Category Archives: Gay Florida
Gay Fort Lauderdale Deals
Summer Off Season Deals in Ft Lauderdale!
Travelers now have twice as many reasons to kick off their summer in Greater Fort Lauderdale with the destination-wide 2-for-1 Summer Savings program. From the Atlantic Ocean to the Everglades, dive into 70 BOGO (buy one, get one) offers representing more than $2,000 in savings. Back by popular demand, the destination’s value-packed summer program has been extended through October 12, 2015.
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Summer Savings 2-for-1 card includes special offers on land, sand and sea at more than 70 attractions, including options for watersports, spa, dining, museums, tours, and more. Highlights for the 2-for-1 Summer Savings include an airboat ride through the Everglades at Billie Swamp Safari, scuba diving and snorkeling excursions, strolling among thousands of butterflies at Butterfly World, catamaran cruises and Water Taxi rides, shopping at the world’s largest luxury discount mall, Sawgrass Mills, rejuvenating spa treatments, deals at popular restaurants including Mai Kai Restaurant & Polynesian Revue, Shula Burger and 15th Street Fisheries plus visits to area museums and historic sites including the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens and the Museum of Discovery & Science.
“Everyone loves a deal,” said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “And Greater Fort Lauderdale is a GREAT deal this summer, for visitors’ wallets, sense of adventure, and general well-being that comes with a summer vacation.”
Make the most of 2-for-1 fun when you combine it with the summer 2015 Vacation Like a VIP promotion, which runs now through October 12. The Vacation Like a VIP package includes a two-night minimum stay, a room upgrade, $100 resort credit, a $25 American Express Gift Card, complimentary resort valet parking, plus additional savings. Add to these deals the ease and accessibility of the area with 600 flights daily to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, South Florida’s low fare airport, 23 miles of Blue Wave certified beaches, 300+ miles of inland waterways and travelers get so much more out of their summer getaways in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
Events not to miss when visiting this summer include Lauderdale Live, a three-day waterfront music festival with headliners Phillip Phillips and O.A.R. (June 19-21) and Jon Lovitz’s stand-up comedy show at Improv Fort Lauderdale (June 26-27). Concerts at BB&T Center include New Kids On The Block with special guests TLC and Nelly (June 4), Imagine Dragons “Smoke + Mirrors” Tour (July 11) and South Florida native Ariana Grande’s “Honeymoon Tour” (July 18). At Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the events line-up includes Bette Midler (May 8-9), Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo (May 21) and The Gipsy Kings (June 13), while Charli XCX (June 15) takes to Fort Lauderdale’s hot downtown venue, Revolution Live.
For a complete listing of deals and to print free 2 For 1 Summer Savings cards, or sign up to receive up to two cards by mail, visit www.sunny.org/summer.
Chef Art Smith 101 Gay Weddings Miami
Food Network’s Ted Allen To Co-host Chef Art Smith’s
#101GayWeddings at The James Royal Palm
Chef Art Smith just announced Food Network’s Chef Ted Allen will co-host his #101 Gay Weddings event on Saturday, February 21, 2015. For the past two years during The South Beach Wine & Food Festival The James Royal Palm has been home to Chef Art Smith’s and friends famous Big Gay Ice Cream Social. Now with the official beginning of gay marriage in the State of Florida, Chef Art is hosting a celebratory party– 101 Gay Weddings.
Couples are encouraged to tweet to @ChefArtSmith will receive a free wedding on February 21st during the South Beach Wine & Food Festival at The James Royal Palm. The big celebrations and all 101 weddings will be performed together in the beautiful James Breezeway. A celebrity minister will be there to officiate at the wedding ceremony.
Famed Celebrity Chef Duff Goldman, star of Food Network’s reality show Ace of Cakes and one of the first to stand up against hate in food, will be creating a one-of-a-kind wedding cake to mark the special occasion. Also, joining the event will be several celebrated Miami chefs and restaurants including:
• Richard Hales, Black Brick
• Giorgio Rapicavoli, Eating House
• Dena Marino, MC Kitchen
• Jamie DaRosa, Tongue & Cheek
• Paula Dasilva, 3030 Ocean
• Rocco Carulli, R House
• Cesar Zapata, The Federal
• Todd Erickson, Haven Lounge
• Half Moon Empanada
The wedding celebration is free to couples who are tying the knot or want to renew their vows, they can bring two families members to the event. An after dance party is being planned with a Celebrity DJ, with all proceeds benefiting local LBGT charities. For more information please visit http://www.jameshotels.com/miami/florida-cookery/sobewff-the-james.
