Visit Gulfport: An LGBTQ+-Friendly Community
Gulfport is a thriving LGBTQ+-friendly community with a fun local vibe, annual Pride festivals and festive year-round community events.
Tiny Gulfport is known for its "proudly weird" vibe. It's a very welcoming spot for gay travelers.
Gulfport is a small town near St. Pete, tucked away from the highrises and populated by friendly, quirky people – including a large, active LGBTQ+ community. In fact, it's estimated that nearly half of the Gulfport population identifies as LGBTQ+, many of whom are active in the community. This small town is artsy and bohemian, with plenty of local businesses and events catering to its diverse population.
Half of Gulfport's population identifies as LGBTQ+.
If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+-friendly vacation destination that's less touristy than other gay neighborhoods in Florida, Gulfport should be at the top of your list. Keep reading to learn more about the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Gulfport, its two annual Pride events and local queer-friendly businesses and landmarks that you have to check out.
History of the LGBTQ+ Community in Gulfport
In the last 20 years, Gulfport has promoted equality, implemented LGBTQ+-friendly policies, and invested in the gay community through OUT Arts & Culture (formerly the LGBTQ Resource Center).
Here is a short history of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Gulfport:
- 2005: Gulfport passed a Human Rights Ordinance to protect its community members from discrimination of all kinds, including discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- 2012: Gulfport became the first city in St. Pete-Clearwater to create a domestic partnership registry that allowed same-sex unions. The vote was unanimous.
- 2015: Gulfport Public Library opened an LGBTQ Resource Center. The center, which started with a mere 250 books, was the first of its kind in Florida. It is now home to over 10,000 books, CDs and DVDs. It also sponsors activities like speaker series and scholarship programs.
- 2018: Gulfport Public Library was awarded the Newlen-Symons Award for Excellence in Serving the GLBT Community by The American Library Association’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) for its contributions to LGBTQ+ youth.
- 2018: The first Gulfport Pride, Peace & Love Festival was held.
- 2018: The city elected Jennifer Webb, an out lesbian, to the Florida State House District 69th seat.
- 2021: The city's first annual Gulfport Florida Pride celebration was held as a fundraiser for the LGBTQ Resource Center of the Gulfport Public Library.
- 2024: The LGBTQ Resource Center rebranded as OUT Arts & Culture and elected its new president, Paul Raker, in February. The Inaugural Awards GAYLA will be held in May to celebrate the center's growth and rebranding.
Walkable streets and dog-friendly spots are a big part of Gulfport, an LGBTQ+ friendly community.
Gulfport Pride Activities
Gulfport Florida Pride Parade & Festival
Gulfport is a great place to celebrate Pride if you don’t want the traditional commercial extravaganza. The annual Pride Parade will take place on May 31, and the 6th annual Gulfport Florida Pride festival will take place June 6, concurrent with St Pete Pride, which lasts all month long. The event features live entertainment, music, and a vibrant street market with more than 150 vendors, including local makers and small businesses. Many businesses along Beach and Shore boulevards join in with live performances, special events, and a festive decorating contest, while two main stages and a marching band add to the energy.
Gulfport Pride is a free event all along Beach Boulevard in downtown Gulfport, but donations are welcome. The event benefits the award-winning OUT Arts & Culture, which aims to educate, celebrate and inspire the LGBTQ+ community.
ArtOUT: June 2026
OUT Arts & Culture’s 9th annual ArtOUT exhibition, an international juried show celebrating LGBTQ+ artists, will take place throughout June 2026 at the Gulfport Public Library. The exhibition showcases a diverse range of queer art, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. ArtOUT highlights both emerging and established LGBTQ+ artists from around the world and has showcased more than 100 artists over the years.
LGBTQ+-Welcoming Businesses
Let It Be Ice Cream
3127 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, FL 33707
Let It Be Ice Cream is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Its ice cream is made in-house and in small batches, so it’s always fresh and delicious. This popular spot also offers ice cream cakes, sundaes and milkshakes, plus an array of vegan options.
Stella's
2914 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, FL 33707
If boozy brunch is your thing, Stella’s in Gulfport has to be on your list of must-sees. Since 2009, Stella’s has become one of Florida’s favorite breakfast go-to's, thanks to its signature homemade corned beef hash and fried green tomatoes (plus a full list of liquor, wine and beer).
Pia’s Trattoria
3054 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, FL 33707
Tucked along Gulfport’s colorful Beach Boulevard, Pia’s Trattoria offers a cozy, Old World Italian dining experience in the heart of the arts district. Known for its romantic ambiance, lush courtyard patio, and thoughtfully curated wine list, the restaurant serves fresh, made-to-order dishes including house-made pasta, seafood, and vegetarian options. A longtime local favorite, Pia’s is ideal for an intimate dinner or relaxed evening out.
Sunset over the waterfront in tiny Gulfport.
LGBTQ+ Landmarks
The LGBTQ Resource Center
Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S, Gulfport FL 33707
The LGBTQ Resource Center at the Gulfport Public Library offers a collection of books, films, and educational materials focused on LGBTQ+ history and experiences. In partnership with OUT Arts & Culture, the library also hosts programs, exhibits, and community events that celebrate and support the local LGBTQ+ community.
The (Edie) Windsor Building
6020 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport, FL 33707
The Windsor Building is a private residential condo complex where a third of the building’s 122 apartments are rented by lesbians and other women loving women (WLW), making it a popular landmark for the LGBTQ+ community. The place was nicknamed the “Edie” Windsor Building after the plaintiff in the first marriage equality case in the United States. There's no public access, but it's an interesting spot to make note of as you explore the city.
If you're looking for a laid-back and local LGBTQ+ community, then Gulfport is the place for you. It’s a safe, friendly spot with plenty of inclusive events, landmarks and local businesses. Discover Gulfport and enjoy its quaint, beachy vibe on your next vacation.
Content by Rachel Covello. Covello is the CEO and Publisher of OutCoast.com, an LGBTQ+-focused digital magazine and travel blog highlighting inclusive destinations in Florida. Explore LGBTQ+ Florida on OutCoast.com to find the best rainbows in the Sunshine State.
