PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The Long Beach Development Services Department has received community feedback and developed concepts for a vision and feasibility plan for the new LGBTQ+ Cultural District. Residents and local stakeholders are invited to attend an evening community workshop to learn more and give feedback on improvements that they would like to see along the corridor.

The goal of the LGBTQ+ Cultural District is to honor the LGBTQ+ community in Long Beach by activating the proposed district area located along the East Broadway Avenue corridor between Alamitos and Temple avenues. This will be done by highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the LGBTQ+ community in the district, supporting LGBTQ+ businesses and institutions and investing in public improvements to ensure the LGBTQ+ community continues to thrive.

In June 2023, the City released a preliminary plan for public review that details the community history and outlines the next steps for the initiative including suggestions received for neighborhood- and business-led activation opportunities.

The community is encouraged to learn more and share feedback by attending the in-person workshop scheduled for Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the community center located at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.). Those interested in attending are requested to RSVP online. Interpretation services will be available in Spanish without prior request, and other languages upon request using the RSVP link at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. For those unable to attend, a survey with these concepts will be released to the public later this month.

In addition to the community workshop, City staff will be holding a meeting for business owners and other identified stakeholders along the corridor and the LGBTQ+ community. This meeting is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2023, and a postcard invite will be sent via mail to invitees.

For more information about the District, please visit longbeach.gov/LGBTQDistrict and sign up to receive updates. For specific information about these upcoming events, please email lgbtqvisioning@longbeach.gov.

Media inquiries can be directed to Rick de la Torre, Community Information Officer, Long Beach Development Services Department, 562.570.7174 or Rick.DeLaTorre@longbeach.gov.