What you got here is our annual—if by “annual” you mean first—celebration of the annual—if you mean the “24th”—Lesbian & Gay Pride Festival. And by “celebration” we don’t mean that everything listed on these pages is good, or even very welcoming of gays, lesbians, and transgender individuals—looking at you, Mr. and Mrs. Long Beach Police. What it is, is a compilation of things to do at the festival and things you can do anytime; people you should know, people you should probably avoid—again, looking at you Johnny/Janey LB law—and a bunch of places you can eat, sing, dance and generally be in love at. Unless they’re not, and then you shouldn’t. Focus has always been an issue with us. Enjoy!

ILLUSTRATION by LUKE MCGARRY

RAY LOWEN
Pride parade “Male Community” grand marshall Ray Lowen has been fighting haters since at least 1948, when he was stationed in occupied Japan and they asked his unit about integrating the armed forces. “I stood up and said I was for it,” says Lowen, 78, a Long Beach resident since 1964. “I was hassled. I was harassed. I was a dirty Jew, I was a nigger-lover, I was a rotten person.” He’s still standing. “I’m carrying that burden and the fight for people I’ve supported to the best of my ability,” says Lowen, who helped found The Center and the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club in the 1970s, and has raised thousands of dollars to battle HIV. THE 24TH ANNUAL LONG BEACH LESBIAN & GAY PRIDE CELEBRATION | OCEAN BLVD BETWEEN TEMPLE AND ALAMITOS AVES | SUN 10:30AM

EXECUTIVE SUITE
“The foremost in dining pleasure and comfort, we strongly recommend the Executive Suite,” is how the ad for the Executive Suite read in the September 1970 Inside Action, a map-sized night clubs publication that appears to have gone out of business. The women in the ad had cocktail dresses; the men, suits and ties—and the Executive Suite wore Naugahyde horseshoe booths and heavy chairs. Very clubby. Today, the Suite calls itself “Southern California’s hottest gay & lesbian night club,” and if everyone doesn’t know your name, maybe that’s because you haven’t introduced yourself. “ . . . there ARE friendly people here. Girls were buying me drinks,” writes Alice C. on Yelp.com. “I was SOOO surprised and not used to it at all. This is a more down-to-earth kind of spot with down-to-earth people, not Hollywood-like at all.” Which is also what some people like about Long Beach. 3428 E PACIFIC COAST HWY | LONG BEACH 90804 | 562.597.3884 | EXECUTIVESUITELB.NET | OPEN THURS-SAT 8PM-2AM

CAFÉ PICCOLO
You don’t have to be gay, lesbian, transgender or straight to enjoy Café Piccolo, just in love. And not even romantic love—though that’s the funnest kind of love . . . till it turns bad, then it’s hell on toast—it can be a platonic thing, it can be a familial thing, you just have to love the person you’re with. I suppose Café Piccolo could work for a business lunch or dinner, then again, you really wouldn’t get that wonderful feeling in sitting in a wonderful place eating wonderful food gazing across at someone wonderful. Though there’s an indoor dining area, the place to be is on the patio, underneath the umbrella, near a fire, the little electric lights atwitter. You might also check out that look people have when they’re here: they loll, they gaze, they talk, it is magical. Piccolo is one of those places blessed with something impossible to quantify—you just feel good there and time just seems to slip away. I have sat there with someone wonderful before, had a very simple dinner—salad (with a great tangy house dressing they’ve repeatedly refused to give me the recipe for), lemon linguine chicken primavera, dessert and tea—and found that I had been sitting and talking and gazing for better than three hours. The place invites it, it creates it. It’s just wonderful. If you’ve been, then you’ve been multiple times and I don’t have to tell you. If you’ve never been, go, sit, eat, gaze, love. Always love. 3222 E BROADWAY | LONG BEACH 90803 | 562.438.1316 | CAFEPICCOLO.COM

ILLUSTRATION by LUKE MCGARRY

LONG BEACH LAW ENFORCEMENT
The cops commonly set up sting operations to arrest gay men violating California Penal Code section 647(a)—soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct in a public place—and local district attorneys prosecute the cases vigorously. However, similar behavior by heterosexuals tends to be ignored. Attorney Rebecca Birmingham, who specializes in defending 647(a) cases, summarizes thusly: “If police officers find a straight couple having public sex, they’ll usually tell them to take it home. But two men kissing will get arrested.” She chuckles and adds: “And if the police come across two lesbians? They’ll probably pay to watch.”