WHEN:
Saturday, February 21, 2015 1 – 4 p.m.
WHERE:
The James Royal Palm
1545 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 604-5700
Ru Pauls Drag Race Tour
IT’S ABOUT TO GET REAL BITCHES!
RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of The Seasons “Condragulations” Tour in a city near YOU, featuring a night of show-stopping performances by the world’s most talented drag performers, including winners and fan favorites from Logo TV’s hit series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Over 40 cities in the US, Canada and Europe. The largest drag tour in history!
Adore Delano, Alaska 5000, Ben Dela Crème, Bianca Del Rio, Courtney Act, Darienne Lake, Detox, Ivy Winters, Jiggly Caliente, Jinkx Monsoon, Manila Luzon, Pandora Boxx, Phi Phi O’Hara, Raja and Sharon Needles. Plus Special Guest Cary NoKey and host Michelle Visage. (Lineup varies by city and is subject to change.)
February 1-April 13, 2015. CHECK CITIES AND TICKETS!
Winter Party Miami 2015
WINTER PARTY is our Favorite Party of the Year!
Winter Party Festival is an iconic six-day celebration of LGBTQ people – diverse people from all over the globe – who come together to learn, live, love, laugh and forge lifelong relationships. Back in 1994, our founders kicked up their heels and invited the LGBTQ community to party on the sands of South Beach. More than twenty years later, under the leadership of the National LGBTQ Task Force, that one annual party on the beach has become what’s now known as Winter Party Festival.
And it just got more awesome!
Known throughout the world for extravagant themes, over-the-top productions, and visual art and live installations that accompany the dance party beats, WE Party events are nothing less than out-of-this-world. And WE Party: Attacks will be no exception. Literally out-of-this-world.
WE Party: Attacks will create a mesmerizing theatrical performance to blend seamlessly with the music of two supernova DJs – Miami’s own Alyson Calagna and Micky Friedmann, who will teleport in from Berlin.
“Winter Party Festival is a living celebration,” says Justin Bell, Winter Party Festival Chair for 2015. “Our guests are passionate about rejoicing and passionate about celebrating who they are. WE Party: Attacks will provide them the perfect solar system for their celebration.”
Winter Party Festival passes are ideal ways to see a galaxy of events and surprises in store for 2015. WE Party: Attacks tickets are part of the Titanium All-Access and Platinum Priority passes currently on sale at discounted prices. To purchase passes, visit www.winterparty.com/buy.
To reserve space at the Shelborne Wyndham Grand South Beach, host hotel for Winter Party Festival, visit www.winterparty.com/hotel.
Winter Party Festival is an annual fund- and consciousness-raising event committed to supporting, inspiring and activating the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and its supporters worldwide through a celebration of identity, equality and unity. Now in its 22nd year, Winter Party Festival takes place annually in one of the world’s hottest destinations – Miami Beach.
Proceeds from the annual Winter Party Festival and its sister event, the Miami Recognition Dinner, support the important work of the National LGBTQ Task Force to advance full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people. A significant portion of the proceeds also funds multiple organizations serving the LGBTQ community in South Florida through grants made by the Task Force to the GLBT Community Projects Fund of The Miami Foundation. Since taking over responsibilities for the two events, the Task Force has contributed more than $1.85 million to South Florida grassroots LGBTQ organizations.
Winter Party Festival is produced with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority.
Gay Pride 2014 is Coming ! To a City Near You!
GAY PRIDE IS COMING! Over the next 6 months, gay prides will be happening coast to coast!
PHOENIX PRIDE April 5-6, 2014
MIAMI PRIDE April 11-13
TOKYO PRIDE April 27rh
SAO PAULO PRIDE May 4th, 2014 – the BIGGEST in the WORLD
NEW JERSEY PRIDE June 1st, 2014
LOS ANGELES PRIDE June 6th-8th
MILWAUKEE WI Pride June 6th-8th
CAPITAL PRIDE DC June 6th-8th
DETROIT PRIDE June 7th-8th
HONOLULU PRIDE June 7th
PHILADELPHIA PRIDE June 8th
BOSTON PRIDE June 8th-16th
KEY WEST PRIDE June 11th-15th 2014
NASHVILLE PRIDE June 12th-14th
SITGES SPAIN PRIDE June 12th-16th
PITTSBURGH PRIDE June 14th-15th
BERLIN PRIDE June 14th-15th
OSLO PRIDE June 20th-29th
HOUSTON GAY PRIDE June 20th-29th
TORONTO PRIDE June 20th-29th – BIGGEST in NORTH AMERICA!
