Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This plaque depicts the late Harvey Milk, a heroic local politician who fought to improve
gay rights in the 1970s.
political activism. Corner of 18th &
Castro sts.
% Harvey Milk Plaza. Named
after the first openly gay politician
elected to public office in the U.S., this
plaza is the starting point for the city's
many gay marches and rallies. Milk,
who was on the city board of supervi-
sors, and liberal Mayor George
Moscone, were both assassinated at
City Hall in 1978 by conservative
ex-supervisor Dan White. White's
so-called “Twinkie defense” resulted in
a mere 7-year prison sentence.
Shocked by the verdict, both the gay
and heterosexual communities
stormed City Hall (see p 50, bullet
4 ) during the “White Night Riot” on
May 21, 1979. In 1997, on the
20th anniversary of Milk's
election victory, then-mayor Willie
Brown raised a rainbow flag on the
plaza's flagpole. Several plaques exist
here: one at the base lists the names
of past and present openly gay and
lesbian state and local officials. Castro
St. (at Market St.).
^ Castro Theatre. Consider
ending your tour with a flick at this
1922 Art Deco structure created by
celebrated Bay Area designer Timo-
thy Pfleuger. This is a true movie
palace, with its own “Mighty Wurl-
itzer Organ” played on special occa-
sions. The theater screens movie
classics. 429 Castro St. (between
17th & 18th sts.). y 415/621-6120.
www.castrotheatresf.com.
Tickets $8.50, $5.50
children.
The landmark Castro Theatre is one of the best-preserved 1920s-style movie houses in
the United States.
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