Spring is a time of renewal. A time when the long dark nights of winter slowly begin to give way to the coming warmth (and light) of spring.

It’s a time for new beginnings, new growth, and new endeavors. It’s no surprise, then, that human beings (along with the rest of the earth’s animal inhabitants) feel the need to wake up, take a stretch, and find ways to celebrate the advent of Springtime. And while the idea of a Spring Break tends to end with graduation from high school and/or college for most of the population (i.e., straight people), for gay men, Spring Break continues to be a time for great get-aways and special celebrations that are uniquely our own.

Key West.

Florida’s Conch Republic continues to draw gay revelers down to Key West to celebrate the rites of Spring. In 2007, the Key West Business Guild presented six full weeks of parties, special events and celebrations, all aimed at attracting gay Spring Breakers, and although official plans for 2008 have not been announced, it really doesn’t matter. In Key West, there’s always a party going on somewhere.

Spring Breakers (and anyone else who visits Key West) will never be disappointed with the offerings of America’s favorite Southern Island! From sun-up to sundown, Key West rocks with a Spring Break vibe that brings together the very best of South Florida and the Caribbean.

Naturalists, treasure hunters, bohemian artists, writers and naturists (that’s right - naked people) are all part of the unique blend of people who live and work in Key West. So it’s no surprize that the island also attracts visitors with the same interests. Walking or biking around (both favorite pastimes in Old town) prove this point more than any descriptive copy ever could. Key West must be experienced first-hand in order to really get a feel for what this small community is all about. Stay at a clothing optional resort. Take a sunset cruise. Go snorkling. Take a reef tour. The options are as diverse as the residents, and everyone is welcome!

Palm Springs.

Although arguably hotter during the Summer months, Palm Springs turns up a different kind of heat when Springtime rolls around. America’s Great Gay Oasis is Spring Break Party Central from February to May, with Jeffrey Sanker’s annual White Party Spring Break Palm Springs 2008 occurring right in the middle of the fun, from April 18 through April 21. WP08, the nineteenth iteration of the Annual Circuit Party of all Circuit Parties promises to be better than ever, with pool parties, underwear parties, the Extreme T-Dance, and the crowning event - The White Party!

Not a party boy. Never fear!

Springtime in Palm Springs has something for everyone. Like the Great Outdoors? Then you’ll love hiking in the canyons surrounding Palm Springs. Discover the amazing and surprisingly diverse landscape - ancient Palm Groves, rushing mountain streams, 5,000 year old petroglyphs,100 foot waterfalls - even ancient conch shells (the entire area was once a great inland sea). You’ll also want to see Joshua Tree National Park, where the high and the low deserts meet at the San Andreas fault, where the rocks are the size of large buildings, and where the forests look like something out of a Science Fiction movie.

Enough? Not yet. Take the eight minute ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (over 10,000 feet above the valley floor) where you’ll discover a sub-alpine forest, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and views that will take your breath away. Or take a drive down to the Salton Sea, cross the border into Mexicali, or discover Big Bear Lake - Southern Calofirnia’s favorite mountain resort community.

Palm Springs is also a great place to just rest, relax, and generally chill out (or in the case of Spring Break, shake the chill off). Sit by the pool and soak up the Sun with a book, or sip a martini in the shade. Then, after the sun sets, walk into downtown and enjoy dining al fresco at one of Palm Springs’ many chef owner/operated restaurants - some of the State’s finest examples of California cuisine

Fort Lauderdale.

While I realize my friend already talked about Fort Lauderdale as a great Winter Wonderland, no article on Spring Breaks would be complete without giving some acknowledgement to the original Spring Break headquarters - Fort Lauderdale. It really is “where the boys are,” and clearly I’m not talking about the 1960 comedy movie, based on the novel by Glendon Swarthout, about four Midwestern college co-eds who spend spring break in Fort Lauderdale. Nor am I talking about the unsuccessful 1984 remake.

The boys in Fort Lauderdale now are staying largely at some forty gay owned and operated hotels and resorts, as well as a number of gay-friendly hotels. They choose them for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, they are gay-friendly or gay-exclusive when it comes to clientele. After that, there’s the amenity factor. What sort of accommodations do they want? High-end Luxury? Mid-range? Economy? Finally, there are the more personal choices. Clothing optional. High Sexual Temperature. Gay Men only. Gay Women only. Gay men and women only. Gay families and friends. Gay-welcoming but NOT gay-exclusive. Pet-friendly. The reality in this day and age is that our community may want all or some or none of these things. We have matured as a community. Diversified. And the great news is that the hotels in Fort Lauderdale have matured and diversified with us. There ARE choices. Places where kids are welcome. Places where pets are welcome. Places where you can shuck your bathing suit. Places where you can bring along mom and dad. Fort Lauderdale really does have something for every one in the city “where the boys are” for Spring Break and beyond!

Hawaii.

The Aloha State has never officially reached out to the LGBT community, but the State does have the distinction of being the first State in the Union to broach, and deal with, the subject of gay marriage (starting in 1990). Although supporters ultimately failed in their attempts, and Massachussetts instead, became the first State to legalize gay marriage, Hawaii’s residents and legislators did bring the issue to the nation’s attention, and ultimately created a State Registry for committed same sex couples that gives them some of the same rights as married couples. The State legislature could (perhaps this year) also establish a more complete legal Domestic Partnership status for same sex couples who are residents of Hawaii.

All that, however is not what makes Hawaii a great Spring Break destination for gay men. What does? Everything. Literally everything about our Fiftieth state makes it a great place to celebrate Spring - from its inviting tropical setting in the middle of the Central Pacific Ocean, to its amazing and diverse flora and fauna. From its ancient and fascinating indigenous culture (who, by the way, not only accepted close male societal and sexual relationships, but also had a name for them - Aikane) to its unique and breathtaking natural beauty. Adding (as if you need to) to this list is the fact that the islands are welcoming to members of the LGBT community, and local residents have created a network of gay and gay-friendly businesses, accommodations, community resources and beaches on the islands of Oahu (which includes Waikiki and Honolulu), Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island of Hawaii.