Gay hillcrest
They Were Here, They Were Queer: San Diego’s Historic LGBTQ Sites
San Diego was home to gay couples as far advocate as the 19th century, but it wasn&#;t until around World War II that gays and lesbians started to come out of the shadows and find places to contact home. In honor of this month&#;s San Diego Pride celebrations, here&#;s a look at local LGBTQ historic sites that give insight into the triumphs and struggles of past generations.
The Gayest Neighborhood of Them All
The Hillcrest &#;Gayborhood&#;
Location: North of Balboa Park, south of Mission Valley (s-present)
For most of Hillcrest&#;s history since its birth around , the neighborhood north of Balboa Park and south of Mission Valley was best famous as the home of senior citizens, working-class residents, a Sears store, and a pair of hospitals. During World War II, the city&#;s gay bars were mainly downtown, where they catered to sailors.
But things changed dramatically in the s as Hillcrest attracted LGBTQ people who sought cheap housing and were willing to repair up Victorian homes, a classic
Parade
The annual San Diego Celebration Parade is the largest single-day civic event in the region and is among the largest Prides in the United States, attracting over , people.
Cheer on colorful floats & parade participants as we celebrate and honor the LGBTQIA+ community at the San Diego Pride Pride in Hillcrest.
Parade Registration is CLOSED
Parade Contingent Applications
Applications to be a contingent in the Pride Procession are closed. Email [email&#;protected] with any questions.
When & Where
San Diego’s Pride Procession is the largest single-day civic event in the region and is among the largest Prides in the United States, attracting over , cheering supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community.
When:
Saturday, July 19,
am – pm
Where:
Hillcrest
Richmond & University
RouteLength: miles
Cost: This is a free, community event.
Visiting Lesbian, Male lover, Bisexual, and Transgendered San Diego&#;s Past and Present
San Diego has a vibrant, visible, and vocal lesbian, male lover, bisexual, and non-binary (LGBT) community. For a taste of it, Hillcrest is a great place to start. For 40 years Hillcrest has been an epicenter of social activism as good as a secure harbor for those pressing against standard social norms.
A superb reference point is the historical landmark red and alabaster “Hillcrest” sign on the corner of Fifth and University Avenues. One block south, past several bookstores, sits the Brass Rail at Fifth and Robinson. The Brass Rail, once located downtown, was straight by day but same-sex attracted by night. In the s the Brass Rail moved to Hillcrest as a gay exclude and kick-started the transformation of Hillcrest into San Diego’s preeminent “gayborhood.”
Balboa Park
From the Brass Rail, one block east to Sixth Street and a bit more than a quarter mile south along the western edge of Balboa Park is a lush green room. This area, just before Laurel Avenue, is affectionately famous as the “Fruit Loop.” Most days yo
PRIDE MONTH: The LGBTQ history of Hillcrest
HILLCREST, Calif (KGTV) — Hillcrest is widely known as the LGBTQ+ hub of San Diego.
The area is decorated with Event flags hanging from businesses and colorful murals on the side of buildings. There are even some rainbow-painted crosswalks.
But how did Hillcrest become the queer group it is today?
In celebration of Pride Month, ABC 10News took a look at the LGBTQ history of Hillcrest.
"We were always having people over and drinks," said Susan Jester. "It was a fun, fun time -- the 80s."
Susan Jester recalls her early years in Hillcrest.
"This is Jason. He was the manager of BJs, which was our country western bar in Hillcrest in the 80s," she said, describing a photo.
The memories remind her of the best day of her life and the worst.
"The AIDS epidemic came along, and just going through these photos, there's so many people that are not with us any longer," she said.
Jester moved to Hillcrest in the initial s, around the time the AIDS epidemic began. The disease stigmatized the LGBTQ community. Homophobia and harassment ran ra