How funny, Waymon. That's the first thing I thought when I saw the press release too. "Well, Naugle has sunk the LGBT tourism for the United States, they need to look to England now."

That's the best public relations move they can make - get rid of Naugle!

Waymon, I'm sure national coverage of Naugle and the hate crimes has played a part in decreasing gay tourism in Fort Lauderdale. But we've also seen a large tourism drop in younger families during winter & spring breaks. There was also a lot less elderly "snowbirds" that didn't come for the "season." With the price of gas going thru the roof and the economy in the toilet most people don't have the disposable income they've had in the past.

Regarding the marriage amendment I'm hoping there are a few booths at Pridefest this weekend with lots of literature and other things to help increase our ability get this nonsense voted down.

"We hate you, but we love your money."

Huh.

All the best to the activists that have to fight this hick.

I agree that other factors have played into the decline in tourism. I just think that people are less likely to choose our region as a vacation destination because of the recent turmoil. When the belt tightens, people look more closely on where they choose to spend the little disposable income they have.

And you can count on seeing me at PrideFest this weekend talking to the crowd about the upcoming amendment and what we need to do to defeat it.

The best thing our community can do to restore out reputation is elect more out and proud officials to office and make sure we never have another Naugle.

Let's see, Florida politician...pandering jackass. If we can break that cycle we will have worked a miracle. As a refugee from South Florida (no one mentioned Hurricanes which is plenty of reason not to come!) I know that there is a base of Florida born folks ("crackers') who stick together like glue and a group of "carbetbaggers from up north" who keep causing everything to cost more (according to the "crackers").

You have north Florida which is extremely "Southern" and south Florida which is extremely "Northern." You also have a huge number of old, cheap, conservative, retired military types who only conceive of civilization being near a golf course.

South Florida has always had a huge international visitor base (when locals have not shot at them on expressways) and a Gay component to this is logical. While the dollar is so weak, and the Pound/euro is so strong, it is only to be expected that as many means of filling hotels in South Florida with as many Europeans as possible will continue. And yes, Floridians want your money while locals still gripe about "gay pride week" at Disney/Epcot.