Florida Cities Come Out Against Naugle

DANIA BEACH, FL -- Dania Beach, a neighbor city of Fort Lauderdale, is hoping to take advantage of anti-gay remarks by Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle to attract tourists and new residents.

Leading the effort is gay activist Joe Van Eron, founder and president of the Dania Beach Tourism Council, who recently persuaded commissioners to pass a resolution stating Dania Beach "prides itself on being a community that is inclusive and welcoming, rather than divisive," Sun-Sentinel reports.

While Broward County, Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors already have taken a similar position, Van Eron said Dania Beach couldn't remain silent because it has been a steady destination for gay travelers and up to 20 percent of the city's residents are homosexual.

Roger Handevidt, chairman of the Rainbow Alliance, which represents a group of gay-owned and gay-friendly hotels in the county, called the city's resolution "a very enlightened move."

While it may not necessarily sway visitors to make Dania Beach their primary destination, Handevidt told Sun-Sentinel, "what it will do is that there won't be a red flag saying: We don't want you."

Van Eron, 58, said Naugle gave a "black eye" to Broward and its municipalities by accusing gays of having sex in public bathrooms. He said some African-American groups have told him they had second thoughts about holding family reunions in the county because they interpreted Naugle's remarks as a civil issue.

"Hate is hate and hate doesn't have any color," Van Eron said.

The resolution, he added, "is not just about visitors. We want people to come visit, live and work in Dania."