The riots and protests subsequent to the raids on Sunset Strip in 1966 were preceded by a long history of violent outbursts between the Los Angeles Police Department and the public - also known as the Sunset Strip Curfew Riots.
Although San Francisco is frequently imagined to be the epicenter of the mid-century Counterculture Movement, “Los Angeles endured the countercurrents of the 1960s as much as any other city in the country ” More specifically, LA's Queer culture became visible and highly politicized in response to a string of violent bar raids that took place on Sunset Strip in the 60s. LGBT culture in Los Angeles has deep roots in the counterculture movement of the 1960s. From 1891–1902, the venue was the where scandal occurred, as did gatherings of gay men including 'she boys'. One of the first recorded mentions of male same-sex social activity in Los Angeles was at the Vienna Buffet, which from 1891–1902 was a restaurant with live music in Court Street, roughly the site of the Los Angeles City Hall today.
