Press Release: Gentry Joins Effort

Former Mayor Robert Gentry to Serve as Co-chair of SAVE the BOOM!!!

Coming Out of Retirement to Lead Effort to Fight for Laguna’s Gay History and Future Urges Community to Come Together


LAGUNA BEACH, CA – Robert F. Gentry who served for 12 years on the Laguna Beach City Council including three terms as Mayor from 1982 to 1994 will become Co-chair of the grassroots citizen’s effort recently launched to save Laguna’s historic Coast Inn and Boom Boom Room. These two establishments are the cornerstone of Laguna’s gay life, and the Boom Boom Room is arguably the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the Western United States.

In accepting the leadership role in the campaign to SAVE the BOOM!!!, Gentry stated, “I am pleased and proud to join the efforts of Lagunan's and visitors alike in saving the historic Boom Boom Room from demolition and redevelopment.”

In an open letter to the community released today entitled “Save the Boom Boom Room: A Laguna Beach necessity!” Gentry stated that, “scores of gay men and women have helped to define Laguna Beach as an art colony, a sea side resort, a charming old world village, an open and affirming culture. It is now time for the community to come together again and save an important symbol, The Boom Boom Room and the historic Coast Inn. By expressing the community's value in saving this important historical business and structure, the community is affirming its respect for and tie to the gay community. Nothing could be more important at this point in time.”

SAVE the BOOM!!! Founder Fred Karger, said that, “we are thrilled to have someone so respected in Laguna Beach come on board in a major way. Bob Gentry was one of the early leaders in gay civil rights in the nation and to have him help head-up this campaign is a major boost to our efforts. He had tremendous success in saving many other things for Laguna during his 12 years on the City Council. His experience, contacts, leadership and dedication will be invaluable.

Among Gentry’s many firsts was becoming the first openly gay mayor in the United States.

Here is Bob Gentry’s Open Letter:

Save the Boom Boom Room: A Laguna Beach necessity!


I am pleased and proud to join the efforts of Lagunan's and visitors alike in saving the historic Boom Boom Room from demolition and redevelopment.

Why? For the past several decades the people of Laguna Beach, along with their neighbors and visitors have saved a number of important community assets. Here are a few examples. While serving 12 years on the Laguna Beach City Council, and as the Mayor of the City, we were successful in saving Sycamore Hills from massive development. Laguna Canyon was then threatened with the development of 10,000 homes and the ensuing traffic. The people of Laguna Beach saved the canyon by voicing their opposition to its demise and taxing themselves to purchase the property as open space. This action followed the historic saving of our coastline in the 70's from high rise development. The horrible pandemic of HIV/AIDS devastated the City of Laguna Beach, and the people again stepped forward to save the lives of many residents and visitors by establishing the only local AIDS Task Force in the County. That effort educated hundreds of citizens, and saved many lives. The giant oil and gas industries petitioned the federal government to permit oil and gas exploration off the coast of Laguna Beach. Again, the people spoke against this horrible development, and the outer continental shelf off of Laguna Beach is now immune from exploration. We saved the beautiful coastline, again.

So, now we are faced with another saving opportunity. Every community has its "tap roots" into history, tradition, and identity. One primary tap root for Laguna Beach is the gay community. Scores of gay men and women have helped to define Laguna Beach as an art colony, a sea side resort, a charming old world village, an open and affirming culture. It is now time for the community to come together again and save an important symbol, The Boom Boom Room and the historic Coast Inn. By expressing the community's value in saving this important historical business and structure, the community is affirming its respect for and tie to the gay community. Nothing could be more important at this point in time. Yes, this is private property and a private business. But it has the symbolism so important to the definition of Laguna Beach. Expressing ones desire to save this symbol sends a powerful message to our elected and appointed officials. This expression assists them in finding ways to keep Laguna Beach an important international destination resort, a creative enclave on the Orange Coast, and a community who truly cares about its history and all of its residents.

Get involved, sign the petition, and let's again save Laguna Beach!