LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District

Welcome Video

Dates and Facts

Our Cultural District is in the South of Market neighborhood, bounded by Seventh, Howard, the 101 and I-80 freeways, plus Harrison, Fifth, Bryant and Sixth.

We are a fiscally sponsored project of SOMArts, a 501(c)3 organization.

May 9, 2018:
The world’s first LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District was created by a resolution unanimously passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on May 1, 2018 and signed by the Mayor on May 9, 2018.

June 21, 2019: Incorporation

July 17, 2019: Bylaws approved

August 21, 2019: First Board of Directors elected

September, 2019: First District Manager hired

November 18, 2019: 501(c)3 tax-exempt status received

December, 2019: Logo and branding guidelines adopted

May 8, 2021: First “SOMA Second Saturday” held

May 24, 2021: First mural sponsored by Cultural District dedicated

September 19, 2021: LeatherWalk first held as Cultural District fundraiser

September 27, 2021: First Executive Director hired

November, 2022: Golden Dildeaux Awards acquired from the Golden Gate Guards

November, 2022: Entrepreneurship Program launched

July 3, 2024: CHHESS Report adopted by the City

Board Meetings:

Board meetings are held monthly, and are open to all.

Committees:

Members of the public are welcome to participate.

- Arts and Culture Committee
- Communications Committee
- Diversity and Membership Committee
- Land Use Committee
- Fundraising Committee

What We’ve Accomplished:

Held multiple Focus Groups and an Open House to gather ideas and opinions from a wide range of stakeholders
Reached developer agreements to notify buyers & tenants about District and events
Created a “SOMA Action Network” for quick response to challenges to our neighborhood
Built and maintained a web site to keep public informed of activities
Established a monthly newsletter
Engaged in community outreach at multiple events and street fairs
Held annual elections to allow our members to select our Directors and President
Hosted the Leather Hub at Sunday Streets SOMA 2018 & 2019, and 2022
Held SOMA Bar Crawl with Supervisor Matt Haney
Revived LeatherWalk tradition, and hosted it in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
For 2020 Up Your Alley and Folsom Street Fairs (online)
- Created “Keep SOMA Kinky Arcade”
- Established “Fetish Runway” competition promoting kinky designers and fetish-wear creators
Hosted informational booths at Up Your Alley. Folsom and Castro Street Fairs, Pride Festivals, and other events
Hosted free community events to celebrate District’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th anniversaries
Co-hosted a free event in Ringold Alley, featuring a successful Boot Art Auction
Co-hosted a “Pride Pop-Up” group art exhibition in collaboration with Heron Arts and Oasis Arts
Created “SOMA Second Saturdays!” in conjunction with SOMA West CBD and Folsom Street
Hosted eight monthly “Play on the Plaza” events in Eagle Plaza in 2024, featuring activities hosted by a different local kink organization each month
Supported, promoted and participated in the Bearrison Street Fair in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Completed Cultural History, Housing, and Economic Sustainability Strategies (CHHESS) Report, and had it approved by the Board of Supervisors and Mayor
Provided support for development of Eagle Plaza
Created and maintained a Google Map of the neighborhood, showing current and selected former Leather sites, as well as local businesses of interest
Created Cultural Catalog promoting local and Leather and LGBTQ-identified artists
Used mailing list to keep artists informed about potential commissions and other opportunities
Used mailing list to keep small business operators and entrepreneurs informed about educational and funding opportunities
Printed and distributed postcards highlighting the businesses and activities of the Cultural District
Created database of the buildings and businesses that were most important in our culture’s history
Created and maintained page of online resources for Leather and LGBTQ communities
Created additional resource guides for Queer and Kinky BIPOC and people with disabilities.
Arranged to put leather and kink-themed artwork on Big Belly trash cans throughout District
Arranged for Leather Pride flags to appear on District light poles
Arranged for colorful Cultural District pole banners to appear throughout the District.
Arranged to have “LEATHER & LGBTQ CULTURAL DISTRICT” added to 22 street signs in SOMA
Arranged to have Leather Pride flag-themed decoration of selected crosswalks along Folsom Street
Launched the Leather Legacy Landmark sidewalk plaque initiative to permanently mark the locations of past community businesses and institutions.
Developed Mural Slideshow and Map to highlight local artwork and artists
Sponsored the Eyezen production, “Out of Site: SOMA”
Selected and approved a preliminary design for a Cultural District “Gateway” structure
Held online kink + BDSM workshop series called “Little Shop of Whores”
Held regular online and in-person “Erotic Storytelling Hour” programs, featuring and promoting the work of 100 kinky writers
Facilitated the “Sylvester” and “Showtime!” murals on the walls of Oasis
Facilitated the “Pup” mural on the wall of Mr. S Leather
Organized Narcan trainings for SOMA Bar staff, and for the public, led by Cary Escovedo
Promoted events at venues within the District on a weekly basis through our popular social media posts.
Took over the traditions of the Golden Dildeaux Awards and the Leather Pride Color Guard after the closing down of the Golden Gate Guards
Organized and hosted the Golden Dildeaux Awards as a major community fundraiser in 2023 and 2024.
Obtained official SF legislation supporting plaques and recognition for important leather community sites
Consulted with local businesses at risk of permanent closing due to COVID-19, provided grant and loan information, and supplied support letters for funding programs which singled out significance to Cultural Districts
Organized holiday market days featuring dozens of local vendors in December of 2021, 22, 23 and 24
Began offering regular free guided Walking Tours of the Cultural District
Created Entrepreneur Training Program to help create new businesses serving our community, completing 5 cohorts of students between 2022 and 2024.
Conducted Diversity, Equity, & Inclusivity (DEI) training for District board members, staff and volunteers
Co-hosted community meetings regarding public safety
Installed heart plaque on Eagle Plaza to honor beloved community leader
Partnered with SF DPH to sponsor “pop-up” events in Eagle Plaza offering free MPX and other vaccinations

