and industry recognition, Landis has recently welcomed six new clients to its roster: Align Surgical Associates, National Rainbow College Fund, Mechanics' Institute, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Mother's Milk Bank and Western Rivers Conservancy. "Our success over 35 years has always been rooted in putting our clients first while staying true to our values of community impact and social responsibility," said Dowdall. "As we celebrate this Pride recognition, we're reminded that our work extends beyond traditional PR – we're helping organizations create lasting change and build meaningful connections within the communities they serve." ABOUT LANDIS COMMUNICATIONS INC. (Landis): Celebrating 35 years in business, Landis is an award-winning, full-service, integrated public relations, marketing communications, digital and social media agency. The agency offers a unique mix of expertise in healthcare, environmental, corporate, consumer, B2B, B2C, technology, arts/culture and nonprofit marketing communications. Ragan's ACE Awards named Landis America's #1 Small Agency and America's #1 Healthcare PR Agency. Landis also is the San Francisco/Silicon Valley member agency of the Public Relations Global Network, with 50+ agency affiliates worldwide. For further information, visit Landis online. Contact: Brianne Murphy Miller650.575.7727brianne@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Protect yourself': With sweltering heat wave on way for region, emergency officials urge safety
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A wave of extreme heat will blanket much of the eastern U.S. starting Sunday. The heat wave will bring temperatures as high as 93 degrees Fahrenheit through Tuesday in Johnstown, and just a few degrees less than that in Somerset, according to National Weather Service forecasts. Factoring in humidity and the region's recent wet, chilly weather, it will feel even hotter, NWS meteorologist Michael Colbert said. That could create trouble if people aren't careful in western Pennsylvania, he said. 'Certainly we're not acclimated to this heat, given how wet it has been,' Colbert said. The weather will likely mean plenty of sunshine, but also dangerous heat and UV radiation levels, he added. More than 700 people die from heat-related illnesses every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Safety tips Local emergency officials urged residents to avoid the worst of the heat – and to take precautions to stay safe through the sweltering stretch. 'Knowing what to do to protect yourself and loved ones from extreme heat can save lives,' said Jorge Martinez, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania. In a telephone interview Friday, Somerset County Emergency Management Director Joel Landis echoed Martinez's message. He said the main thing people can do is stay indoors and avoid too much sun exposure. People who don't have adequate means to keep their homes cool, such as air conditioning, should find somewhere that does, Landis advised. Somerset County will use its six senior centers as public 'cooling centers' daily while high temperatures persist. They will operate from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cambria County's nine senior activities centers will also be open to the public if needed next week, Cambria County Emergency Management Agency Director Tom Davis said. 'If anyone needs to get out of the heat, regardless of their age ... they can go to our senior centers,' Davis said. Davis and Landis said emergency management officials will be monitoring the situation as temperatures rise and needs potentially become apparent. If additional cooling centers need to be opened, steps will be taken, Davis said. For those who do go outdoors, find shady areas or cool off at a pool – but limit periods of outdoor exposure, Colbert advised. He reminded people to apply sunscreen regularly and to wear a hat and light, loose, breathable clothing. The American Red Cross advises people to drink at least a glass of water every hour to stay hydrated. 'If outages occur' Davis said communication will also be ongoing with Cambria County's hospitals, which may also be needed if dehydration and heat exhaustion cases become an issue. Landis said Somerset County emergency management officials will be monitoring locations that could need support if power outages occur, such as personal care homes or hospitals. 'If outages occur, we'll be ready to assist those facilities with whatever resources we have,' Landis said. The key message to the region's communities was for people to look after one another. Check in on neighbors and loved ones who might be susceptible to the heat, Landis and Davis advised. Red Cross officials agreed. 'We're asking everyone to check on friends and neighbors, especially older adults, people with chronic conditions, outdoor workers and athletes,' Martinez said. 'You could make all the difference by sending a text, making a call or knocking on their door.' People were also reminded to never leave children or pets alone in parked cars, which can become extremely hot in a short amount of time. Colbert said people should also avoid over-exerting themselves, and urged people to consider avoiding the hottest period of the day to tackle outdoor projects. 'If any community needs arise, call 911,' Davis said. Colbert said the temperatures will surge due to an expansive high-pressure system that will trap hot air over the eastern U.S. It will bring drier air and a likely break from the recent stormy system, but also potentially record-setting temperatures, forecasters added. Colbert said conditions will likely improve after Wednesday as chances for cooler conditions and rain increase.
