August is Transgender History Month in San Francisco
News Release
San Francisco, CA — San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed today officially declared August as Transgender History Month in San Francisco. Developed in partnership with the Transgender District and Office of Transgender Initiatives, today's proclamation signing at City Hall launches a month of celebrating the history and cultural milestones of transgender people in San Francisco.
The country's first Transgender History Month honors the 55th anniversary of the Compton's Cafeteria Riots, which occurred in August 1966 in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood, marking the beginning of transgender activism in San Francisco. A response to violent and constant police harassment, this incident was one of the first LGBTQ uprisings in United States history, preceding the better known 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City.
“I am honored to join the transgender community today to declare August as Transgender History Month in San Francisco,” said Mayor Breed. “Our transgender community has a rich cultural history in this city and is so important to our diverse identity. San Francisco has been and always will be a place where everyone can seek refuge, sanctuary, and safety. Today, we celebrate both our city’s pride and the transgender community.”
The Tenderloin is home to The Transgender District, created in 2018 as Compton's Transgender Cultural District, the nation's first legally recognized district dedicated to the transgender, nonbinary, and intersex community. On August 29, the District will be hosting a neighborhood block party, “The Riot Party,” featuring food, live music, performances, and more. The event will also honor community members who have advanced trans rights in San Francisco and beyond.
Today's event at City Hall was emceed by community icon Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and included community speakers and honorees Tamara Ching, Camille Moran, Cecilia Chung, and more. Also giving remarks was Honey Mahogany, trans activist and chair of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee. The event concluded with the raising of the transgender pride flag over City Hall.
"Transgender History Month is so iconic! I don't think the broader public realizes how many significant contributions to history, culture, social justice, and of course, popular culture that transgender and gender non-conforming people have made," said Aria Sa'id, co-founder and President of The Transgender District. "On behalf of The Transgender District we are overjoyed to celebrate this incredible milestone."
"We are grateful to have partnered with the Transgender District and Mayor London Breed to declare August as Transgender History Month in San Francisco," said Clair Farley, Executive Director of the Office of Transgender Initiatives. "San Francisco has long been a leader in fighting for trans rights and making critical investments to support our residents. This historic announcement is an important way to honor those that have paved the way for our movement and address the important work we have ahead to address the ongoing discrimination and violence facing trans and gender nonconforming communities."
During the event, Mayor Breed announced several critical trans and LGBTQ community investments that were included in her recently signed citywide budget, including:
- First of its kind Guaranteed Income Project for the Trans Community, prioritizing San Francisco residents most impacted by the pandemic and those disconnected from other benefits. Mayor Breed’s budget includes $2 million for the program over the next two years.
- LGBTQ Senior Tele-mental health program and expanded digital access services. The new program will be funded through the Department of Adult and Aging Services (DAAS), and will increase services for LGBTQ seniors while adding much-need mental health resources to community members who have experienced increased isolation, depression, and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pilot project is funded at $900,000 over the next year.
- Support for small businesses and arts and cultural programs, including $12 million to acquire a site to house the country’s first full-scale LGBTQ Museum.
- Policies and initiatives that aim to break the cycle of violence and discrimination against transgender communities, especially against Black trans women who experience disproportionate levels of violence. Mayor Breed’s Dream Keeper Initiative invests $2.2 million for Black transgender equity programming over the next two years.
For more information about San Francisco’s Office of Transgender Initiatives, please visit sf.gov/transcitysf, and to learn more about The Transgender District, please visit transgenderdistrictsf.com.
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