One of the busiest intersections in San Francisco has become known as a place to rest and take a break from the surrounding city clamor. Jane Warner Plaza Renovated and Re-Dedicated in May 2010 The large flag at Harvey Milk Plaza and the rainbow banners on street poles throughout the district are paid for and maintained by monies contributed yearly by the Castro Street Fair and the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro (MUMC). In the Castro and Upper Market area, rainbow flags can be seen everywhere: attached to light poles as banners, posted in bars, on merchandise in shop windows, and hanging from the front of people’s homes. The flag quickly was adopted by the LGBT community around the world as a symbol of pride and diversity. The flag was reduced to six stripes to make production easier (hot pink and indigo were eliminated) and by 1979 rainbow banners were lining the parade route. The first few rainbow flags appeared at the 1978 Gay Freedom Day Parade to positive acclaim. Inspired, Baker dyed and stitched together eight fabric strips of brilliant color. The LGBT rainbow flag was first designed and created in San Francisco by Gilbert Baker, a young gay fabric artist who in 1978 was challenged by his friend, Harvey Milk, to sew a symbol of pride for the gay community. At its base a plaque commemorates San Francisco’s lesbian and gay state and local elected officials. On the upper level of the plaza, a 70-foot flagpole flies the huge rainbow flag, visible for miles around. The lower level of the plaza, which also provides access to the southern entrance of Muni Metro’s Castro Street station, has a small display of photos from Harvey’s life and a plaque giving a brief history of his accomplishments. The plaza, renamed for Harvey in 1985, serves as the starting point for his memorial candlelight march every year on November 27th. With tears, candles and flowers, they somberly marched down Market Street to City Hall in memory the slain leaders.
On the evening of Harvey’s and Mayor George Moscone’s assassinations on November 27, 1978, thousands of Castro residents and other grieving San Franciscans gathered at the plaza.
It also is the location of a giant rainbow pride flag (20 feet by 30 feet) that waves over the Castro. Harvey Milk Plaza and Rainbow Flag (Castro and Market Streets) – Memorializing San Francisco politician and gay rights activist Harvey Milk, this small plaza is a neighborhood gathering point for marches, demonstrations and voter drives. San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Community Center Plazas Harvey Milk Mural & Former Location of Harvey’s “Castro Camera” StoreĮureka Valley / Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Library and José Sarria Court
Some places worth visiting in the Castro/Upper Market: