The inclusion flag outside of the First Congressional Church of Long Beach provides a space for representation and also provides education for the youth as a preschool. Photo credit: Renzo Pocasangre
Arts & Life, OUTober, Special Projects

Pride Up, in, and around Long Beach

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By: Renzo Pocasangre & Sonny Tapia

The city of Long Beach has always had a history of LGBTQ+ members within its community. The struggle for citywide acceptance has culminated into a thriving center for LGBTQ+ members.

10/6/2022: Long Beach, CA- The Pride Flag and Bisexual Flag fly high above a building on Retro Row on Thursday in Long Beach.
10/6/2022: Long Beach, CA- The Pride Flag and Bisexual Flag fly high above a building on Retro Row on Thursday in Long Beach. Photo credit: Sonny Tapia

Members of the LGBTQ+ community in Long Beach have the freedom of creating their own businesses and partaking in an ever growing wave of LGBTQ+ focused communal spaces.

One of the shops on Retro Row in Long Beach is Plantitas Plant Shop, co-owned by Kevin Alcaraz.

“I started this business during the COVID-19 pandemic and it was really fun,” Alcaraz said.

The shop consists of multiple types of plants that they love unconditionally according to Alcaraz.

They mentioned that the shop is always open to all types of people and identities because it is a safe place for anyone.

10/6/2022: Long Beach, CA- Kevin Alcaraz co-owner of Plantitas Plant Shop smiles into the sunset on Retro Row in Long Beach on Thursday, while the rainbow swirls behind them.
10/6/2022: Long Beach, CA- Kevin Alcaraz co-owner of Plantitas Plant Shop smiles into the sunset on Retro Row in Long Beach on Thursday, while the rainbow swirls behind them. Photo credit: Sonny Tapia

The Harvey Milk Promenade Park is another example of Long Beach City government legislation that is focusing on building a path forward for LGBTQ+ members of the community.

The parking structure of the
Murals surround Third st. including the parking structure of the Harvey Milk Promenade Park , providing a colorful juxtaposition to downtown Long Beach. Photo credit: Renzo Pocasangre

The city of Long Beach said on their website, “Harvey Milk Promenade Park and Equality Plaza is the first park in Long Beach, CA named after an openly gay person, and the first park in the nation named after civil rights leader Harvey Milk,”

Harvey Milk and Promenade Park, off third street, was beautified and gives the small urban space a vibrant new change of scenery.
Harvey Milk and Promenade Park, off third street, was beautified and gives the small urban space a vibrant new change of scenery. Photo credit: Renzo Pocasangre

Long Beach has even managed to create the third biggest pride parade in California with the formation of Long Beach Pride, a three day festival and parade in the heart of Long Beach. Sidewalks in and around Long Beach painted after the colors of the Pride flag work towards further bridging the LGBTQ+ community together with the help of the municipal government of Long Beach.

10/6/2022: Long Beach, CA- A motorcyclist passes through the rainbow colored crosswalk at the Broadway and Junipero intersection on Thursday afternoon in Long Beach.
10/6/2022: Long Beach, CA- A motorcyclist passes through the rainbow colored crosswalk at the Broadway and Junipero intersection on Thursday afternoon in Long Beach. Photo credit: Sonny Tapia

The welcoming nature of the city of Long Beach, towards the LGBTQ+, has nurtured a community of inclusivity across Long Beach. LGBTQ+ businesses and events are now able to express their identities openly across most of Los Angeles county. LGBTQ+ acceptance is a highly appreciative concept in Long Beach. Many members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially during events for Outober, openly speak on queer issues.

Businesses often hang inclusivity flags visibly to ally with the LGBTQ+ community of Long Beach.
Businesses often hang inclusivity flags visibly to ally with the LGBTQ+ community of Long Beach. Photo credit: Anthony Ngo

LGBTQ+ pride in Long Beach has a created an active community across the city for networking and acceptance to flourish.

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