Things have certainly changed over the past few years regarding gay traveling. We always drive everywhere from coast to coast. It used to be that all one had to do was to go to a new city, find the gay bars and that was it. But things have changed and are changing so rapidly now. Except for cities like New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, L.A./West Hollywood, Atlanta and the resort cities like Palm Springs, California and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida dozens of gay bars have gone out of business due to NO business! It used to be that all one had to do was to open a gay bar and all the gays would come flocking in. Today, with gays being accepted almost everywhere, many gays prefer going to “mixed” bars rather than totally gay bars. In our travels around the country we have noticed this happening in dozens of towns and cities both small and large. Gays like to go where their co-workers are going after work and they feel comfortable doing that.
In city after city that we visit, gay bars are either going out of business or hanging on thinking that their business might get better. Several of them open only on weekends. Many of these bars have been in business for many years and just simply have not kept up with the times nor redecorated or updated their bars. Old shag carpeting just doesn’t do it anymore. Smoking is also a huge issue on why gays are not going to bars anymore. In many cities and states they now have non-smoking ordinances for bars however there are still dozens of cites where you are subjected to smoke when going to a bar. And where smoking is allowed, even the bartenders smoke! Gays have just stopped going to smoking bars for that reason. Who wants to go home reeking of smoke night after night? Brand new bars that offer a nice clean atmosphere attracts both gays and straights. Actually we meet in a lot of gays in our travels who have completely stopped going to gay bars.
With so many different ways to inter-connect with other gays, they just see no need in it. The chat lines are always busy with gays wanting to meet other gays and there are so many gay organizations and associations in most cities that it is so easy to find other people that have the same interests as you. There are literally dozens of places to meet gays other than at a gay bar. The Gay and Lesbian Centers are always having a lot going on and it’s a great way to meet new people. The Prime Timers are in every major city in the country and what a wonderful way to meet people on a social level including Gay rodeos, tennis, golf, book clubs and all kinds of events. Earlier this year there was a listing of “things” that were becoming distinct such as pay phones, newspapers and gay bars was listed also.
In the major resort cities, the gay resorts are still thriving. Many gays who visit Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Springs never even leave their resort and just party right there except to dine, shop or visit museums, etc. In the major resort cities we much prefer staying at an all gay resort but in the other cities we enjoy either a gay owned B and B that has wonderful straight guests as well or at a straight owned B and B who appreciates gays staying there. We have met dozens of people in our stays at B and B’s that we have stayed in touch with for years.
Years ago, blacks more or less stayed by themselves as did Jews but of course now they go anywhere and everywhere and the same is true with gays. Things really are a lot different than they were 10 or 15 years ago for gays. And it is getting better all the time. Actually no one cares anymore if two guys check into a hotel/motel and ask for one bed. And shopping together or dining together is just not an issue. BUT, we are still fully aware that in some parts of the country, one still has to be ALWAYS on their guard. Should anything every happen, just go with the flow and then be sure and get names, dates, etc. so that you can file a complaint later whether it be with a hotel/motel, restaurant or any business.
We will never give up traveling and thanks to purpleroofs.com we can always find fun and wonderful places to stay, enjoy ourselves and most importantly meet new and exciting people.
Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from Coast to Coast. You can email them at: gaytravelers@aol.com or visit their webpage at: http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/.
