On this date in 1864, Irish writer Oscar Wilde, now honored on Castro’s Rainbow Honor Walk, was born in Dublin, Ireland. Wilde was the toast of San Francisco when he visited in 1882. He later reportedly remarked, in a quote that hinted, perhaps unintentionally, at the City’s early refuge for men wanting to start a new gay life:
It’s an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco. It must be a delightful city and possess all the attractions of the next world.
In 1895, Wilde was convicted of “gross indecency” for the crime of homosexual buggery and was sentenced to two years of hard labor. His health broken, he died less than three years after release.
October 14, 1979
On this date in 1979, an estimated 75,000 to 125,000 people marched on Washington for LGBT rights. The march helped nationalize the gay rights movement, which previously had focused on local issues.
Author: Royal Scribe
The Royal Scribe is a 5th generation native-born San Franciscan. The Danish side of his family, including his great grandfather, were longtime Eureka Valley residents (now known as The Castro) more than 50 years before the Royal Scribe moved into the now-gay neighborhood.
1877Lesbian author Alice B. Toklas, partner of Gertrude Stein, is born in San Francisco.
1997Ellen Degeneres comes out on her television show, Ellen.
2001The SF Board of Supervisors passes Supervisor Mark Leno's ordinance to extend transgender-specific medical coverage, including gender reassignment surgery, to city employees.
2004Theresa Sparks becomes the first transgender police commissioner in San Francisco and the U.S.
2015The Lexington Club, the City's last dedicated lesbian bar, closes. A plaque recognizing it outside of the former bar was dedicated in 2016.
