Dress rehearsals

Episode 7

Lovers. Bruce Bunger (left) and Scott Galuteria (right). Date unknown. Courtesy of Kevin Fong.

Scott and Bruce were the hottest couple in church. Scott, a hula dancer, seemed destined for Bruce, the hunky “lumbersexual,” and the church delighted when they got together. Their brief love affair sparkled before Bruce got sick and died. Their story is one of multiple “dress rehearsals”– when friends, family and lovers went through AIDS with their loved ones wondering who would be next and sometimes knowing it might be you.

Bruce Bunger and unknown cat. 1990. MCC San Francisco Collection, GLBT Historical Society.

Best friends. Kevin Fong (left) and Scott Galuteria (right). Date unknown. Courtesy of Kevin Fong.

Kevin Fong and Scott Galuteria. Date unknown. Courtesy of Kevin Fong.

Scott Galtueria (left) and Kevin Fong (right) in the pews of MCC San Francisco. Date unknown. MCC San Francisco Collection. San Francisco Public Library.

Kevin Fong at Gay Freedom Day parade. Date unknown. Courtesy of Kevin Fong.

Sanctuary during memorial service at MCC San Francisco. Date unknown. Person unknown. Courtesy of Rev. Jim Mitulski.

Scott Galuteria. Date unknown. Courtesy of Kevin Fong.

Bruce Bunger’s obituary from the Bay Area Reporter. From the GLBT Historical Society/Bay Area Reporter searchable obituary database.

Scott Gauteria’s obituary from the Bay Area Reporter. From the GLBT Historical Society/Bay Area Reportersearchable obituary database.

NOTES:

You can see Scott perform in a 1992 InterPlay piece called “God, Sex and Power” here. He’s the one with the bandaids on his knees.

Singing Positive is a two-part documentary film about the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) and its experience with AIDS that spans 15 years. The first film, which featured Scott, was produced in 1992 and is hard to find online. The second film, produced in 2009, saw the filmmakers return to SFGMC to explore the impact of AIDS on the chorus over time. The 2009 film, with clips of Scott from the first film, is here. And you can watch some amazing SFGMC performances on their YouTube channel here.

Scott’s San Francisco hula school was Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu. They celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2025. Scott’s teacher and friend, Kumu Patrick Makuakāne is in the 2023 cohort of MacArthur Fellows. His recent work includes Māhū, a work by and with trans hula performers.

On the MCC in Hawai’i, see the Queer Histories of Hawai’i’s story here.

Music:

“Spirit of the Living God” is by Daniel Iverson.

“In the Garden,” also known as “I Come to the Garden Alone” is by C. Austin Miles. It’s the favorite hymn of many a Christain mother, aunt, and grandmother. The soloist is Juliette Galuteria, Scott Galuteria and Brickwood Galuteria’s mother

“God Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary” is by Randy Scruggs and John Thompson.

THANKS

Special thanks to the friends and experts who helped us think through this episode.

Frank DeLuca

William Salit and Stan Stone
Dr. Rachel Gross
Dr. Christopher Cantwell

Resources:

The Hawai’i Health and Harm Reduction Center – reducing the harm and fighting the stigma of HIV in Hawai’i.

International EMS and Firefighter Pride Alliance – courage over adversity.

TRANSCRIPT:

Episode 07 – Dress Rehearsals

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