The Transgender District

The Transgender District, formerly known as Compton's Transgender Cultural District, is the first legally recognized transgender district in the world. It was founded in 2017 by three black trans women: Honey Mahogany, Janetta Johnson, and Aria Sa'id. The district is located in the southeastern Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, spanning six blocks and extending onto two blocks of Sixth Street.

History

The Transgender District was named after the historic Compton's Cafeteria riot of 1966, the first documented uprising of transgender and queer people in U.S. history. In 2017, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors established the district through an ordinance, which also allocated $300,000 in seed funding to support its development. An additional $75,000 was provided for decorations and events.

In March 2020, the district officially changed its name to The Transgender District to move away from honoring Gene Compton, whose establishment was linked to arrests of LGBTQ individuals.

Mission

The Transgender District aims to stabilize and economically empower the transgender community by fostering ownership of homes, businesses, and cultural sites. It also seeks to preserve the rich history and legacy of transgender people in the area.

Activities

• Economic Empowerment: The district supports initiatives to promote transgender-owned businesses and provides training programs, such as a proposed coffee shop offering job training for transgender people of color.
• Cultural Preservation: It advocates for preserving cultural and historic sites significant to the transgender community. In 2022, the Board of Supervisors designated the corner of Turk and Taylor streets as a historic landmark.
• Community Programs: The district organizes community events and programs to enhance transgender visibility and participation.

Leadership

Initially, Honey Mahogany served as the executive director, followed by Aria Sa'id. In August 2023, Breonna McCree and Carlo Gomez Arteaga took over as co-executive directors.

Advocacy and Funding

The Transgender District advocates for policy changes to support transgender housing and business ventures. It received significant financial support from the city and other organizations, including a grant from the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations to the district are tax-deductible, as it is classified under civil rights, social action, and advocacy categories.