Petrelis Files

Oops: SF Chron Forgets
Halloween in the Castro is Banned

The city that knows how to ban gay bathhouses for more than 20-years and counting, ban backroom bars on Folsom Street, is considering banning public nudity because Scott Wiener is unwilling to bring warring factions together at neighborhood public meetings to create acceptable-to-all social policies, is also known for banning Halloween in the Castro.

Lots of locals know about that last fact, except folks at the San Francisco Chronicle. From their story tonight about the SF Giants receiving a celebration parade and party from the city government and a very happy populace on Wednesday, Oct. 31:

The city that revels in Bay to Breakers, Halloween in the Castro, and any chance to dress up (or down) and party, will throw an orange-and-black celebration to rival all others.

Our major daily needs a homo history lesson, pronto. That should read, "The city that formerly reveled in Halloween in the Castro". This is excerpted from a story by Dennis McMillan in the Bay Times, September 2007:

In response to plans championed by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to shut down businesses in the Castro and eliminate the traditional Halloween celebration, a group of long-time San Francisco gay activists have formed Citizens for Halloween . . .

Citizens for Halloween says it is disappointed that the Newsom administration did not follow through on its Nov. 2, 2006 promise to convene a public task force, in response to the trouble at last year’s event, which involved a shooting at Sanchez and Market.

Halloween in the gayborhood has been banned since 2007. The Chronicle should get up to speed about this fact.

Let's see what Wednesday brings, what with the Giants party and it being Halloween everywhere in the city, including the Castro. Wouldn't surprise me to see throngs partying in the gayborhood Wednesday night.