The Castro in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bob A. Ross

(1934-2003)

— Rainbow Honor Walk —

Bob A. Ross Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 21, 2026

1. Bob A. Ross Marker

Inscription. Pioneer in gay journalism, co-founder and longtime publisher of the Bay Area Reporter, president of the Tavern Guild and Meals on Wheels, Emperor VII of the Imperial Court

Erected 2025 by Rainbow Honor Walk.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Rainbow Honor Walk series list.

Location. 37° 45.638′ N, 122° 26.108′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in The Castro. It is at the intersection of Castro Street and 18th Street, on the right when traveling south on Castro Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 508 Castro Street, San Francisco CA 94114, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds

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itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Roger Casement (a few steps from this marker); Allen Ginsberg (within shouting distance of this marker); Alan Turing (within shouting distance of this marker); Leonard Matlovich (within shouting distance of this marker); Federico Garcia Lorca (within shouting distance of this marker); Sylvester (within shouting distance of this marker); Tom Waddell (within shouting distance of this marker); Keith Haring (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Also see . . . Politicos, emperors pay tribute to B.A.R. founding publisher (Bay Area Reporter, Nov. 11, 2025). Excerpt:

On a crisp fall day, San Francisco politicos, emperors, and members of the Bay Area Reporter family paid tribute to the paper’s founding publisher, Bob Ross. The occasion was the unveiling of a plaque for Ross by the Rainbow Honor Walk outside of 508 Castro Street, near the site of the former Harvey’s bar and restaurant.

Ross, who died in
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 21, 2026

2. Bob A. Ross Marker - wide view
2003, likely would have approved of the November 17 ceremony, as he was referred to as intimidating, a curmudgeon and even “an asshole,” all accurate descriptors, several speakers agreed. But his contributions to the LGBTQ community were many, and they were also noted.

(Submitted on August 26, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 21, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.