St. Petersburg, otherwise known as St. Pete or “The Burg” by locals, is one of Florida’s top destinations for fun, sun, culture, art, food, and sunshine. The city lives up to its nickname “The Sunshine City” most days, and for the rare day when the weather
doesn’t cooperate, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy.
How Gay is St. Pete?
The Tampa Bay region, in general, is very LGBTQ-inclusive. But St. Pete takes the “rainbow cake” as the gayest side of the bay. St. Petersburg is home to a very large, and growing, LGBTQ community.
For LGBTQ locals, St. Pete offers a laid-back vibe with tons to do and several places to connect with other like-minded LGBTQ people. St. Pete has long been known for attracting gay and lesbian retirees, but there is a younger and more diverse crowd
moving here daily, including a growing transgender and nonbinary
population.
Downtown St. Pete
St. Pete’s downtown area is home to many LGBTQ people. Throughout the year, business owners proudly display pride flags and trans flags. It is here you can also find world-class museums, restaurants, a municipal airport, and ferry service to nearby Tampa.
Central Avenue
Central Avenue spans the peninsula from the Bay on the east to the Gulf on the west. This retail and entertainment corridor includes dozens of restaurants, clubs, breweries, shops, and more. The two LGBTQ hubs on Central are the Grand Central District
(31st Street to 16th Street) and the Edge District (16th Street to MLK/9th Street).
Gulfport
Head southwest of St. Pete to the nearby charming and quirky town of Gulfport. Anything goes in this waterfront town where the motto is “If it’s too weird for Gulfport, it’s too weird.” Gulfport is an artsy enclave offering visitors a funky, beachy vibe. Gulfport is also home to an award-winning LGBTQ Resource Center and
hosts its own pride celebration at the end of May.
St. Pete Beaches
While the crystal sand St. Pete area beaches don’t specifically have a gayborhood, all are welcoming and inclusive. Still, one is worth mentioning. Pass-A-Grille, the southernmost tip of St. Pete Beach, is home to a growing LGBTQ population, especially for ladies! This beach even has a lesbian-owned boutique hotel. On a weekly basis, the ladies gather for Wine Down Wednesdays, beach yoga, and Friday shuffleboard.
This article appears in May 25-31, 2023.
