In 1964, Life magazine dubbed San Francisco the "gay capital of the world." Can we get a hell yeah?!

Those of us who are fortunate enough to call this seven-by-seven-mile swath of the West Coast home are accustomed to this inclusive bubble. From whatever walk of life you hail, whatever colors make up your self-flown flag, San Francisco welcomes you. Each June, Pride month is a celebration of our city's open-arm policy as well of the vibrant LGBTQ that helps to make our patch of paradise so unique. Take a stroll down memory lane to see just how this red, white, and rainbow sanctuary city has been, and continues to be, at the forefront LGBTQ rights.

As a response to the rise of the affluent middle class after WWII, Beat culture—a literary celebration of all things inclusive and exploratory—blossomed in San Francisco in the early 1950s. The Beats created a cohesive family-like unit for gay people and other underserved groups. Prominent wordsmiths including Allen Ginsberg (pictured here) and José Sarria broke into mainstream notoriety—and they just so happened to be gay. (Photo courtesy of Joe Rosenthal via San Francisco Chronicle)