Despite some of its politicians, Florida takes pride in its status as a premiere LGBTQ-friendly travel destination, so it’s not surprising that the Sunshine state takes on a rainbow hue in June during Pride Month. As such, there are plenty of events planned across the state, from the Panhandle to the southern tip at Key West; here’s a look at some of them:
ST. PETE: St. Pete Pride celebrates 20 years! St. Pete Pride, the largest LGBTQ+ Pride celebration in the state of Florida, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, with events happening all throughout the month of June. Signature events in 2022 will include a Miss St. Pete Pride Pageant, a Juneteenth Celebration, Family Day, and the return of the St. Pete Pride Parade on June 25.
PENSACOLA: Pensacola Beach welcomes members of the LGBTQ+ community year-round, but the Pride celebration at the end of May is a huge draw for visitors. In addition to a great beachside Pride celebration, visitors can take part in events throughout Historic Downtown Pensacola, as well as annual events such as The Stamped Film Festival, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community during the annual Foo Foo Festival each fall.
THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS AND SANIBEL: Captiva Pride Weekend is Captiva’s first Pride celebration. Taking place at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa from June 3-5, the inaugural weekend celebration will feature DJs and drag queens, Pride cocktails, pool parties, a drag brunch with bottomless mimosas and much more. On June 11, the Second Annual South Cape PRIDE Trolley Event will take place (tickets required).
NAPLES: The 4th Annual Naples Pride Fest takes place on June 4 at Cambier Park. Naples Pride Fest celebrates diversity and unity, while educating the community on LGBTQ+ issues to promote equal rights for all. This all-inclusive, family-friendly and open to the public event will combine entertainers, speakers, musicians, performers, vendors, exhibitors, kids activities, food and drinks for a day of fun and celebration in the name of equality.
KEY WEST: With 300,000 annual LGBTQ visitors, Key West is a vacation spot that celebrates openness and Pride, where visitors are “free to be” themselves. This year, Key West Pride takes place June 1-5 with a variety of colourful events, including the parade on the 5th at 5 p.m. on Duval Street.
FORT LAUDERDALE: Fort Lauderdale and the neighbourhood of Wilton Manors typically welcome more than 1.1 million LGBTQ+ travellers every year. The destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale, Fla., launched a new campaign to celebrate and support the area’s diverse population and spread the message that inclusion and acceptance are embraced across the area’s 31 neighborhoods. The “We Are” campaign includes video and social media as an extension of the destination’s “Everyone Under the Sun” campaign, which was created to welcome all populations and communities.
MIAMI BEACH: The city officially celebrated Pride week in April, but on June 10 and 11 the Wynwood Pride Music Festival takes place at the RC Cola Plant, featuring entertainers, drag, DJs, art installations, the return of Miss Toto’s Funhouse, vendor market, non-profit village, and more. This year’s event benefits Equality Florida and the fight against the “Don’t Say Gay Law.”
ORLANDO: Orlando hosts special celebrations throughout the year, including holiday extravaganzas, gourmet food and beverage festivals, theme park events and more, and everyone is invited to the party! One Magical Weekend (June 2-6) is one of the largest LGBTQ+ Pride and music festivals in the world. Taking place at Walt Disney World Resorts, it boasts a roster of international DJ talent and around-the-clock, world-class events.
TAMPA: Tampa Pride was celebrated in March, but the city’s GaYBOR District is a 12-block area that offers a fun mix of shops, bars and restaurants – and is dubbed the “LGBTQ+ Main Street for the West Coast of Florida.”
JACKSONVILLE: Jacksonville celebrated its first Gay Pride in 1978 with a large picnic at Willow Branch Park. Since then, the LGBTQ+ community has celebrated Pride annually in various ways across the First Coast. In 2010, new community leaders came together to create River City Pride, also known as Jacksonville Pride. This weekend-long Pride parade and festival incorporates an annual theme and includes all members of the Jacksonville community in a variety of activities that promote acceptance and unity. The festival takes place annually in October for LGBTQ+ History Month. Typically, the event offers visitors 3-km parade, a market with local artists and food and drink vendors.
For more information on LGBTQ+ travel in Florida, click HERE.