Years before Stonewall, a cafeteria riot became a breakthrough for trans rights
All about the Compton's Cafeteria riot, when drag queens and trans women rose up against police at a diner in San Francisco.
December 4, 2025
CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Equal Entertainment LLC.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
tenderloin district
San Francisco rejects initial push to reclaim LGBTQ+ historic site from private prison use
Local advocates had urged city officials to oust the private prison operator and reconsider the zoning on the site, which had been used for transitional housing for 30 years.
July 17, 2025
Queer Asian man assaulted in possible San Francisco hate crime
“He swung his fists five times, trying to hit, hit, hit,” says Pat Karaphat of the unprovoked assault in San Francisco's Tenderloin district.
September 27, 2024
‘Black Trans Lives Matter’ Mural Created at Compton's Cafeteria Site
The project commemorates the 54th anniversary of the riot as The Transgender District hosts a virtual party tonight in honor of its legacy.
August 28, 2020
Kylie Sonique Love's Major Film Debut Is 'Dope Queens' — See Photos
The All Stars winner stars alongside Trace Lysette and Alexandra Grey in this San Francisco set romantic thriller.
April 18, 2022
Anthony Torres, San Francisco DJ Known as Bubbles, Shot to Death
Torres was a popular entertainer and LGBT activist.
September 11, 2017
Don't Let History Forget About Compton's Cafeteria Riot
Three years before Stonewall, drag queens and transgender women stood up to police violence during a tense August night.
August 2, 2018
One of San Francisco's Last Gay Porn Theaters Closing
The shuttering of the Tea Room Theatre leaves only one other adult gay theater in the queer mecca.
May 13, 2016
Prepare for Battle, Mr. Trump
Trans vet Felicia "Flames" Elizondo -- who's survived riots, HIV, and a lifetime of discrimination -- pens this powerful open letter to our so-called president.
August 1, 2017
Trans 'Drag Race' Alum Honey Mahogany Running to Lead S.F. Democrats
Since competing on the reality juggernaut, Mahogany has become a force in San Francisco.
April 30, 2021
Keith St Clare, pioneering gay magazine publisher, dead at 79
St Clare published the San Francisco-based magazine Vanguard, took in many foster children, and produced a youth-oriented TV show.
April 14, 2025
Learning the Ropes in BDSM: Whips, Chains, Pain and Lots of Pleasure
A little fear for a lot of payoff.
February 28, 2020
30 Infamous Police Raids of Gay Bars and Bathhouses
Crackdowns by law enforcement have shaped the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the U.S. and worldwide.
March 1, 2017
Bookshelf: Turning LGBT History Into Literature
Turning our past into novels can be quite intriguing!
May 31, 2013
How One Trans Couple Keep Their Fire
Sean Dorsey and Shawna Virago fueled a creative insurgency and, in effect, kept their relationship young.
July 10, 2017
Visible Bodies: Transgender Narratives Retold
San Diego is helping rewrite the way stories about transgender people are told, through an exhibit of more than 30 portraits of people in the local transgender community.
August 5, 2013
San Francisco man convicted of poisoning, raping, and murdering young man adopted by gay couple
Twenty-three-year-old George Randall-Saldivar’s body was stuffed in a suitcase while he was still alive and dumped in the San Francisco Bay by Gerald Rowe and Angel Anderson, prosecutors say.
January 26, 2024
California Becomes First State to Declare Transgender History Month
It will be observed in August, beginning next year.
September 16, 2023
30 Infamous Police Raids of Gay Bars and Bathhouses
Crackdowns by law enforcement have shaped the LGBT rights movement in the U.S. and worldwide.
February 2, 2018
Preserving LGBT History Means Saving These Spaces
San Francisco activists start a revolution to preserve historic queer sites.
July 19, 2017