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

Sylvester

(1947-1988)

— Rainbow Honor Walk —

Sylvester Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 9, 2016

1. Sylvester Marker

Inscription. Multi-gold singer and songwriter known as the “Queen of Disco” and “a visionary of queerness, race and music”

Erected 2014 by Rainbow Honor Walk.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Rainbow Honor Walk series list.

Location. 37° 45.611′ N, 122° 26.088′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in The Castro. It can be reached from Castro Street south of 18th Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 545 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 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: Keith Haring (within shouting distance of this marker); Allen Ginsberg (within shouting distance of this marker); Alan Turing (within shouting distance of this marker); Gertrude Stein (within shouting distance of this marker); Harry Hay (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Harvey Milk (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Christine Jorgensen (within shouting distance of this marker); Randy Shilts (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Harvey Milk (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . The Legend of Sylvester. PopMatters' David Masciotra explains Sylvester's legend and legacy: The singer Sylvester – often narrowly and affectionately called the “queen of disco” – is one of the best kept secrets of American music. The cruelty of such secrecy and the thievery of the obscurity in which Sylvester’s varied musical catalogue still lives is not a crime merely because he was one of America’s greatest singers, performing songs in nearly every genre. It isn’t a crime simply because Prince should include a disclaimer with every song he releases: “Apologies to Sylvester”, and it isn’t a crime only because he was a talented and prolific songwriter. Sylvester’s lost legacy is all of the above, and it’s an example of integrity and dignity that his career provides to performers and observers. Sylvester’s career also
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 9, 2016

2. Sylvester Marker - Wide View Looking North Up Castro Street
illustrates the hideous damage caused by bigotry and ignorance.... (Submitted on September 22, 2016.)

Sylvester commemorative mural - at the Oasis Nightclub, (11th x Folsom in San Francisco) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 30, 2021

3. Sylvester commemorative mural - at the Oasis Nightclub, (11th x Folsom in San Francisco)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 758 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 22, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on July 30, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.