lbpost.com – By Brian Addison
In honor of the landmark LGBT History Project, the Long Beach Post is proud to present a series of articles that attempts to provide readers with an in-depth look at a range of historical events that intertwine Long Beach with its LGBTQ community. We are encouraging anyone who shares these articles or has the courage to tell their own to tag them #LGBThistory.
The formal project, developed by the Historical Society of Long Beach, opens its doors on February 23, in a special opening gala that will feature Melissa Etheridge and Long Beach’s most valuable LGBT members. To purchase tickets, click here.
Brian Addison would like to thank Rick and David McGilton-McGlamery, Frank Rubio, and the Historical Society of Long Beach for helping contribute to this piece.
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It was originally called Impact, nestled at the corner of 61st Street and Cherry Avenue in North Long Beach. It also acted as, at least according to Empress Boom Boom of the Long Beach Imperial Court, the headquarters for drag queens – and for good reason.