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Walking Through the Pink Triangle: Memory, Mourning, and Pride in the Castro
Recently, I decided to visit the Castro in San Francisco. When I visit cities more than once, I try to find what makes each place unique — whether that’s food, culture, or monuments. On this particular day, something about the Castro called to me. I didn’t have a clear plan, but it just felt right to explore it more deeply.
While looking at Google Maps, I noticed a monument called the Pink Triangle Memorial, dedicated to LGBTQ+ individuals who lost their lives during World War II. I followed the directions, but even with GPS, it wasn’t easy to find. The memorial was tucked away in a very public yet very hidden spot. Unless you’re specifically searching for it, you’d probably walk right past it. Even the entrance wasn’t obvious — it felt like a hidden gem with a powerful story.
A History Etched in Stone and Bloom
When I arrived, the first thing that stopped me was the plaque. I read it slowly, letting each line settle in:
“Thank you for visiting the Pink Triangle Memorial — the nation’s first historical landmark commemorating LGBT victims persecuted in Fascist Europe, 1933–1945.”
