The Haight Lane Art Center (HSAC) is proud to present Queer Visions, an exhibition that brings together Diverse artists and institutions to explore the role of nightlife in the creation of queer group in San Francisco as well as the importance of chosen families and genealogies in the shaping of individual queer identities. Anchored by a exhibit of pinbacks from the Stud Archive, the exhibition will look at iconic taverns and gathering places in San Francisco that hold provided haven and joy for the LGBTQ+ community since the 1960s, as well as operate by young homosexual artists considering the role of their queer families and role models in their sense of self.
The Haight Road Art Center (HSAC) is proud to present Queer Visions, an exhibition that brings together Queer artists and institutions to explore the role of nightlife in the creation of queer people in San Francisco as well as the importance of chosen families and genealogies in the shaping of individual queer identities. Anchored by a show of pinbacks from the Stud Archive, the exhibition will look at iconic taverns and gathering places in San Francisc
How San Francisco Came to Be a Kingly Mecca
San Francisco has drawn-out been a drag mecca. The stage was particularly set for men to use gender expression in performance due, in immense part, to their prevalence in the city by the bay. Consider that when the pueblo of Yerba Buena officially was named San Francisco on January 26, 1847, the area’s total population at the time was said to be about 500 people: 321 men and 138 women. Two years later, the population jumped to 20,000, largely fueled by the Gold Rush in California that started on January 24, 1848. Some 40,000 immigrants arrived by ship in 1849; 700 were women and the rest were men.
While nearly all were searching their fortunes, some were queer men looking for the companionship of other men. Added to that was the region’s already existing reputation for sexual exploits, a certain amount of lawlessness, and thirst for entertainment. Much of this hotbed of action was centered around the Barbary Coast, a red-light district consisting of a nine-block area featuring boogie halls, concert saloons, bars, jazz clubs, variety shows, and brothels. Sailors first coined the Barbary Coast term in the 1860s. The
The celebration of pride in Silicon Valley can be characterized as a series of struggles and triumphs. Whether it was presiding over one the largest pride events in between San Francisco and Los Angeles to staving-off bankruptcy and uneven organization, Lgbtq+ fest in Silicon Valley has persevered and evolved into a wondrous event that the LGBTQ community eagerly awaits every year.
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Pride Locations:
SJSU (1975)
The Male lover Student Union was fit to organize the first pride event in Silicon Valley. The main event began at 9:30 am, with other events held in various parts of the SJSU campus. Workshops included bisexuality, drag, couples, legal rights, religion, and sadomasochism. The day was closed with a potluck dinner and dance at the Student Union Ballroom.
St. James Park (1976-1980)
Sponsored by the Lambda Association, the first Gay Freedom Rally and Dance was held downtown at St. James Park. More than 300 people attended, and it was considered a miniature but strong showing for Silicon Valley’s first official pride event. Guests included Harvey Milk, who was a speaker in 1978. This would be appear to the location for pride for the next four years.
City Park Plaza (1981
Haight Legacy Business Candidates: Trax Bar and Cal Surplus
These businesses are candidates in our Heritage in the Neighborhoods: Haight-Ashbury legacy business voting contest, running from August 1-31, 2022. VOTE HERE
According to the Citywide Historic Context Statement for LGBTQ History in San Francisco by Donna Graves and Shayne Watson, Trax Bar (1437 Haight Street) is the longest-running queer lock in the neighborhood and the only remnant of the Haight’s history as a pre-Castro LGBTQ enclave. The territory that houses Trax has been gay since the premature 1970s when it was a lgbtq+ bar called the Question Mark (the original Question Highlight dates back to the 1950s).
SF Heritage Instagram follower @thenickdanford shared this memory of Trax: “Some years ago, my 25th birthday fell on Haight Road Fair weekend. I asked a potential roommate I’d met on Craigslist to meet me and some friends at Trax. I entered the bar, dropped into the splits (Ha!), and gained not only a new living situation, but also a best friend 🙂 @jasonjervis“
Other long-gone LGBTQ institutions in the neighborhood were the queer woman bar Whoo Cares at 782 Haight, open in the 1950s; Romeo’s at
