By Georgia East |South Florida Sun-Sentinel

WILTON MANORS – Huddled under a tent with her partner, Donna Fearon was determined not to let rain spoil her fun at the Stonewall Street Festival on Sunday.

She came out to celebrate gay and lesbian pride. In the 30 years she has lived in the region, there has been a lot of progress, she said.

“People are feeling more open to be themselves and show affection,” Fearon said. “There’s no gawking. Pretty soon there will be no need for gay clubs. Everyone will be together.”

Fearon was among thousands who braved heavy downpours and strong winds to come out to this weekend’s ninth Stonewall Street Festival in Wilton Manors. For the first time, the festival was a two-day event, with a parade along Wilton Drive on Saturday night and a community festival with an array of vendors and entertainment on Sunday.

Bobby Kyser, one of the organizers, said over the two days the event drew close to 40,000 people. The rain didn’t curtail any of the festivities.

“I come for the camaraderie,” said Jonathan Winters, of Wilton Manors, a masseuse and kickboxer who tries to attend every year.

The festival marks the anniversary of the June 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. After Judy Garland died, some members of the gay community met at the Stonewall Inn in New York City to mourn the loss of an icon. Police raided the bar and the patrons fought back over three days of rioting. The riots served to galvanize the gay community, said Bill Greeves, with the Stonewall Library and Archives in Fort Lauderdale.

“We were just damn mad and not going to take it anymore,” he said about the discrimination then.

On Sunday it was like a reunion. Families clogged the street with strollers and shared hugs and updates with their friends.

“I like the fact that there are so many babies,” said Holley Mosley, of Fort Lauderdale. Mosley and her partner brought their 2-week-old son, Thomas, to the festival.

In addition to the small-business vendors and community outreach organizations, political candidates were out in full force, with rainbow buttons and the word “pride” all over their literature.

“I know some of the politicians here aren’t gay,” said Chris Hassett, of Fort Lauderdale. “But at least they came. At least they know we exist.”

Georgia East can be reached at 954-356-4629 or geast@sun-sentinel.com.

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Bill and John

The Cabanas Guesthouse

Our Nearby Beaches in Gay Fort Lauderdale and Gay Wilton Manors
Presented by: The Cabanas Guesthouse

Fort Lauderdale Beach
Get Map

Fort Lauderdale Beach lies along State Route A1A. (also known as Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. and Seabreeze Blvd), and is divided into two main sections, North and South.

The more popular area is the southern section, which is the area from Sunrise Blvd south to the Las Olas Blvd area. One can’t help but to take a stroll up and down the golden sandy beaches that provided the setting for the now famous movie “Where The Boys Are.” You’ll probably find that most of the gays and lesbians hang out in the area between Las Olas Blvd up to Sunrise Blvd. at Sebastian Street, since there are a lot of gay owned and gay friendly resorts/hotels located near here. There is a cross walk signal right at Sebastian with a City parking lot just West of the Gay Section of the Beach.

Although not as popular, the northern beach is just as beautiful, and provides a nice escape from the crowds. This section of the beach begins at Sunrise Blvd and continues to Oakland Park Blvd.

Parking: Limited and Pricey beachside parking in southern section; Free parking on A1A north of Sunrise Blvd and $3.25 per car all day at Hugh Taylor Birch State Rec Area, located just west of A1A on Sunrise Blvd.
Food: Numerous restaurants and bars along southern section, none along northern section
Facilities: Restrooms and Private establishments along southern section, No restrooms along northern section except for Hugh Taylor Birch State Rec Area (accessible by tunnel from beach)
Lifeguards: 10am to 5pm daily along southern section, none along the northern section

Thank you for visiting our blog! Come visit us!
Bill and John

The Cabanas Guesthouse

Haulover Beach
Get Map

Although not actually in Fort Lauderdale or Broward County, Haulover Beach is a favorite spot for many gays and lesbians. The northern part of the beach is clothing optional (nude). If you prefer to stick with family, go to the northern part of the clothing optional area. No matter where you go, you will be welcome, as everyone here seems to have a live and let live attitude.

Haulover beach is located just about 1 mile south of North Miami Beach Dr (State Route 826) on Collins Ave (State Route A1A) Driving time from Fort Lauderdale is approx. 35 minutes.

Parking: $4.00 for cars and motorcycles at 2 large lots across from beach on west side of Collins Ave – A1A (Park in the north lot if possible – it is closer to the gay beach)
Food: Usually vendors on weekends, or Marina at south parking lot. No glass bottles or containers are allowed.
Facilities: Beachside restrooms, outside shower, lounge chair and umbrella rentals.
Lifeguards: 9am to 5pm daily
Pets: Pets are not allowed on the beach or within the park.

Thank you for visiting our blog! Come visit us!
Bill and John

The Cabanas Guesthouse

By Georgia East |South Florida Sun-Sentinel

WILTON MANORS – Huddled under a tent with her partner, Donna Fearon was determined not to let rain spoil her fun at the Stonewall Street Festival on Sunday.

She came out to celebrate gay and lesbian pride. In the 30 years she has lived in the region, there has been a lot of progress, she said.

“People are feeling more open to be themselves and show affection,” Fearon said. “There’s no gawking. Pretty soon there will be no need for gay clubs. Everyone will be together.”

Fearon was among thousands who braved heavy downpours and strong winds to come out to this weekend’s ninth Stonewall Street Festival in Wilton Manors. For the first time, the festival was a two-day event, with a parade along Wilton Drive on Saturday night and a community festival with an array of vendors and entertainment on Sunday.

Bobby Kyser, one of the organizers, said over the two days the event drew close to 40,000 people. The rain didn’t curtail any of the festivities.

