Caitlin Piercey

I was recently given the opportunity to travel to San Francisco, California, from April 14 until April 22. My research relates to the activism of the trans community in 1960s San Francisco, particularly in the Tenderloin district. During my trip, I was able to walk through the Tenderloin district and visit the site of the Compton’s Cafeteria riot of 1966, the little known event around which my research revolves.

            Many of the sources available for the study of trans history are of a personal nature, such as correspondence or journals. The San Francisco Public Library houses the James C. Hormel GLBT Center. I was able to examine the letters of trans individuals such as Lou Sullivan and his friends and partners in order to gain a deeper understanding of the trans community in San Francisco. These letters contain information regarding neighbourhoods, preferred bars, and the general culture of the trans community as well as deeply personal struggles regarding transitioning in the 1960s. Letters such as these are truly an irreplaceable source for trans history, as the sources available are few and far between; these letters are illuminating in many ways.

      The public library also holds a vast archive of newspapers, including, for example, the San Francisco Chronicle. Although, as expected, there were not a large number of articles in the period relating to the transgender community, I was able to find more than I had anticipated, as there were several pieces relating to what was called the “transsexual scandal”. The articles, though sensational in nature, speak to public opinion regarding the trans community. One such article, for example, polled cisgender women about whether they would marry a man who cross-dressed. Their answers were, to my surprise, fairly supportive, and bring to light questions regarding the trans community and family.

            Nearby, the GLBT Historical Society holds another archive. This archive held a massive amount of information. I stumbled upon some information which has impacted my research greatly. The letters and documents in the Ed Hansen file describe the role of the religious community in the Tenderloin district, the neighbourhood which was largely populated by transgender people, as well as homeless youth, prostitutes and drug addicts. This file showed a very empathetic approach from the religious community, which is a curious finding considering the largely negative stance of the church on transgender people. This file also expressed some tension between the church and the police and state regarding this district, which is useful in my exploration of the role of the police. I am eager to further analyze and explore this new information.

            Traveling to San Francisco gave me the opportunity to see documents that were inaccessible to me from Newfoundland, and to explore the area I am studying. As well, I was able to make contact with others interested in similar topics; this is exciting for me, as the field is not a widely-studied one. The trip has shed new light on my research question, and I am excited to work with my findings!