SOUNDING OFF: Gay life will continue post-Boom

Cindy Frazier did a great job summing up the “gay” issues in her column [Lumberyard Logs, “Greed Trumps gay identity,” Coastline Pilot, Feb. 8]. I could not agree with her more, greed is what caused the loss of the Boom and Woody’s.

I find it quite audacious that some in the gay community feel there is some obligation by the present owner of the Boom to donate the property for the sake of the gay community. The previous owners of the Boom did very little to support the gay community during their years of ownership. And apparently not enough gays were interested in supporting the Boom for it to keep its doors open. So follow the cash, as deep throat said.

Having first visited Laguna in 1961 and living here since 1971 I have seen many changes. It is sad that we have lost those two establishments, but gay life will continue to be.

I thought it was the end of the gay community when they tore down Main Beach businesses and the gay community moved down to West Street Beach. I still think that did strike a stake in the heart of the gay community, but we survived. We are a resilient community, and we will continue to find places to congregate.

Gays will still have West Street Beach to go to in the summer.

We still have one club for folks to congregate in called Club Bounce (the old Main Street). And if owners of other clubs/restaurants in town see that there is potential profitability in courting the gay community, that will happen.

BILL LAPOINTE is publisher of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender newsmagazine Orange County & Long Beach Blade.