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For close to half a century, San Francisco has celebrated lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride with parades, celebrations and festivals. Its rich counterculture history stretches from North Beach to the Castro and dates as far back as the mid-1800s. At that point, this famed West Coast city was a pioneering town that welcomed transient and adventurous new residents; since then, it has embraced its public personality to become one of the most exclusive – and inclusive – locations for celebrating LGBT culture. Here are six Golden Gate City events you won’t want to miss this year.
Photo by Nader Khouri
Frameline42 – The King of Queer Film Festivals (June 14 – 24)
Lights! Camera! Action? Frameline42, San Francisco’s International LGBTQ Film Festival, features screenings of more than 150 movies, shorts and documentaries. Opening at the NWBLK (1999 Bryant St. at 18th Street) and closing at Oasis on Folsom Street, the films can be viewed at five different venues all over the city.
Fresh Meat Festival (June 14 – 16)
What Frameline is to LGBTQ cinema, the Fresh Meat Festival is to live art. The Transgender and Queer Performance Festival, held at Z Space on Florida Street, features acts that run the gamut from opera to boy bands and ballroom dancing to hula hooping. Starting each night at 8 p.m., shows are followed up by drinks, dancing and DJs. Performances you won’t want to miss this year are the Gala Performance and Reception on Saturday night and the North American same-sex ballroom champions. The Fresh Meat Festival makes a point to be inclusive, offering a wheelchair-accessible venue and American Sign Language interpreted performances.
San Francisco PRIDE (June 23-24)
No list of iconic LGBT events would be complete without the local PRIDE festival. If you’re just starting to explore the LGBT community in San Francisco, this celebration is a great introduction to all the area has to offer. Started in 1970 on the one-year anniversary of the infamous Stonewall Riots in New York, the theme this year is “Generations of Strength.” San Francisco Pride has a long history of recognizing generations of LGBTQI leaders and advocates who have led the way in our struggle for equal rights. With this year’s theme, Generations of Strength, we intend to continue that tradition. The event starts on Saturday in downtown Civic Center Plaza featuring a festival of more than 20 community-produced stages and venues from Homo Hip Hop to Gray Pride, something for everybody and culminates in the 48th Annual SF LGBT Pride Parade with more than 200 contributors on Sunday morning.
Up Your Alley Street Fair (July 29)
If you like leather, hair and a healthy dose of filth, then the Up Your Alley Street Fair is for you. This all-day event starts in front of the Powerhouse Bar on Dore Alley and stretches all the way to 10th Street. A precursor to the more famous Folsom Street Fair, Up Your Alley is a summer festival targeted to fetish enthusiasts and fans of BDSM with more than 50 adult vendors and close to 15,000 participants every year. A raucous party whips things into shape on Friday night at Hog Wild (398 12th St.) and the official dance event starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Photo by Nader Khouri
Folsom Street Fair (Sept. 30)
This annual LGBT celebration isn’t called “The World’s Biggest Leather Event” for nothing. An all-day event covering 13 city blocks, the Folsom Street Fair attracts more than 400,000 participants every year and offers a little bit of action for everyone. Want toys and gear? More than 200 vendors will be displaying their goods. Want electronic or alternative music? They boast an impressive live stage with music, dancing and live art. Not for the faint of heart, this event can be celebrated in leather or nothing at all. The event also offers food, beer, liquor and Venus’ Playground, a space for women and genderqueer folk.
Castro Street Fair (First Weekend in October)
Castro Street, and its theater The Castro, are arguably the most famous and iconic of all San Francisco LGBT venues. Launched into fame in the early 1970s and influential in electing Harvey Milk, the first openly gay official in the city, the Castro District is fully open about its heritage. In fact, the annual Castro Street Fair was founded by Milk himself in 1974. The fair is located in the heart of the Castro District, centered around the Market and Castro streets. With vendors, dance parties, arts and crafts, live performances and more, the Castro Street Fair donates its proceeds to local charitable organizations.
The legacy of the LGBT movement in San Francisco is one of struggle, triumph and ultimately pride. Whether it’s your first time in San Francisco or you’re a regular visitor to its beautiful bay, be sure to take some time to celebrate and appreciate its uniquely inclusive history and counterculture by attending one of these iconic events.
Photo by Nader Khouri
The San Francisco Travel Association is the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. For information on reservations, activities and more, visit www.sftravel.com, read The San Francisco Traveler or call 415-391-2000.
San Francisco Travel operates Visitor Information Centers at Hallidie Plaza, 900 Market St. at the corner of Powell and Market streets, and on the lower level of Macy’s Union Square. San Francisco Travel is also a partner at the California Welcome Center at PIER 39.
For more about San Francisco, follow www.facebook.com/onlyinSF, www.instagram.com/onlyinsf and https://twitter.com/onlyinsf.
Additionally, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop service by 41 international carriers serving 49 international cities and connects non-stop with 83 cities in the U.S. on 13 domestic airlines. SFO offers upgraded free Wi-Fi with no advertising. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit www.flysfo.com. Follow SFO on www.twitter.com/flysfo and www.facebook.com/flysfo.
*The 40th Annual San Francisco Gay Pride Parade where the theme was “Forty and Fabulous” in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday June 27, 2010. (Photo by Nader Khouri)
