LGBTQ+ Castro Walking Tour: The Fight for Human Rights

On this immersive hour-long tour, we’ll visit some of the most important landmarks in the campaign for LGBTQ+ rights as we uncover the history of the gay rights movement in San Francisco and the USA.

Our tour begins near the Twin Peaks Tavern; the first gay bar in the city to install floor-to-ceiling windows, highlighting the fact that its patrons were not ashamed of their identities. From there, we’ll head into the heart of the Castro area, while examining the highs and lows of the fight for equality residents have endured over the years.

Crossing the route of the Pride Parade, we’ll step on rainbow-colored crosswalks, before making our way to sites most associated with California’s first openly gay elected official; Harvey Milk. At the Harvey Milk Plaza, we’ll discuss the details of Milk’s journey into politics, and his fight for marriage equality in San Francisco and beyond.

As we journey further into the Castro area, we’ll take in sites such as the notorius ‘Hot Cookie’ bakery - selling all manner of erotic treat - and the iconic Castro Theatre - San Francisco’s historic movie ‘palace’. We’ll talk about AIDS activist Bobbi Campbell and the Castro’s health and wellness center ‘Strut’, and delve into some illuminating stories surrounding the famously inclusive Most Holy Redeemer Church.

Breaking long-running taboos, we’ll openly explore the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and learn how a community banded together to fight it. It’s by breaking these taboos that this tour endeavors to shine a light on every aspect of the Gayborhood - from the unsung local heroes to current ideas around inclusivity - to analyze the impact it continues to have on American culture.

Finally, we’ll finish our tour at the Human Rights Campaign Action Center, a nonprofit store based in Harvey Milk's old home, where a donation will be made in your name.