Watch Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria

Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria is a thought-provoking documentary film that details the struggles of transgender individuals in the United States during the 1960s, particularly focusing on their experiences within San Francisco's Compton's Cafeteria. Ray Baxter, Elliot Blackstone, and Aleshia Brevard are among the individuals featured in the film, providing the audience with firsthand accounts of the events that transpired during that time.

The film begins by painting a picture of the struggle transgender individuals faced in the 1960s, both legally and socially. With homosexuality illegal in most states and gender reassignment procedures not yet readily available, transgender individuals were often forced to live in secret and struggle for basic human rights. The documentary explores this difficult time in history by way of interviews with individuals who lived through it and footage of news reports from the era.

The film then hones in on Compton's Cafeteria, a San Francisco establishment that was frequented by transgender individuals, drag queens, and other members of the LGBTQ+ community. The documentary explains how the police and other authorities would often use Compton's as a place to harass and arrest these marginalized groups, subjecting them to intense scrutiny and abuse.

Against this backdrop, the film focuses on a particular incident that occurred at Compton's in 1966. After one too many incidences of harassment by the police, the patrons of the café decided to fight back, resulting in a riot that would become a turning point in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. The film captures this moment of resistance through firsthand accounts from those who were there, as well as archival footage and dramatic reenactments.

The documentary is an eye-opening and informative look at a crucial moment in LGBTQ+ history, and it is notable for its use of primary sources and firsthand accounts. Throughout the film, viewers are given access to the thoughts and feelings of those who lived through the events being discussed, providing a level of intimacy and immediacy that is often lacking in historical documentaries.

Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria is also notable for its nuanced exploration of the intersections of identity, as the film looks at the experiences of transgender individuals who also lived at the intersection of other marginalized identities, such as poverty, race, and disability. By weaving together these different threads, the film paints a complex and multifaceted portrait of a community that is often reduced to simplistic stereotypes.

Overall, Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria is an important and valuable addition to the body of work on LGBTQ+ history. By shining a light on this pivotal moment in the struggle for rights and representation, the film not only provides insight into the past but also serves as a call to action for continued activism and allyship in the present day.

Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.