PLUS in 2014, Toronto will actually be WORLD PRIDE with even BIGGER crowds
RHODE ISLAND / PROVIDENCE PRIDE June 21st
NEW YORK CITY PRIDE June 24th-29th
TAMPA FL PRIDE June 27th-29th
PARIS PRIDE June 28th
LONDON PRIDE June 28th
MINNEAPOLIS PRIDE June 28th-29th
CHICAGO PRIDE FEST June 21st – 22nd
(they are trying to fill in the days in between to make a full week of pride)
CHICAGO PRIDE June 29th
SEATTLE GAY PRIDE June 29th
MADRID PRIDE July 2nd-6th
COLOGNE GERMANY PRIDE July 6th
SAN DIEGO PRIDE July 18th-20th
STOCKHOLM PRIDE July 28th – Aug. 2nd
MONTREAL PRIDE July July 28th-Aug. 3rd
AMSTERDAM PRIDE August 1st-3rd – with floats on the canal!
ANTWERP PRIDE August 4th-11th
REYKJAVIK PRIDE August 5th-10th
CHICAGO MARKET DAYS – August 9th-10th (not really pride – but a big party!)
OTTAWA PRIDE August 15th-24th
PRAGUE PRIDE August 11th-17th
COPENHAGEN PRIDE August 26th-31st
ATLANTA PRIDE August 27th-Sept. 1st
SOUTHERN DECADENCE – August 27th-September 1 (not really pride – but a big party)
LAS VEGAS PRIDE September 2nd-8th
AUSTIN TX PRIDE September 20th
DALLAS PRIDE September 21st
MAUI HAWAII October 4th-5th
GAY PRIDE is a time of celebration and with that, usually comes some drinking. MAKE SURE YOU DRINK WATER AS WELL! Keep yourself hydrated! You don’t want to go to the hospital with your boa and go go shorts on! (poor guy!)
Miami’s Annual WINTER PARTY March 2014
Over 10,000 guests from around the world attend this annual six-day extravaganza featuring the most spectacular venues, the most unforgettable parites and receptions and the best international DJ talent.
Launched in 1994 as a one-time charity dance event on the sands of beautiful South Beach, Winter Party Festival has evolved into a week-long series of events benefiting the LGBT community nationally and locally. A portion of the net proceeds of WPF support the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s efforts to take action, build power and create change for LGBT people. The majority of the proceeds are donated to local service organizations through a grant-making process administered by The Miami Foundation.
WARNING: Gays at DisneyWorld in Orlando!
This is so funny – and tragic!
The Florida Family Associations spends about $20,000, to fly planes over Disney World, warning potential heterosexual visitors about gay people visiting the park for the annual Gay Days. (this photo is from last year).
The FFA writes:
Florida Family Association has received
many, many (really?) letters and emails from people across the country who
patronized Disney World in Orlando to find themselves in the middle of
one of the annual Gay Days at Disney. The most recent letter we
received was from Willis in Sarasota who wrote “Just a note to let you
know that about 18 years ago my wife and I and our 2 year old
granddaughter were at Disney World when it was ‘Gay Day.’ It was the
most deplorable sight that we ever saw. I thank you so much for the
vision of the airplane banner warning people.”
We want to warn
families before they expose their children to Gay Day’s same-sex
revelry, before they pay money to Disney for parking, admission,
novelties and food. We also want to send a message that Gay Day’s
public promotion of homosexuality to a captured audience inside the park
is wrong.
They have nothing better to do with their money?
Miami Beach Gay Pride April 13-15, 2012
LGBTQ rights activist, author, lecturer and transgender issues advocate Chaz Bono
will headline the Fourth Annual Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade as Grand
Marshal, announced Babak Movahedi, president of the Pride board of
directors.
Bono will lead the parade by riding in a vintage Rolls Royce
convertible waving to an anticipated 60,000 fans and supporters who are
expected at this year’s parade and festival. The Miami Beach Gay
Pride Parade kicks of at noon on Sunday, April 15, along Ocean Drive
from 5th to 15th Streets. The events run April 13-15th.
