BY PAULO MURILLO
LONG BEACH
LB PRIDE ANNOUNCES THEME AND 2026 DATES
Long Beach Pride announced its 2026 theme, “Fearless and Free,” highlighting LGBTQ+ visibility, resilience and unity. The celebration will take place May 15–17, 2026, at Marina Green Park and along Ocean Boulevard, beginning with Long Beach Teen Pride on Friday, May 15, followed by the Pride Festival on May 16 and 17, and concluding with the Pride Parade on Sunday, May 17. Founded in 1984, Long Beach Pride said the 2026 theme is a call to live boldly, stand in love and remain united in the face of ongoing challenges.
LOS ANGELES
TRANSLATIN@ COALITION HOSTS TGI TAKEOVER AT CITY HALL
The TransLatin@ Coalition hosted a Transgender, Gender Diverse, or Intersex (TGI) takeover at Los Angeles City Hall to push for the TGI Wellness & Equity Initiative, calling on the city to invest in TGI wellness, safety and stability. The community-led action emphasized funding care rather than harm. The event took place last month, and drew support from other organizations, including groups affiliated with LA Pride. In a statement, organizers said TGI people belonged in the city’s budget and urged Mayor Karen Bass to show leadership by fully funding the TGI Wellness & Equity Initiative.
SAN DIEGO
THE HOLE REBRANDS AS BAR 1924
San Diego’s oldest continuously operating gay bar, long known as The Hole in Point Loma, has rebranded as Bar 1924, referencing the year the venue first opened as The 19th Hole. The bar remains at the same location with the same ownership and liquor license, marking an evolution rather than a closure or sale. The Hole became a key LGBTQ gathering place for decades, especially during times when visibility carried risks, and later grew into a well-known community institution. Ownership said the rebrand reflects a shift toward sustainability, preservation of the century-old building, and a more intentional operating model. Bar 1924 is now open at 2820 Lytton Street in San Diego’s Point Loma neighborhood.
PALM SPRINGS
GAY RESORT CLOSES AFTER DECADES OF SERVICE
A landmark gay resort in Palm Springs, the Canyon Club Hotel, closed in December after decades in business, as new owners plan an extensive remodel and repositioning of the property. Hotel manager Jeff Styer told the Bay Area Reporter the hotel, which has catered to gay men since the 1980s, will be redeveloped and eventually reopened as a mainstream boutique wellness resort, with an anticipated opening in 2027. The 32-room property, located on North Palm Canyon Drive in the Uptown Design District, was long known as one of the city’s most affordable gay resorts. The new owners, who also operate Terra Palm Springs, said the redevelopment will include a public spa and that they aim to remain engaged with the local community.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
“GAYEST STORE IN THE WORLD” IS CLOSING INDEFINITELY
Block Party WeHo, a longtime LGBTQ+-themed retailer in West Hollywood’s Rainbow District, announced it will close indefinitely Feb. 23, 2026, according to signage posted at the store. Owner Larry Block cited safety concerns, street disruptions from street hot dog vendors and assaults on staff as reasons for the closure after more than 16 years in business. The store’s lease runs through 2029 and may reopen at a later date. The closure comes as West Hollywood continues to debate public safety, homelessness and street vending near commercial areas.
