QueerSighted Showcases the 'Men of Laguna Beach' Calendar
What do Brad Pitt, George Clooney and 20 hot, shirtless guys have in common? They're all part of an inventive campaign by a committed group of volunteers known as "Save the Boom" who want to preempt Laguna Beach's historic gay bar, the Boom Boom Room, from being leveled to make room for new development.
In its latest effort to save the Boom, the group launched a calendar contest chock full of Laguna's hottest eye candy. From auditions of the beach community's sexiest guys, 20 men (including a few straight men) were selected by a panel of judges as finalists. Next, judges will narrow that down to 12 for a 2008 calendar the group plans to sell this fall. Proceeds will benefit Save the Boom and local charities in Laguna Beach.
QueerSighted is the exclusive host of the online Men of Laguna photo gallery where you can get a peek at the Laguna Beach beach boys. We also have a poll where you can vote on which 12 guys YOU think should grace the pages of January to December. A panel of judges will decide the final results, but I'm sure they want to know what you guys think, so cast a vote for your favorite. The photos were all gorgeously shot, by the way, by celebrity photographer Cristopher Lapp who donated his time and services.
Since the property on which the Boom Boom Room (and the adjoining Coast Inn) sits was sold a year and a half ago, Save the Boom has been able to keep the bar on life support by helping to get its leased extended. The group has pulled out all manner of imaginative stops to persuade the new owner to keep this important bit of Laguna gay life (and history) intact, not torn down to make way for something high-end and glamorous -- which is what's happened to most all of Laguna Beach already. The future is very much in jeopardy now as the current lease will expire again in about three weeks. Save the Boom is hoping for a buyer to step in who will want to preserve the bar.
Save the Boom is the brainchild of Laguna resident Fred Karger, a retired marketing/PR guru who has used his expertise to get attention for the cause. This spring, Save the Boom took out a full page ad in Variety asking George Clooney and Brad Pitt to "Save the Boom!" -- an attempt to leverage rumors that the Hollywood hunks had bought the property. Although the rumors were false, the ad did what is was meant to do: get people talking about the Boom Boom Room, including TMZ who led with the headline 'Pitt & Clooney Mixed Up in Gay Bar Fight.'(more, plus photos, after the jump)
Karger believes that the Boom Boom is more than just a gay bar. Aside from its historical significance, the place is viewed as an anchor for gay life in the picturesque seaside town. Karger says that if the Boom Boom Room goes, Laguna will lose a big part of its gay identity and sense of a gay community (not to mention gay tourism dollars).Save the Boom hopes the 'Men of Laguna Beach' can bankroll some more goodwill and interest in keeping the gay in Laguna Beach. Click on one of the hotties below and see if they pique your interest. I have a feeling they will. Oh, and don't forget to exercise your right as a gay American and vote for your favorite fella.
Network: 






























Comments:
(13)Add a comment
Sunday 04 May
By DAVID
I met my partner at the Little Shrimp, but alway like to go to the Boom. We have had enough torn down for the sake of progress. Leave something behind for people to admire over time. It would be a sad day should this come about.
Thank you, DP
Reply
Tuesday 04 November
By BILL
I live in Oklahoma City for now and own my business here doing Stained Glass. I have family in OC and am thinking of moving there soon. I would hate it if the club would not be there to enjoy and not be able to meet guys and make some good friends
Reply
Thursday 16 August
By smiller2941@sbcglobal.net
I live in LA and go down to Laguna Beach on most weekends to get out of town...Laguna to me is an outlet to my stressful work life, relaxing and fun. If the Boom closes I know, I will not be going down very much...I love Going down to the Boom...I would love to see someone buy it or the current owner figure out how his plans are ruining the gay community in Laguna....Why can't he fix up the Boom Boom Room and Coast Inn...it does need an overhaul....it could be an awesome new lounge with food service, a new state of the art dance floor, and an awesome 5 star hotel with a roof top happy hour....I just came from
Greece and gays fly in from all over the world to go to a hotel/ bar....it could be the new Boom Boom Resort...so whomever the current owner is ......don't ruin our communtiy....put your money into making this the best known gay resort/club in the world on the Pacific Ocean in Awesome Laguna Beach...or sell it to someone with the right vision to make it a world wide destination for the "Gay People"...They have plenty of disposable income...this could be a gold mine and could be busy year round....Laguna can show someone a great vacation even in our winter months....THANKS! SHANE MILLER/ LOS ANGELES.
Reply
Thursday 16 August
By coos
Let's hope they can keep the place open. Gustavo is definitely my favourite...
Reply
Friday 17 August
By John
we should all know by now there is NO way to stop the MACHINE! just kiss it good by and thats all there is to it!
Reply
Saturday 18 August
By How Naive We Can Be
It's amazing how naive people are when there is an emotional issue being used...
The Save the Boom campaign is nothing more than a money-making venture that has collected thousands of names, e-mails, and phone numbers for those running it. Ask around in Laguna, and the truth begins to unfold...
Interesting that that the last HUGE party to "Save" the Boom wasn't even held at the Boom Boom Room. Instead, it was held at the art gallery of the person in charge of the campaign. The party garnered tons of publicity for him, and left the Boom empty and and abandoned that night.
The only thing that will save the Boom is a rich, gay investor interested in owning an amazingly historic gay venue. Sadly, progress marches on.
Reply
Monday 20 August
By Mike
So sad to see how negative people are about saving the boom boom room. It is a historic landmark that has survived decades of gay history. I commend anyone that is working to save this classic gay landmark. Lord knows we don't need another Hilton. Even though I do love paris. =)
Props to Save the Boom Boom Room.
Reply
Saturday 01 September
By Ken
Personally I think it's a good idea...I don't live in Laguna I dont even knwo exactly where that is...But I am a fellow gay man so I'm all for bringing all the Laguna gays together lol...I'm gonna buy one...
P.S. Russell is the hottest :)
Reply
Sunday 02 September
By donald miller
i have a few great memories about the place, how can i help?
Reply
Tuesday 04 September
By Scott
Sheesh guys,
As a college student at UC Irvine, if I recall how much I spent on drinks at Boom Boom Room, there should be NO issue with saving the establishment - period.
Sorry, I shoud read more on the background but that place is a gold mine. I have had many great fun times there and would hate to see it go however if the money was mismanaged, you get what you give (the owner(s)).
There is no doubt that it is a part of Orange County gay history.
Scott,
North Carolina
Reply
Sunday 30 September
By Mark
Laguna Beach is being gentrified by wealthy heterosexual people. Instead of gay people, you will see mostly baby carriages and yuppies. Rentals, consequently, are being filled with loud college kids. It's still relatively safe to go there, but occasionally gay visitors will hear homophobic remarks. Teenage surfers now claim West Beach as their own. Often enough, they see gays as intruders in their space, and can be quite hateful. Laguna isn't the place it used to be.
Reply
Wednesday 21 November
By tonylynn burgess
I would like to say that "progress marches on" only by the efforts or lack of by human intervention. I would only hope that wealthy investor would step up and do the right thing. If it takes a group of investors let it be known my dollar is on the table. Do not over look a gift horse when that gift may only be a email away. Sure the lack of management needs correction, but people standup and be a part of this historical event. Thank You, Tonylynn Burgess
Reply
Thursday 29 November
By shefo
looking for friendlove
Reply