More info at Miami Beach Gay Pride
I will NEVER UNDERSTAND why Miami Beach Gay Pride hosts a cruise over the Bahamas every year? Why give them our gay $$ ? FROMMERS says Generally speaking, The Bahamas isn’t a gay-friendly
destination. If you’re gay, think twice before choosing to vacation
here. Although many gay people visit or live here, the country has very
strict anti-homosexual laws. Relations between homosexuals, even when
between consenting adults, are subject to criminal sanctions carrying
prison terms.
Bears Take Over Fort Lauderdale May 10-14
BeachBear Weekend will hit the sands of Fort Lauderdale, May 10-14 2012, bringing hot men from around the world to experience all the top gay men’s destination has to offer. Long the muscle bear capital of the east coast, Fort Lauderdale is like a gay cruise that doesn’t leave port. From world-class beaches to wild nightlife, the bears and their friends will find their sunny. The host hotel and its beautiful pool bar, overlooking Fort Lauderdale Beach will be the sexy center of activity for the men who want to bask in the sun and cruise the sea of beefy muscle.
BeachBear Weekend has been created to showcase the healthy outdoor lifestyle enjoyed in Greater Fort Lauderdale. The events over the course of the week will focus on the beach, surf, exercise, and of course some of the hottest parties anywhere.
Proceeds from this event will benefit Sunserve- a 501 (3) (c) corporation. Their mission is to provide critical life assistance and professional mental health services with an emphasis on the economically disadvantaged, marginalized youths, and senior adults in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Additionally designated is Abandoned Pet Rescue, Broward’s largest no kill animal shelter.
The bars and events for the weekend will include Ramrod, Boom, The Manor, Wilton Bier Garden, The Depot Cabaña Bar and Grill, and Scandals. In addition to the muscle packed pool parties and bar nights, there will be alternative activities as well, including sunrise meditations on the beach, personal trainers leading fitness classes, and watersports. Also planned are boat excursions for the more adventurous, a vendor fair, and meeting space set aside for Friends of Bill W.
BeachBear Weekend was created by Chad Bush, Bob Young and Shannon Spotts. Young was a founder of the successful LazyBear Weekend at the Russian River in Northern California. The organizers hope BeachBear Weekend will have significant economic impact for Greater Fort Lauderdale.
For more information log onto: Beachbearweekend.com
La Cage Aux Folles National Tour Dates
New Winner of 3 Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL, this hilarious new production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is ON THE MOST ‘TOP 10’ LISTS OF ANY MUSICAL THIS SEASON!
With George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber. George Hamilton is everything Hollywood we know and love—dashing, debonair, and full of tenacity as Georges. The talented Tony Nominated Christopher Sieber played Georges on Broadway, opposite Harvey Fierstein. Now he plays the role of Albin/Zaza.
They are joined on stage by Billy Harringtan
Tighe as Jean-Michel, Bernard Burak Sheredy as M. Renaud/M. Dindon,
Cathy Newman as Mme. Dindon/ Mme. Renaud, Jeigh Madjus as Jacob, Gay
Marshall as Jacqueline, Allison Blair McDowell as Anne, Dale Hensley as
Francis, Ashley Kate Adams as Colette, Danny Vaccaro as Tabarro, Matt
Anctil as Angelique, Mark Roland as Hanna, Donald Shorter, Jr. as
Chantal, Trevor Downey as Phaedra, Logan Keslar as Bitelle, Terry Lavell
as Mercedes, Todd Thurston as Male Ensemble (waiter), SuEllen Estey as
Female Ensemble Adult, Todd Lattimore as Male Swing, Christophe
Caballero as Male Swing and Rylyn Juliano as Female Swing.
LA CAGE tells the story of Georges, the
owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner
Albin, who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse Zaza. When Georges’ son
brings his fiancée’s conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair,
the bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly! LA CAGE
is a tuneful and touching tale of one family’s struggle to stay
together… stay fabulous… and above all else, stay true to
themselves!
With a glorious score of hummable melodies and a
dynamite cast featuring the “notorious and dangerous Cagelles,” LA CAGE
is an indisputable musical comedy classic… and this extraordinary new
version shows you why!
The national tour launched this past October in Des Moines, IA. We saw the show in Chicago , this past week. It runs through Jan. 1st then off to
St Louis Jan 3-15th.