Advocacy

Lobbied to repeal the San Francisco Bathhouse ban
Lobbied for a new “Adult Sex Venue” zoning category to allow bathhouses.
Lobbied for a “Nightlife Corridor” in SOMA to allow bathhouses otherwise excluded.
Lobbied to repeal the section of the Police Code that regulated bathhouses.
Advocated for the passage of Prop E, to provide Hotel Tax funding for all Cultural Districts
Helped organize community support for Landmark Designation for the SF Eagle
Worked with the Planning Commission on, and advocated for, Landmark Designation for the SF Eagle
Advocated for parklets to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on local businesses
Advocated for the naming of a new park near our District after a beloved community leader
Did community education and direct advocacy regarding SF Redistricting and other important issues.

What We Plan to Do

Develop web-based self-guided Walking Tours of the Cultural District
Continue and Expand Entrepreneur Training Program and other business development programs
Promote more murals and other public art in the District
Construct a Gateway as a District place-making feature
Acquire a building for a permanent Leather Community Center and event space to prevent displacement
Investigate establishing a Community Development Corporation or land trust to prevent displacement of community businesses
Establish periodic pop-ups to display community artists’ work
Establish periodic events to draw people to the District and its community businesses
Work with local bars and venues on equity and cultural sensitivity, to ensure a welcoming environment for all
Encourage local venues to have someone on staff with Narcan training

What is the District Doing Now And how can you help?

Developing a Cultural Catalog of Artists, Artisans and Performers – View our Cultural Catalog! – Sign up for it!
Working to install Leather themed crosswalks and other place-making elements – Learn more about Folsom Street plans!
Synthesizing community input into a three year strategy report (CHHESS) — Have your voice heard!
Hosting online and live events in accordance with current Department of Health guidelines – Check upcoming events on Facebook!
Working on branding, social media, and public outreach
- Attend our next Communications Committee meeting!
Reaching out to marginalized and under-represented populations
- Attend our next Diversity & Membership Committee meeting!
Working with developers to help mitigate the effects of gentrification
- Attend our next Land Use Committee meeting!
Planning activities and special events to support our artists, artisans and businesses
- Attend our next Arts and Culture Committee meeting!
Being transparent, responsive, and proactive
- Attend our next Board of Directors meeting!
Coordinating with other Cultural Districts – Check out the other Cultural Districts!
Coordinating with the Friends of Eagle Plaza, who will be the Stewards of this important public space in the District.
Keeping folks informed about our programs and priorities — Receive our monthly newsletter!
Representing the needs and wishes of our queer and kinky community — Become a member!

More Information

Read the Resolution, as approved by the Board of Supervisors and signed by the Mayor on May 9, 2018, creating the Cultural District.
Read the Vision and Mission Statements for the Cultural District.
Read our full organizational Bylaws.
See a list of our current Board of Directors.
View a map of the Cultural District.
Watch a video highlighting some of our recent activities.
Check out our Calendar of Cultural District meetings and events .
Learn about the City of San Francisco’s Cultural Districts Program.
Like and follow the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District on Facebook.
Join our Group on Fetlife.
Follow @sfleatherdist on Instagram.

Our Contact info

LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District
584 Castro Street #140
San Francisco, CA 94114
info@SFLCD.org
415-237-3237
Additional contact Information

About Us