Florida's Panhandle runs from Tallahassee, our state's capital, with its grand old southern mansions on the east to Pensacola, which is said to be the country's oldest settlement, on the west. Together with Panama City and Fort Walton Beach, the area is considered by many to be the sleepy part of Florida being quite laid-back and especially with it's calm gulf coast waters. This area has been given the nickname, and somewhat unfairly, of being known as the "Redneck Riviera."

But this area is definitely awakened every Memorial Day Weekend for one of the larger Gay and Lesbian parties attracting 100K+ people to the area. You'll also find both gay and nude beaches in Navarre as well as a gay beach in Pensacola. We appear to be accepted for the most part. The panhandle appears to be apart from the rest of Florida both geographically and in its feel, besides the fact that it is the only part of an east coast state to be in the Central Time Zone. It is said to be more like New Orleans than that of the rest of the state which is more associated with Orlando's theme parks and the Southeast coast of the state.