By Donna Sachet–
Do yourself a favor and get tickets now on any Friday or Saturday for Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, an immersive theatrical reenactment of the San Francisco evening when members of the frequently targeted and victimized transgender community rebelled. You’ll arrive at Larkin Street, near to the original location of the event, and step into a retro-styled cafeteria with period photographs on the walls and uniformed waitresses serving breakfast and coffee.
Slowly, you become aware of characters in the play mingling among the diners, exchanging their lines as if in casual conversation. Occasionally, a microphoned drag queen behind the bar guides you through the action as new patrons enter and exit, a belligerent policeman swaggers through, and the cafeteria proprietor tries to maintain peace in this little Tenderloin oasis.
As you chew your bacon and sip your coffee, you sense the tension building. Characters exchange stories of police harassment and social exclusion, family estrangement and drag competitions, as a small group of relentlessly persecuted minority just try to find a way to live life day to day. Finally, the primarily verbal confrontations become physical as the cop pushes a little too hard and the patrons reach their limit and strike back. Bedlam ensues. And all this preceded the Stonewall Riots by three years.
Not enough people know this story and not enough people have witnessed this theatrical experience. Co-written by Collette LeGrande, Donna Personna, and Mark Nassar, directed by Ezra Reaves, and acted by local talents with vigor and conviction, this play brings to life that night in 1966 so vividly. The creative team deserves special credit for so accurately recreating the cafe and ambiance.
Having read Susan Stryker’s well-researched book and seen the documentary film, we wondered what this play could add to our understanding. It is a remarkable piece of theater. Having known some of the characters upon whom the play is based only added to our enjoyment. Whether you have heard of the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot or not, this is an experience that will enrich your understanding of the birth of our modern queer struggle. Go with friends and you’ll discuss it well into the night. Get your tickets today!
We were happy to co-emcee with Bobby Friday Pride Renaissance, an ambitious gala fundraiser for Queer Life Space, providing affordable individual, couples, and group therapy to the LGBTQIA+ community in the Bay Area. The Swedish American Hall on Market Street was the setting for a lavish cocktail hour, seated dinner, live auction conducted by Gary Virginia, dazzling entertainment by Mahlae Balenciaga, Oliver Branch, Unicorn Breeding Ground, and Kippy Marks, and various awards and recognitions. This was a new organization on our radar, but this event and its Executive Director, Ryan MacCarrigan, and our friend Moxie Penn made a strong case for its support. The evening ended with a reception next door at The Academy SF.
With limited space and so many events to cover, we’ll only touch briefly on these remaining happenings. The San Francisco Business Times’ Business of Pride at the Westin St. Francis Hotel on June 4 showcased vibrant LGBTQ+ businesses and leaders and provided valuable networking opportunities for all. One of our favorite annual events, the rainbow flag raising at City Hall, took place on Friday, June 6, attended by Pride Parade Grand Marshals, SF Pride leadership, city officials, and Reigning Emperor Ashlé Blow and Reigning Empress Afrika America.
That night, we joined Emperor Nic Hunter for one of the last performances of Opera Parallele’s Harvey Milk Reimagined at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. It is an emotionally charged and musically dramatic recounting of the political life of our local icon. The next morning, we were joined by Emperor Ashlé Blow atop Twin Peaks for the Pink Triangle dedication ceremony, where project organizer Patrick Carney hosted scores of assembly volunteers, the SF Pride Band at its finest, Mayor Daniel Lurie, State Senator Scott Wiener, Assemblyman Matt Haney, City Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, Matt Dorsey, and Joel Engardio, Treasurer José Cisneros, Assessor-Recorder Joaquin Torres, and many others.
Later that day, many enjoyed the SF Giants Pride Day with Jason Brock singing the National Anthem and many of our friends providing entertainment segments captured on the Jumbotron, followed by a Victory Party, hosted by Gary Virginia, at Moby Dick. And on Sunday afternoon, with the last bit of energy and creative wit we had, we headlined Sunday’s a Drag, a Pride Party at the beautiful new Starlite at the Beacon Grand Hotel in Union Square. Fellow performers Holotta Tymes, Nicki Jizz, and Evian gave the crowd a spectacular show that would have made our dear friends Harry Denton and Michael Pagan proud.
Yes, it’s been quite a whirlwind of activities, but what does one expect in June? Get ready for the many remaining Pride-themed events, many of which, but not all, are listed in our calendar section. And whether you dash headlong into this Pride season or simply enjoy our hard-fought successes in more private and personal ways, please hold your head high, speak with confidence, and embody SF Pride’s theme: Queer Joy is Resistance. Happy Pride, everyone!
Donna Sachet is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist, and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at empsachet@gmail.com
Fridays & Saturdays,
through July 26
Compton’s Cafeteria Riot
Written by Colette LeGrande, Donna Personna, & Mark Nassar
Immersive theatrical experience
835 Larkin St.
7 pm $75
www.tickettailor.com
Saturday, June 14
5th Annual Wine Fest
The Academy SF,
2166 Market St.
6–9 pm $85
www.academy-sf.com
Sunday, June 15
Broadway Bares SF VIII:
Hex Appeal
REAF spectacular show
1015 Folsom
7 pm $50 & up
www.broadwaybaressf.org
Wednesday, June 18
Frameline Film Festival
Opening Night
Film Jimpa with John Lithgow
& Olivia Coleman
Toni Rembe Theater,
415 Geary St.
7 pm $33 & up
www.frameline.org
Saturday, June 21
AIDS Legal Referral Panel
Garden Party
Open bar, hors d’oeuvres,
auction, hat contest
Hosted by Donna Sachet
Hot Johnnie’s Smokehouse,
4077 18th St.
$40 & up
www.givebutter.com/garrdenparty25
Saturday, June 21
SF Gay Men’s Chorus
Pride Concert
Artistic Director Jake Stensberg
Special guest Justin Tranter
Curran Theatre, 445 Geary Street
Chan National Queer Arts Center, 170 Valencia St.
1 & 7:30 pm $61 & up
www.sfgmc.org
Tuesday, June 24:
Threads of Pride
Dr. Nas Mohamed’s fashion event
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. 5:30 pm $80 & up
www.sfpride.org
Thursday, June 26
Divas & Drinks
Bay Times Celebration of Pride and 10th Anniversary of Nationwide Marriage Equality
The Academy SF,
2166 Market St. 6 pm $15
www.academy-sf.com
Friday, June 27
SF Opera Pride Concert
Host Monet X Change
Pre-show with Suzanne Ford, concert, dance party with
Juanita MORE!
War Memorial Opera House,
301 Van Ness Ave.
6:30 pm $30 & up
www.sfopera.com/pride
Saturday June 28
Pride Festival
Civic Center Free!
www.sfpride.org
Sunday, June 29
SF Pride Parade
Market St. Free!
www.sfpride.org
Donna’s Chronicles
Published on June 12, 2025
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