Community Town Hall
Host open forums where community members can voice concerns about both The LGBTQ Center Long Beach and Long Beach Pride, Inc.
Long Beach LGBTQ+ Community Coalition
Building Our Community Together
Creating transparency, accountability, and stronger partnerships in Long Beach's LGBTQ+ community through collaborative advocacy and democratic engagement.
Why We're Organizing for LGBTQ+ Accountability in Long Beach
Our Long Beach LGBTQ+ community deserves organizations that operate with transparency and genuine community partnership. While Long Beach Pride, Inc. has faced significant challenges in recent years, and The LGBTQ Center Long Beach could benefit from stronger community engagement, we believe in working together to build solutions that serve everyone.
We recognize that both organizations serve important roles in our community. Rather than working in isolation, we believe that collaborative oversight, community input, and shared accountability can help both The LGBTQ Center Long Beach and Long Beach Pride, Inc. better serve our diverse LGBTQ+ population. When our institutions are transparent and responsive, our entire community thrives.
The time for positive change is now. We are organizing because we believe in the power of community partnership and collaborative solutions. Together, we can support both organizations in becoming more accountable, rebuild trust through transparency, and ensure that The LGBTQ Center Long Beach and Long Beach Pride, Inc. truly reflect and serve the diverse, vibrant LGBTQ+ community of Long Beach, California.
Understanding Long Beach Pride's Challenges
How we can learn from Long Beach Pride, Inc.'s recent struggles to build a stronger, more sustainable celebration together.
Note: This timeline specifically addresses Long Beach Pride, Inc., the organization that runs our Pride festival. Our coalition also advocates for accountability at The LGBTQ Center Long Beach, which is a separate organization.
2018-2021: Peak Years
🎉
Attendance:80,000
California Ranking:#3 Largest
• Long Beach Pride, Inc. hosted major headliners
• Regional festival destination
• Strong community support
• Regional festival destination
• Strong community support
2020-2021: Pandemic Disruption
😷
• Long Beach Pride, Inc. cancelled in-person events
• Virtual festivals only
• Loss of momentum & sponsors
• Community disconnection
• Virtual festivals only
• Loss of momentum & sponsors
• Community disconnection
2022-2023: Financial Crisis
💸
Pride, Inc. Deficits:$1.5M+
• Major sponsors exit ($30K+ each)
• Political backlash impact
• Long Beach Pride, Inc. cuts festival size
• Local talent replaces big acts
• Political backlash impact
• Long Beach Pride, Inc. cuts festival size
• Local talent replaces big acts
2024: City Steps In
🏛️
City Bailout:$130K
• City takes over parade from Pride, Inc. • Long Beach Pride, Inc. continues reduced festival
• Community calls it "embarrassing"
• Compared to "Fyre Fest"
• Community calls it "embarrassing"
• Compared to "Fyre Fest"
2025: Rock Bottom
📉
20K
Attendance
$700K
Pride, Inc. Budget
• Long Beach Pride, Inc.: No major headliners
• Only local acts
• 75% attendance drop
• Community disappointment
• Only local acts
• 75% attendance drop
• Community disappointment
Long Beach Pride, Inc. by the Numbers
75%
Attendance Drop
80K → 20K
77%
Budget Cut
$3M → $700K
$1.5M
Total Deficits
2022-2023
0
Major Headliners
2025
Lessons Learned
💰
Financial Mismanagement
Sustained deficits and poor budgeting by Pride, Inc.
🏃♂️
Sponsor Flight
Major funders abandoned Long Beach Pride, Inc.
👥
Leadership Vacuum
CEO changes and board turnover at Pride, Inc.
😤
Community Outrage
Loss of authentic Pride spirit
This is Why We're Building Together
Long Beach Pride, Inc. and The LGBTQ Center Long Beach don't have to struggle alone. With collaborative accountability, community partnership, and transparent leadership, we can rebuild what was lost and create something even stronger together.
Two Organizations, One Community Partnership
Our coalition addresses accountability issues at both key LGBTQ+ organizations serving Long Beach.
Long Beach Pride, Inc.
The organization that runs our annual Pride festival and parade
Current Issues:
- • $1.5M+ in operating deficits (2022-2023)
- • 75% drop in attendance (80K → 20K)
- • Loss of major sponsors and headliners
- • City bailout required for parade
- • Community calls festival "embarrassing"
Our Demands:
- • Financial transparency and oversight
- • Community representation on board
- • Democratic leadership selection
- • Restoration of Pride's scale and quality
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach
Our community center providing services, programs, and advocacy
Current Issues:
- • Lack of community input in decision-making
- • Limited transparency in operations
- • Insufficient community representation
- • Disconnect from diverse LGBTQ+ voices
- • Need for democratic governance
Our Demands:
- • Community oversight and accountability
- • Transparent budget and operations
- • Inclusive leadership representation
- • Regular community feedback sessions
One Coalition, Comprehensive Accountability
The Long Beach LGBTQ+ Community Coalition advocates for transparency and community representation at both Long Beach Pride, Inc. and The LGBTQ Center Long Beach. These are separate organizations with different leadership, but both serve our community and both need accountability.
