Garden of Hedon

LET IT ALL HANG OUT IN THE GARDEN OF HEDON.

John Sotomayor Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

I have done more than my fair share of travel. Throughout my lifetime, I have set foot in North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. My favorite stays have been at gay resorts. There, I am relaxed and excited at the same time. Attractive gay men are comfortable being themselves, which in turn, makes me comfortable being myself. Those in recent memory include Sawmill Camping Resort in Dade County, Casa de Merman at GayStPete House in St. Petersburg and the Equator Resort and Island House, both in Key West. All four in Florida. And all four, like most gay resorts, are clothing optional.

I visited Key West in June 2022 on assignment for FORUM the magazine of Florida Humanities to cover the historic impact of LGBTQ travel on the local economy. My story in FORUM was titled “At the End of the Rainbow, published in the Fall 2022 edition. I was given permission to do another version of the same story, which is published in this Travel issue called “West Pride Story.” Arrangements were made with Visit Key West and Newman PR for me to stay at the Equator Resort on Fleming Street, at the heart of Old Town Key West.

Upon my arrival at the Equator Resort, I was given the premier experience. Too late in the day to begin my research, I took advantage of the amenities, which included 24-hour front desk staff, two pools, two hot tubs, four complimentary Happy Hour drinks daily, complimentary brewed Starbucks and Tazo Teas, and onsite massage available for booking. The grounds were among the most immaculate and newly renovated in Old Town.

At the time, I needed a more quiet, relaxing experience, and I got that there. I met some wonderful guys and gentlemen. Some came from afar, while others were frequent visitors from the mainland.

I found the larger crowds at Island House the next day, there to interview Gordon Ross, the general manager. A long-time resident and author of the book, “Key West: Dancing at the End of the Rainbow, 1970 — 1990,” Ross is one of the leading historians of LGBT history on the island. After our interview, Ross offered me a complimentary day pass. I made plans to return when my research was over. On my final day, I had a few hours before my ight, so I returned. It was a party. More so, it was a gay man’s paradise. Island House was around for a long time and is considered “Best in the World.” A combination of resort and bathhouse with naked men everywhere and every hedonistic pleasure at one’s reach, it was clear to see why.

I visited St Petersburg in January 2022 to meet with the publisher of OUTCOAST travel magazine, Rachel Covello. I arranged to stay at Casa del Merman at GayStPete House, for a quaint guest house experience rather than the usual large hotel. I was glad I did. Located close to the Grand Central District, the heart of the St Pete gayborhood, Casa del Merman offered a clothing optional heated pool, sauna, massage table, and free continental breakfast as well as free beer and wine happy hour. Minutes after my arrival, I booked a massage as the masseur was immediately available. I felt the stress melt away. The sta and guests were all friendly. I made friends with the general manager, Bill Kody who introduced me to the owner, Brian Longstreth. I had to return to St Pete to cover the Equality Florida St Pete Gala

in May 2022, and did not think twice where I wanted to stay. Happy to see me, Brian invited me to take part in a merman photoshoot for a promotion he had scheduled at the pool. I accepted. One of the models was Frank Piscopo, who does drag as The Lady Liemont in the St Pete local bar scene. He and I became friends. The photos were published in our July 2022 Arts issue.

Over the years, I have stayed at Sawmill Camping Resort many times. Usually on a day pass. Sometimes for an overnight stay, especially when they had a special weekend. Big Bang July 4th weekend, Sawmill Bear Splash, ManSplash Pool Party, Sawmill Decadence, and Grand Halloween are some of the more popular. Recently, I attended a Sunday, known as Sunday Funday, for poolside T-dance. Sawmill, rated as the number one gay campground in the nation, has it all. A clothing optional pool, an adjacent volleyball court, Splash Café for food and drinks, Cigar Bar, and Lucy’s General Store.

They usually hold the T-dance drag show by the pool, but the weather was colder than usual, and it rained the night before, so they moved the show indoors inside Woody’s, the onsite nightclub. I had an 80-minute CBD massage at The Spa, a new addition to Sawmill, by Curtis. This massage uses the highest grade organically grown CBD oil for an overall sense of wellness. It was amazing. Thank you, Curtis! john@sotomayormedia.com

Immediately after, I attended the T-dance drag show inside Woody’s, conveniently located right next door to the Spa. To my delight, the headliner was none other than The Lady Liemont. For me, the best part of LGBTQ travel and gay resort stays are the friends, and memories you make.