Having a Gay Old Time

Laguna Woods retirement community welcomes LGBTs

BY JAMES F. MILLS

As gays and lesbians age, concerns about re-tirement loom. There are lots of retirement communities all over the nation, but few cater to the gay market. Laguna Woods in Southern Orange County is one of those that does.

“We're trying to bring Laguna Woods to the gay community's attention,” says Eric Baucum, a realtor with Laguna Woods Properties. “This is a great place we've got here and we want people to know it's welcoming to gays.”

Baucum and his partner also live in Laguna Woods. They're part of an estimated 1,000 gay and lesbian retirees living there, out of a total population of 18,000.

“We've got more gay retirees now than ever,” reports Baucum. “We're a fairly quiet community, but we're active and very social.”

Laguna Woods boasts a Rainbow Club which sponsors various social events each month for LGBT residents, with several subgroups catering to specific interests existing within the Rainbow Club. No, the Rainbow Club isn't one of those secret, word-of-mouth clubs. It's listed prominently on the property's website, along with almost 250 other clubs and organizations.

Opened in 1964 as a gated community and expanded several times in the 1970s, the retirement community initially went by the name Leisure Word Laguna Hills, later Leisure World Laguna Woods. In 1999, they incorporated and changed the name to Laguna Woods.

“We're the only city in the United States that is comprised entirely of a gated community,” boasts Baucum. The city covers 28,000 acres, 22,000 of which are within the gated community which can be accessed via 14 gates. Non-residents can only gain access to the property as a guest of a resident.

Located just off the I-5 freeway, about five minutes from Laguna Beach and the ocean, Laguna Woods offers two golf courses, seven club houses, five swimming pools, two gyms/fitness centers, a performing arts center, which seats 834, and an equestrian center.

Any age person can buy a condo there, but you must be 55 before moving in. If it's a couple moving in, only one has to be 55 or older. Couples must be married or registered domestic partners to live there.

Prices start at $100,000 for a one bedroom and go as high as $1.3 million, with many prices and floor plans in between.

“Price-wise, you can't beat it for South Orange County,” says Baucum. “Entry-level homes in Laguna Beach start around $700,000. So, you get a lot of bang for the buck here.”

For more information, visit www.lagunawoodsvillage.com or www.ericsochomes.com.

SCENE

Kinetic Clubbing

Club Friction heats up Orange County

BY LENORA CLAIRE

For many living in a Weho- or Silverlake-centric universe the idea of traveling 45 minutes away to Orange County may seem as appealing as a lap dance from Ann Coulter. Just as shocking as it would be to see her wiggling out of one of those inappropriate black cocktail dresses, Angelenos have been heading out in droves to the discover Club Friction, a Thursday night event that was already causing a sensation.

Produced by promoter Archer Altstaetter of Boink Events, Friction at Vegas nightclub has set a new standard for those over 21 in the OC. As if the friendly, 2000 capacity mixed crowd dancing to the latest high-energy hits wasn't enough, the boys at Boink have been successfully incorporating a charity element to their outstanding events.

After raising an impressive $6,000 for the Center OC at last years Valentines Day auction, Friction will be auctioning off their regular dancers, as well prize packages donated by local businesses over a six-week period that started on Valentines Day. Having kicked off with a thirty-minute routine by the Bare Dance Company, 100% of all presale tickets have gone to benefit the Center OC so that they may continue to provide activities and support to teens with in the community.

After successfully producing a Valentines Day dance for LGBT youth ages 15-20, Boink Events and the Center OC are already hard at work sponsoring a Queer Prom in May. Providing the venue, lighting, décor, and DJ, Boink aims to offer a liquor- and substance-free affair where their biggest concern is what to wear, and not their safety when being out and proud. Hopefully one day LGBT teens will be able to slow dance with their partner of choice, but thankfully Boink is making sure they can all feel like Prom Queens today.

For more information, visit www.boinkevents.com or www.thecenteroc.org.

COMMUNITY

Festival Fantastico

The Hermosa Y Protegida pageant continues to bring the gay and straight Latino families together in the fight against AIDS

BY KEN KNOX

Since 1993, the Center Orange County has been throwing a festive beauty pageant that aims to fight the ongoing AIDS epidemic. The event, Hermosa Y Protegida, combines top-notch entertainment with food, family, and fabulousness in its goal to bring Latino families from the gay, straight, and transgender communities together in that fight.

