San Francisco was light years ahead of a city like New York in 1976- they show all of the different aspects of gay life in San Francisco in 1976 including a gay bathhouse. The narrator is not homophobic/hateful in any way and quite respectful. In NYC at that time they would only report on a gay bathhouse if there was a murder or deaths from a fire- which occurred in May 1977 at the Everard Bathhouse. I was only 10 years old in 1976. It must have been so exciting ( pre AIDS) to live in San Francisco in the mid to late 1970's. Definitely the best place in the world at that time for a gay man to live.
Gay Life San Francisco 1976- Impressively Progressive/Tolerant Local News Documentary
by Anonymous | reply 4 | April 17, 2024 3:22 AM |
Unfortunately this was the time NABLA, Jim Jones and co. attached themselves to the gay rights movement, much like trannies are now.
by Anonymous | reply 1 | April 17, 2024 1:34 AM |
I appreciate antiquity and historical perspective but fan dancing, drag and all that makes me cringe.
by Anonymous | reply 2 | April 17, 2024 1:35 AM |
I think R1 is overstating the negatives. The gay community in general abhorred NAMBLA. Jim Jones's People's Temple was mostly made up of racial minorities. The majority dead at Jonestown were black women. Yes, there were LGBTQ congregants. But most gay men felt oppressed by religious institutions then (and now).
To live in SF and the Bay Area as a gay person in 1976 was affirming and lifesaving for thousands of us who found our way there and for the tens of thousands who preceded us.
Even after 1978--the Jonestown Massacre and the assassinations of Milk and Moscone--the gay community thrived.
AIDS put an end to the party, but it did not destroy the gay community. In many ways it strengthened us and made us more compassionate and loving.
Dehumanizing and demoralizing some of us, threatens all of us. We are in greater danger now of losing our place at the table than ever before. Don't take any of your rights and the privileges they convey for granted.
by Anonymous | reply 3 | April 17, 2024 3:13 AM |
R3 thank you.
by Anonymous | reply 4 | April 17, 2024 3:22 AM |