Washington DC Jan 17-Feb 12th
West Palm Beach, FL Feb 14-19th
Tampa, FL Feb 21st-26th
Naples, FL Feb 28th-March 4th
Wilmington, DE March 6th-11th
Pittsburgh, PA March 13th-18th
Memphis, TN March 20th-25th
Dallas, TX April 10th-22nd
Houston, TX April 24th-May 6th
San Antonio, TX May 8th-13th
Tempe, AZ May 15th-20th
Charlotte, NC May 29th-June 3rd
Orlando, FL June 5th-June 10th
Ft. Lauderdale, FL June 12th – June 24th
Los Angeles, CA July 10th-July 22nd
Costa Mesa, CA July 24th-Aug 5th
MORE DATES AND CITIES To Be Announced! GET TICKETS ONLINE NOW!
OY VEY! My Son Is Gay! Comes to Ohio and Florida!
Directed by Evgeny Afineevsky and starring
Golden Globe, Emmy and Tony Award nominee Lainie Kazan, Saul Rubinek, Carmen Electra, Vincent Pastore, Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young, Emmy Award winner Jai Rodriguez, and Emmy Award winner Bruce Vilanch.
Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay! is a family romantic comedy roller-coaster ride of laughs and shows how far we come and yet how far we still have to go. The star-studded cast and wonderful story will have you laughing – and talking and thinking.
At a time where society is currently in dire stress, the public is even more challenged to find channels for relief and escape. The film, “OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY!” delivers a very powerful message through the language of humor, and successfully combines the elements of fun, laughter, love, respect, tolerance and the value of relationships. It finds humor in the most awkward situations, but remains a powerful reminder that LOVE IS LOVE.
This movie was a long journey of 8 years of hard work, which finally resulted in a heartwarming and inspirational family comedy with an amazing and accomplished cast.
The film’s director, Evgeny Afineevksy (born in Russia, raised in Israel and currently living in the USA) utilized powerful tools and different multicultural elements (drawn from his multicultural background) to make the movie unique. He created the movie with a fresh perspective on a very unusual and sensitive matter; mixing elements of light language of comedy with sincerity; treating today’s tough and sensitive subject with empathy and humor; and, creating funny and relatable characters, allowing the humor to progress from and within the characters. “OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY! was awarded the Best Script at the 41st Houston World Festival and the Monaco Film Festival, and won over 20 different awards internationally during last year.
This is the story of a Jewish family living in the North Shore of Long Island, where every Friday night Shirley Hirsch (Lainie Kazan) invites another “perfect” girl for Shabbat dinner in hopes that her son, Nelson (John Lloyd Young), will marry a nice Jewish girl.
When Shirley and Martin (Saul Rubinek) once again set him up on a date, Nelson reveals that he is already seeing someone. Shirley and Martin are thrilled and can’t wait to meet the lucky lady.
In a motherly attempt at finding out who her son is dating, Shirley stops by Nelson’s apartment. She is greeted by Angelo Ferraro (Jai Rodriguez), Nelson’s live-in boyfriend, and in order to not divulge Nelson’s secret life, Angelo introduces himself as his decorator! And the plot thickens!
THIS IS A MUST SEE MOVIE!
OPENING THIS WEEKEND in OHIO!
Starting December 24, 2010
‘Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!’ is playing at
AMC Theaters – Lennox Town Center 24
(777 Kinnear Rd, Columbus, OH 43212)
Movie Times: 1-888-AMC 4FUN (888-262-4386) / Guest Services: (614)429-0100
Cast members with the director, producer and writer will be there to “MEET & GREET” after the movie!
Come out and show your support for this wonderful movie!
Starting January 7, 2011 – playing at
REGAL South Beach Cinemas 18
( 1120 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida 33139 ) (T: 305-674-6766)
Sunrise Intracoastal Cinemas
( 3701 Northeast 163rd Street, North Miami, FL 33160) (T: 954-871-4178)
Regal Shadowood 16
(9889 West Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33434) (T: 561-482-2638)
Regal Cinemas Delray 18
(1660 South Federal Highway, Delray Beach, FL 33483) (T: 561-272-0510)
More dates coming soon! Check the website and links below!
OY VEY MY SON IS GAY official site
Watch the Trailer
Oy Vey on Facebook
Best Gay Cities.com
Tropical Heat in Key West. 4 Days of Gay Men!
Can you handle the heat?
4 days of men, men, men
in KEY WEST this week, August 19-22nd, 2010
Tropical Heat is Key West’s hottest event for men, featuring four days of all-
The quaint island of Key West is known for its year-round subtropical weather, but temperatures are predicted to rise dramatically this weekend!
For $99 , you can get an all-access pass that gets you in to each Official Tropical Heat pass for free! This includes VIP status for the three VIP events, a 4 days of day-pass privileges at the Island House Resort!
