We are traveling back to Virginia today and it will be a shock to leave the warm summer like weather. It will likewise be a shock to return to an area that lacks the accepting and tolerant atmosphere of Key West. While less "gay" than perhaps twenty years ago, the island continues to be a wonderful example of gays and straights live, work and play side by side and no one seems to give a damn who someone loves and sleeps with. The stay at the Oasis has been wonderful and relaxing. We have had the opportunity to get to know a number of couples from as far away as Australia, France and Germany, not to mention from many parts of the USA. The vast array of foreign tourists who flock to Key West ought to send a message to areas like Tidewater Virginia that intolerance and homophobia are not good for business - especially tourism. With the gay travel dollar still strong, Virginia is exceedingly short sighted - particularly when tourism has been otherwise sagging.*
We took tons of pictures throughout the trip and have the e-mail addresses of many folks that stayed at the guest house. I truly hope we can stay in touch with many of them in the future. It goes without saying that I am so grateful to the boyfriend for having brought me along at his sole expense. Anyone gay thinking of a warm weather destination, I really recommend Key West and the Oasis and its affiliated guest houses.
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