THE SILVER FOX
We’re writing this at the last second because everyone assumed someone else had already. The Silver Fox is more than obvious, it’s an icon. Last year it celebrated 25 years of gay greatness, and its fairly recent renovations—an external facelift and some rainbow carpet on the inside—give the staple entertainment bar a modern twist. Theme nights abound, and if watching drunk people belt out “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson sounds like a good time, head over to the Fox on Wednesdays and Sundays for your fix. 411 REDONDO AVE | LONG BEACH 90814 | 562.439.6343 | SILVERFOXLONGBEACH.COM

GAYTONIA
Named for original owner George T. Strapping-Heterosexualton, Long Beach’s landmark Gaytonia—statistically less gay than similarly-dated sibling the Villa Riviera, the queeniest downtown destination never to host a Marilyn Monroe exhibit—is a 1930 “medieval revival fantasy” (per the indispensable Mullio and Volland text) that once served as quarters for Naval officers when the fleet was firmly docked in port, which makes this entry so stripped of intentional innuendo that I think I’ll sleep without dreams tonight. 212 QUINCY AVE | LONG BEACH 90803

PRIDE STAR 2007
This American Idol-style talent contest, new to the festival, will conclude eight weeks of preliminaries at venues around town with a singing showdown among three finalists on the Main Stage Sunday at 6:15 p.m.—just before Jennifer Hudson. The last few rounds of eliminations are Wednesday (May 16) at the Silver Fox at 9:30 p.m., Thursday (May 17) at Ripples at 9:30 p.m., Friday (May 18) at Hot Java at 8 p.m. and Saturday (May 19) on the Main Stage at 4:30 p.m. The winner gets $2,500. SILVER FOX | 411 REDONDO AVE | LONG BEACH 90814 | 562.439.6343 | RIPPLES | 5101 E OCEAN BLVD | LONG BEACH 90803 | 562.433.0357 | HOT JAVA 2105 E BROADWAY | LONG BEACH 90803 | 562.433.0688

MELANGE LAVONNE’S “GAY BASH”
You know, at a time when a lot of the talk about hip-hop is when it’s a appropriate to call someone the “n” word or the “h” word, it’s kind of nice to let you know you can check out a hip-hop artist doing something like this: that would be hip-hop activist Melange Lavonne showing her music video “Gay Bash,” which deals with the murder of her best friend, Kevin. Lavonne will do this within an evening of live music—performances by Jade Ross and SKIM—and a fashion show by STUDS clothing. All in all, a pretty, fun and cushy way to make a stand for kindness, tolerance and a little sanity. The event is free, but you will have to RSVP. ART THEATRE | 2025 E FOURTH ST | LONG BEACH 90814 | 562.438.5435 | FRI 7PM | RSVP@LITTLEREDPICTURES.COM

ILLUSTRATION by LUKE MCGARRY

JEFFREY CARLSON
True story: I had a total crush on Jeff Carlson growing up. He and his family—Hi, Beth!—lived around the corner from me near Cal State Long Beach, and Jeff, with his blond hair, strong cheekbones and light eyes, was a total babe. He even wanted to be a veterinarian when he grew up. Swoon. So imagine my surprise when one day, watching All My Children (yes), I see Jeff on the screen. Even with the piles of makeup he had on (Jeff plays Zoe, a transgender woman formally known as the male British rockstar Zarf) I knew it was him—I could recognize those cheekbones anywhere! Although, actually, I wasn’t that surprised: over the years, I’d heard from friends that Jeff had moved to New York and done that whole Juliard thing, becoming quite accomplished on Broadway. But lest you think All My Children is a step down—don’t you dare—know this: Zoe marked the first transgender character on daytime television, one of a handful of transgender characters on any kind of television, ever. Which means that in addition to encouraging the nation’s transgendered men and women, he’s also opened the minds of millions of land-locked soccer moms. Helps, of course, that Zoe is gorgeous. Damn those cheek bones. JEFFREY-CARLSON.COM

TWO UMBRELLAS
Stuffed French toast that’s some of the best oral action—ah, you know, when I took this job, they promised me I would never have to sexualize breakfast food again. Two Umbrellas is an easy walk between Falcon/Sweetwater and Mine Shaft/the Brit and they offer stuffed-toast options that obliterate all conventional standards of decadence. I like the Flasher—bacon and peanut butter and banana, possibly delivered with a knowing wink. A truly Caligulan repaste. 1538 E BROADWAY | LONG BEACH 90802 | 562.495.2323 | OPEN WED-MON 8AM-2PM

DAN BAKER
We don’t dislike former Long Beach Second District Councilman Dan Baker because, as he said at his resignation, “like most of my colleagues, I do need to make money.” It’s his lobbying and voting talents that stick in our craw. Baker, the city’s first openly gay council member, and city police union head Steve James went in together to buy part of a Missouri
apartment complex for $7.5 million—and then Baker ran around stumping for a vote that gave the police a 21 percent pay hike over four years. Also? He voted for it himself. Bad, bad Baker.

