Orlando kicks off Pride Month June 1 with the entire month devoted to showcasing “a diverse community that warmly embraces cultures from all backgrounds coming together (and) remaining a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ visitors.”
A city where “dragons, coasters and Pride flags fly,” Visit Orlando is promising visitors of all stripes “an exciting summer season filled with vibrant fun (and) delectable cuisine…”
June offers several longstanding Pride events for visitors, including:
• GayDays (May 31-June 5) – Comprised of multiple events staged at world-famous attractions; gay and lesbian clubs; and unique venues that create a renowned gay and lesbian vacation experience.
• Girls in Wonderland (June 1-5) – The counterpart to GayDays, catering to female members of the LGBTQ+ community, featuring parties, special performances and celebrity appearances.
• One Magical Weekend (June 1-5) – Always on the first weekend in June, OMW is one of the largest LGBTQ+ pride and music festivals in the world.
• Tidal Wave Party (June 1-5) – A private party at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and a “Bearaoke” contest are two of many unique experiences where visitors can make a splash during this weekend of water park events and activities.
• RED Shirt Pride Day (June 3) – An annual tradition that invites visitors to wear a red shirt to Magic Kingdom Park on the first Saturday in June, inspired by the original 30 or 40 people with “kindred spirits” that bravely met there back in 1991. Their courage that started as a social gathering has grown to become one of the longest running, most iconic events in LGBTQ+ history.
• Annual Pulse Remembrance Ceremony (June 12) is designed to spread messages of love, unity, acceptance, courage, and strength throughout the community. It traditionally takes place at the Pulse Interim Memorial, which honors the 49 lives lost on June 12, 2016, and is open throughout the year.
Diverse dining scene
As a top-tier foodie destination, Orlando now has 46 restaurants in the MICHELIN Guide Miami, Orlando, and Tampa – including 13 new entries for 2023, four starred venues, 11 Bib Gourmands and 31 Recommended.
Orlando has been a pioneer in LGBTQ+ tourism dating back to the original Gay Days in 1991. A winning destination in the 2022 “Gay Travel Awards,” Orlando promotes inclusivity through events, nightlife and activities that welcome all. The “city beautiful” has earned a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, which measures the LGBTQ+ inclusiveness of cities’ laws, policies, and services.
To find more information about the many LGBTQ events and activities in Orlando, check out Visit Orlando’s ‘LGBTQ in Orlando’ blog post, or check Visit Orlando’s calendar of events.