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.

F - Marching with a sousaphone slung over his shoulder Michael Mehr plays California, Here I Come! during a band rehearsal at Rikki Streicher Field on Sunday, May 22, 2022 in San Francisco.

In 1984, Mehr rented a sousaphone to compete in a radio competition but after three payments the company went bankrupt. “No one came looking for me,” Mehr joked.

He still plays the same brass instrument to this day, just now with a few more character scratches and bumps.

F - “It gets me out of the house,” Michael Mehr shared as he laughed with his friends during band rehearsal at Rikki Streicher Field on Sunday, May 22, 2022 in San Francisco.

Mehr joined the band in 1987 with a slight push from his partner, “My lover at the time was pushing for spring cleaning that year and told me that I should use that horn sitting on the living room floor, or he would get rid of it for me.”

Mehr made the 40 mile journey by train to the pride parade to sign up and has stuck with it ever since.

F - Michael Mehr plays This is Me from The Greatest Showman during band rehearsal at Rikki Streicher Field on Sunday, May 22, 2022 in San Francisco. Mehr has played through history, his first ever trip with the band was to Washington, D.C. to participate in the second March on Washington, a gay rights protest.

The group was not welcomed with open arms. While practicing for the march on the National Mall, Capitol Police waited patiently to enforce the expiration of the group's permit.

At 6:00 p.m. on the dot officers mounted on horseback in full riot gear started banging nightsticks on their shields and advancing. “We decided maybe it was a good time to run,” Mehr joked.

F - Mike Wong, Artistic Director for the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band conducts during a rehearsal at Rikki Streicher Field on Sunday, May 22, 2022 in San Francisco. Wong received the honor of becoming the band’s 12th Artistic Director in January of 2016.

During this time the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band has expanded its reach to have chapters nationwide, coming together to play big events like the presidential inauguration.

F - Gary Cozzi jokes with band members during a rehearsal at Rikki Streicher Field on Sunday, May 22, 2022 in San Francisco. The San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band became the official band of the City of San Francisco in December, 2018. The motion by the city council to recognize the group was unanimous and signed into law by the mayor immediately.

F - Gary Cozzi, plays the bass drum and practices marching during a rehearsal at Rikki Streicher Field on Sunday, May 22, 2022 in San Francisco. After a performance that morning in The Castro District the band began practicing for the upcoming San Francisco Pride Parade.

F - Listening from the shade Andrea Nguyen, San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band’s archivist, sketches while the band practices marching during a rehearsal at Rikki Streicher Field on Sunday, May 22, 2022 in San Francisco. The group’s groundbreaking history has been immaculately preserved through the work of its members amassing an archive of costumes, fliers and photos.

F - Tossing up a light up baton Chi Energy, the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band’s twirler, warms up during a rehearsal at Rikki Streicher Field on Sunday, May 22, 2022 in San Francisco. Retired from a life working in technology Chi performs all over San Francisco twirling.

F - Leading the band, Chi Energy, the band’s twirler, practices his marching with the band during a rehearsal at Rikki Streicher Field on Sunday, May 22, 2022 in San Francisco. Chi has been marching and leading the band for years and considers the group some of his good friends getting to spend time with them every week.

F - Surrounded by his hand made costumes, rhinestones, vinyl and feathers, Chi Energy sews on a button to his San Francisco Pride Parade outfit in his home in the Castro District on Monday, May 23, 2022 in San Francisco.

Chi says he never wears the same outfit twice and keeps all of the costumes he makes so he can reuse and change pieces for other outfits.

F - Chi Energy shows photos from his Twirling World Championship win at his home in the Castro District on Monday, May 23, 2022 in San Francisco. Chi has won at every level of competition as a twirler and as a coach. “I have won over 100 trophies,” Chi shared.

Growing up in a very religious and conservative household he chose twirling for the competition and expression. “My parents wouldn’t even let me keep the trophies because they said they were idols,” Chi shared

F - Chi Energy poses for a photo with a scar he received from open heart surgery in his home in the Castro District on Monday, May 23, 2022 in San Francisco. The surgery required a heart bypass machine and breathing machine making him unable to move for months after the procedure.

At 50 after being active all his life, he lost most of his muscle and cut his weight by over 30 pounds. Chi now wears padded undershirts so people won’t notice his change. “I thought I would never be able to perform again. Leading the band in this year’s San Francisco Pride Parade has became my goal,” Chi said softly.