Spotlight on Gay San Francisco 2008
In terms of gay friendly U.S. cities San Francisco is most likely to rank at the top of anyone’s list. The city, however, is more than just an ally to the gay community, rather, its politics and culture have been drastically shaped by a long history of GLBT community involvement. With nearly 500,000 in attendance at last year’s Pride Parade and an average local age of 31, San Francisco’s gay and lesbian community is large, predominantly young, and very political, establishing the city as a virtual “Gay Mecca.” Though the entire city is considered a home to the gay community, the heart of GLBT life and history really begins in the Castro . Having been first settled by gay men back in the 1970’s, this 14-square-block area, named for its location along the famed Castro St. thoroughfare, has come to be seen as a symbol of gay American culture. Numerous annual events take place there and a variety of gay historical landmarks attract visitors from all around the world. The Castro Stree...