|
Long before condos began to
rise, the rumors of an up and coming Gay Community in Asbury
Park was spreading around the country. And spread it did. Many
of the old Victorian homes that were chopped into multi-units
were purchased and returned back to single family homes. Several
new gay owned businesses moved in. The Asbury Park Gay Pride
festival was formed. A new website was started GayAsburyPark.com
hosting local events and supporting change in government and
community. Not just for the Gay Community, but for a better
city.
The Empress Hotel was purchased
and transformed first into a high energy club, Club Paradise,
with an emphasis on Gay clients, but where anyone can go and
dance up a storm on the weekends. The hotel was then transformed
back to it's former glory and reopened with 101 rooms on the
Ocean.
Over the past several years,
many homes and businesses have restored, opened and the crowds
come. Come to drive around again, to the beach and to the
businesses. Asbury Park
is gay-friendly. The community is represented in many public
positions - school board, council, public services and more. The
first gay marriage / civil union in NJ was performed here. The
voices have played an important role in transforming Asbury Park
from "what happened" to where it is today. |
