Pride and Performance

On a dusty and historic baseball field in the heart of the Castro District in San Francisco, a colorful band marches along the outfield. The sharp snap of a snare, the whisking twirl of a baton and the whomping hums of a sousaphone fill the block as passers by sing along. A free show from the City of San Francisco’s official band.

The San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band became the first openly queer music group in the world in 1978. The group formed in protest to the ope anti-gay sentiment in the music industry at the time. Original members still playing and remembering reminiscing on their courage.

Throughout its history the group has exemplified an outward expression of queer pride in the Castro community and beyond. 44 years later the band is bigger than ever playing shows all around the United States.

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“You need to learn your gay history,” Michael Mehr, 68 of Mountain View, Calif., chuckled as he walks down Castro Street on the way to the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band rehearsal on Sunday, May 22, 2022 in San Francisco. Mehr has been coming to the Castro District since he moved to the Bay Area in 1976 to work a job in the technology industry.

The Castro District was one of the first openly gay neighborhoods in the United States and remains one of the most prominent epicenters of queer pride and protest.