LGB2, the Long Beach-based LGBT social network, is going on four years–as well as a major change as its founder and president, Heber Siqueiros, will move to Miami come the end of May to begin LGB2 on the east coast.
“Long Beach is where my heart is,” Siqueiros said. “But with every vision, there comes the time when your vision needs to expand–and I feel that Miami, which was once this gay mecca and then kinda lost it, is the perfect place. It needs something like LGB2.”
Siqueiros emphasized that, as with many things people love, he is not abandoning Long Beach but rather bringing Long Beach with him to Miami. The name–which many mistakenly assumed catered to lesbians, gays and bisexuals only (LGB)–is an honored abbreviation of our city and will be kept as so, even as his operations move easterly.
“I am hoping to expand Long Beach’s name, to get it out of the shadow of Los Angeles,” Siqueiros explained. “I am hoping, fingers-crossed, that we can have events which bring LGB2 members from both coasts together to explore. Miami: come to Long Beach! Long Beach: come to Miami!”
Even more, LGB2 will not be softening or downsizing its efforts at creating social events and connections for LGBTers throughout Long Beach. Rather, it will be expanding.
While Siqueiros will continue to act as President and Founder, co-founder Steve Sheldon will serve as Vice President and Treasurer. Meanwhile, LGB2 welcomes Joseph Bennett, who will head programming; Emilio Rangel, who will head the organization’s Creative and Marketing; Michael Westman will oversee social media; and Joe Pizano will take on the group’s promotions.
Siqueiros hopes his expansion of organizing members will expand upon their already popular set of cultural and social affairs, such as last year’s Cliff May home tour and their annual Pride pool party Play@ Maya.
“It’s not about leaving Long Beach but making it better,” Siqueiros said. “With a team like this, the social life here will only grow while I hopefully do the same simultaneously in Miami.”
Siqueiros will now prepare to oversee the group’s largest event, the aforementioned Play@ Maya, which will not only host it’s usual set of local EDM masters, but also feature performance artist Curtis Lovell II sink into the pool fully chained up and perform an escape.
“As always, my thing is not business, it’s not corporate, it’s not mixers–it’s social, it’s cultural,” Siqueiros explained.
Let’s hope that vision continues as the Post and the entire LGBTQ community wish Siqueiros the best on his future endeavors.
Play@ Maya will take place on Saturday, May 18, from noon to 6PM at Hotel Maya, located at 700 Queensway Dr. Cabanas have unfortunately sold out. Tickets are still available for purchase here.
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