Our 5-Step Plan for LGBTQ+ Community Reform
A collaborative approach to supporting both The LGBTQ Center Long Beach and Long Beach Pride, Inc. through community partnership and shared accountability.
Accountability Council
Establish independent oversight for both our community center operations and Pride festival management.
Leadership Reform
Implement democratic processes for selecting leadership at The LGBTQ Center Long Beach and Long Beach Pride, Inc.
Reclaim Pride
Restore Long Beach Pride as a celebration that honors our LGBTQ+ history while ensuring proper stewardship by Long Beach Pride, Inc.
Long Beach Queer Coalition
Unite local LGBTQ+ organizations, businesses, and allies to oversee both our community center and Pride celebration.
Long Beach LGBTQ+ Community Town Hall
Join us to discuss how we can better support both The LGBTQ Center Long Beach and Long Beach Pride, Inc. through community partnership and collaborative oversight.
When & Where
Date: Saturday, August 16th, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (PDT)
Location: The Hare Bar
1800 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802What to Expect at Our LGBTQ+ Town Hall
- Open forum for concerns about The LGBTQ Center Long Beach and Long Beach Pride, Inc.
- Presentation of our 5-step plan for community accountability
- Breakout sessions for specific action items and community organizing
- Formation of working committees for ongoing advocacy
- Next steps and timeline for Long Beach LGBTQ+ community action
Town Hall Agenda
2:00 - 2:30 PM
Welcome & Community Introductions
2:30 - 3:15 PM
LGBTQ+ Community Concerns Forum
3:15 - 3:30 PM
Break & Networking
3:30 - 4:15 PM
Our Plan for Community Change
4:15 - 4:45 PM
Working Group Formation
4:45 - 5:00 PM
Next Steps & Closing
Accessibility & Important Notes
- • Street parking available (metered/time-limited)
- • ASL interpretation will be provided
- • Light refreshments will be served
- • Childcare available with advance notice
- • All Long Beach LGBTQ+ community members and allies welcome
Long Beach LGBTQ+ Accountability Council
An independent oversight body ensuring transparency and community representation at both The LGBTQ Center Long Beach and Long Beach Pride, Inc.
Our Mission
To serve as a supportive community partner, working collaboratively with both The LGBTQ Center Long Beach and Long Beach Pride, Inc. to ensure transparency, fiscal responsibility, and genuine community engagement. We exist to strengthen the connection between leadership and the diverse voices of our Long Beach LGBTQ+ community.
Core Principles for LGBTQ+ Accountability
Transparency First
All decisions, budgets, and processes at both organizations open to community review
Community-Driven
Decisions made with and for the Long Beach LGBTQ+ community, not behind closed doors
Inclusive Representation
Reflecting the full diversity of Long Beach's LGBTQ+ community including all identities and backgrounds
Independent Oversight
Free from conflicts of interest and external pressures
Council Composition
15 members representing the full spectrum of Long Beach's LGBTQ+ community
Business & Venue Representatives (5 seats)
- • Long Beach LGBTQ+ bars and nightlife venues
- • Queer-owned businesses and restaurants in Long Beach
- • Community-supporting local Long Beach businesses
- • Professional services (legal, healthcare, etc.)
- • Arts and entertainment venues
Community Organizations (4 seats)
- • Long Beach LGBTQ+ advocacy groups
- • Youth and senior support organizations
- • Trans and non-binary focused groups
- • BIPOC LGBTQ+ organizations in Long Beach
Community Members-at-Large (4 seats)
- • Long-time Long Beach LGBTQ+ community residents
- • Recent community members
- • Different age demographics
- • Various LGBTQ+ identity representations
Professional Advisors (2 seats)
- • Legal/governance expert
- • Financial oversight specialist
Key Responsibilities
- Review budgets and expenditures at both organizations
- Oversee leadership selection and evaluation processes
- Conduct quarterly Long Beach LGBTQ+ community feedback sessions
- Publish annual transparency reports for the community
- Mediate Long Beach LGBTQ+ community concerns and conflicts
- Ensure Pride planning and Center programming includes community input
Join the Long Beach LGBTQ+ Accountability Council
Interested in serving on the council? We're looking for committed Long Beach LGBTQ+ community members who believe in transparency and democratic governance. Council members serve 2-year terms with the possibility of renewal.
Time Commitment:
Monthly meetings + quarterly community sessions
Monthly meetings + quarterly community sessions
Requirements:
Long Beach resident, LGBTQ+ community involvement
Long Beach resident, LGBTQ+ community involvement
Elections:
Community-wide voting every 2 years
Community-wide voting every 2 years
Partner with Long Beach LGBTQ+ Coalition
Join our community-building movement and help us strengthen Long Beach's LGBTQ+ organizations through collaborative accountability and partnership.
For Press or Partnerships
Media inquiries and partnership opportunities welcome for Long Beach LGBTQ+ Coalition coverage.