Florida’s Fort Lauderdale is rapidly becoming a hotspot destination for America’s LGBTQ community. Combining the highest concentration of same-sex couple households in the U.S. with a dedicated gay beach, 16 exclusively gay guesthouses and a bustling nightlife, the city is widely recognized as a welcoming spot for LGBTQ vacationers and business travelers alike. Travel Agent has rounded up a selection of Fort Lauderdale must-sees for LGBTQ visitors headed to the city.
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Fort Lauderdale is home to the world'slargest gay pride center. The Pride Center at Equality Park offers a welcoming space which aims to celebrate and nurture south Florida’s LGBTQ community. The space hosts a range of on-site LGBTQ-focused activities including 60+ support social and educational groups, community flea markets, a women’s speaker series’, senior exercise classes and a family health fair. The property is also a major site for HIV testing, prevention, education and counseling, alongside offering a range of HIV/AIDS support programs.
Growing from the topic-driven support group for HIV positive individuals, ‘Pozitive Attitudes’ to a fully-fledged museum, the World Aids Museum and Educational Center is the first of its kind. The property houses a range of informative exhibits such as a chronology of aids exhibition alongside the soon to be opened research center, which will provide guests with access to computer stations with links to numerous informative websites regarding HIV/ADIS Scientific Advances, public policy, global statistics and more.
Continuing on the museum trail, one more not-to-miss stop is the Stonewall National Museum & Archives. Originating in 1973, the museum has become a cultural center offering a range of facilities and exhibits. Guests should head to the Dr. John C. Graves Reading Room, which houses a selection of LGBT periodicals and acts as a meeting and discussion space which hosts an assortment of writer’s workshops and book clubs. Other highlights include the property’s various exhibits which provide a timeline of LGBTQ history and culture, as well as the gallery’s year round panel discussions, films, and author presentations.
Those looking to get a bit of sun out of their stay should check out Sebastian Beach, the most popular gay beach in Fort Lauderdale. The white sand beach is also located right across the street from the Ritz-Carlton and within blocks of some of the city’s gay resorts and guesthouses.
Hitting Fort Lauderdale for the first time is Gay Days, a week-long celebration of the LGBT community which takes place this Thanksgiving. Starting November 2, travellers can attend seven days of pool parties, expos and even a Thanksgiving feast at the W Hotel.