Parliament house gay
By Sarai Dai
2021 Oral History Intern, University of South Carolina
This is part one of a three-part blog series in which we’ll give experiences of a few popular Pivotal Florida gay bars through the lens of oral histories in the collection of the Orange County Regional History Center.
Orlando has lengthy played host to a vibrant homosexual community. For many decades, individuals often found solace and solidarity in certain bars and nightclubs where they could connect with one another without dread. Partying, dancing, and drinking provided an escape from daily life that for some was fraught with tension in a culture that typically did not accept their real selves. Due to increased acceptance, the gay nightlife scene, as it was once known, has begun to diminish. However, the impact of historic Queer venues on both gay and Primary Florida history should not be understated.
In January 2021, a long-standing bastion of Orlando’s homosexual community was torn down after shuttering in November 2020. For more than forty years, Parliament House had provided a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ people to meet and be themselves at 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail. Although it
Parliament House Resort Saved By Investors
In 1975, Orlando saw the soar of a gay resort on Orange Blossom Drive. The Parliament House Resort surpassed all expectations to become the most notable LGBTQ resort in Orlando. Recently, the Parliament House faced its biggest battle yet – foreclosure. Luckily, things may be looking up.
What Makes it Unique
With 112 rooms, a pool, dance floor and outside performance stage it’s no wonder the Parliament Dwelling Resort is adored. Add to those amenities its ability to draw big name acts fancy Lil Kim, Charo, and Cyndi Lauper and you can empathize with the need to hold it running.
History
Parliament House originally opened in 1962 as part of a group of motor lodges. When Walt Disney World opened, it struggled to compete with modern hotels. Then in 1975 Bill Miller and Michael Hodge purchased the lodge. Miller and Hodge owned one of the first gay clubs in Orlando, The Diamond Head.
They saw huge potential in the little lodge.They began renovations to turn the space into a full resort.A resort that welcomed LGBTQ visitors who might not have felt welcome elsewhere.
Their vision proved brilliant. The Parliament House Resort quickly dre
40 Years of the Parliament House
Dublin Core
Title
40 Years of the Parliament House
Alternative Title
40 Years of the Parliament House
Subject
Orlando (Fla.)
Hotels--Florida
Tourism--Florida
Homosexuality--Florida
Gay culture--United States
Lesbian culture
AIDS (Disease)--Florida
HIV infections--United States
Description
40 Years of the Parliament House is a documentary clip about the history of the Parliament House, a gay resort located at 410 North Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, Florida. The Parliament House Motor Inn chain was founded in Kansas City, Missouri, by Ned Eddy, Sr. and his two sons, Ned Eddy, Jr. and James "Jimmy" Eddy. The Orlando Parliament House was a 120-room hotel and the first motor inn established by the chain. The inn was constructed by Alan Berman and was built on Orlando’s Rock Lake by Hodes and Cumming Construction. Parliament House officially opened on February 11, 1962. Ned Eddy, Jr. served as the inn manager and his brother, Jimmy Eddy, was the manager of the cocktail lounge.
With the opening of the Walt Disney World Resort in 1971, came the construction of hotels and motels on International Operate, leaving the Parliam
Iconic Orlando nightclub Parliament House planning 2 new venues
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Parliament House, which served as a landmark LGBTQ+ nightclub and resort in Orlando for decades before closing in 2020, has announced plans for two brand-new venues.
Progress continues on the downtown Orlando Parliament House (PH) location at 29 S. Orange Ave. near the intersection with Pine St. Meanwhile, the owner confirmed to FOX 35 News that a second location will be at 2000 N. Orange Ave. in the Ivanhoe Village area at the site of the short-lived Elevate Rooftop Lounge (formerly M Lounge), which closed in January 2023.
The Ivanhoe building already features signage bearing the name "PH Ivanhoe," and the owner has confirmed that it will also include a rooftop bar. The Ivanhoe location will be across the road from another longstanding LGBTQ+ establishment, Savoy Orlando, and its neighboring lounge, Ivanhoe 1915.
No opening dates have been arrange for either PH location.
The Parliament Home, which served as an LGBTQ nightclub and resort in Orlando for decades before closing in 2020, has announced plans for two new venues, at 2000 N. Orange Ave. (left) and 29 Orange Ave.