August is Transgender History Month in San Francisco, and the First in the Nation

“Our history is a vivid and captivating account of sacrifice, transformation, joy, and a journey towards personal liberation”
Jupiter Peraza, TRANSGENDER ACTIVIST

-Jupiter Peraza, Transgender Activist

(August 2, 2023) – After raising the Transgender Flag at City Hall, Mayor London Breed and a small group of community leaders and youth gathered to formally recognize August as Transgender History Month in San Francisco, the first in the nation and the second year San Franciscans celebrate.

“San Francisco has been, and always will be a place where we embrace our diverse communities to ensure everyone has the freedom to be who they are,” said Mayor Breed. The Mayor also indicated budget allocations in the FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 to support services for Transgender, Nonconforming, and Intersex People (TGNCI), specially for housing and behavioral health programs. It is estimated that 400 TGNCI people experience homelessness at any given time in San Francisco.

LGBTQ+ and TGNCI leaders choose August to highlight an important piece of history, often ignored –until now. In August 1966, the community rioted to protest police harassment toward transgender women and drag queens, at the Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco.

“Transgender history should not be understated. Now, more than ever, it is imperative to lean into transgender history to understand the reemergence of extremist and violent anti-transgender rhetoric,” said Jupiter Peraza, transgender activist and Manager at Statewide Coalition at Openhouse SF.

According to the Trans Legislation Tracker website, 566 anti-trans bills were introduced from January to July 2023 in 49 states. Of those, 80 have passed, 128 failed, and 358 continue active.

It is important to tell the history of the Trans community and celebrate its achievements, said Carlo Gomez Arteaga, who was recently named co-director of the Transgender District, along with Breonna McCree, another trailblazer.

“We celebrate this wonderful month of joy, contribution, overcoming, and healing. We need this, we need this here; we need this everywhere.”

The Transgender District is the nation’s first legally recognized district dedicated to the transgender, non-binary, and intersex community. It is located in the Tenderloin neighborhood, where the Compton’s Cafeteria was open from 1954 to 1972 at 101 Taylor Street.

Mayor Breed extended certificates of recognition to youth who helped organize a recent march in support of Queer and Transgender Youth, referring to them as “the future leaders.”

For information on Transgender Month events organized by the Transgender District, please click here.

-Lupita Franco Peimbert