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Committee forwards Leather and LGBT cultural district resolution after sustained public support
Summary
The Land Use Committee recommended the establishment of a Leather and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Cultural District to the full Board after lengthy public testimony from business owners, residents and community groups who said the designation could preserve cultural institutions and help resist displacement.
Supervisor Jane Kim, sponsor of the resolution, described more than a decade of work to establish a Leather and LGBT cultural district in Western SoMa, citing the Western SoMa plan and community-led efforts. Kim said the proposal is intended not just to place markers but to create mechanisms and incentives to preserve small businesses, cultural institutions and housing for community members. “This neighborhood has been made stronger and more interesting, because of our leather and LGBT community,” Kim said, and noted the proposal’s goals include affordable housing protections, support for bars and clubs as safe community spaces, and backing for events like the Folsom Street Fair.
Dozens of public speakers voiced support. Rayce Bannon, a leather columnist, called for recognition and respect for the leather community and urged the board to move the resolution forward. Richard Bolingbroke and other long-time residents and business owners described the neighborhood’s history and the threat of rising rents and redevelopment. Business owners and nonprofit representatives — including owners of The Stud, representatives of the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance and cultural-district coalition members — emphasized the district’s potential to protect gathering spaces and local institutions.
Speakers representing adjacent or allied cultural-district efforts, including the Soma Filipinos Cultural Heritage District, said they supported the Leather and LGBT district and noted work toward a citywide framework for cultural districts that would be considered in separate legislation. Several speakers argued the designation could help secure venues, retain residents and create economic benefits tied to tourism and community events.
After public testimony, the committee moved the resolution out of committee with a positive recommendation to the full Board without objection.
Next steps: the resolution will be sent to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration.
