SF Leather Week Opens with Inauguration of World’s First Leather and Queer History Public Space

This story was updated to show the correct day of the show.

The SF Eagle Bar announced today that Eagle Plaza, the world’s first public space centering queer history and the leather community, will be inaugurated next week as part of the city’s upcoming Leather Pride Fest 2023.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, State Sen. Scott Wiener, and district supervisors Matt Dorsey and Rafael Mandelman are among the dignitaries scheduled to attend the special ceremony, while Drag Laureate D'Arcy Drollinger will emcee. Eagle Plaza is located 12th Street at Harrison next to the SF Eagle Bar. The ceremony will take place Sunday, September 17, at 2 p.m, and is open to the public.

“Eagle Plaza was envisioned as a safe, clean, and inclusionary outdoor space for the gathering and celebration of leather and LGBTQ+ people,” Lex Montiel, owner of the SF Eagle Bar, said in a statement announcing the ceremony. “I look forward to thanking our city leaders for their support in helping The SF Eagle Bar and Friends of Eagle Plaza make this landmark a reality. Everyone is invited to join the celebration.”

The idea for the plaza first came in 2014 with fundraising starting the following year. Eagle Plaza is located on an existing two-lane street that can be closed for pedestrian use during special events.

The inauguration ceremony is part of Leather Pride Fest, which is the kickoff for Leather Pride Week. The annual event features a buffet of leather-clad revelers with events including history tours, art exhibitions, kink classes and workshops, themed parties, and more. The event is free and open to the public.