As the southernmost city in Los Angeles County, Long Beach has an important place on the LGBTQ+ history map, but is often left out of the conversation about Los Angeles’ queer history.

For example, The Patch, a bar in neighboring Wilmington, was the site of a pre-Stonewall protest against police harassment, and was owned by the "Blonde Darling" of Long Beach, Lee Glaze. Another Long Beach resident, Carolyn Weathers, was part of a 1970 Los Angeles protest that helped pave the way for homosexuality being removed from the American Psychiatric Association's list of mental illnesses.

In "Discovering Long Beach's Unknown Queer History," local news outlet Q Voice News and editor Phillip Zonkel will unearth these stories and others and spotlight some of the people who made a difference in important historical events related to Long Beach. Local drag queen Jewels will moderate a panel of guests, including Carolyn Weathers, who will share their experiences in queer history in a fabulous evening that intersects history, education, art, and civics.

This panel conversation will take place at Hamburger Mary's Long Beach on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 4-6 p.m. Free two-hour parking available.

This program is organized by Q Voice News and Phillip Zonkel as part of Circa: Queer Histories Festival 2024, presented by One Institute.