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Overview
The growth of the late 19th century, early 20th century created a new world for “same-sex loving” to flourish. Many homosocial spaces were formed all over America, specifically in San Francisco, CA. Work settings, living spaces, organizations, nightlife, and the increase in number of single men and women all contributed to the growth of “same-sex love.[1] Pg 107. Urban areas and major cities became popular locations for homosocial gatherings. These communities allowed for individuals to find and empower each other, something that LGBT individuals had never had before. All though a major challenge, the LGBT community, being persistent, determined, and brave, fought against all injustices. Eventually the gay liberation movement began as a result of the formation of LGBT communities.
The LGBTQ culture within urban areas often greatly contrasts with rural communities. Within the city of San Francisco, homosocial spaces were present in the form of bars and nightclubs whereas homosocial spaces within the Monterey County were present in the form of support groups and organizations with a more intimate setting. The main difference between the homosocial spaces within San Francisco and the Monterey County is the social climates and atmospheres that centered around these communities. The populous urban culture of San Francisco allowed for unique individuals to find each other easily within homosocial spaces and therefore feel relative comfort early on within California's history. This comfort creates an atmosphere where the celebration of sexuality and the rejection of gender norms could be normalized and eventually spread throughout the state to rural areas such as Monterey County. It is important to compare these areas as it exemplifies how rapid urbanization and Western expansion allowed for the growth of LGBTQ communties as well as their homosocial spaces.
San Francisco Social Spaces
Beginning in the early 20th century, homosocial spaces such as gay bars and nightclubs began to emerge within San Francisco as an escape from the business of the urban lifestyle. The diverse and transient populations within San Francisco allowed for homosocial spaces to easily develop and acquire clientele. While these spaces faced the constant threat of police harassment and public judgement, the atmospheres within these bars and nightclubs were centered on entertainment and the celebration of sexuality within an underground community. “Mona’s”, a San Francisco gay lesbian bar, emerged in 1934 on Union Street [2]. This homosocial space hosted drag shows and cross-dressing waitresses while sporting the motto, “where girls can be boys,” , drawing both gay and straight audiences. The gay nightlife atmosphere within San Francisco allowed both men and women to relax and unwind within a social space where gender normalities would not be forced upon them. Throughout the 1950’s and 60’s, homosocial spaces continued to prosper within a party-like atmosphere which was regularly interrupted by police crackdowns and raids, eventually leading to a pushback from the gay community [3]. As homosocial spaces emerged early on within the United States history of San Francisco, the gay community was able to find like-minded individuals who would eventually organize and create the Gay Liberation movement [4].
Monterey County Social Spaces
Social spaces in Monterey County differed from San Francisco. The LGBTQ community gathered in smaller, more intimate settings. With resources, such as The Paper, Monterey County’s first LGBTQ newspaper, people had access to hearing about safe spaces where they could socialize freely. Some of these spaces included Cherry Bean Coffee house & Roastery in Salinas [5] and churches such as the Lavender Road Metropolitan Church [6]. In the ad for Lavender Road Metropolitan Church in The Paper, they describe themselves as “A Christian Church Affirming Gay and Lesbian People.”
In addition to LGBTQ-safe spaces throughout Monterey County, there were also several options that were more LGBTQ-exclusive. The only two gay nightclubs in the county were Franco’s Norma Jean Club in Castroville and the After Dark in Monterey. Franco’s Norma Jean club was most popular for their weekly western dance lessons, lesbian nights, and drag shows [7]. Although there was not a major nightlife scene in Monterey County compared to San Francisco, there were many organizations and support groups. Some of these groups were an AIDS support group, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), No Straight Talk for Teens [8], lesbian therapy groups, and “Hot and Healthy Safer Sex Parties” [9]. One of the key ways the differences between Monterey County and San Francisco’s LGBTQ scene is in their pride celebrations. While San Francisco’s was a massive parade and party, Monterey’s pride celebration was contained on their fairgrounds and was a festival with food and booths providing resources to the community.
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References
[1] Michael Bronski, A Queer History of the United States, (Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 2011).
[2] Susan Stryker and Jim Van Buskirk, Gay by the Bay: A History of Queer Culture in the San Francisco Bay Area (San Francisco: Chronicle, 1996).
[3] Strange De Jim, San Francisco's Castro (San Francisco: Arcadia Publishing, 2003).
[4] Kian Goh, “Safe Cities and Queer Spaces: The Urban Politics of Radical LGBT Activism.” [CITATION] 2018.
[5] Ad for the Cherry Bean Coffee House & Roastery, The Paper, June 1994, Box 4, Matt Friday and Bruce Carlson Papers, MS 6, California State University, Monterey Bay Archives and Special Collections.
[6] Ad for the Lavender Road Metropolitan Community Church, The Paper, June/July 1995, Box 4, Matt Friday and Bruce Carlson Papers, MS 6, California State University, Monterey Bay Archives and Special Collections.
[7] Community Calendar, The Paper, June 1, 1994, Box 4, Matt Friday and Bruce Carlson Papers, MS 6, California State University, Monterey Bay Archives and Special Collections.
[8] Community Calendar, The Paper, July 1, 1994, Box 4, Matt Friday and Bruce Carlson Papers, MS 6, California State University, Monterey Bay Archives and Special Collections.
[9] Ad for “Hot & Healthy Safer Sex Parties”, The Paper, October 1995, Box 4, Matt Friday and Bruce Carlson Papers, MS 6, California State University, Monterey Bay Archives and Special Collections.