Flippin’ for Florida — Flip-Flops & Palms.
While we're on the subject of PRIDE, Florida gets a bad wrap. Some of it is deserved, I mean the orange anus calls the state home. In addition, the current Governor has signed a slew of anti-LBGTQ bills, created some of the most discriminatory measures in the country. Back in July of 2024, the state tourism marketing agency, Visit Florida, also quietly removed it's dedicated LGBTQ+ travel section as well as dozens of related landing pages from its website.
But, like the current squatter in the White House, (which these days is looking like a run-down and long closed themed park) DeSanctimonious will not be there forever. The bigoted blowhard's final term ends this January, so who knows what will happen after that. I remember a more welcoming Florida, one I spent time in when I was younger.
Recently, I came upon a threat on Twitter dedicated to hot men on old Florida post cards and tourism promotional material. Sure, most seem aimed at straight women, but they knew exactly what they were doing. Although most of these images are decades old, they knew full well how much money gay couples and single gay tourists have poured into the State.
When I was in my late teens, my parents used to rent a house in Florida for a few months each year. They usually go January through April to escape our snowy winters. Now these were not family trips, my siblings and I were left at home. They usually sent with other couples. Although it was not a kids trip, given I was almost 20, I was allowed to visit, for a short period of time anyway...
I flew down several times for a few days to a week at a time. The house my parents rented was in Madeira Beach, not exactly a hub of excitement back then. Usually, I'd spend a day with my parents, then take the bus into Tampa, or the 2 hour ride into Orlando. Three, I'd visit the parks, and explore sides of myself I wasn't as comfortable to explore at home...
I was still in the closet then, but being in a place so far from home, especially one where no one knew me, I felt free to be myself. Some of my first same-sex experiences took place in the sunshine state. For the most part it was just kissing and playing and plenty of dancing. Still, even dancing back then felt very 'Footloose' like, something forbidden, that I could never do at home.
Hopefully Florida will get it's mojo back, and it's welcoming reputation back, when DeSantis is in the history books. Unlike the history the idiot has tried to erase, his bigotry should be chronicled and remembered. Florida is one of the most culturally diverse states in the country with vibrant night life in the cities with art, culture and clubs not found anywhere else.
It's also a hub for photography of the male form. Some of my favorite photographers and models live and work in Florida, and I've been able to feature many shoots of hot men posing in Florida studios and along it's coastline. Loved diving into these old promotional images and post cards. If any viewers have more, love to add them in!
