12 | OutBoise Magazine | NEWS
The Castro carries huge historical and iconic
recognition. I walked in the footsteps of many
ground breakers for the LGBT community. These
people are why we have community to begin
with, and why we have to continue to carry that
torch to the next generation. Yes, we have come
along way since those early days. But there are still
many paths to be made. When I see and hear the
stories of horrid, inhumane and traumatic acts of
violence inflicted on the Gay youths of Russia, I am
reminded why this work matters and why it must
be continued. History is something to be learned
from and not repeated.
I must recommend that if you ever get the
chance to take a tour of Alcatraz Island to take
the last or night tour. The tour is very informative
and quite interesting to experience first hand.
First the boats will take you around the whole
island while sharing its very colorful history. While
on the boats, be mindful of the fact at seagulls
will be flying over your head the entire time. Yes,
OutBoise.com | Issue 6.2 | April 2015
they are quite used to people and are used to
getting hand feed from humans on the boats.
These seagulls have no shame. They may poo on
you, or fly low and dirty for a sneak attack to get
your food in your hands. Again, you have been
warned. Once on the Island, you are guided up a
walking path to what was once the main prisoners entrance. During this walk, you are told of the
workers and families that once called the island
home. Yes, people lived, worked and had families
on the island at one time. Several wedding took
place there as well.
Once inside you are given a breakdown and
tour, step-by-step, of what a prisoner would be expected to do upon being admitted into Alcatraz.
You are shown the to showers and pick up station
where they would pick up a blanket, pillow and
new numbered uniform, one roll of toilet paper,
one pair of shoes and I believe that was it.