Fifty years ago when Jacksonville was little more than a railway stopover along the Eastern Seaboard that boasted such romantic travel destinations as Charleston, Savannah and Miami, it was beyond comprehension that the area would become home to one of the most influential gay communities in the Southeast. In that blink of an eye called time, Jacksonville has exploded into the gay-friendly metropolis it is today, reaching to surpass any expectations in progression for the gay population. While the finer points of the city's history do remain intact, Jacksonville has boldly stepped into the Twenty-First Century in areas of gay political issues, gay-friendly churches, and a general live and let live attitude. No where is this forward thinking approach better exemplified than by the extraordinary number of gay couples living in the Jacksonville area. The growing acceptance of the gay community is evident in the recent recognition of Jacksonville as being rated number two in the U.S. as an Emerging City for same-sex couples by The Advocate, which is the oldest gay newsmagazine in the U.S. These attitudes are what have helped to breathe new possibilities in what it can mean to be a gay man or woman in our society.
In a climate of economic uncertainty nationwide, Jacksonville offers current and future gay residents reassurance in the fact that it has been consistently ranked in top percentiles for business expansion and career growth. While no region is completely infallible to a volatile economy, Jacksonville has advantages to both gay and straight employees that are not readily found in other parts of the country. A temperate climate, miles of beaches, waterfront living and deep water access, combined with world renowned economic growth, quality shopping and dining options afford Jacksonville residents vast opportunities that other cities commonly lack. These advantages incite gay citizens to want to reside in Jacksonville, be they retirees seeking respite from frigid temperatures to the north, a couple wishing to restore a turn of the century home in Riverside, or an entrepreneur on the rise.
Corporate relocation has also become an enormous benefit for the city economy, and gay professionals are taking advantage of all that Jacksonville offers. The futuristic attitude of the region, coupled with continuity to the past, can be witnessed daily by the gentle drawl of the Jacksonville native mingling with worldwide dialects in casual conversation. The overall feeling one gets while strolling the sidewalks of Jacksonville is an optimism of things to come combined with harmony of things past. There is much of life to enjoy in Jacksonville, from the downtown area to the coast, and these are merely a few of the choices for the modern gay Jacksonville resident who wants to experience life in an ideal setting. Ponte Vedra, Atlantic and Neptune Beaches offer opportunities in seaside venues while nearby Amelia Island, along with historic St. Augustine and its Fountain of Youth, are two options from a long list of possibilities that assure the utmost in amenities...
