BY PAULO MURILLO
HOLLYWOOD
VAN NESS RECOVERY HOUSE CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
The Van Ness Recovery House, located at 1919 North Beachwood Drive, is turning 50 years in 2023. To begin the celebration of its golden anniversary, the oldest LGBTQ+ recovery in the nation hosted a Capital Campaign Kickoff party last month. The event was a fundraiser in support of the program hosted by board members and alumni. The Van Ness Recovery House has been serving the LGBTQ community since it first opened its doors on Van Ness Avenue, in 1973. LGBTQ alcoholics and addicts had access to help, substance abuse treatment, and were able to attend 12-step meetings during a time when same sex behavior was illegal in the U.S. (same sex behavior was not legalized until 1976). The House is aiming to raise 1 million dollars before its anniversary.
LOS ANGELES
LA LGBT CENTER HOSTS 30TH ANNUAL MODELS OF PRIDE CONFERENCE
The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Models of Pride returned for its 30th annual conference last month. It provided Queer youth and allies the opportunity to surround themselves with positive role models from the LGBTQ+ community, connect with peers, and attend life-enriching workshops—all designed to help them build confidence and self-esteem while developing valuable life skills. Presented by Glamazon L.A.—Amazon’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, the 30th anniversary conference include carnival games, music, a resource, college, and job fair, and a catered backyard BBQ lunch. There was also a Music Festival Celebration featuring a lineup of inspiring LGBTQ+ celebrities and influencers.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
FUBAR OFFICIALLY CLOSES AFTER 24 YEARS
FUBAR WeHo has officially closed after 24 years. Owner Jay Krymis announced last month that his gay bar in West Hollywood, known for hosting sexually-charged events like BFD Thursdays, Dick’s Den, and Adonis Lounge L.A., is gone for good. The dive bar located at 7994 Santa Monica Boulevard never opened after the COVID-19 shutdown. “Everything is gone,” said Krymis via an Instagram story. “Everything is finally gone from this place at FUBAR. Or what used to be FUBAR.”
Krymis is working on revamping the space and opening a new bar in its place.
PALM SPRINGS
MIZELL CENTER CELEBRATE LGBTQ HISTORY MONTH
During its monthly 3rd Wednesday Speaker Series, Mizell Center Celebrated LGBTQ History Month. The program titled “Preserving and Sharing our Collective LGBTQ+ Voices” featured a panel discussion about the importance of archiving LGBTQ+ culture and history. Brad Fuhr, owner of the Gay Desert Guide, moderated the four-speaker panel that included Richard Burns, board chair member for The American LGBTQ+ Museum. The other three panelists were LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert Co-Founder David Gray, Impact Stories Project Director Glenne McElhinney and Brothers of the Desert Co-Founder Tim Vincent.
SAN DIEGO
LGBT+ SOBRIETY AND RECOVERY CENTER CLOSES AFTER 39 YEARS
Live and Let Live Alano Club (LLLAC) has closed after 39 years. Established in 1983, the recovery center has made it their mission to provide a safe, sober, community-focused space for LGBTQ+ individuals in San Diego. The club closed its doors on Park Blvd due to fundraising losses during COVID-19. It has struggled to pay the rent to continue its life-saving work. The club was open every day of the year, including on holidays, and offered recovery support to 40,000 participants annually. Whether that closure is temporary or permanent has not yet been determined. It depends upon the success of finding a new permanent location.
