Venice Beach Lifeguard Tower Gets Rainbow Makeover For Pride
Gaywatch, anyone?
A California lifeguard tower has been rechristened in honor of LGBT Pride month.
Located in Venice, the Brooks Avenue Lifeguard Tower was recently repainted in rainbow colors by local artist Patrick Marston and husband Michael Brunt, The Argonaut reports. It will be known as Venice Pride Flag Lifeguard Tower through the end of the summer.
“Commemorating Venice’s history of inclusion, individuality, and diversity is the heart of Venice Pride,” says Venice Pride president Grant Turck. “I hope it will stand as a shining beacon of acceptance.”
A section of Venice Beach between Park and Breeze avenues has also been renamed in memory of the late Bill Rosendahl, who in 2005 became the first openly gay man to win a seat on the Los Angeles City Council. Pride organizers chose that stretch of beach and its lifeguard tower because of the area's long history as a gay-friendly hangout.
This weekend's Venice Pride festivities kicked off last night with the lighting of the iconic “Venice” sign in rainbow colors. The gathering also honored victims of last June’s Pulse nightclub shooting.
Partnering with Venice Pride, the L.A. Rams have become the first team in the NFL to officially sponsor a Pride event.