San Francisco Chronicle - Sunday, July 27, 2003
Joshunda Sanders, Chronicle Staff Writer

He was supposed to be doing the Dixie Chicks' makeup, but he took a rain check from his day job as a freelance makeup artist to help out would-be cheerleaders. They seem to need his magic touch more than any celebrity at the moment.

O'Keefe's energy is better used here. He was a cheerleader in high school, then college. When the Miami native discovered that he didn't have to hang up his pom-poms after school, he thought, "Oh my God, no way! I never lost the desire to be a cheerleader, but I thought there was no avenue for that."

But there is.

Cheer San Francisco, the first professional openly gay cheerleading and stunt squad in the country, is a volunteer group of ex-cheerleaders and people who before never got to fulfill their dreams of strutting in front of spectators or sports fans. The 42-member team began as the Hayward Raw Rahs in 1980.

In 1993, Cheer S.F. joined the Jon Sims Center for the Performing Arts in San Francisco and became a nonprofit. After a few name changes over the years, it became Cheer S.F. in 1996 and has been growing in popularity and membership ever since. In 2000, it became the first partner organization of the Lesbian and Gay Bands of America.

The group's boisterous dance moves and stunts, jumps and cheers are plenty of fun, and the tight-knit members even boast of knowing all the dialogue from the movie "Bring It On." Their black and white uniforms and boundless energy have made Cheer S.F. a favorite attraction at all six Gay Games and numerous Pride parades in the Bay Area and several countries around the world.

In 1999, Cheer S.F. formalized the philanthropic work it had been doing for nearly 20 years into the Cheer for Life Fund, which uses proceeds from performances to provide care for people with life-threatening illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS or cancer.

And although they're on break this summer, they never stop recruiting. At the tryout clinics in Emeryville, the flyer reads "Tryout Tips for the Newbie Cheerleader," but it could be a cheat sheet for life. "Smile genuinely, the most important element of your appearance is attitude," it begins, followed by, "Make smart clothing choices, get lots of sleep, take your time."

There are hundreds of these leaflets at Head Over Heels gym in Emeryville, where dozens of would-be cheerleaders get soaked with sweat. "I see a few glitches," Cyrus Poitier, the leader, says into his microphone. "No worries; we'll work it out."

They all have day jobs, but once they sign up for Cheer S.F., there's no such thing as "just cheerleading." Each member is required to participate in five performances a year. Practices are typically on Tuesday nights.

"They want to have a good time and a positive impact on the community," says Audrey Dussault, a loan administrator from Santa Clara. After watching Cheer S.F. perform at San Jose Pride, the buff blonde, 31, decided to ditch softball. The nonprofit cheer/stunt dance team is open to people 18 and older. There is no maximum age; just "when your body gives out."

The team veteran, Steve Burke, is 45 and has been with Cheer S.F. for more than 13 years. The captain of the team, Morgan Craig, is 35 and a full-time professional cheerleader who also coaches all-star cheerleaders and a high school squad.

Then there's O'Keefe, who declines to give his age, but jumps about inspiring others with his affirmations and outgoing personality. He just feeds off the energy of the rest of the team, he says, which is like one big family.

When he waves and says, "Bye, children," clutching his black backpack on one shoulder, they all wave back, grinning. Then the music starts and a few team members go into their dance.

This month, Cheer S.F. will be at Universal Cheerleading Association Cheer Camp at UC Riverside and will perform at the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Swim Meet at Stanford University, as well as the Sacramento Rainbow Festival. For more information visit www.cheersf.org.

E-mail Joshunda Sanders at jsanders@sfchronicle.com.

030727
SC030719

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .