On May 21 in 1979, a former City Supervisor and one-time policeman who confesses to killing San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and openly gay Supervisor Harvey Milk, is convicted on only the most lenient charge possible, his defense sponsored by the SFPD. The city’s gay community is enraged and marches on City Hall. Over 5000 people gather and start smashing windows, pulling down trolley wires, setting cop cars on fire, and throwing stolen tear gas at police. Hours later, rogue officers attack the gay Castro district, raiding a bar and beating people in the streets.

The next day, gay leaders are unapologetic but call for joy, and the Castro becomes the scene of a peaceful all-night dance party.

Over the following decade, the number of gay officers in the SFPD dramatically increases.