The sides of the beach road are stuffed with cars that bear tags from all over the South – Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee – as well as Florida. The eastern end of Pensacola Beach is awash with tents, kites and rainbow flags.

As a gay man, I will never forget the overwhelming sense of awe when I first visited Pensacola Beach on Memorial Day in the early 2000’s. That’s when lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people descend on Pensacola Beach for a weekend of revelry, comradery, and frivolity. Might also be a record-setter for Jell-O shots on the beach.