Q&A With Our 2023 Pride Ambassadors: Wayne Kaleck and Michael Rose

2023 Sausalito Pride Ambassadors

Wayne Kaleck and Michael Rose, Gene Hiller Menswear

From Michael:

How did you two meet and what brought you to Sausalito?

There is so much I could say but I will try to give you a “nutshell “ version. The full version is way more interesting and colorful than I can say in a few sentences but I will try.

Wayne and I met May 3rd, 1997 on the Russian River. I grew up in Sonoma county and had gone back to my roots after many years in San Francisco. I was bartending in a new bar that happened to be hosting a “women’s weekend end party (over 400 ladies). I was the only man in the building until about quarter to 2 o'clock in the morning when the service is cut off.  In walks Wayne and two friends of his. He came up to the bar and said “what are you doing after this?” I replied “whatever the hell you’re doing.” We’ve been together ever since.

Gene Hiller Menswear has always been friendly toward the LGBTQ community. Can you talk a little about the history of the store?
The Gene Hiller store has a long history in Sausalito supporting gay rights for over 63 years and before that in San Francisco. The entire staff at one point was gay early on. The founder and namesake was our best man and witness to Wayne’s and my marriage at the San Francisco city hall rotunda; he was 80 years old at the time. He was always very supportive of us even to the point of giving me spousal benefits from Wayne’s employment before it became the norm. 

Why are you volunteering to help plan the inaugural Sausalito Pride celebration? What does "Pride" mean to you?

Pride has always been important to me. The first gay pride parade in San Francisco was televised on local news. I was maybe 13? It’s how I found out I was not “alone.”  Wayne and I believe that Pride means being visible in your community and being the best role model and example you can be in order to make being gay more accepted in our society.