Just a reminder that not all our Pride celebrations are centered on Wilton Drive. There are plenty of other events going on to celebrate our heritage and the strides we’ve made and to remember the sacrifices made by those who came before us.
STONEWALL AT STONEWALL
The Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library (SNMAL) will open a recreation of the famed Stonewall Inn in honor of the 55th anniversary of the uprising and the start of our modern Pride movement. The Library will "come out" as it makes history come alive when the exhibit opens June 1. From floor to ceiling, SNMAL will be transformed into the gritty, historic Stonewall Inn where every day at this interactive exhibit - Stonewall “INN” Stonewall - will be June 28, 1969, hours before the police raid, arrests, riot, and fire; the galvanizing forces sparking the LGBTQ human rights movement across the globe. Unlike the original Stonewall Inn, you must RSVP for this event. To reserve a spot for opening night, contact
The event will remain open through Sept. 29. On June 29, at 4:30 p.m. the first-ever reenactment of the Stonewall Uprising, in the model of reenactments like the Civil and Revolutionary Wars, will take place, with members of the SoFla police departments making 13 “arrests” of Stonewall INN Stonewall exhibition donors who will be drinking and eating in the iconic bar. Number one hits from 1969 will play from the jukebox as police enter, make “arrests,” and walk them outside to patrol cars. Peabody and GLAAD-award winner Kristen Lovell of the HBO docu-film “The Stroll” is flying in from NYC to portray gay liberation activist Marsha P Johnson who joined the uprising on that historic night.
The exhibit will then travel for 10 years bringing the fight for equality across the nation.
LANTZ WITHOUT PANTZ
FLoatarama, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride-on-Water event, announced that breakout gay reality star, Sam Lantz, a finalist on Netflix's “Squid Game: The Challenge,” will serve as the 2024 Grand Marshal during the FLoatarama Flotilla presented by Hunters Nightclubs on Saturday, June 8. Lantz will be aboard the Sun Dream Yacht Charter’s magnificent 130-foot Yacht Catalina alongside host FayWhat?! with 450 celebrants and award-winning international DJ Bumi leading a fleet of more than 30 private and commercial boats, all decorated for Pride.
An official Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival event, the FLoatarama Flotilla will launch from Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale and cruise the New River and Intracoastal Waterway with the full support of law enforcement vessels including Fort Lauderdale Marine Patrol, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and Wilton Manors Police.
Riverwalk restaurants including The Downtowner, Masa & More, and The House on the River will be hosting Flotilla watch events.
FLoatarama’s partnership with The Our Fund Foundation ensures that 100% of all ticket sales will support the FLoatarama LGBTQ Youth Fund to achieve the greatest impact in the South Florida community. In 2022, FLoatarama launched the FLoatarama LGBTQ Youth Fund in partnership with The Our Fund Foundation, to support at-risk LGBTQ youth. To date, more than $125,000 has been raised and distributed to local LGBTQ non-profits. Additionally, the 2nd annual FLoatarama Garden Party returns to The House on the River on Sunday, June 2. Go to floatarama.org for information on both events.
