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Laguna Outreach Reaches Out
By Joseph Amster
In the 1980s, a group of LGBT activists in Orange County came together to form an organization that would serve as a social and educational resource for the community. Envisioned as an alternative for congregating in bars, Laguna Outreach has been serving the community with a diverse array of activities.
In the early days, the group held monthly meetings in Laguna Beach with informative and entertaining speakers, produced the annual “Lavender Limelight” talent show and held social activities, attracting hundreds of participants.
Throughout the years, the organization has evolved. While it no longer hosts monthly speaker meetings or talent shows, Laguna Outreach’s social groups cater to the diverse interests of the O.C. LGBT community.
Cap Capeloto, who organizes the group’s monthly Men’s Video Night and annual Academy Awards party, has been involved with Laguna Outreach through most of its history and credits it with helping him get through difficult times.
“I joined in 1987 after the loss of my partner, who died following heart surgery. I needed something,” Capeloto said. “My friends kind of dropped me. I had nowhere to turn, and Laguna Outreach kind of saved me.
“I got involved in [Laguna Outreach] again after a breakup in the mid-1990s, so it was time for Laguna Outreach to come to the rescue again,” he continued. “I’ve never regretted it. We’re not nearly as big of an organization as we once were, but we have great activities during the month.”
Capeloto’s Men’s Video Night is one of the group’s longest-running activities and usually attracts 20 participants. “We’re an older demographic, and we’re a great help to gays and lesbians who are looking for a social outlet,” Capeloto said, adding that Laguna Outreach is a great way to meet new people and make friends. “We’re not a dating service, but there are a lot of people who met through Laguna Outreach by coming to our functions,” he said.
Co-chair Mary B. was introduced to the organization in 2003 through Laguna Outreach’s “Great Conversations with Lesbians and Gays” discussion group and says it’s helped her connect with others in the community. “I started going to Great Conversations and I thought it was great — it’s still my favorite event that we have,” she said. “I wanted to give back, so when I was asked to join the board, I decided that since the group did so much for me, I should help out. So, I started hosting Great Conversations whenever they needed a host. Great Conversations is a real thought-provoking discussion. We tend to have discussions on topics that people have really strong feelings about. I like it, because I’m talking with a group of people who are smart.”
In addition to Great Conversations and Men’s Video Night, Laguna Outreach also sponsors Women’s Video Night and Don’t Cook Tonight. Plus, its annual Holiday Party and White Elephant Gift Exchange continue to be among the group’s most popular activities.
All of Laguna Outreach’s diverse groups have come from members’ ideas, and members are encouraged to bring new activities to fruition. “We try to offer a variety of activities that meet people’s needs and interests, but we’re always saying in our newsletter that if you have ideas, e-mail them to us,” Mary said. “We want to know if there’s something people want us to offer, or [solicit] ideas for groups they’d like to facilitate.”
Laguna Outreach is also seeking more members for its board of directors, as well as someone to help with the organization’s online presence.
“Any time we get new people in, they bring fresh ideas. When we get feedback, we try to apply it — and we’re open to suggestions,” Mary said. “We invite people to come to one of our events and see if they like it. Our events are free for members and only $5 for nonmembers, so it’s not a huge expense.”
For more information about Laguna Outreach and to sign up for its monthly e-mail newsletter, call (949) 842-3454 or (714) 313-2069, visit www.lagunaoutreach.org or e-mail LagunaOutreachNewsletter@cox.net.