October 1, 2004: A march and rally were called for Friday evening in response to a recent increase of reported acts of racist and sexist discrimination at commercial establishments in the Castro neighborhood, which is seen as a hub for Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans communities in San Francisco. Over 200 people of many races, genders, ages, and abilities gathered at SF's LGBT Center to listen to speakers and march to Market and Castro, chanting for equality and inclusion and against discrimination in the queer community. At Harvey Milk Plaza the march met up with others who had already gathered. The SF Gay Men's Chorus and the transgender Transcendence Choir sang several songs together, and Supervisor Bevan Dufty spoke of the hard work of people of all colors who are striving to change the racially discriminatory practices that have become all too common in the Castro District.

The march continued on Castro St., and turned up 18th St. to confront the SF Badlands, one of two bars owned by Les Natali (the other is the Detour) that are accused of race- and gender- based discrimination. The crowd laid candles and flowers in front of the Pendulum bar across the street, where the weekend before a 54-year-old white man had died after an altercation with some African American men (the details of that tragedy are still unclear and under investigation). Speakers told of how the divide of racism wounds us all and creates divisions and violence that cannot continue. After creating the memorial and having a moment of silence, the march ended with a celebration of inclusion at 18th and Collingwood, blocking traffic and dancing to music spun by DJ Jamez.
Report | Photos: 1 | 2 | Video