Nation's First Transgender Cultural Historic District Coming to San Francisco

Developers will fund the Compton's Cafeteria Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual District to quell opposition to a proposed mixed-use development in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco.

1 minute read

February 4, 2017, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The Tenderloin

EQRoy / Shutterstock

Antonio Pacheco reports on an agreement that clears the way for the "country’s first transgender cultural historic district," to be located in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco.

According to Pacheco, the Compton's Cafeteria Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (TLGB) District came about in response to neighborhood opposition to the 950 Market Street housing and hotel development, developed by Group I and designed by Handel Architects.

The deal hinges on "$300,000 paid by the developer to establish the cultural district…to preserve the architectural and social legacy of the neighborhood’s many gay bars, several of which are being demolished in conjunction with the new project."

The name of the new district pays homage to Gene Compton's Cafeteria, explains Pacheco, "the site of a two-day riot in 1966, an event that predates the Stonewall Riots in New York City by two years and is considered as the first major transgender protest in the United States."

Friday, February 3, 2017 in The Architect's Newspaper

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Two people walking away from camera through pedestrian plaza in street in Richmond, Virginia with purple and white city bus moving in background.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA

The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

June 17, 2025 - WRIC

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

June 16, 2025 - Governing

Two-story green apartment building in residential neighborhood in Berkeley, California with tall street trees.

Berkeley Approves ‘Middle Housing’ Ordinance

The city that invented single-family zoning is finally reckoning with its history of exclusion.

June 27 - San Francisco Chronicle

SEPTA Station

SEPTA Budget Slashes Service by 45 Percent

The Philadelphia-area transit agency is legally tasked with maintaining a balanced budget. Officials hope the state will come to the rescue with additional funding.

June 27 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Connecticut state capitol with gold dome and modern office buildings in background in Hartford, CT.

Connecticut Governor Vetoes Housing Bill

Gov. Lamont reversed his view on a controversial affordable housing bill that would have required municipalities to zone for set amounts of affordable housing to receive state funding.

June 27 - Housing Wire

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.