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Kirk Newkirk, who rents kayaks, Waverunners and pontoon boats on the beach, thinks the attitude among many locals about the weekend has evolved. "You have the fundamentalist churches who always rant and rave against the event, and there are always letters to the editor complaining about it, but it has been tolerated because the money is green," said Blanchard, who has long studied Panhandle social trends. University of West Florida sociologist Dallas Blanchard said the explanation for the muted opposition was easy: The gay visitors spend.
"I'd say this is a pretty homophobic place." She added her surprise that the event had flourished in the conservative area. "Everybody knows that's gay-pride weekend, and we don't even come out this way because of the crowds," said Trish Jablonski. "It's just not my kind of crowd," Jessie Jablonski said laughing, as the longtime Pensacola couple fished for flounder and snapper off a bridge one recent afternoon. Jessie Jablonski, an Air Force retiree, and his wife, Trish, said they avoided the beach on Memorial Day weekend. "I personally feel like it's just inappropriate behavior from a biblical standpoint." "I think what goes on out there on the beach on Memorial Day is surprising to a lot of people who move into our community," he said. Instead of flying rainbow flags to symbolize gay pride, people should fly American flags on Memorial Day, Godfrey said. Gordon Godfrey, pastor of the 2,000-member Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, said many in his congregation were offended by the activities. "We used to have groups that picketed, but for the most part even that has gone away - there are just some religious groups that have a problem with it now," said Jim Goldman, an organizer of the charity Art Against AIDS, which receives a portion of the proceeds of the events. While no one can recall any violent incidents targeting the gay tourists, the raucous weekend of concerts, Cirque de Soleil-like dance troupes and female impersonator RuPaul hasn't always sat well with everyone - although that may be subsiding. Starting in the mid-1980s, gay men from New Orleans and other nearby cities began gathering here for a three-day party that has grown into one of the South's largest gay gatherings, attracting more than 60,000 people in 2004 before hurricanes Ivan and Dennis destroyed many beach roads and buildings.Īfter two years of rebuilding, organizers anticipated 50,000 this weekend. Vacationing Southern families usually fill the hotels and condominiums in this slice of paradise long nicknamed "The Redneck Riviera."īut every Memorial Day they mostly stay away as this town becomes more like trendy Miami Beach - 700 miles and a world away.
Hooters and other bars fly POW-MIA, Marine and Navy flags and cater to the sailors and Marines from the nearby naval air station. Souvenir shops lining this sugary white Panhandle beach display Confederate flag beach towels, window decals and T-shirts.