Sarasota LGBTQ City Guide
Jeff Hammerberg
Founder & President @ GayRealEstate.com | LGBTQ+ Representation Nationwide
If you're hoping to make a move to a coastal town with a thriving arts scene, beautiful beaches, friendly people, and much to see and do, beautiful Sarasota might be an excellent choice for you! In addition to its stunning scenic beauty, Sarasota is an important center for business, agriculture, and tourism. It is a friendly coastal town with a warm and welcoming vibe and something for everyone to enjoy. Even better, it has a warm and welcoming LGBTQ community too!
A Look at Sarasota’s History
Sarasota is a city with a long and interesting history. It first appeared, in fact, as the word, “Zara Zota" on a sheepskin Spanish map in the mid-1700s. From that time until Florida became a part of the United States, the area that is now Sarasota was largely occupied by the Spanish who established many settlements in the area. After Florida became part of the United States, pioneer families began to come to the area, and it continued to grow. It was officially incorporated as a town in 1902 and began to grow significantly after a railroad was constructed over the Manatee River, and the Ringling family of circus fame moved to the area, establishing its winter headquarters there, and earning the town the nickname, "Circus City." The Ringling family invested heavily not only in Sarasota but also in nearby islands as well, thereby increasing the growth of the area as a whole.
A Few Fun Facts About Sarasota
- The name Sarasota came from Zara Zota, which is Spanish for “a place of dancing.”
- Over 4 million tourists come to Sarasota each year to enjoy its beautiful beaches, golfing, shopping, and all that there is to see and do.
- Sarasota has several nicknames – among them, “Circus City,” as it used to serve as the winter headquarters for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus
Read more fun facts about Sarasota here.
Sarasota’s LGBTQ Community
Sarasota is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Sarasota is Sarasota’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical and important role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
ALSO Youth is a non-profit community group for LGBTQ youth and allies in the greater Sarasota area. The mission of the group is to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where all youth can feel welcome, supported, and loved while reaching for their fullest potential.
What's the Weather Like in Sarasota?
If you love plenty of sunshine, warm weather, and no snow, Sarasota weather will probably meet with your approval. Summers can be quite warm, with temperatures in July topping out at an average of 91°F, but also very mild in the winter, with lows in January dropping only in the mid to low 50s. Sarasota receives no snow, and around 56 inches of rain per year, which is considerably lower than the national average. For those who love sunshine, the great news is that Sarasota receives plenty of it each year – an average of around 250 sunny days, in fact.
Can’t-Miss Events in Sarasota
The Harvey Milk Festival honors and celebrates the legacy of Harvey Milk by encouraging the arts as a catalyst for social and political change. The goal of the festival (aside from simply promising to be a fun time for all!) is to promote equality for LGBTQ+ people by encouraging and supporting emerging artistic talent and also by providing support for equal rights legislation. It’s one event that you’ll definitely want to put on your calendar.
If you live in Sarasota, Sarasota Pride is one can’t-miss event you’ll want to put on your calendar each year. Whether you enjoy parties, parades, family-friendly activities, or all of the above, it is a great time to get together with friends and allies and celebrate all that the LGBTQ community adds to the greater Sarasota area.
Where to Live in Sarasota
Unlike some larger cities that have one particular “gayborhood,” Sarasota’s LGBTQ community tends to be more spread out across the city. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of wonderful neighborhoods to choose from, however. Many in the LGBTQ community enjoy the area near Bayfront Park, as it is close to many outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as several LGBTQ-friendly bars, shops, and restaurants. Throughout the city, there are a wide variety of housing options and price ranges available, and choosing a neighborhood will largely be a matter of taste and personal preference, as all are generally friendly and welcoming. The average median value of homes in Sarasota over the last year was approximately $305,000.
Arts and Entertainment
The Artist Colony at Towles Court is located near downtown Sarasota. This area of galleries, art studios, restaurants and gift shops showcases the excellent work of many local artists and is also the site of monthly Art Walks for visitors and residents alike to enjoy.
The Sarasota Film Society is a local group that focuses on showcasing a variety of films for residents to enjoy throughout the year. Often, the films are shown at The Burns Court Cinema, which is a building that is hard to miss with its raspberry-colored fa?ade.
Parks and Recreation
Known as the “gay beach” in Sarasota, North Lido Beach is a great place to spend the day -or the whole weekend – relaxing and enjoying some sun, sand, and surf with family and friends.
Myakka River State Park is a beautiful place to experience the stunning natural beauty and ecosystems that are unique to the Florida area. Whether you enjoy canoeing, hiking, biking, running, or just simply sitting outside and enjoying the beauty of the day, you can do it here!
Sarasota Nightlife
The Purple Rhino is Sarasota's oldest gay bar, and definitely one of its most popular. It has a local dive-bar feel and friendly and welcoming crowds. It’s also known for hosting wonderful drag shows.
Oasis is another popular Sarasota nightspot famous for its dancing, strong drinks, and great music. From late afternoon until midnight it operates as a bar with drinks and pub food, but from midnight on, it transforms into a lively dancing venue for all to enjoy.
Contact a Sarasota Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Sarasota, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Sarasota, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Sarasota gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!