There’s something for everyone, packed into this huge two-day event in lovely Miami Beach. tropical-heat/ Miami Beach Gay Pride, Miami Beach (September) Not for the timid! This event draws men from all over the world and seems to grow in size every year. All events are male-oriented and most are clothing optional, including the morning yoga, the pool parties, the happy hours and the charity fundraiser parties. Held in the thick of summer, this event is possibly the hottest – both figuratively and literally – event in Florida. “It helps that we’re in one of the top tourist destinations in the world.” The weekend’s appeal spans all ages and applies to all of Orlando’s theme parks. “We were voted the number one global destination in 2013, which we’re excited about,” said Chris Alexander-Manley, President of Gay Days, Inc. What began in 1991 as an unofficial weekend where LGBTQ visitors show up at Disney World and wear red has blossomed into one of the world’s most popular and well-known weekends for gay and lesbian tourist. Between the special theme parties for both men and women, the drag bingo, the beach parties, the daytime food vendors and the late-night dancing, this is a memorable experience that draws people of all races and ages to the Florida Panhandle – a refreshing change of scenery from the more popular South Florida. This is a four-day Memorial Day weekend that never sleeps. about Gay Memorial Day Weekend, Pensacola (late May) Film enthusiasts can meet directors and cast members while they wine and dine at cocktail receptions and VIP parties held around the event. While the focus of this festival is the dozens of documentaries and short films chronicling the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people, some come just for the fancy soirees.
Outshine Film Festival, Miami (late April, early May) A feel-good event for sure even the Mayor of Lake Worth typically gets involved by raising the Pride flag at City Hall each year.
Palm Beach Pride, Lake Worth (late March)įor a more low-key and family-friendly LGBTQ festival, PrideFest spreads throughout the Lake Worth and Treasure Coast community with not only a parade, vendors and entertainment but a sense of welcoming among the area’s restaurants and businesses. While it’s a heavily male crowd, the event also features some special events that cater solely to women. Some of the world’s top DJs are known to perform here under towering tents and streaming lights, and surrounding clubs piggyback the event with special promotions. The prettiest people seem to turn up for this glamorous six-day party, which takes place during the cooler months in Florida but gets fairly steamy at night. Winter Party Festival, Miami Beach (late February, early March) The famous Aids Memorial Quilt typically makes an appearance at Pride South Florida – a must-see for those who have not viewed this powerful reminder of the AIDS pandemic up close. Local and national bands entertain those at the outdoor market featuring hundreds of vendors, an array of food and cocktail booths and a large dance floor. Held for nearly for decades running, this is a well-run and well-attended (some regard it as the largest pride event in the state) week-long event held in both indoor and outdoor spaces around at the War Memorial Auditorium and Holiday Park.
Pride South Florida, Fort Lauderdale (early March) Proceeds from the sponsored events benefit the Pride Center, which supports the local LGBTQ community. Expect to see a lot of bearded, burly men and hairy chests filling the beaches, riding shuttles to and fro and taking advantage of special discounts at area bars and businesses. One of South Florida’s newest events, the BeachBear patterns after California’s LazyBear Weekend and caters to the more rugged, outdoorsy types. BeachBear Weekend, Fort Lauderdale (February) Here are some of the most well-known events held in winter, spring, summer and fall. Year-round, gay tourists from all over the world come to Florida to enjoy everything from parades to film festivals to rodeo events catering to the LGBTQ community. “It’s not just Key West and South Beach anymore. “Florida is excitement, it’s sunshine, happiness, relaxation … and all really hot-looking people,” said Carrie West, President of the GaYBOR District Coalition in Tampa’s Ybor City. There’s a sense of freedom to the beaches, the warm weather and the tropical landscape – certainly a draw for people of all orientations, yes, but especially appealing to a community looking for a sense of belonging and acceptance. Check out one just one of the coastline parades or the sunny parades and it’s easy to see why Florida is a mecca for LGBTQ events.