“Although the event participants are transgender people, the pageant is actually geared toward Latino families,” stresses event coordinator Alfonso Guerrero. “Not only is it designed to educate the community about HIV and STD prevention, it also promotes tolerance among the LGBTQ community and the straight community as well.”

This year, the event will feature performances by well-known Latino talent like Chapo de Sinaloa, Jessie Morales and Gloria Trevi, with a special contribution by female impersonator Yuridia. Additionally, people living with HIV will speak about their experiences, food will be provided and sponsors and leaders of the Latino community will be recognized. And, of course, the winner of the Miss Hermosa Y Protegida pageant will be crowned—the winner will sure have her work cut out for her.

“Besides making public appearances at other events such as Gay Pride, Miss Hermosa Y Protegida is scheduled to talk to other agencies that cater to Spanish-speaking populations,” Guerrero notes. “Moreover, the winner will be trained to take charge and facilitate the Center OC’s transgender support group, Pioneras 911, thus giving back to the community in a way that promotes self-acceptance, empowerment and healthy living.”

This event gives Latinos a voice that normally does not get to be heard,” Guerrero says. “Too many times Latinos are not recognized in a community at large, never mind the LGBTQ Latino community. This event provides a platform for LGBTQ Latinos to stand up, be counted, and to show that we care for our community.”

The event was born out of the idea that “the Latino community needed much more than condoms to stem the tide of HIV infection,” Guerrero adds. “Year by year, we find that the HIV prevention messages are reaching the target audience of Latinos, although people need to know that, while the event is geared toward the Spanish-speaking community and family members, it actually benefits the community at large—Spanish and non-Spanish speaking HIV knows no language,” he adds. “HIV knows no race or age. HIV knows no sexual orientation. What we do here benefits all of the community—and we welcome all people.”

If it sounds too serious for some, Guerrero maintains that the organizing crew’s goal is to make the event as accessible as possible for all. “People should come to this event to be involved in their own health, but why should health information only be given in a medical setting?” he posits. “Our motto is be healthy and have fun doing it.”

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Alvin Alley dances into Costa Mesa

The male physique is rarely as well developed as it is in professional dancers. And Alvin Alley American Dance Theatre, a modern dance troupe promoting the African-American cultural experience, has some of the most finely sculpted dancers in the business. They'll be displaying their physiques while performing at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, Mar. 11-16. Hailed by the New York Times as “rich with fine performers,” Alvin Alley will be performing two new works—Groove to Nobody's Business and Firebird—plus Revelations, Unfold, Flowers, and several others during their week-long engagement. For more information, call 714-556-2787, or visit www.ocpac.org.

Meth documentary screens, panel discussion follows

Crystal methamphetamine use is an ongoing problem in the gay community and few films capture the essence of the problem better than Meth. Director Todd Ahlberg's award-winning documentary interviews a dozen gay men who describe first hand their experiences with the drug and its effects on their lives. A harrowing, no holds barred film, Meth screens Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m. in Phillips Hall at Santa Ana College, followed by a panel discussion and a Q&A. “We'll have the director and a cast member, plus representatives from The Center OC, AIDS Services Foundation and local law enforcement,” says Orange County Methamphetamine Task Force's Ed McKie, a recovering meth addict who was profiled in the movie. The event is free and open to all. For more information, visit www.ocmtf.com.

Men's groups promote talk, getting to know others

The Center Orange County sponsors two on-going groups for gay, bisexual, and curious men. “People have forgotten the art of getting to know each other outside of the bars,” says Antonio Cruz, LifeGuard (Men's) Program Coordinator. “The men's groups are a way for guys to get to know each other and make new connections in a safe, drug-free, alcohol-free setting.” The long-running, weekly “LifeTalk!” discussion group, for males of all ages, meets Thursdays from 7:30-9 p.m. with members going out for dinner afterwards. The recently formed “Fifty & Frisky” group, for men ages 50 and above, meets on the second Friday of each month from 12:30-2 p.m. for a lunchtime discussion. 12752 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove. For more information, call 714/534-0862.

South Orange PFLAG meets on the third Wednesdays

The South Orange County chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meets on the third Wednesday of each month in the Sun Room of the Laguna County United Methodist Church, 24442 Mouton Parkway in Laguna Hills. PFLAG is a secular group that exists to provide support, education, and advocacy on behalf of gays, lesbians, and sexual/gender minorities as well as their families and friends. All are welcome. Confidentiality is assured. For more information, visit www.ocpflag.org.