Since when San Francisco has a gay reputation?

The GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered) History Museum has documented that after World War II ended in 1945, the returning sailors liked the liberal attitude of San Francisco and settled in the city. So, it was soon after 1945 that San Francisco began to acquire a gay population and reputation.

I was in school in the 1950s in S.F. but I can remember my Dad explaining that homosexuals were harassed less in San Francisco because the city was always more tolerant of diversity and he said the picturesque setting of San Francisco attracted many artistic men and women some of whom were gay. The city of S.F. has about 17% gay population. One of the original Gay Pride Parades started in S.F. as well as New York and L.A. The way people talk about the city you'd think most of the people were gay but that is not so. I would have to say it began some time after the war ended when there was a westward migration here.

supposedly when gay sailors returned from the War in the Pacific and liked it and stayed.

that would be about 1945.