WATCH: An unfiltered look at queer life in 1960s San Francisco, from leather bars to gay beaches
Screaming Queens: The Riot At Compton’s Cafeteria.In 2017, SF’s Tenderloin Museum and the California Preservation Program teamed up to restore the original 16MM film and present Raymond’s work, for the first time, as the documentary Gay San Francisco.All these years later, the film is a fascinating and celebratory time capsule, an authentic peek into our community’s past that doesn’t shy away from the sexier, funnier, stranger details, providing a “shockingly complete depiction of homosexual life” in the Tenderloin.Unprecedented for its time, Raymond’s project includes no shortage of fascinating materials as he takes viewers inside leather bars and novelty clubs and even captures a “tickle sacrifice” in one of its most memorable scenes.
But even in these more lurid moments, his subjects are depicted with candor, humor, and respect.There are also glimpses into the city’s thriving drag scene, featuring frank discussions with performers including the legendary Charles Pierce, who was known for his impersonation of Bette Davis and became so successful he was effectively America’s first drag superstar.But Gay San Francisco‘s most show-stopping moment has to be its rare footage from a Halloween drag revue at the historic On The Levee (one of SF’s earliest gay bars that, sadly, shuttered its doors long ago) featuring live music from legendary organist and entertainer David Kelsey.
Truly, this over 50-year-old drag show is not to be missed!Thanks to the archivists at the Tenderloin Museum and the magic of the internet, Raymond’s documentary lives on for all to see.