“I come for the camaraderie,” said Jonathan Winters, of Wilton Manors, a masseuse and kickboxer who tries to attend every year.

The festival marks the anniversary of the June 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. After Judy Garland died, some members of the gay community met at the Stonewall Inn in New York City to mourn the loss of an icon. Police raided the bar and the patrons fought back over three days of rioting. The riots served to galvanize the gay community, said Bill Greeves, with the Stonewall Library and Archives in Fort Lauderdale.

“We were just damn mad and not going to take it anymore,” he said about the discrimination then.

On Sunday it was like a reunion. Families clogged the street with strollers and shared hugs and updates with their friends.

“I like the fact that there are so many babies,” said Holley Mosley, of Fort Lauderdale. Mosley and her partner brought their 2-week-old son, Thomas, to the festival.

In addition to the small-business vendors and community outreach organizations, political candidates were out in full force, with rainbow buttons and the word “pride” all over their literature.

“I know some of the politicians here aren’t gay,” said Chris Hassett, of Fort Lauderdale. “But at least they came. At least they know we exist.”

Georgia East can be reached at 954-356-4629 or geast@sun-sentinel.com.

Thank you for visiting our blog! Come visit us!
Bill and John

The Cabanas Guesthouse

Our Nearby Beaches in Gay Fort Lauderdale and Gay Wilton Manors
Presented by: The Cabanas Guesthouse

Fort Lauderdale Beach
Get Map

Fort Lauderdale Beach lies along State Route A1A. (also known as Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. and Seabreeze Blvd), and is divided into two main sections, North and South.

The more popular area is the southern section, which is the area from Sunrise Blvd south to the Las Olas Blvd area. One can’t help but to take a stroll up and down the golden sandy beaches that provided the setting for the now famous movie “Where    The Boys Are.” You’ll probably find that most of the gays and lesbians hang out in the area between Las Olas Blvd up to Sunrise Blvd. at Sebastian Street, since there are a lot of gay owned and gay friendly resorts/hotels located near here. There is a cross walk signal right at Sebastian with a City parking lot just West of the Gay Section of the Beach.

Although not as popular, the northern beach is just as beautiful, and provides a nice escape from the crowds.  This section of the beach begins at Sunrise Blvd and continues to Oakland Park Blvd.

Parking: Limited and Pricey beachside parking in southern section; Free parking on A1A north of Sunrise Blvd and $3.25 per car all day at Hugh Taylor Birch State Rec Area, located just west of A1A on Sunrise Blvd.
Food: Numerous restaurants and bars along southern section, none along northern section
Facilities: Restrooms and Private establishments along southern section, No restrooms along northern section except for Hugh Taylor Birch State Rec Area (accessible by tunnel from beach)
Lifeguards: 10am to 5pm daily along southern section, none along the northern section

Haulover Beach
Get Map

Although not actually in Fort Lauderdale or Broward County, Haulover Beach is a favorite spot for many gays and lesbians. The northern part of the beach is clothing optional (nude). If you prefer to stick with family, go to the northern part of the clothing optional area. No matter where you go, you will be welcome, as everyone here seems to have a live and let live attitude.

Haulover beach is located just about 1 mile south of North Miami Beach Dr (State Route 826) on Collins Ave (State Route A1A) Driving time from Fort Lauderdale is approx. 35 minutes.

Parking: $4.00 for cars and motorcycles at 2 large lots across from beach on west side of Collins Ave – A1A (Park in the north lot if possible – it is closer to the gay beach)
Food: Usually vendors on weekends, or Marina at south parking lot. No glass bottles or containers are allowed.
Facilities: Beachside restrooms, outside shower, lounge chair and umbrella rentals.
Lifeguards: 9am to 5pm daily
Pets: Pets are not allowed on the beach or within the park.

Thank you for visiting our blog! Come visit us!
Bill and John

The Cabanas Guesthouse

Health/Fitness Centers & Gyms in Gay Wilton Manors and Gay Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Presented by: The Cabanas Guesthouse

Thank you for visiting our blog! Come visit us!
Bill and John

The Cabanas Guesthouse

Shopping in Gay Wilton Manors and Gay Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Presented by: The Cabanas Guesthouse

Thank you for visiting our blog! Come visit us!
Bill and John

The Cabanas Guesthouse

A collection of videos on Gay Fort Lauderdale
Presented by: The Cabanas Guesthouse

The Gay Side of Fort Lauderdale Beach

Gay Fort Lauderdale Shopping & Dinning, Fort Lauderdale – PINK PLANET [BroadbandTV]

Gay Fort Lauderdale Night Fun, Fort Lauderdale, FL – PINK PLANET [BroadbandTV]

Gay Fort Lauderdale Models, Fort Lauderdale, FL – PINK PLANET [BroadbandTV]

Kristine W. At Bills Filling Station

PinkPlanet Ft Lauderdale Gay Nude Beach

Voyeur Beach Cam – In Gay Fort Lauderdale

Sebastian Beach – In Gay Fort Lauderdale

Thank you for visiting our blog! Come visit us!
Bill and John

The Cabanas Guesthouse

A collection of videos on Gay Wilton Manors
Presented by: The Cabanas Guesthouse

Wilton Manors Gay Pride: June 2008

Wilton Manors – The GAYest City in Florida

Wilton Manors At Java Boys

Gelato Station in Wilton Manors showcasing durkART Creations

Sidelines Sports Bar Celebrates Stonewall with Wilton Manors

Fort Lauderdale Gay Pride 2008 – 1 of 4

Fort Lauderdale Gay Pride 2008 – 2 of 4

Fort Lauderdale Gay Pride 2008 – 3 of 4

Fort Lauderdale Gay Pride 2008 – 4 of 4

Wicked Manors – Wilton Manors Halloween Block Party, October 2007