Harvey Milk and the Castro (c) Jerry Pritikin

First castro Street fair (that's me in the striped shirt) (c) J. Pritikin
Castro Street Fair-1978 From 18th St Looking towards Market st. (c) J.Pritikin

First castro St. fair (c) J Pritikin
Changing Neighborhood 18th near castro-1974 (c) J. Pritikin

Everyday is an Anniversary. That is how it feels as you get as old as I am. For me the month of May has always been marked with birthdays for My Sister Toby, her husband Marvin and my mother's on the 20th. Plus Mother's day. Recently added, it's been Harvey Milk Day. I happen to believe it's missing the addition of the name of Mayor George Moscone to make it complete. I was fortunate to have known them both as friends. I remember what it was like to be gay in San Francisco before George Moscone was elected in 1975. When I first arrived in the 1960s, there were many landlords that would not rent an apartment to two guys,period! There was a popular Hamburger place on Van Ness Called Hypo's that had a sign over their bar IF YOUR QUEER-STAY OUT OF HERE. There were gay bars spread all over town... but they were in seedy areas, or after 5 P.M. in the financial district. There were laws on the city's law books that if you dressed in drag, you had to wear a lapel-like tag I AM A BOY, or you could be arrested, even on Halloween!

In the early 70's, the Castro was awakening to a new beat. It was a gay invasion into a sleepy working-class neighborhood in the Eureka Valley. Rents were reasonable, as was property. Gay real estate companies made their entry into the CASTRO equation. Store fronts were cheap, and anchored in family owned restaurants, pharmacies and taverns. Most people used MUNI, and it was a hub of transfer points for streetcars and buses. I asked the owner of the Georgianna bakery shop if I could display my photos in her store front display windows. It was located at 420(before 420 was known as 420) Castro Street just steps away from today's Harvey Milk Plaza. People looked in, laughed and enjoyed them. I recall on a Saturday morning, I received a call from someone at the other end asking me "to shoot her kids! " Her name was Juana, and had her own local -TV show on Channel 44. It turned out to be It was a very memorable shoot.

A couple of years ago I received an email from her. She was doing a search for Harvey Milk name, and noticed my name. It was gratifying to hear that her girls recalled that day over 30 years later, as one of their best childhood memories. She was getting ready to re-released her 1978 interview with Harvey Milk ( Link www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVlxq7wqgeU ) a few years ago.

Tomorrow will mark another Harvey Milk Day. It reminds me of the best of times. CHECK OUT MY ARCHIVES,there are a few stories about how I first met Harvey Milk and his lover,Scott Smith. In those days.... Harvey's camera shop was gay center earth at 575 Castro Street. The atmosphere was similar to that portrayed hundreds of times in Hollywood movies as the general store in a small town, with neighbors talking politics in front to the potbelly stove, and that was the only thing missing at Harvey's camera shop. Harvey was 7 years older then me... and I often think what if? What if Harvey and George had lived, like I think the same of JFK,RFK, and MLK. However, it was their leadership that opened a lot of doors,and possibilities for openly-gay citizens... first in San Francisco, then here in Chicago and Now, throughOUT the world.

Note in the bakery shop window the young girl in the window with a doll, she's one of Jauan's children( and me in the reflection).

575 Castro Street-"Center Earth" for the S.F.Gay Rights movement in the 1970s. By Jerry Pritikin

About a month ago, I received an email from the HRC,(Human Rights Campaign) the largest gay rights organization in th country. They asked me for my permission to use my iconic image of Harvey Milk, for their new store that will be located at 575 Castro Street. That's the landmark location of Harvey Milk's camera shop, made even more famous in the "Milk" movie. I told their representative that I had problems with some of HRC's programs. They have had many Black-Tie Events, and I felt they were pricing OUT gay students,seniors and the average hourly wage gays from attending them. I also remarked, that I felt they were wrong when they left the trans-gender segment of the gay community out of their "Rights" agaendas. That being said... I feel it can become a great attraction for tourist, and or gay pilgrims visiting that landmark location. In the past few days, a few of the people depicted in the MILK movie, has cried fowl... saying Harvey would be appall, knowing that the HRC is moving into his location. I honestly doubt that! Recently there was a posting on the site known as THOUGHTS FROM A QUEER NUDEST http://nudewoody.blogspot.com/2010/11/harveys-as-happiest-place.html tellin the history about Harvey's landlord at the 575 Castro location, that raised the rent many hundreds of dollars and forced Harvey to move from that location in early 1978. It also tells how Paul Langley, in the late 1980's raised the rent of the well known Elephant Walk Bar & Restaurant from $6,000. to 12,000. a month forcing them out of business. Paul came to me and asked if I would sell him a few of my Harvey Milk images and memorabilia... and I refused, because I knew his background in the evolution of the Castro.I also found out that the story was based on one of my comments on a well known gay website, called the Petrlis Files.

