Memorial services TBA.
Peter Kehoe
My name is Peter and I’m in Rumi’s age group. I was all over the place in the San Francisco 60’s and 70’s and made marks of my own, of different stripes, going by the name Re-Action I blazed my own trail until recovery and sobriety became new and lifelong goals. During those other years I intermingled with lots of groups and circles and one of my lifetime favorites was the Cockettes and their zany and wonderful costumes, theater theaterworks and other art forms to bother and bewilder. Rumi was a friend of mine. I gave him respect and love along with many others but indeed he was unique in a crowd of the bizarre and entertaining. We always had moments of mutual recognition and good vibes and it was all topped off years later when Pearls Over Shanghai hit the box office in SF and was a big hit. He completely stole the show, with grace, zaniness, and great professionalism!!! We took our families, my wife and I from South Bay twice and I filmed a lot of it. Spent some quality time with James and Scrumbly and others and I think I reaped scads of Castro Cred from the groups that attended with us. He is so missed and I’m blessed to have known him in the golden age of San Francisco art mania!!! 💕💕💕
about 6 hours
ago
Rumi Fan
James aka Rumi leaves behind the love of his life Sebastian Cheron.
James/Rumi was a proud fighter for gay liberation and felt his art helped continue the tradition.
An out and proud gay man known the world over as a Male Actress. His roles were predominantly female characters. He was no ordinary drag queen.
He has had two documentaries done around his work and counter culture contributions.
There is a memoir that was just released.
Today the New York Times ran an obituary article as a featured piece. It was about his life.
over 1 year
ago