These transient and diverse populations thrust into a relatively anarchic environment were less likely to conform to social conventions. 'Miner's Ball,' 1891 etching by Andre Castaigne which portrays a men-only dance during the 1849 California Gold rush
These immigrants were composed of miners and fortune seekers from a variety of nationalities and cultures, over 95% of whom were young men. The discovery of gold saw a boom in population from 800 to 35,000 residents between 18. San Francisco's LGBT culture has its roots in the city's own origin as a frontier town, what San Francisco State University professor Alamilla Boyd characterizes as 'San Francisco’s history of sexual permissiveness and its function as a wide-open town - a town where anything goes'. 2 Organizations and community institutions.1.3 After 2000 - same-sex marriage and trans awareness.1.2.5 1980s and 1990s - the AIDS crisis and response, and bi activism.1.2.4 1970s - Gay liberation, The Castro comes out.1.2.3 1960s - SF as gay capital, first struggles for recognition.1.2.2 1950s - the Beats, and first organizations.
