Compton's Cafeteria Riot

WHEREAS, In 1966 at the Gene Compton’s Cafeteria in the Tenderloin transgender people rose up in anger against years of harassment at the hands of the San Francisco police department; and

WHEREAS, The ensuing riot, brought to light in Victor Silverman and Susan Stryker’s documentary Screaming Queens, marked the first known instance of collective, militant, queer resistance to the social oppression of transgender people in United States history, three years before the riots at New York City’s Stonewall Inn; and

WHEREAS, To this very day, when transgender people face housing, employment and many other forms of discrimination, the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot underscores the social cost of the continued oppression and marginalization of transgender people;
WHEREAS, In the summer of 2006, San Franciscans will participate in a series of community-organized events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of this milestone event; and

WHEREAS, The goals of these commemorations are to celebrate transgender history and recognize community leaders and allies, inspire and mobilize a new generation of LGBT community activists, and bring awareness of transgender challenges and accomplishments to a broader audience; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Board of Supervisors commemorates the Gene Compton’s Cafeteria Riot on its 40th anniversary; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That San Francisco Board of Supervisors recognizes the event and site as significant in the history of the LGBT civil rights movement; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That San Francisco Board of Supervisors supports the Department of Public Works installing a plaque to commemorate the event at an appropriate area at the site.

Adopted by San Francisco Board of Supervisors on May 22, 2006 - copy of resolution can be found -->here<--