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Robert Davolt, author, and organizer of SF Pride leather contingentĢ6. Paul Mariah, poet, printer and activistĢ4. Mark Thompson, author of “Leatherfolk” and co-founder of Black Leather WingsĢ3. Geoff Mains, author of “Urban Aboriginals”Ģ1. John Embry, founder, and publisher of Drummer magazineĢ0. Marcus Hernandez, Bay Area Reporter leather columnistġ9. (Tony) DeBlase, creator of the leather flagġ8. Peter Hartman, owner of 544 Natoma art gallery and theaterġ7. S Leather and known as the “Mayor of Folsom Street”ġ5. Ambush co-owners Kerry Brown, Ken Ferguson, David Delayġ4. Alexis Muir, a transwoman who owned SOMA bars and bathsġ1. Jack Haines, Fe-Be’s and The Slot ownerĨ. Chuck Arnett, iconic leather artist, Toolbox muralistħ.
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Cynthia Slater, founder of the Society of Janusĥ. Steve McEachern, owner of the Catacombs, a gay and lesbian S/M fisting clubĤ. Ron Johnson, poet, and co-founder of the Rainbow Motorcycle Clubģ. from the University of Massachusetts School of Landscape Architecture.Ģ. Miller is the principal and founder of Miller Company. Jeffrey Miller (ASLA) is credited as the lead artist on the project. If you are interested in learning more about the SOMA leather scene Found SF has written a concise and interesting story of the neighborhood, which you can read here. They can be found on both sides of the alley Made from the left and right soles of a pair of Dehner boots owned by Mike McNamee, the founder and former owner of Stompers, the 28 commemorative markers feature the names and short bios of 30 individuals. A bootprint honoring Meko can be found near the black granite explanation plaque. The project, officially known as the San Francisco South of Market Leather History Alley, was the brain child of Jim Meko, who, prior to his death in 2015, had long pushed for a rezoning of Western SOMA that would honor the area’s leather history. A variety of community leaders were consulted on the design, including anthropologist and leather historian Gayle Rubin, Demetri Moshoyannis executive director of Folsom Street Events, and the late Jim Meko, former chair of the Western SoMa Citizens Planning Task Force. This 2016/2017 $2 million project was designed by Miller Company Landscape Architects. –Gayle Rubin, excerpted from “The Miracle Mile: South of Market and Gay Male Leather, 1962-1997” in Reclaiming San Francisco: History, Politics, Culture (City Lights: 1998)Granite stones, recycled from San Francisco curbs, were cut, polished and engraved to honor community institutions. Finally, I carved a chain and bike run buttons on his cap.” (Caffee 1997) The pants were button Levis, worn over the boots, and he sported a bulging crotch you couldn’t miss. The folds and details of the clothing were carved, undercutting deeply so that the jacket would hang away from his body, exposing his well-developed chest. The biker uniform was constructed of layers of wet plaster. He modified a small plaster reproduction of Michelangelo’s David, making him into a classic 1960s gay biker: “I broke off the raised left arm and lowered it so his thumb could go in his pants pocket, giving him cruiser body language. In 1966, he designed the logo for Febe’s and created a statue that came to symbolize the bar. Artist Mike Caffee worked in and did graphic design for many leather businesses. It's a telling example of what you can expect when you go out in San Francisco.The first leather bar on Folsom Street was Febe’s, which opened July 25, 1966. To tap into one of the most popular clubs in the area, head to Blackbird Bar. We let you know which ones cater to gay men or lesbians, what kinds of shows and entertainments they host, and what tracks the DJs spin. That's why we've sought out the top candidates in San Francisco, detailing their clientele, music, and atmosphere. Successfully finding a gay club in an unfamiliar city can be trying.
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Once you're there, you'll find a dizzying array of clubs to choose from. So, for those who want to really experience the heart and soul of San Francisco, it's almost a must to visit the Castro. It was his work, and tragic death by an assassin, that helped galvanize the gay rights movement. Harvey Milk, the first openly gay mayor in the United States, hailed from the Castro District. Some tourists might fail to visit one of the most historic neighborhoods in San Francisco, namely the Castro District, which is world-renowned for being a safe and welcoming place for gays. From Chinatown to the Mission, there are many distinct and famous neighborhoods in San Francisco.