This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

'Historic Boystown' Gets City Council Support

Two city councilmen favor officially designating the area of Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega and La Peer.

Boystown took a step closer toward getting official city designation this week. City Councilmen John Heilman and John Duran announced that they are in favor of recognizing the area of Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega and La Peer Drive—historically the center of the city’s gay population.

The mile-long stretch will likely be named “Historic Boystown,” rather than just “Boystown,” since that name is not inclusive of lesbians and other minorities, Duran said.

“A lot of really important things have happened in this area of town—whether it’s the early marches of ACT UP or the city forming itself or Queer Nation or the dyke marches or all the other historical moments that have occurred here,” he said at Monday’s City Council meeting. “The Historic Boystown name would honor that.”

Find out what's happening in West Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Noting that the area has been known as Boystown since at least the 1970s, when he first started going there for the gay nightlife, Duran said, “This section of town is recognized around the world as a place where the LGBT community has sought refuge.”

Heilman also supports the designation saying he first heard of the idea months ago. “I did not bring it forward in the meetings before the election, because I didn’t want it to be caught up in the election cycle,” said Heilman, who won his bid for reelection on March 8. “But it will be coming forward in the next couple of meetings.”

Find out what's happening in West Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This news pleases Larry Block, who was talking about the official designation amongst friends for months prior to and April 4 council meetings about the idea.

“This is great. I’m glad they’re in favor of my idea,” said Block, who owns the clothing store located at 8853 Santa Monica Blvd. in the old A Different Light bookstore building. “Let’s just get it officially recognized by June, in time for Gay Pride.”

While Block had suggested the western boundary should be Robertson Drive, Duran proposed the boundary should be a block further west at La Peer Drive. That extension seems logical since it would then include the old Studio One gay dance club which is now known as The Factory, he said.

Block already sells a line of in his store. And come Monday, he expects to have his “Historic Boystown” website up and running. Block says the website will have a calendar of events, links to area clubs and businesses and links to support organizations like Trevor Project and the LA Gay and Lesbian Center.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from West Hollywood