Buff Butch’s Gorilla Gym in Long Beach California has moved from small, intimate space in the alley to a large gym near Signal Hill.
Over the course of the last year, Pat Manuel worked to build a local network of queer people who like to workout without the restrictions promoted by a typical gym. However, Buff Butch moved from it’s intimate setting to a space where the group has access to more equipment. According to Manuel, the new space allows for a wider range of exercises.
Manuel decided to relocate the Gorilla Gym because Manuel, a boxer, lost his gym space due to his transition.
Now, the space that was once filled with gym equipment and queer people has crates stacked against the wall and the gym equipment barely visible. The space has turned into storage for personal belongings and a place for vehicles to park.
Although Manuel does want to return to the alleyway Gorilla Gym, he is focusing his energy to share Buff Butch to the queer community using the website and virtual training.