Changes

Since the mid-1980s, a number of gay and lesbian organizations in the South have gathered in Pensacola during Memorial Day Weekend for parties and other events, known collectively as the "'''Our Pride'''" weekend. Promoter [[Johnny Chisholm]] has organized many of these circuit parties since [[1993]], when festivities were located in the [[Pensacola Civic Center]].<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070527/ap_on_re_us/redneck_riviera_gays Gays Flock to Fla. Panhandle for Holiday]. Associated Press, May 27, 2007.</ref> In 1993, after a [[WEAR-TV]] broadcast touted Our Pride weekends as proof Pensacola was "one of the nation's few gay-friendly communities," [[Pensacola City Council|City Councilman]] [[Doug Proffitt]] wrote a letter (on city stationery) claiming to speak for "all God-loving people" in repudiating the label. The Council did not take an official position, but [[Pensacola Mayor|Mayor]] [[Jerry Maygarden]] said he agreed with Proffitt that "this community does not want to be known as the gay capital of the South," and State Representative [[James Kerrigan]] said Proffitt was "right on target."<ref>"Officials: Don't label city pro-gay." ''Sarasota Herald-Tribune''. May 22, 1993.</ref>