Street renamed honoring Jose Sarria
By Tamara Barak, Bay City News Service
February 1, 2006
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) -- San Francisco supervisors voted
unanimously yesterday afternoon to rename a stretch of 16th Street
in the Castro District as "Jose Sarria Court" after
the gay rights pioneer and drag entertainer.
Sarria made history with his bid for San Francisco supervisor
in 1961, becoming the first openly gay candidate to run for public
office in the city. He lost, but garnered 5,600 votes.
"He was a great wit and character and a great trailblazer
for politicians like Harvey Milk and Tom Ammiano," said Supervisor
Bevan Dufty.
The Castro is among the neighborhoods Dufty represents in District
8. The new name will affect the stretch of 16th Street between
Pond and Prosper streets.
Supervisor Ammiano called Sarria "the Queen Mother of the
LBGT movement."
"He was a charmer and an entertainer," he noted, adding
that upon hearing the news of the resolution to name a street
for him, Sarria remarked, "They think I'm dead. That's why
they're doing this."
About 20 neighbors signed a petition urging supervisors not to
change the name.
"I recognize there is a healthy distaste for renaming streets
in San Francisco," Dufty said.
Copyright © 2006 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication,
Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent
of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
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