STUDY GUIDE FOR: "THE CASTRO"
1. How was the community defined in the film? (geographic; members of an oppressed group; group of people with a common culture and a collective identity; people affected by a specific social problem, etc.)?
2. What factors contributed to the transition of this neighborhood from "working class
Irish" to a primarily gay, white, male community?
3. Was there a shared culture among residents of this neighborhood? What cultural
symbols were identified in the film?
4. What factors from outside the community contributed to a sense of group or community
solidarity?
5. Did any social movements or cultural phenomena contribute to the development of group
identity or social norms in this community?
6. How did community residents gain political power in the City of San Francisco?
7. What social groups were excluded from participation in the life of this community?
8. How did the AIDS epidemic contribute to the development of a sense of community identity and the creation of community institutions?