In 1983, Key West made headlines by electing one of the nation’s first openly gay mayors, Richard A. Gay playwright Tenessee Williams visited and lived here from 1941 until his death. The seven-square-mile island at the southernmost tip of the continental United States became a historic queer haven in the mid-20th century. We hope you love the hotels we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Join the Sunshine State’s queer community by screaming “gay” from the ROY-G-BIV rooftops of these five rainbow-riffic destinations. Unless Florida falls into the ocean, LGBTQ folks aren’t going anywhere. Most recently, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill to restrict the discussion of sexuality and gender identity in public schools - an act of social-emotional terrorism against children and educators alike.īut antiquated ideology and hateful legislation can’t snuff out reality. Anita Bryant’s anti-gay campaign in the 1970s led to a repeal of Florida’s non-discrimination ordinance, causing a disastrous ripple effect around the US. In the 1950s and 60s, the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee attempted to eliminate LGBTQ people from schools by demonizing gay teachers and upending their careers. Drive ten hours along the state’s sun-kissed shaft, and you’ll find vibrant gay Florida enclaves centered around rainbow-painted sidewalks, LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and chosen families where all identities are welcome.Ĭonsidering the state’s anti-LGBTQ history, this might come as a shock.
Best to download the 'PayforPark' App on your phone and practice with it before you visit.Let’s get one thing straight - Florida is not. Sometimes the app doesn't work, and then you have to call and go through a long, torturous ordeal over the phone to pay for your day's parking. What are the negatives? The big one is the overly-complicated 'pay-by-phone' odyssey that you must go through when you arrive and park. Martin, and we hardly noticed it during our visits. It's ten times worse on Orient Beach in St. Signs when you enter the beach apologize for the seaweed that has washed up on the shore, but in reality it isn't that bad. Of course, you can always bring your own food instead. But, if you're discreet it's unlikely the park ranger will say anything to you.Ī well-equipped food & beverage truck (B & B Haulover Beach) opens at 11:00 each morning and stays almost until closing, and offers an impressive array of soft drinks, frozen lemonade, water, salads, grilled food, and sandwiches at reasonable prices. Technically, beer or alcohol is not permitted on this beach because it's a county/state park. Two reclining beach loungers will cost you $30, but we brought our own large beach umbrella with us. can all be rented here, but the prices are a bit high so if possible you may want to bring your own stuff. With some couples the man was nude, but his wife or girlfriend remained in her suit or just topless.īut, when you see the relaxed atmosphere here and all the people enjoying themselves 'au natural' I strongly recommend shedding your inhibitions and giving this beach a try in the buff. However, there is no pressure on anyone to bare it all here. South of that it quickly turns into a wonderful clothing-optional beach for couples, singles, young and old, with people of all body sizes and shapes.
The section just to the north of the first lifeguard station is essentially a gay nude beach, dominated by men with a few female couples mixed in. You don't feel squeezed-in, but you can choose the spot that you like. There's plenty of room to place your towels and set-up your beach umbrella here. First, it's a large beach - both deep and long (and not some section of a public beach that is used for nude sunbathing). We have been to our share of clothing-optional and nude beaches in our travels, primarily in the Caribbean but also in Europe. So many positive things to start with, but one negative item that I will mention at the end. Although we gave this a five-star review, it is by no means 'perfect' as clothing-optional beaches go, but it is pretty darn close. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we actually returned for a second day. My wife and I were on holiday in the Miami area and decided to check out Haulover Beach for the day.