Ginger Rogers Beach in Pacific Palisades is now home to two lifeguard towers that have been painted in the vibrant colors of the Progress Pride Flag. However, just days after their unveiling, the towers were vandalized. Despite this setback, the towers were still operational on Tuesday.
At the dedication ceremony on Saturday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and other local officials celebrated the redesign of Towers 17 and 18. This section of Will Rogers State Beach has long been a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to the towers, informational signs were also revealed, providing the history of the beach.
Unfortunately, by Monday morning, both towers had fallen victim to vandalism, with their windows being smashed. Supervisor Lindsey Horvath responded by stating, “Hate will not win. Not today, not ever. We will repair the towers and continue to fight against the extremism that breeds acts of hate like this, because the only way to combat hate is with love.”
Thankfully, no injuries were reported. However, ABC7 noted that the towers were filled with broken glass. It’s worth mentioning that nothing was stolen from inside.
According to Supervisor Horvath’s office, Ginger Rogers Beach has been a popular spot for gay men since the 1940s. In recognition of the film legend, it was named after Ginger Rogers. Over the years, the beach has served as a site for various political activism efforts, including fundraising for AIDS victims and petitions against the Vietnam War.
Supervisor Horvath described the beach as a refuge for LGBTQ+ individuals during a “post-war era” marked by discrimination. It was at this beach that activists gathered signatures to oppose McCarthyism, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Mattachine Society, one of the pioneering gay rights organizations.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Ginger Rogers Beach became a significant location for social events and fundraising initiatives to support those affected by the AIDS crisis. In fact, San Diego’s Gay and Lesbian Times referred to it as the “West Coast’s answer to the Statue of Liberty” in 1995.
Ginger Rogers, the iconic Hollywood actress, is known for starring in more than 70 films during the “Golden Age” of Hollywood, including 10 memorable musical comedies alongside Fred Astaire. She passed away in 1995 at the age of 83.
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