Hoodline's Guide To Pride 2017

Hoodline's Guide To Pride 2017Pride 2016 celebrants. |Photo: Geri Koeppel
Nathan Falstreau
Published on June 23, 2017

SF Pride is officially here. This year's theme is "A Celebration of Diversity," and in that spirit, we've found a ton of different ways to observe this very San Francisco holiday.

With more than a million visitors expected to attend this weekend's festivities, here are some tips on what to do and how to navigate the city, including street closures, security and safety, and the main events.

Photo: torbakhopper/Flickr

Getting Around

Several Muni lines and routes will not be able to serve Market Street during the parade, with many routes rerouted to Mission Street.

These reroutes will stop at regular stops for the 14 Mission route between 11th and 1st Streets, so plan accordingly. 

The 27 Bryant will be split into two segments, north and south of Market Street; following the parade, the 5 Fulton, 19 Polk and 21 Hayes will resume reroutes for the celebration at Civic Center Plaza.

With so much going on this weekend, many lines will also have limited service. For the full list of service changes, check out SFMTA's website.

SFMTA also encourages people to take Muni to get to Pride events. In particular, they noted that the Civic Center garage will not be open during Pride events at Civic Center Plaza.

Street Closures 

Residents and visitors should note that all intersections on Market will be closed to cross traffic during the Pride Parade on Sunday until 5pm, with many streets also dedicated to the parade formation area.

Other street closures will also last until 6am on Sunday, June 26:

  • Fulton St., between Hyde and Larkin Streets, and Grove St., between Polk and Larkin Streets
  • Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, between Grove and McAllister Streets
  • Grove St., between Van Ness Ave. and Hyde St.
  • Larkin St., between McAllister and Market Streets
  • Dr. Tom Waddell Place (Lech Walesa), between Van Ness Ave. and Polk St.
  • Polk St., between Grove and Market Streets
  • McAllister St., between Van Ness Ave. and Leavenworth St.
  • Hyde St., between McAllister and Grove Streets
  • Continuum Alley 
  • Elm St., between Van Ness Ave. and Polk St.  
  • Golden Gate Ave., between Van Ness Ave. and Leavenworth St. 
  • Hyde St., between Turk and McAllister Streets
  • Larkin St., between Turk and McAllister Streets 
  • Polk St., between Turk and McAllister Streets
  • Redwood St., between Polk St. and Van Ness Ave.
  • Leavenworth St., between McAllister and Market Streets. 

Security and Safety

SFPD will have a significant presence at this year's Pride, with both uniformed and plainclothes officers on duty.

Bringing bags to the parade is discouraged, a ban on open alcohol containers will be strictly enforced, and all streets in the Castro will remain open during the festivities. 

SFPD will be screening visitors in Civic Center with either walk-through metal detectors or handheld wands. People may also be subject to additional searches of their person and possessions. Police recommend that celebrants allow for extra time to pass though security checkpoints. 

Castro Merchants is also recommending Castro bar goers to join a Castro security Facebook group or group chat to notify other bars of misbehaved and/or overly intoxicated patrons. To join, contact Chris Hastings at [email protected].

Events

Frameline Film Festival

The Frameline Film Festival, founded in 1977, celebrates its 41st anniversary this year and showings will be happening daily throughout Pride weekend. Take a look at the calendar for a list of showtimes. 

Trans March

This afternoon, Pride begins with the Trans March. It starts with a rally at Dolores Park and concludes at Turk and Taylor Streets.


Kisses From San Francisco

Obscura Digital, a creative design studio known for high-impact projection installations around the world, has partnered with Patrick Carney, creator of the famous Pink Triangle, to present “Kisses from San Francisco."

The installation will project images of lips blowing kisses from San Francisco to the people of the world on the Pink Triangle, in a "grand and open-armed statement of love, positivity and human connection."

The projections will take place on Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24 from dark until 2am. 

Pink Triangle

The Pink Triangle on Twin Peaks that appears for Pride is seeking volunteers who'll help install the symbol. Come Saturday morning from 7–10 for the installation; volunteers will be rewarded with coffee, pastries and fashionable Pink Triangle T-shirts.

After the installation, a commemoration ceremony will take place with local officials, the SF Lesbian Gay Freedom Band, and musical theater performer Leanne Borghese.

25th Annual Dyke March

On Saturday, the Dyke March begins at 18th and Dolores. Organizers are asking volunteers to arrive by 5pm. Marchers are expected to arrive in the Castro area around 6–7pm.

Pride Parade

On Sunday, the main event kicks off at 10:30am.