News :: History

Political Notes: Black Cat Tavern, 1st California LGBTQ state landmark, receives its plaque

Political Notes: Black Cat Tavern, 1st California LGBTQ state landmark, receives its plaque

  • Oct 9, 2023

Across California are hundreds of sites designated as official state historical landmarks, from the homes of prominent individuals and locations of important businesses to religious structures and arts institutions.

LGBTQ History Month: Bayard Rustin stamp backers harness new biopic to press their case

LGBTQ History Month: Bayard Rustin stamp backers harness new biopic to press their case

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Oct 2, 2023

For nearly a decade LGBTQ advocates have been calling on the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp honoring the deceased gay Black civil rights leader Bayard Rustin.

LGBTQ History Month: In 1960s, drag found a home in San Francisco's Glen Park

LGBTQ History Month: In 1960s, drag found a home in San Francisco's Glen Park

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Oct 1, 2023

During the 1960s most LGBTQ nightlife in San Francisco was centered in the northern neighborhoods of the city.

B.A.R.'s Bestie balloting begins

B.A.R.'s Bestie balloting begins

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Sep 25, 2023

It's time for Bay Area Reporter readers to cast their ballots for the LGBTQ newspaper's annual Best of the Bay contest.

With new book, Yeager aims to inspire LGBTQ candidates

With new book, Yeager aims to inspire LGBTQ candidates

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Aug 16, 2023

With his new book, gay former Santa Clara County supervisor Ken Yeager aims to inspire other LGBTQ individuals to seek public office.

South Bay LGBTQ history project seeks physical space

South Bay LGBTQ history project seeks physical space

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Aug 16, 2023

A virtual LGBTQ history project in Silicon Valley is looking for a physical space three years after it first debuted online.

With queer historians interested, SF supes face calls to reject mayor's pick for historic panel

With queer historians interested, SF supes face calls to reject mayor's pick for historic panel

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Mar 3, 2023

San Francisco supervisors are facing calls to reject a mayoral appointee to the city's Historic Preservation Commission over questions about her qualifications to serve in a seat designated for a historian.

Jimmy Carter's nephew had tragic connection with Oakland gay couple

Jimmy Carter's nephew had tragic connection with Oakland gay couple

  • by Ed Walsh
  • Mar 2, 2023

Former President Jimmy Carter's closest connection to the San Francisco Bay Area may have been his nephew, William Carter Spann, who called himself the "Bad Peanut."

New study documents over 600 early LGBTQ protests in US

New study documents over 600 early LGBTQ protests in US

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Mar 1, 2023

A new study released Wednesday shines a light on the hundreds of protests led by LGBTQ people in the United States from 1965 to 1973.

Walking tour will explore site of North Beach queer bars

Walking tour will explore site of North Beach queer bars

  • by Marijke Rowland
  • Feb 8, 2023

An upcoming guided tour of North Beach will shed light on the neighborhood's sometimes forgotten role in San Francisco's LGBTQ history.

Commentary: Make drag queens illegal? It's happened before

Commentary: Make drag queens illegal? It's happened before

  • by Michael Yamashita | NewsIsOut.com
  • Jan 5, 2023

Today drag queen storybook readings for children have been opportunistically subverted by the far right using an old and recurring slur that it is a ruse used by pedophiles to "groom" children for abuse.

A Tragic Week

A Tragic Week

  • by reprint from the December 6, 1978 edition of the Bay Area Reporter
  • Nov 27, 2022

The murder of Mayor George Moscone and SuperĀ­visor Harvey Milk brought forth thousands of mourners who moved about for days in a state of shock.

Trans-Pacific Māhū Ancestors: Reclaiming Hawaiian Trans Identities/Spirits

Trans-Pacific Māhū Ancestors: Reclaiming Hawaiian Trans Identities/Spirits

  • by Michael Yamashita | NewsIsOut.com
  • Nov 24, 2022

On the island of O'ahu, a short walk from the historic gay bar Hula's Bar & Lei Stand and touristy gay Kuhio Beach Park, a locus of healing and pilgrimage has been re-remembered on Waikīkī Beach through a reclaimed legend of transgender healing spirits.

LGBTQ History Month: New leader settles in at LA LGBTQ archival group

LGBTQ History Month: New leader settles in at LA LGBTQ archival group

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Oct 26, 2022

As the ONE Archives Foundation marks its 70th anniversary in November, making it the oldest continuously operating LGBTQ organization in the U.S., its new executive director is settling into the role and introducing himself to the local community.