June in South Florida means more than high temperatures and hurricane season beginning. Across the nation, LGBTQ+ people are celebrating Pride, wearing their gender and sexual identities without shame and fear – and making sure everyone knows that they’re here and queer.
The same is true in Miami-Dade and Broward, with Pride events of all types happening throughout the month in both counties. From fabulous parades and parties to sophisticated evenings at historical sites, here are the best events celebrating Pride this month.
Set in Stone
(StonewallPride.lgbt)
The June 15 Block Party Festival is the main event at the Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival.
While Miami Beach’s LGBTQ+ history and community remain world famous, the city prefers to hold its Pride events in April. That leaves Broward County municipality Wilton Manors, proudly the “second gayest city” in America behind Provincetown, Mass., to carry the torch – and the multitude of rainbow-colored flags – with its Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival. Celebrating its namesake, the Stonewall riots that initiated the gay liberation movement in 1969, the parade is a perfect place to express one’s identity and explore the proud history of LGBTQ+ people in the United States.
Plenty of events for a variety of groups, including women-only and Black-centered gatherings, will happen across the weekend. But the Block Party Festival June 15 is the main event, attended by around 50,000 people per year, where you’ll find all the vibrant costumes and self-expression one might expect from a Pride parade. Tony Lima and Miss Velvet Lenore will serve as grand marshals.
Seven stages of entertainment, 16 bars and a vendor marketplace with food and merchandise will be stationed around Wilton Drive. The festivities continue well into the night, with a Glow Night Parade featuring illuminated floats taking place in the evening. After that, visitors can continue the fun in one of the area’s many clubs and bars. Tickets may be purchased at StonewallPride.lgbt.
Class it Up
(Eventbrite)
Enjoy Vizcaya at night and maybe even meet your soulmate at We Met At Vizcaya Late: Pride Edition.
Sweaty raves and parades under the beating June sun not your thing? Thankfully, a few South Florida venues will let Pride partiers live it up in settings that are a bit more, shall we say, civilized. For instance, have you ever wanted to celebrate Pride in the swanky surrounds of Vizcaya? And would you maybe even want to find romance at the Mediterranean revival estate? You’re in luck: the museum is hosting an event in collaboration with nonprofit event promoter We Met in Miami, who are specialists in helping people find friends and potential soulmates.
The We Met at Vizcaya Late: Pride Edition Wednesday, June 5, 6-9 p.m., will feature music, refreshments, a guided discussion on Vizcaya’s queer history and a fan decorating workshop, all against the backdrop of the iconic mansion and its bayside setting. Adding to the existing wristband system – green if you’re looking for love, blue for just friends – a rainbow wristband will be given to LGBTQ+ folks. Just be aware, no matter what wristband you’re wearing, make sure you’re not in a bathing suit: Vizcaya is a classy establishment and a dress code is being enforced. Purchase $10 tickets at Eventbrite.com.
(World Red Eye)
The CommuniTEA Dance turns the Arsht Center into a rainbow bash.
Elsewhere, the equally sophisticated Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is hosting its own Pride month soirée, the CommuniTEA Dance Sunday, June 9, 4-8 p.m. Visitors can get as theatrical as they desire at this glow-in-the-dark dance party held on the Ziff Ballet Opera House stage. Alex Newell of “Glee” and Broadway fame will perform alongside local drag queens and artists, while DJ Musicat will supply the beats.
A Pride marketplace will feature small businesses from the LGBTQ+ and ally community. Best of all, the whole event is free with RSVP. So, dance the early evening away, but first reserve tickets at ArshtCenter.org.
Wynwood Takes it All
Of course, if you’re really looking to get down for Pride month, it’s best to head to Wynwood. The partycentric neighborhood hosts its own annual Wynwood Pride festival, usually featuring queer-favorite headliners such as Tinashe, Charli XCX and Azealia Banks. As of this writing we were still waiting to hear what the main programming lineup would be.
Nearby, R House, one of Miami’s favorite drag brunch destinations, is also celebrating Pride in style with events all month long. Festivities kicked off June 1 with the Miss Hornitos Contest, which featured influencer judges, a drag makeup illustration station and fabulous floral décor.
More special shows follow throughout the month: The Queens Unleashed launch party June 19 will showcase new drag performers and feature an installment of Drag Bingo, and the Miss Wynwood Pride Pageant follows on June 21. The restaurant will also offer special Pride menu items, like the Unicorn Martini – a piña colada topped with whipped cream, marshmallows and edible glitter. Table reservations can be made at RHouseWynwood.com.