Released in 2019 and directed by Darryl Jones, Tender is a poignant documentary that delves into the lives of three black trans women who live in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, a historically black and queer neighborhood. With a particular focus on how gentrification, rising housing costs, and the city’s growing gig economy impact marginalized communities, Tender paints an intimate portrait of the struggles faced by individuals trying to preserve their homes, identities, and communities in the face of overwhelming socio-economic pressures.
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The film follows Cookie, Janetta, and Ronjah, who embody the resilience and strength of trans women living in one of San Francisco's most storied and diverse neighborhoods. As the city’s economy expands - driven by its booming tech industry - housing demand rises sharply, and the Tenderloin, once a sanctuary for queer and black communities, has become a prime target for gentrification. With housing prices out of reach for many, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, the lives of Cookie, Janetta, and Ronjah stand as stark reminders of the fragility of housing security and the impact of displacement. Before delving into the lives of the women featured in Tender, it’s important to understand the historical significance of the Tenderloin. San Francisco’s Tenderloin district has long been a haven for marginalized communities, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, and it holds a unique place in the history of queer activism. The neighborhood has witnessed pivotal moments in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, including the infamous Compton's Cafeteria Riot of 1966, a precursor to the more widely known Stonewall Riots in New York City.
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The Tenderloin’s rich history as a center for alternative sexualities and trans rights is not only part of the city’s cultural fabric but also central to the identities of its residents. The district has served as a home for generations of queer, transgender, and black individuals, with figures like the legendary female impersonator Ray Bourbon performing during the Pansy Craze of the early 20th century. Over the decades, the Tenderloin became a gathering place for those who were otherwise excluded from mainstream society. Yet, as San Francisco’s economy shifts and the tech industry rapidly expands, the very neighborhoods that gave rise to such cultural movements are now under threat from a housing crisis that puts long-time residents in jeopardy. Tender gives voice to the personal experiences of three black trans women, each facing the harsh realities of San Francisco’s soaring housing market. The documentary takes the viewer through their daily lives, revealing the unique challenges they face as they attempt to navigate a city that has become increasingly hostile to the working class and people of color.
Janetta is a well-respected figure in the transgender community and the head of the Transgender, Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP). Her role in the fight for trans rights is an important aspect of her identity, but like many others in the Tenderloin, she faces the dire consequences of rising rents and displacement. Her story is a reflection of the precarious position of long-time community leaders who are working to protect their neighbors and advocate for their rights in the face of gentrification. Ronjah juggles multiple jobs, each one barely covering the basics. Despite her hard work, she is trapped in a single room occupancy (SRO) apartment, one of the many forms of precarious housing that has historically characterized the Tenderloin. Ronjah’s dream is simple: to secure a more stable living situation, preferably one that allows her to live closer to the ocean. Yet, as housing costs spiral out of control, that dream becomes more elusive. Cookie is another key figure in the documentary, and her journey through the housing market exemplifies the extreme challenges many face in the city. As rents skyrocket and available housing dwindles, Cookie finds herself in an increasingly desperate search for a place to live. Despite her best efforts, she is eventually left homeless, highlighting the cruel irony of living in one of the most expensive cities in the world while being priced out of the very neighborhoods that once offered sanctuary.
Through the stories of these three women, Tender illustrates the intimate toll that gentrification and skyrocketing rents take on marginalized individuals. The documentary does more than document the hardships; it reveals the strength, pride, and community that these women hold dear, even as the spaces they cherish erode under the pressures of gentrification. The backdrop of Tender is the rapid rise of San Francisco’s gig economy. The city has seen significant growth in the technology sector, with companies like Twitter, Uber, and Lyft transforming the city’s landscape. As tech workers flood into San Francisco, the demand for housing has escalated, pushing prices beyond the reach of many longtime residents.
This economic boom, while beneficial for some, has left many marginalized communities - particularly low-income queer and trans people - struggling to find affordable housing. In the face of this housing crisis, the Tenderloin has become a battleground for survival. Historically, it has been home to those who were not welcome in other parts of the city: people of color, queer individuals, and the working poor. Yet, with rising rents and luxury developments replacing old SROs, the neighborhood is rapidly changing. For residents like Cookie, Janetta, and Ronjah, these changes are not simply economic - they are existential. One of the central themes of Tender is the erosion of community in the face of gentrification. The women featured in the documentary have deep ties to the Tenderloin, and the neighborhood represents more than just a place to live - it is a cultural and historical touchstone. Yet, as the city’s housing market becomes increasingly unaffordable, these women, along with many others, are faced with the painful reality that they may be forced out of the neighborhood they call home.
The documentary makes it clear that gentrification is not just about displacement; it is also about the loss of a community’s identity and history. For black trans women, in particular, the Tenderloin has been a rare safe space - a place where they could live, work, and thrive without fear of discrimination or violence. The rise of tech-driven gentrification, however, threatens to erase this history and push marginalized individuals to the periphery of the city. Despite the mounting challenges, the documentary also emphasizes the resilience of the Tenderloin community and the ongoing fight for justice. The district’s rich history as a site of LGBTQ+ and black liberation cannot be understated. As one of the first places where transgender and queer people actively resisted police brutality, the Tenderloin remains a symbol of resistance and solidarity.
In recognition of its history, the Tenderloin has become the site of the Compton's Transgender Cultural District, which commemorates the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria riot, one of the earliest instances of trans activism in the U.S. The district honors the legacy of those who fought for trans rights and provides a space for trans people, particularly people of color, to live and work in the city. However, the district’s survival is now threatened by the very forces of gentrification that Tender highlights. In 2017, the city officially designated part of the Tenderloin as the Compton's Transgender Cultural District, and later, in 2019, allocated funds to support its development. However, the continued pressure of gentrification, as well as recent changes to the district’s boundaries, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the trans community. The tension between preserving the district’s history and confronting the harsh realities of displacement forms another central theme in Tender.
Ultimately, Tender is not just a documentary about the lives of three black trans women - it is a call for justice. It underscores the urgent need to address San Francisco’s housing crisis and the impact it has on marginalized communities. Through the personal stories of Janetta, Ronjah, and Cookie, the film sheds light on the broader societal issues of gentrification, income inequality, and the lack of affordable housing, while also honoring the resilience of those who fight to protect their homes and communities. As the city’s tech industry continues to expand, the question of who gets to live in San Francisco - and who is pushed out - remains unresolved. For black trans women in particular, the fight is not just about housing but about preserving their place in a city that has long been a beacon of LGBTQ+ and black liberation. Tender offers a powerful, heartbreaking, and inspiring look at this ongoing struggle, leaving the viewer with a deep sense of urgency to address the housing crisis and ensure that no one is left behind.
Image credits: YouTube
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