Business Insider
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Gen Z is bringing the gig economy to corporate America
Gen Z wants to make their office jobs more like driving for Uber. Business Insider has previously reported that younger professionals are increasingly prioritizing their work-life balance, and unlike their elders, eschewing management roles to better preserve their mental and physical well-being. Research shows they also lean toward gig work more than other generations, with more than half of all Gen Z professionals taking up freelance positions in 2023 rather than traditional 9-to-5 jobs, according to a survey from the jobs platform Upwork. When they do take a corporate gig, workplace culture experts told BI that Gen Z workers prefer roles that are dynamic and flexible, allowing them to develop specialized skills and offering them more control over their career trajectory — and the business leaders who hope to recruit and retain younger talent should get used to it. "Early career professionals want variety," Kathryn Landis, an executive coach and New York University professor of marketing and public relations, told BI. "They want to see different parts of the business. It's kind of that trend of the gig economy coming to corporate America." Shorter, more specialized, stints Landis said Gen Z professionals are increasingly pursuing certifications over advanced degrees, or showing an interest in going to trade school rather than sitting in class. She added that workplace loyalty also appears to be a thing of the past — one of Landis' Master's students recently told her that she was looking for a "good job" where she could spend six months building skills to put on her résumé before finding her next role. "When I was growing up, five years at a job was the minimum before you'd consider jumping ship — I feel like you don't even know where the bathroom is after six months," Landis said. "But that was a reasonable threshold for her to put it on a résumé, get some experience there, and then move on to the next role. Two years might be more average these days, but the mentality is just very different." Ryan Leak, an executive coach and the author of "How to Work With Complicated People: Strategies for Effective Collaboration with (Nearly) Anyone," told BI the gig economy mindset being perpetuated by Gen Z may stem from watching their friends without degrees be successful on social media. "So you go see a really great school, perhaps go and get your Master's — if you're super ambitious, you go and get your Ph.D., and yet, your high school dropout buddy is a multimillionaire, while you've got half a million dollars in student loans," Leak said. In a recent study Leak conducted, Gen Z was the most likely generation to say they want to be stretched at work. Nearly 40% of Gen Z respondents said they seek assignments that help them grow quickly, even if those assignments fall outside their job description. "I think that speaks to a mindset that really values experience over stability," Leak said. "They view themselves more as free agents building a portfolio of skills. They look at it as if they're designing a career. So what older generations may have seen as job-hopping, I think Gen Z sees as career design. They aren't chasing titles. They're chasing impact. They want their job to really matter." Gen Z's preference for workplace flexibility also appears to extend to their benefits. Leak said the companies he works for that have the best retention rates often offer benefits packages that include optional perks like gym memberships, childcare, and even dry cleaning services, often at the request of younger workers. Payday all day Tate Hackert, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of ZayZoon, a software company that provides employees with access to their earned wages before payday, told BI that 55% of the company's customers are 34 years of age or younger. While the trend may be in part caused by younger workers needing more flexible cash flow, Hackert said he believes it's driven partially by younger workers' desire for better control of their finances — a preference they picked up from gig work. "If you're an Uber driver, you can actually get paid out five times a day, so you can do a drive and immediately get paid for doing it, and many of these other side gigs provide instant gratification of pay," Hackert said. "So if you're an employer, your competition isn't just the brick and mortar employer across the street, but it's actually the gig economy. And so I think instant access to pay through benefits is more and more important." While many businesses still require traditional markers of success and professionalism, like a Bachelor's degree, to get hired, Landis said some of the companies she works with are approaching early career professionals with their preference for flexibility in mind. "Once they have Gen Z in the door, the way that they work with them is different," Landis said. "They might be more prone to hiring them as contractors, and letting them work three days a week. Or, if they hire them full time, they're putting them on these 'Tiger Teams,' where it's a lot of rotation." Landis said the Tiger Team approach allows younger workers to rotate through different projects more quickly than they would in a traditional role. It offers both variety and mentorship opportunities, which a Deloitte survey found 86% of Gen Z workers crave. Ultimately, as Gen Z makes up a growing portion of the labor market, businesses are being forced to adapt to their work preferences, or risk being stuck with higher turnover and a short leadership bench to build upon. "The organizations that can move quickly, and are agile enough to say, 'Hey, we can't solve every problem. We can't meet every request,' but are identifying the things they could actually change and then actually doing something about it," Leak said. "I think the more companies and leaders who think in that way are going to find themselves creating the kind of cultures people want to stay in."
