Laguna Love Letters celebrates the heart and soul of Laguna Beach by sharing authentic stories, voices, and moments that connect our community through love, art, and human experience. Through creative expression and storytelling, we aim to inspire unity, preserve local spirit, and remind us all why this place—and each other—matters.
Mission
Values
01
AUTHENTIC VOICES
We honor real stories from real people, giving space to diverse voices that reflect the true spirit of Laguna Beach—unfiltered, heartfelt, and deeply human.
02
CONNECTION & BELONGING
We foster meaningful connections that bring people together, creating a sense of belonging where every story shared strengthens the fabric of our coastal community.
03
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
We celebrate art in all its forms, encouraging imagination, vulnerability, and storytelling that captures the emotional landscape of our community.
04
LOVE IN ACTION
We believe love is more than words—it’s kindness, inclusion, and compassion expressed through everyday moments that uplift and support one another.
Milestones
The Year 1835
A SEAMAN NAMED DANA
"The name of Richard Henry Dana, seaman explorer and author of Two Years Before the Mast, is found on a list containing the names of nonfiction authors for whom evidence of homosexuality exists... Dana Point in south Orange County was named as a tribute to the explorer who spoke highly of the area."
The Year 1927
SOUTH SEAS AFTER DARK
"The South Seas Bar located in the Coast Inn in Laguna Beach opens [home of the 'Boom Boom Room']. Like many of the early gay bars, it was straight during the daylight hours and became gay after dark."
The Year 1964
"FAG CITY"
"A Tent City existed in downtown Laguna Beach and was very popular with the summer crowd. Police Sweeps of Laguna Beach gave the city the nickname of 'Fag City.'"
The Year 1967
STONEWALL WEST - PRIDE
"January 1 -- Stonewall West. The Los Angeles Police Department raided the "Black Cat" and "New Faces" bars, in the Los Angeles Silver Lake District. Many patrons and employees were injured. A demonstration was held on January 5, organized by the Personal Rights in Defense and Education (PRIDE).
The Year 1969
STONEWALL
"June 28... A police raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York City in the wee hour's leads to four days of battle between police and angry gays, lesbians, transsexuals, and drag queens."
The Year 1973
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
"December 15 - The American Psychiatric Association (APA) removes homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses. This was accomplished when activists stormed the APA convention and demanded the change or the convention would be disrupted every year."
The Year 1981
THE AIDS EPIDEMIC
On June 5, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) publishes a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), describing cases of a rare lung infection, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), in five young, previously healthy, gay men in Los Angeles. All the men have other unusual infections as well, indicating that their immune systems are not working; two have already died by the time the report is published. This edition of the MMWR marks the first official reporting of what will become known as the AIDS epidemic.
The Year 1982
FIRST OPENLY GAY MAYOR IN THE US
Robert F. Gentry is elected Mayor of Laguna Beach. At the forefront of fighting for services for HIV/AIDS, Mr. Gentry served three terms from 1982- 1984.
The Year 1994
FIRST LAGUNA BEACH PRIDE
"The name of Richard Henry Dana, seaman explorer and author of Two Years Before the Mast, is found on a list containing the names of nonfiction authors for whom evidence of homosexuality exists... Dana Point in south Orange County was named as a tribute to the explorer who spoke highly of the area."
The Year 2017
LAGUNA BEACH LGBTQ HEREITAGE & CULTURE
"The name of Richard Henry Dana, seaman explorer and author of Two Years Before the Mast, is found on a list containing the names of nonfiction authors for whom evidence of homosexuality exists... Dana Point in south Orange County was named as a tribute to the explorer who spoke highly of the area."
The Year 2017
LAGUNA BEACH LGBTQ HERITAGE & CULTURE
"The name of Richard Henry Dana, seaman explorer and author of Two Years Before the Mast, is found on a list containing the names of nonfiction authors for whom evidence of homosexuality exists... Dana Point in south Orange County was named as a tribute to the explorer who spoke highly of the area."
The Year 2017
CITY HALL PROCLAMATION
May 9, 2017, among a room-filled City Council chambers, Mayor Toni Iseman presided over the resolution that the month of June to be LGBTQ Heritage & Culture Month in Laguna Beach forevermore.
The Year 2018
LAGUNA BEACH PRIDE 365 IS ESTABLISHED
In December of 2017 Laguna Beach Pride 365 oficially became a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation.