Celebrate the publication of a new Arcadia Publishing book on San Francisco’s Transgender District by Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer. Featuring over 200 images, this volume renders the Transgender District’s story in an unprecedented focus and detail, and enacts vital place-making by situating the District in this iconic, accessible series of pictorial neighborhood histories. Join for a block party in Myrtle Alley ft. a presentation (& book signing) by Rev. Dr. Rohrer alongside performances by folx featured in the book! “Compton’s” will be open serving beverages and specials off the griddle! This event is part of a series of monthly activations in Myrtle Alley timed to the SF First Thursday Art Walk funded by SF Planning.

August 7, 2025 | 6-8pm

During the SF First Thursday Art Walk in the TL

At The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot venue | 835 Larkin St. SF, CA 94109

Free or suggested donation | no registration required

Tenderloin Museum is thrilled to partner with Unspeakable Vice, “a volunteer history initiative making queer belonging accessible to everyone,” to offer a new walking tour focused on the LGBTQIA+ history in the Tenderloin and Polk Street neighborhoods.

Saturday, August 16, 2025 | 2:00-4:00 PM

Meet at the Tenderloin Museum | 398 Eddy St., SF, CA 94102

Register to attend via Humanitix | Admission to the Tenderloin Museum included with ticket

Created by downtown San Francisco resident and professor at California College of the Arts Shawn Sprockett, Unspeakable Vice began as a close look at the queer origins of San Francisco, traversing the city’s North Beach and Barbary Coast areas to trace the history through from 1770-1960. This new tour extends Sprockett’s richly detailed and craftily delivered approach to the TL and Polk Street to offer a deep dive into the emergence of LGBTQIA+ icons and movements that shaped the area from the 1960s to the 1990s. 

The underground San Francisco cult sensation is back—and on the big screen!

Drugs in the Tenderloin (1967)
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 7:00 PM
At the Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St, SF, CA 94103
Q&A to follow with director Robert Zagone and special guests
Co-presented by the Tenderloin Museum and the Roxie Theater
Runtime: 52 minutes | Not Rated | Filmed in 1966, Aired in 1967

Tickets via the Roxie at this link!

Tenderloin Museum and the Roxie Theater are proud to present a special rare screening of Drugs in the Tenderloin, Robert Zagone’s groundbreaking 1967 documentary that captures a pivotal era in the city’s history with unflinching honesty and street-level intimacy.

Drugs in the Tenderloin is not available to stream or purchase commercially. This screening is one of only a few public opportunities to view the film in its original form, in conversation with the filmmaker and local historians.

Thursday, August 21, 2025 | 6:00-7:30 PM

At the Tenderloin Museum | 398 Eddy St., SF, CA 94102

Part of San Francisco Arts Commission’s Shaping Legacy project

FREE | Register via Humanitix

“Black Eyes On Black Art,” is an open-ended conversation, investigating the importance of Black people witnessing and creating Black art during times of uncertainty and conflict.

We recognize the power of how Black people, and Black artists, navigate times of uncertainty and conflict by leaning into the spiritual, literary, political, artistic and ancestral practices. Considering the current amnesia surrounding the artistic and empowered Black history of the Tenderloin, we are hosting this topical conversation to both acknowledge and bridge the gap between the past and the present.

Please join us and witness this conversation amongst two members of TLM’s Shaping Legacy Artist Circle–artist Ramekon O’Arwisters and community advocate and facilitator Mattie Loyce–with gallery owner and artpothecarist at tendesf.com, writer and Glide Memorial Church’s Minister of Celebration Marvin K. White, visual artist Cheryl Derricotte, and curator and artist historian Key Jo Lee of MoAD.