Long Beach’s LGBTQ Cultural District Update

LONG BEACH — The City of Long Beach recently released a preliminary plan that details community history and synthesizes local input so far for the designation and celebration of a proposed special LGBTQ+ District. Known formally as the LGBTQ+ Cultural Report, released to coincide with LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June, the report outlines the next steps for the initiative including suggestions for neighborhood- and business-led activation opportunities.

The preliminary plan highlights and recommends various ways to activate the district that would be located along the East Broadway Ave. corridor between Alamitos and Temple Avenues. Community members are encouraged to share their feedback on the plan by providing, for example, additional historical context, requested improvements, and ideas for ongoing community efforts to help improve the activation of the LGBTQ+ Cultural District.

All feedback and questions can be sent via email to LGBTQVisioning@longbeach.gov through Aug. 25, and at a public event that will occur in conjunction with the 40th Annual Long Beach Pride Festival on Aug. 4 and 5. City staff will consolidate the input and share the final version of the report with the mayor and city council in fall 2023.

In June 2022, the Long Beach City Council unanimously approved a recommendation brought forth by then-Mayor and current Congressman Robert Garcia for City staff to work with community stakeholders to create a visioning process and feasibility plan for the LGBTQ+ Cultural District. Since then, City staff have convened with community stakeholders to gather feedback and draft the LGBTQ+ Cultural District Report. The preliminary draft can also be found on the City’s website.