MICK & MACK’S
Festival food can be fairly hit-or-miss, especially as the day goes on, so this year, treat your tum-tum right. Begin your day with a hearty breakfast (pile on those carbs—you’ll burn through them quickly) and then, once inside the festival, skip the combo plates in favor of a single item, say, a chicken skewer. Save your splurging for when you skip out early (your wasted friends will thank you) and head up Shoreline Drive past Ocean Boulevard to Mick and Mack’s. Restaurant by day, gay bar by night—really, a restaurant in a gay bar—Mick & Mack’s dishes up some seriously excellent grub. They’ve got burgers as big as your head, a formidable French dip and finger-lickin’ hot Buffalo wings (now without bones!) Plus, no port-a-potties! 740 E BROADWAY | LONG BEACH 90802 | 562.983.7001

ILLUSTRATION by LUKE MCGARRY

JENNIFER CORDAY
Corday and her modern rock band Corday are scheduled to perform before Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson in this year’s pride celebration. Corday was also invited to have her own float in the pride parade—a first—but even though she’s arrived as a local celebrity, there will always be moments when she’s just a struggling local musician. Lately, it’s been a struggle to finish Corday’s third record, Superhero, which should be available early next month—but, sadly, just missed being ready for pride. You can hear it live on-stage, though, and maybe in the parade. THE 24TH ANNUAL LONG BEACH LESBIAN & GAY PRIDE CELEBRATION | OCEAN BLVD BETWEEN TEMPLE AND ALAMITOS AVES | SUN 10:30AM | CORDAY PERFORMS AT PRIDE SUN 4:30PM | CORDAY.NET

MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM WPA MURAL
This 1938 tile mural is the last piece left of the old Auditorium, dragged from the wreckage in 1975 and currently trapped against a parking garage at the north end of the Promenade, where it watches the construction of awful new lofts and waits for a few more summers to bleach its better memories to nothing. Two trim lifeguards sharing one tiny tower seat, two classy ladies waist-to-waist for croquet, two solemn guys bent close into one another for a little game of horseshoes, two bored bathing girls scooched under one umbrella—the guys got their guy friends and the girls got their girl friends, and it’s like a Hemingway story, except you can tell the dudes are way slung. NORTH END OF THE PROMENADE AT THIRD ST | LONG BEACH 90802

SOPHIE B. HAWKINS
Hawkins is best known for her song “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover,” which is itself perhaps best known as providing the soundtrack for the 90210 episode where Kelly and Dylan kick off their romantic liason after Brenda’s jetted off to Europe. Hawt! Anyway, since then—that’s 15 years ago, by the way!—Hawkins has continued to play, becoming the subject of a documentary, The Cream Will Rise as well as an accomplished visual artist. Damn! (Sorry.) Who knew? MAIN STAGE | SAT

ILLUSTRATION by LUKE MCGARRY

JUSTIN RUDD!
Sometimes people tell him he looks like Peter Krause from Six Feet Under, which we can see, now that he mentions it . . . at No. 12 among the 90 other “Random Facts About Justin Rudd” that he includes on his website (justinrudd.com). Yes, Justin Rudd is a bit much. Amazingly, however, not too much. Somehow, all his hyperactivities—the Haute Dog Easter Parade for charity, the monthly Thirty-Minute Beach Cleanup, the Belmont Shore Chalk Art Contest, the St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals, among many others—manage to stop short of obnoxious. Well, except for the fact that he signs his name with an exclamation point. Except for that.

COUNCILWOMAN GERRIE SCHIPSKE
Schipske may be the most decorated lesbian in Long Beach—she just recently received an award from Long Beach for her work in public health and a Leadership and Action award from CSULB—and she’s the Eighth District Representative to boot. The councilwoman has been out for 25 years, but that hasn’t stopped her political opponents from stating the obvious in last-ditch attempts to win votes. Yes, Jackie Kell and Laura Richardson (Democrats, by the way), we’re talking about you. Don’t worry, though. Schipske doesn’t hold a grudge—after all, why would she? A crushing defeat is the best revenge.

THE PURPOSE OF THE PARTY
The greatest display of Pride comes after all the fun, games and camaraderie, when proceeds from the event are bestowed on deserving students and public-service groups and projects in the form of scholarships and grants. Over nearly a quarter-century, Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to between four and six students per year and another huge chunk o’ change to dozens of annual projects, ranging from public outreach programs to giving Christmas gifts to needy kids. “We are a non-profit, public-service philanthropic group that holds one event a year to raise money, then gives it away,” says Willa Heart, business manager for LBGLP. “This is what we live for.”

ILLUSTRATION by LUKE MCGARRY

JEWELS
I’ve long forgotten where or when I first met Jewels—it was only once—but her beauty was astounding. Voluptuous and charming, Jewels has been the host of the Starlette Revue drag show at Mick & Mack’s (formerly Hamburger Mary’s) for years now, thrilling audiences and making girls like me feel, well, ugly. Thanks Jewels! Could you stop being pretty, maybe for a second? Anyway, gal can do everyone from Marilyn to Courtney Love, from Britney Spears to Cyndi Lauper, even Elvis and Boy George—not to mention Tammy Faye. Which, in addition to being code for “She’s very, very good,” also means she must have an in at Maybelline. Share the wealth, lady! JEWELSPRODUCTIONS.COM

Tags: bisexual, cafe piccolo, gay, gaytonia, lesbian, Long Beach, pride, silver fox, transgender