I am now in negotiations with the HRC, to use my "Milk/Save Our Rights" image as a mural on the back wall. I would be honored
if it happens. I first met Harvey when he opened that location, and bought my film and had it develped there,too. That was center earth for much of the early gay rights movement. In my archives are more stories about those times. Hope everyone has a Great Holiday Season and New Year. I'll let you know of any up-dates...Cheers, Jerry

The image Harvey Milk and me Photo credit Danny Nicoletta Others (c) Jerry Pritikin

The Last At Bats...Friday/Aug 13th/2010 Chicago's Gage Gallery

This exhibit was flawless from it's conception, and great opening. Plus the fine press coverage, with 3 fine reviews, and continuious press updates. I had the pleasure to meet old aquaintences, and make new friends. From former Cub player, who just walked in from the poster out in front, To the young man from Germany, and many residents at a near-northside Seniors building, where I live, Thank you... and friends of friends, from bygone era's. I discovered 2 people at the Opening I thought had passed away... were very much alive. I was informed, that a recent meeting of 9 University Presidents, who are openly gay. It was hosted by Charles Middleton, President of Chicago's Roosevelt University. One of their meetings took place in the same Gage gallery Room where my Exhibit "San Francisco in the 1970s" has been ongoing since June3rd. One time I came in, and there was an older lady, standing near the small video screen showing many of the real people depicted in the Milk Movie. I told her I was the photographer, and if she had any questions, that I would be happy to reply. She nodded and kept watching the
Milk Promo. After 10 minutes, I left with her still in front of the screen... however, I now believe she did not speak English, and just came in to dodge the 90+ heat outside in the air conditioned Gage gallery at 18 S. Michigan Ave.

Again, my thanks to RU Presedent Charles Middleton, and Director Michael Ensdorf, and the marketing staff at the Gage, especially Laura Janota. It has been a labor of Love,
Thank You,
Jerry Pritikin

Another "Quick" Year...Photos (c) J Pritikin

Over the years, I have photographed many Gay Pride Parades. However, in recent years, I have not taken as many images. Last year I only took about 10 shots... however one of them turned "OUT" to be make a lasting impression that had an impact on my life ! It was the group from Roosevelt University, and they were holding signs. Included in this group, was the President of Roosevelt University, Charles Middelton, and he proudly proclaimed that he was gay, as well as the other's did too, as they marched in the 2009 Chicago Pride Parade. About a week after the Parade, I looked up Roosevelt's web-site, and sent Mr. Middleton a jpg, and asked if they had any plans for this year's Pride Month at the University. I suggested if they did not, I would like to recommend an exhibit of my photographs, and included a few of my (jpgs) of San Francisco during the 1970's. A short time later... I received an E-mail from President Middleton, saying that they were very interested and they would contact me. What I did not realize then, was that Roosevelt owned Gage Gallery... and had the following listed on their site...

The mission of the Gage Gallery at Roosevelt University is to show
work that is consonant with the mission of the University and its
ideals of social justice and to serve the educational and academic goals
of the University.

The Gage Gallery was founded in 2001, shortly after Roosevelt
University's expansion into the historic Gage building on Michigan
Avenue. Situated directly across the street from Chicago's Millennium
Park, the gallery has exhibited nationally and internationally known
photographers and artists, and has hosted numerous public lectures,
panel discussions and symposia. The gallery is committed to showing
contemporary work that addresses the important social issues of our time.


The Gage Gallery is affiliated with, and supported by the College of
Arts and Sciences at Roosevelt University.