Pool parties, cocktail parties, live DJ’s, adult entertainers, fetish parties – it’s all here!
Welcome to the Jungle – Kick off party
Hotter than Hell fetish Party
Get Down pool party
Toga in the Tropics
Noche Caliente drag & porn star show
Midnight Skinny Dip pool party
Debauchery on Dubal
Come & Shoot video party
Porn Star Meet & Greet
The Big O exhibition party & video shoot
Prison Pass party
Lost in the 70s recovery pool party
Tropical Heat Tea Dance 2010
Tropical Jazz Concert
Paul J Williams Comedy Show
Tropical Heat Key West and also on FaceBook .
MIAMI BEACH GAY PRIDE Saturday April 17th
Extraordinary Day OUT!
MIAMI BEACH GAY PRIDE
Saturday, April 17,
Ocean Drive, 12-7pm
Ven y celebra un día extraordinario AFUERA!
ORGULLO GAY EN MIAMI BEACH
Sábado, Abril 17, Ocean Drive, 12-7pm
Miami Beach is fabulous.
And on Saturday, April 17, it will be more extraordinary than ever!
Join Miami Beach City Mayor Matti Bower, your friends, family and allies for the 2nd annual PRIDE parade and festival, a celebration of the extraordinary strength, beauty and contributions of South Florida’s LGBT community. It’s an exciting all-day event featuring a parade along beautiful Ocean Drive with floats and including the inspiring LEGACY couples, a Festival with exciting celebrity presentations and musical performances, and an Expo with LGBT-friendly vendors and businesses, refreshments and food, plus a family-friendly playzone.
Lesbian. Gay. Bi. Trans. Straight. PROUD.
Miami Beach Gay Pride is an extraordinary celebration that brings out the best in us, all.
Lesbianas. Gay. Bi. Trans. Heterosexuales. ORGULLOSOS. El Orgullo Gay en Miami Beach es una celebración extraordinaria que resalta en todos nosotros lo mejor que tenemos dentro.
All Events Free and Open to the Public
Todos los eventos son gratuitos y estarán abiertos a todo público
Best Gay Cities
Gay South Beach – LGBT Visitor Center in Miami Beach
The new LGBT Visitor Center inside the MDGLCC’s new headquarters will become a place of community, information, resources and business networking for the 1.2 million gay and lesbian travelers who visit Miami-Dade County each year, as well as for the estimated 183,000 LGBT residents who call Miami and Miami Beach home, said Steve Adkins, president of the MDGLCC.
The Center is on-target to open April 15 with a grand opening dedication celebration for the entire community with many dignitaries, city leaders and community leaders in attendance.
“We envision the new Visitor Center becoming the nucleus of LGBT activity for visitors, locals and our business community,” Adkins said. “Other cities have LGBT community centers or general tourist information places, but we’re aware of no other city in the country that has a permanent, central location run by a gay Chamber that serves the needs of both LGBT and gay-friendly visitors and locals.”
Located at 1130 Washington Avenue, Old City Hall is literally at the epicenter of LGBT activity in South Beach. Steps to Ocean Drive and the beach, a few blocks south of famed Lincoln Road and right in the middle of bars, restaurants, shops and hotels, Old City Hall is easily accessible by foot, car, bus or Rollerblade. The Mediterranean Neo-Classical designed building was originally built in 1927 and reopened last October after a three-year, $7 million renovation by the City.
There will also be kiosks to display various LGBT-oriented memorabilia as well as branded merchandise for sale as souvenirs. The Center will also have the ability to play host to art shows, book signings, receptions and fundraisers, many of which could be held in conjunction with the high-profile events that Miami Beach attracts, such as the Winter Party, Art Basel Miami Beach, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and Art Deco Weekend.
“A Visitor Center of this magnitude makes perfect sense for Miami Beach,” Adkins said. “We’re arguably among the top LGBT tourist destinations in the country, if not the world, and the local LGBT community is very well-integrated into the general population, making this city one of the most progressive and accepting in the world.”
That integration makes Miami Beach unusual and provides a bigger opportunity for a Center, Adkins said. “Unlike other cities, there are no ‘gay ghettos’ here where the LGBT community has congregated, nor are there side streets lined with pride flags to indicate the few places of acceptance. Here, people freely walk Lincoln Road or Ocean Drive hand-in-hand and are warmly welcomed at shops, hotels and restaurants.”
BEST GAY CITIES
