Florida politics puts a damper on Orlando ‘gay days’ this year

For decades, members of the LGBTQ community have gathered in Orlando the first weekend of June for parties, pools and theme parks. The array of events, loosely defined as “gay days” offerings, draws thousands of tourists to Central Florida.

But this year, Florida’s political climate worries organizers, who nonetheless believe many travelers are still coming to Orlando despite new laws that affect transgender people, medical care, drag performers and what subjects are allowed in schools.

Yet, some previous visitors are skipping the 2023 festivities, they say. Travel advisories and the recent Lake Nona incident in which an electronic traffic sign was altered to read “Kill all gays” made international headlines and heightened awareness on the heels of the state’s so-called “don’t say gay” law approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature.

“There’s definitely concern out there,” said Joseph Clark, CEO and owner of Gay Days Inc., which throws multiple parties and activities. “There are lots of guests who just won’t come because it’s hosted in Florida. And they don’t want to support a state that is making it obviously not a welcome place for them.”

What started as a small gathering of online friends at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in 1991 has evolved into a packed schedule of hotel pool parties, celebrity DJs, business opportunities, athletic competitions and theme park meet-ups assembled by multiple organizations.

Lane Blackwell, owner of the MojoMan Swimwear & Clothing store in Orlando’s Colonial Plaza, operates booths at expos at event hotels for Gay Days and One Magical Weekend. He sells a month’s worth of swimsuits, tank tops, shorts and underwear in four days, he said.

“I think people are coming. I don’t see a downward turn,” he said. “One of the biggest chunks of people are the local people within Florida.”

Blackwell has fielded calls from out-of-towners who want to know if his store will be open.

“I’ve had a few people that say, ‘I live in Ohio. Is it OK to come to Florida?’ Yes, it is. We’re open,” he said. “It’s just one of those things where people are going to come, but some people are worried about the policies and the laws. … But if we don’t stand up, who is?”

This spring, the NAACP board of directors and Equity Florida, a civil rights organization dedicated to LGBTQ people, has issued advisories warning against travel to Florida because of laws that critics say discriminate against the LGBTQ community and Blacks.

The warnings added to the concerns for Jaden Rivera, a longtime Florida resident who moved to Chicago four years ago. He has been a regular at the events in the past.

“I was definitely a theme-park gay. It was something that I’ve been doing for many years,” he said. “Gay days was definitely something that as I grew up; it molded me into being more comfortable with my skin.”

His outlook about returning to the Sunshine State has changed, he said.

“It almost feels like I have this sense of dread, where I don’t feel like it’s a good idea or safe to go to these spaces now,” Rivera said. He posted on social media that he would not be coming to Orlando this year.

“I’m also getting pushback from people who do live there. It’s like, ‘Well, we need the support.,’ … I don’t know, I’m torn. I want to support. Florida will always be home,” he said. “But at the same time … it’s a matter of safety. And I feel like it’s better to fight another day somewhere in a safe space, as opposed to going in the mouth of danger.”

Tom Christ, co-producer for One Magical Weekend events, said some participants dropped out of Pride Cup athletic competitions.

”We had to cancel dodgeball and flag football. They lost a lot of people with the Florida political situation. We lost about 600 athletes who are not going to come,” he said.

“One of them is from West Hollywood [California] and said, ‘I can’t in my right conscience come to Florida,’” Christ said. “I have to respect everyone’s opinion, but that’s the wrong opinion, in terms of where I’m coming from.”

Pride Cup is part of the nonprofit group Kindred Pride Foundation. Beach volleyball, pickleball, kickball and golf competitions remain scheduled.

Weekend events are sprinkled across Central Florida’s hotels and attractions. One Magical Weekend is presenting nine events, including dance parties with western and wig themes and three days of poolside parties. Its Riptide event at Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon on Friday night is expected to draw more than 6,000 people. Christ said.

It’s also co-presenting four days of Bear Jamboree parties with Orlando Bear Pride.

The Gay Days group goes to Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park, for Beach Ball on Saturday evening. Its planned events include daytime and nighttime pool parties, drag bingo, a Miss Gay Days competition and theme-park outings.

There are also several parties, happy hours, a comedy show and masquerade ball produced by Girls in Wonderland. The CommUNITY Rainbow Run is set for Saturday.

“We have a good relationship with Equality Florida,” said Gay Days’ Clark. “My issue with the travel advisory is guests read that headline and automatically assume that I shouldn’t go there. They’re not reading the full story to what’s going on.”

“I think it’s going to be probably as big as it’s ever been,” said Blackwell, the MojoMan owner. Showing up is a statement, he said. “You know, ‘I’m going to show them that you can’t silence me and you can’t run me away.’”

Unlike the original 1991 event, attention is no longer fully focused on Magic Kingdom. But the signature red-shirted brigade will still be out Saturday at Disney World and beyond.

Walt Disney Co. does not sponsor or promote the Magic Kingdom gathering.

Kindred Pride Foundation set a goal of having 1 million people wear red on the first Saturday in June.

“We want to encourage people around the world, whether you come to Florida or not, on Saturday, June 3, put on a red shirt … and just show visibility and awareness that we are not going to stand for what is happening in this state,” Christ said.

dbevil@orlandosentinel.com