Posted on April 4, 2022

These vintage photos from gay Laguna Beach in 1990 are da bomb.

Laguna Beach is a small coastal city located in Orange County, California. Today it is known for its art galleries, beaches, and boardwalks that many locals and visitors frequent. But what some may not know is that this seaside town has served as an oasis for LGBTQ+ residents since the 70s.

Alan Light is a photographer most known for his work in the 80s and 90s. His portfolio includes photos of Hollywood’s biggest stars and everyday people in public spaces (street photography). One of those spaces Light beautifully memorialized was Laguna Beach in the early ’90s. Complete with tanned skin, sandy cheeks, and colorful speedos, his collection is all that and a bag of chips!

Below are 39 vintage photos from a gay Laguna Beach hotspot in the 1990s.