Fort Lauderdale Flair

By Andrew Collins
Published: November 4, 2008
Last Updated On: March 10, 2011

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Fort Lauderdale

Gay & Lesbian

A South Florida getaway for every style, every taste.

What distinguishes Fort Lauderdale from most of the world's gay-favored destinations is that this sunny, oceanfront city of about 180,000 suits so many different tastes. It's ideal for a relaxing beach vacation at one of its numerous welcoming gay resorts (many of them just a block or two from the beach), or as a sophisticated and artsy urban retreat, perfect for fans of high-end shopping and chic dining. Located in the center of South Florida, Greater Fort Lauderdale is easily accessible from Palm Beach and Miami.

You'll appreciate the low-key vibe, variety of plush accommodations and bounty of lively yet low-attitude gay discos and lounges. It's easy to understand how Fort Lauderdale has morphed into an international gay hotspot over the past two decades, and how this amiable city has among the highest percentages of GLBT residents in the nation.

See why this South Florida city, is a relaxing beach destination, sophisticated and artsy urban retreat and international gay hotspot, all rolled into one.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Gays and lesbians live and play throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale, but there are two areas that have an especially strong gay presence: the elegant Fort Lauderdale beachfront, particularly the blocks just north of where Las Olas Boulevard meets the ocean, and the small community of Wilton Manors, which is actually a separate incorporated city just a couple of miles north of downtown Fort Lauderdale. These are the region's principle "gayborhoods."

The beachfront is more a place for visitors to stay, as its rife with secluded gay-exclusive resorts (Royal Palms Resort, Villa Venice, The Grand Resort and Spa and Worthington Guest House – to name but a few excellent ones), as well as sleek and luxurious gay-friendly hotels (including the brand-new Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale and the fabulous W Fort Lauderdale, which is slated to open in March 2009).

Wilton Manors, on the other hand, is more of a residential enclave, although it is home to the first-rate Cabanas GuestHouse and Spa gay resort. Visitors will want to check out this progressive community's main business thoroughfare, Wilton Drive, which is lined with gay-oriented bars, shops and restaurants. Highlights include Stork's Bakery and Cafe and Galanga Thai Kitchen and Sushi Bar for dining, and such venerable gay nightspots as Boom, Georgie's Alibi, Bill's, New Moon Bar and Sidelines Sports Bar for socializing. And shoppers shouldn't miss the cheeky Wilton Manors boutiques, like Gay Mart and To The Moon Marketplace.

Upcoming GLBT Events

With Fort Lauderdale's phenomenal growth as one of the word's preeminent gay vacation getaways, the city's GLBT community has developed a number of lively annual events, including not one but two PRIDE festivals.

The first, Pride Under the Sun (March 21-22, 2009), has become the state's largest such event and consists of two full days of concerts, games, dancing and carnival rides. Then, in early summer in Wilton Manors, the Stonewall Street Festival and Parade (June 20-21, 2009) draws folks from all over the Southeast to commemorate the 40th anniversary of New York City's Stonewall Riots, a seminal moment in the history of gay rights. Events include several concerts and performances throughout the weekend, a street fair with some 150 vendors and community groups and a nighttime PRIDE parade along Wilton Drive.

Additionally, Greater Fort Lauderdale host all sorts of parties, fairs and gay-relevant gatherings over the coming year, beginning at the end of this month (Nov. 28-30, 2008) with the 14th Annual Hurricane Showdown GLBT softball and soccer tournaments. (The festivities also include a High-Heel Race, just to keep the spirit campy and fun!) On Dec. 9, 2008, The HX Gay and Lesbian Travel Expo comes to town, a travel-themed trade show that welcomes hundreds of gay travelers and travel professionals.

In 2009, look out for such action-packed events as the ArtExplosion (Feb. 7-21), a provocative GLBT-themed arts and music festival; the Sunshine Stampede (April 3-5), a key event of the rollicking Florida Gay Rodeo Association; the increasingly prestigious Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (late April-early May), which dovetails with the internationally acclaimed Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival; and the Halloween-themed Wicked Manors Block Party (Oct. 31), a great opportunity to sport that Judy Garland costume you've been dying to show off to the world.

To plan your own getaway to Fort Lauderdale, call 800-22-SUNNY or visit www.sunny.org/rainbow.