The expansion of gay rights in America has led to a growing interest in LGBTQ history. But aside from books and online resources, there aren’t that many places where people can learn about pioneers in the movement for equal rights.
That’s what makes the Rainbow Honor Walk, San Francisco’s LGBTQ Walk of Fame, such a necessary attraction.
Unveiled in September 2014, the walk features bronze star plaques honoring 44 individuals whose legacy includes contributions to the gay rights movement.
Diversity is the theme here, as the honorees are gay, lesbian, trans, white, black, Latino, and Asian. Those honored include civil rights activists, writers, poets, artists, and musicians.
Who’s on the LGBTQ Rainbow Honor Walk in San Francisco?
Familiar names on the walk include Nobel Prize winner Jane Addams, Pulitzer Prize winner Tennessee Williams, scientist Alan Turing, artist Frida Kahlo, poet Allen Ginsburg, and famed writers Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, and Virginia Woolf.
The walk currently features 44 stars (see the full list here). As of this writing, 36 actual stars have been placed into the sidewalk, while plans are in the works to add the remaining eight names in the future.
The Rainbow Honor Walk can be found in the Castro, the neighborhood that has served as the center of gay life in San Francisco for decades.
The walk passes right in front of Harvey Milk’s former camera shop, which is now a Human Rights Campaign headquarters.
Harvey is not technically part of the Walk of Fame since he already had an existing sidewalk plaque in front of his former office.
Some of the lesser known names I was excited to see on the Rainbow Honor Walk:
-Del Martin, the activist who lived for 50 years with her partner before being married at age 82 by SF mayor Gavin Newsom in 2004 in the ceremony that kickstarted the same-sex marriage debate in the U.S.
-Randy Shilts, the journalist who wrote And the Band Played On (Amazon link), one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read. The book documented the spread of HIV and AIDS in the early ’80s and how government’s failure to respond in a timely fashion exacerbated the crisis.
-Glenn Burke, the first out professional athlete in a major U.S. sport. He came out in 1982 after retiring, though he said that his Dodgers teammates all knew he was gay when he played.
-Keith Haring, the ’80s NYC artist who started with subway drawings and moved on to sanctioned murals. He work was quirky and fun, capturing the street culture of the Big Apple, and he was a contemporary of Andy Warhol.
-Former Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan was the first Black woman from the Deep South to serve in Congress. She memorably voted to impeach President Nixon, and later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Clinton.
-Sylvester, the disco singer who dressed in drag back when it was illegal and dangerous to do so. He performed with Martha Wash and the Pointer Sisters and opened for David Bowie and Chaka Khan. He’s one of several LGBTQ artists who should be considered by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Recent Additions to the Rainbow Honor Walk
A couple years ago, a new batch of 24 honorees was added to the Rainbow Honor Walk, joining the 20 who had previously been honored.
New additions included astronaut Sally Ride, drag queen and movie star Divine, author and activist Vito Russo, and 19th-century Native American tribal leader We’wha.
The Honor Walk’s website explains, “The criteria for all nominations to be honored with a RHW sidewalk plaque are as follows: self-expressed LGBTQ individuals, now deceased, who made significant contributions in their fields.”
Also inducted is former Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, who grew up in Zanzibar, Tanzania, before moving to England and becoming one of the greatest rock stars in history.
Find the Rainbow Honor Walk LGBT Walk of Fame on the sidewalk in the 400 and 500 blocks of Castro Street. Just look for the rainbow crosswalks.
Additional stars are now also situated on Market Street, near its intersection with Noe Street.
While you’re in San Francisco, make sure to check out Coit Tower, Alcatraz, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Cable Car Museum!
And here’s a whole list of cool things to do in Berkeley on the other side of the bay!
