AquaPlex in Fort Lauderdale is closed, as is the one in Key West and its sister bar, Birdcage Cabaret. And don’t forget Lucky’s in West Palm Beach and Johnsons which is facing its own challenges. They’re all owned by Pride Holdings Group (PHG) and, until July, Michael and Jon Barrett. Employees and former employees say they’ve had bounced checks, credit card tips withheld, payroll taxes taken out but not turned over to the state, making them ineligible for unemployment.
For many in the LGBTQ community, Florida feels like a lost cause. Republicans have expanded their grip on state government, anti-LGBTQ legislation has poured out of Tallahassee, and even longtime allies have switched parties.
OutSFL won two awards in the 2026 Green Eyeshade Awards contest, continuing the publication's recognition among the Southeast's top journalism organizations.
Two of Florida’s most recognizable LGBTQ advocates are stepping into major leadership roles at Equality Florida and its political arm ahead of what organizers describe as a pivotal period for the state’s LGBTQ community.
OutSFL and its student publication, OutFAU, have been named finalists in four categories in the 2026 Sunshine State Awards, Florida's largest and oldest journalism contest.
The distinctive smell of Caribbean food wafts through the air as music jams as a hype-filled palate cleanser. People in colorful costumes mingle and firedancers fling flames. These are all the hallmarks of PrideFête, the LGBTQ celebration of Caribbean culture.
This summer, Duval Street in Key West gives way to restaurants and chefs serving fresh lobster straight to diners on the street. It all builds toward a large stage at the intersection of Greene Street, where popular acts rock out before thousands of music and seafood lovers.
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