Lifeguard Tower in Hermosa Beach to be Painted for Pride
Hermosa Beach, CA – This week, a motion passed by the LA County Board of Supervisors authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn has paved the way for an LA County Lifeguard Tower in Hermosa Beach to be painted rainbow for Pride Month.
The idea to paint the tower came from lzzy Bacallao, a local trans teen. Izzy, who uses the pronouns they and them, was responding to the burning of rainbow-painted Pride lifeguard tower in Long Beach in March.
“The burning of the Long Beach Pride Tower was not only devastating to me, being a trans/queer adolescent, but it also hurt other queer people and our allies within the South Bay community,” said Izzy Bacallao. “Immediately my family and I started reaching out to queer youth and other community leaders to seek approval to paint a Hermosa Beach lifeguard tower as an act of solidarity and an expression of love. We want to share this experience with everyone in the community. The Pride tower should be a reminder to everyone to accept, cherish, and celebrate what makes us all unique and special.”
Hahn’s motion, which passed unanimously at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, instructs the LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors to work with the City of Hermosa Beach to transform the lifeguard tower just north of the Hermosa Beach pier for Pride month and through the end of summer.
“I think it is really important that we paint this tower this summer — just months after the Pride tower was burned down in Long Beach,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Izzy and LGBTQ young people need to know that we are not intimidated by hate. They need to see that we stand by them, that they are loved and accepted, and that they belong right here in our community.”
“We thank Supervisor Hahn and the Board of Supervisors for allowing Hermosa Beach to recognize and honor our LGBTQ+ community by painting one of the County’s iconic lifeguard towers in the rainbow colors of the Pride flag,” said Hermosa Beach Mayor Justin Massey. “Members of the Hermosa community proposed this project in response to a suspected arson that destroyed a County lifeguard tower painted in Pride colors in Long Beach. The “Rainbow Tower” in Hermosa, lighting on Hermosa’s Pier Plaza, and flying of the Pride flag throughout Pride Month in June will remind everyone that all are welcome in Hermosa Beach, where the values of equality and diversity run strong.”
A date has not been set yet for the tower to be painted. The event will be organized by Hermosa Beach residents with support from the City of Hermosa Beach, the County of Los Angeles, Supervisor Hahn’s office, and other community partners.