From the top of a palm tree in Fort Lauderdale, Florida the rainbow flag flies high. The beach town has proclaimed itself as the new gay capital of the United States. According to the latest U.S. census data, Fort Lauderdale has officially beat out Seattle for housing the largest number of LGBT couples per capita. Pair that with the state legalization of same-sex marriage in January, and it is not surprising why so many gays have decided to drop anchor.
Is it possible that this haven for snowbirds and spring breakers could knock out heavyweight champs New York City and San Francisco to claim the rainbow title? What about Palm Springs and West Hollywood? There was only one way to find out. As a gay civilian stationed in Vancouver, I was tasked by my editor with a highly unclassified mission to assess the city’s gayness.