Tag Archives: Castro Street

Festivals, LGBT, Local News, Politics

SAN FRANCISCO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTES TO RESCIND GAY DESIGNATION FOR CASTRO STREET

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imageSAN FRANCISCO, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors has unanimously voted to strip Castro Street of its long-designation as the city’s gay district.

The board decision came immediately after The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence announced that they have voted to suspend production of Pink Saturday, the annual street party that occurs on the eve of the Pride parade.

Concerns about safety have dogged the street festival, which draws thousands upon thousands of people each year.  Similar concerns have previously led the city to cancel the annual Halloween party in the Castro.

“Now that two of the street festivals have been cancelled, there remains no reason to keep Castro’s gay designation, ” Supervisor Scott Wiener said. Wiener represents the Castro on the Board.

Wiener also announced that he will seek a board vote to permanently close the annual Castro Street Fair held in October.

The Washington, D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has protested the action by the Board of Supervisors, saying that it jeopardizes the advocacy group’s profitable business in the area. HRC maintains a retail store on Castro Street,  selling t-shirts, gifts and paraphernalia bearing its equal sign logo.

There are rumors that LGBT activists will propose transferring the gay designation to the South of Market, site of the annual Folsom Street Fair.

Starting this weekend, the giant rainbow flag at the corner of Castro and Market Streets will be flown at half-mast to mark the end of an era in San Francisco’s colorful but tumultuous gay history.

LGBT, Politics

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FILES COURT INJUNCTION TO STOP RAINBOW CROSSWALKS IN SAN FRANCISCO’S CASTRO DISTRICT

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Artist's rendition of the Castro Street rainbow crosswalk
Artist’s rendition of the Castro Street rainbow crosswalk

San Francisco, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – Tens of thousands will descend upon San Francisco’s gay Castro district this Sunday for the annual Castro Street Fair.  They will also be stepping onto new rainbow-colored crosswalks for the first time when traversing the intersection of 18th and Castro Streets.

The painting of the crosswalks is part of the overall Castro Street Redesign, a $4.5 Million makeover intended to return “fabulous” to the historic district.

Everything seems to be on schedule, including the unveiling of the rainbow crosswalks this Sunday. Except for one thing.

The Human Rights Capaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBT advocacy group, has  just filed for an emergency court injunction to stop the painting of the crosswalks in the Castro. It is a court case that could have a far-reaching effect on similar projects in other major U.S. cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.

In petitioning the court, the HRC said that the rainbow colors and flag are a sacred symbol of the worldwide LGBT community. “To paint this symbol on street pavements only to be trampled upon by pedestrians is a total desecration,” it added.

HRC president Chad Griffin told The Adobo Chronicles that his organization will fight to the very end to stop the Castro project and other similar projects in the country. “Think about it this way, ” Griffin said, “if cities start painting their pedestrian crosswalks with the U.S. flag, would Americans just sit by and do nothing to stop this desecration?”

San Francisco county supervisor Scott Wiener, who represents the Castro district,  could not be reached for comment.

In the meantime, reliable sources revealed that the next phase of the crosswalk project would be to change the stop light signals on Castro Street.  Instead of red, green and yellow lights, the warning signals will say ‘Shantay’ for walk, ‘Sashay’ for hurry up, and ‘Strike a pose,” for don’t walk.

Business, LGBT, Politics

SAN FRANCISCO LATINO GROUP WANTS TO CHANGE THE NAME OF CASTRO STREET

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Gómez
Gómez

San Francisco, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – Openly-lesbian Latina comedian Marga Gómez is one happy camper these days. Last week, she spearheaded a protest against the owners of a new Mexican restaurant in the Castro named Bandidos. Her group claimed that the name is offensive to Mexicans and Mexican Americans. It is a Spanish term for “outlaw” or “criminal.” Gómez, who is of Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage, demanded that the owners change the name of the restaurant. Today, the owners announced they were changing the name to Hecho, a Spanish term that means “made,” as in “made in the U.S.A.”

Feeling energized by her ‘victory,’ Gómez has started a new petition and protest. This time she wants the City and County of San Francisco to change the name of Castro Street.  Nevermind that the street was named after Jose Castro,  leader of Mexican opposition to U.S. rule in the 19th century. “The name has nothing to do with the LGBT community,” Gómez said.

Speaking to local media today, including The Adobo Chronicles, Gómez admitted that the real reason for her protest is that the street name reminds her of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. “As a Cuban American, and as a lesbian, I want a steet name that is more reflective of my sexual, political and racial identity,” she said. “I am no fan of Fidel.”

Gómez said she plans to meet with County Supervisor Scott Wiener who represents the 8th district which includes the Castro. She also plans to do a one-woman show at the Castro Theatre next month to help raise funds to finance the name change petition.