Sample comments from the "Polk Street: Lives in Transition" guestbook:

Great job, the photos wouldn’t work w/o the audio, vice versa. As a social worker and photographer, I feel inspired, motivated to document stories and folks that I know who live on the margins and feel a sense of belonging here that they would not feel anywhere else. I also did get emotional listening to the stories and have not spent so much time in a gallery before. Great topic. Great delivery. Love A.

Yo Joey – Your work is tight, ace mate, speaking as a homeless person, thanks for letting world know we are “peoples” too. Keep your dreams youngin’ Docster.

Polk Str. has been a place where I had to survive the last 6 yrs and this exhibition captures it all. It brings tears in my eyes to see the invisible struggle be visible and that this allows to share the strength we bring in this harsh environment. T.J.T.

Experiencing this exhibit is experiencing a large part of my life, espec. being low income, disabled, and a female-to-male trans guy. Thank you for this piece, slice, whatever, of changing Polk St., much of Polk’s changes, I too believe, aren’t for the better. Lee

A complex subject done in a very good way. Change is inevitable, showing and recording that change is very important for everyone. Great exhibit.

This was awful! No discussion of social justice issues, people forced out of long term rent controlled homes, bars forced out by the gentrification, the condos, the Assembly of God Asshole Church. This community was destroyed in a class war, the rich won. Jerry

Well, this exhibit brought back lots of memories of Polk Street in its heyday. I’ve lived in San Francisco since 6/77 and have seen the Polk Area evolve from a gay fun spot to a gay ghetto, to a (hopefully) refreshed neighborhood! Indeed, it was a glittery haven for us gays, and, perhaps, will someday sparkle again! Jim S.

This is a fascinating exhibit. I find the [needle exchange] carriage particularly intriguing. It represents more than just needles and drugs. The idea of having the recordings and the photos together was especially nice. It really did feel like you were having a conversation with them!

Thank you for this experience. I was moved and am now emotionally exhausted, but in a good way. Thanks! Shae

You rock! I’ve gotten to stop in several times and completely hear all these stories. I grew up on the “nice” side of Polk but was always drawn to the “lower” end when I was a teen. These stories give perspective and histories and a personal touch to the streets I’ve always thought of as seedy, but felt comfortable on all the same. Thanks for humanizing “the homeless problem” from this perspective (and also having business and church stories too.) It makes me proud to be a native San Franciscan and know Polk Street was a haven for people whose home life was rotten and makes me grateful for my only sort-of dysfunctional family.

I believe in feel, all what these people was, saying. We need to bring the young gay and or Bi youth together as one, why because I am lonley and single and have been for 19 years. Thank you

I truly enjoyed learning more about the Polk community. Although it may have many negative aspects, it is still a community that is passionate about helping people. I agree some things could get better, but the true meaning of the Polk community should not be changed. Thank you for inspiring me and realizing that even in the worst places there are beautiful people.

Thanks for this wonderful exhibition and all your living history work. We worked @ the Leland Hotel early to late 1990’s, before we lost it in the fire. It was a home, a haven, + welcoming to gays, lesbians + transgender people. Jo + Margie from Australia.

Sorry if my outburst during the 6/18 presentation seemed out of place. I have much to say – both critical and constructive (I hope); please contact me.

Poignant and revealing. I’m educated more about Polk St. now. Thank you for the exposure to something I never would have known about. Compelling stories. Carole, Chicago U

Useful and informative, even to someone who has lived here since 1960.

Great photographs and very much appreciated the descriptions of the tensions engendered by neighborhood changes. Thank you. Helen, Polk St. resident for 22 years.

WAKE UP!! Without the Middle Class? There is NO infrastructure, NO Foundation taxes, to the City. Push them out for the Rick, the Illegals, & the Homeless? And we are left with Having to close Hospitals, Police Stations & Fire Stations!...

Greatly appreciate this exhibit. Thank you! I appreciate O’Reilly’s words. San Francisco has become far too liberal, and it is not for the better. Nob Hiller/Polkstrasse fan for over 10 yrs.

Thanks so much for this well thought out exhibit. Got a lot of insights and heard people I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Wow! Lots of history, I wasn’t aware of – thanks for this awesome exhibit! Claire, Sexworkers Outreach Project

This exhibit should get more publicity. It shows the many sides of Polk St and different ideas of “family.” N.G.

Cecilia Chung, I adore you. You really moved me today. Thank you.

Great project. Hope to see more like it in the future.