At the beginning of this year, I was contacted by Michael Ensdorf, the founder and Director of the Gage gallery,and he put into motion my exhibit "SAN FRANCISCO IN THE 1970s" that opened on June 3rd for PRIDE MONTH, and will run until August 13th.
I am extremely proud, especially with the Gage Gallery's MISSION STATEMENT, to have this exhibit, and for the large crowd that came to the Opening, and for the nice reviews that I have had since then. I would like to invite all of you in the Chicagoland to come on down... and if you see some old guy with a digital camera, and Rainbow colored beany with a propeller on it... please say hello... That's me! I WANT TO THANK PRESIDENT CHARLES MIDDLETON, AND MICHAEL ENSDORF FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY... to exhibit my photographs, as well as all those good people behind the scenes for doing a great job of making the exhibit a reality.
Jerry Pritikin

When Then Was... Now!: Announcement For GAGE GALLERY EXHIBIT

www.roosevelt.edu/gagegallery

Roosevelt Celebrates June Pride Month with a photo exhibition "Of San Francisco In The 1970's" by Jerry Pritikin

JERRY PRITIKIN'S SAN FRANCISCO IN THE 1970s

My interest in taking photographs happened when I moved to San Francisco from Chicago, in the mid-1960s. I bought a cheap Kodak Instamatic camera, to send pictures to friends and family in Chicago, of the bridges, Fisherman's Wharf, the cable cars and the natural beauty of the Bay Area. However, left over beatniks, hippies, flower children, Peace Mongers (war protesters) and the free Rock Concerts in Golden Gate Park seemed to find their way in front of my camera. An ounce of pot cost $7. bucks!

To start the 1970s, I moved between the Haight-Ashbury, and a changing S.F. neighborhood in the Eureka Valley, called the Castro. I bought a better Canon FTb-SLR camera, and a few lenses.To be honest, I really didn't know what I was doing... but it seemed I was doing it right. In The Castro, changes were happening daily... The Twin Peaks Gay Bar, at the corner of Market & Castro Street, took the paint off their big plate glass windows, becoming the first gay bar in the nation, that you could look into, as well as look out of- at the people walking by or waiting for the bus. Several old time mom and pop shops were purchased by new gay owners. Several old-time neighborhood bars became gay bars over night. For me... whenever I left my house on Alpine Terrace, I brought my camera along, and it became my constant companion.

I never printed my own photos, and always took advantage of the best sale to have them printed. In 1973, I asked the owner of Georgeanna's Bakery Shop at 420 Castro... just a few yards from today's Harvey Milk Plaza... If I could display my photos in the window of her shop, and she agreed. It was located next to a very busy bus stop and transfer spot. I kept the window filled with a mixture of photos. Many of my photographs contained a word, or words within the frame of the photo. I called them "PHOTOGLYPHICS". They also had messages within them... some were subliminal, and a few jumped right OUT of the print! And those that had no words, seemed to speak for themselves!

At the same time... a new camera shop opened a block away at 575 Castro. It was called Harvey Milk's . Within a short while it became similar to a small town's General Store, without the potbelly stove! People came in to pet Harvey's dog, talk politics, or just to watch the never ending parade of good looking young men passing in front of Harvey's store front window. I began to take my film there to have developed, and became friends with Harvey and his partner Scott Smith. By osmosis...I was involved in early gay sports and politics I joined the first gay sponsored softball league in the country. I became a freelance photographer, and publicist that specialized in gay clients, bars and businesses.

I hardly ever sold any of my photographs, and really didn't mind... just as long as people had the opportunity to see them. Once in a while, I was asked to shoot some kids... or private parties, or various gay events. I entered into a few judged shows and was invited to the Civic Center Art Show, and Washington Square Park Photo show for the next several years. In 1977, along with 10 other gay photographers, took part in the first all gay exhibit of its kind, in protest of Anita Bryant. It was featured in the S.F. Chronicle's art section. I outed myself nationally, when I created the "Anita Bryant's Husband is a Homo-Sapien! T-shirt via United Press International. Several weeks later, I was able to get Jane Fonda to wear one at a S.F. gay fund raiser... and on June 7,1977/ "Orange Tuesday", my image of Harvey, with the bullhorn taken at the end of an impromptu march in response to Bryant's led victory to over turn a gay rights ordinance at Dade Country Florida, was flashed across the country via Associated Press. It introduced Harvey Milk, nationally as a spokesman, 5 months before he was elected as the first openly gay male politician in the country. That image became a footnote in gay history.

This exhibit, is a time-capsule of San Francisco in the 1970s... for me, it is like getting on the reversible light-year train, going back to the time it was just arriving there... and these images are the results of that era in the early S.F. gay rights movement.

Jerry Pritikin
jerrypritikin.blogspot.com
www.thecastro.net/street/memoriespage/pritikin/pritikin.html

For Harvey Milk Day/ "Winds on Castro Street"... December-1978 (c)J.Pritikin