SF Trans Community Rallies to Reclaim Historic Compton's Cafeteria Site In the Tenderloin

Activists rallied Sunday outside the historic Compton's Cafeteria site in San Francisco, protesting its current use as a for-profit carceral facility. This site, notable for the 1966 Compton's Cafeteria Riot, is located in the Tenderloin and serves as group housing for a federally sponsored work furlough program. Local LGBTQ groups are advocating for a zoning change to honor the building's historical significance related to police mistreatment of trans individuals. In a letter to the SF Board of Appeals, activists expressed that the site's highest and best use does not involve a for-profit facility. Architect Chandra Laborde highlighted the importance of the site in the context of racial and LGBTQ+ justice.

Former Lutheran bishop Meghan Rohrer articulated a vision for transforming the building into a community space for trans individuals. The 1966 riot, which involved patrons resisting police harassment, marked a significant moment in LGBTQ+ history, akin to the Stonewall riots. The site received historic landmark designations, including a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, further solidifying its importance.