Most bears famously go into hibernation during winter. Not the Bears of South Florida. The organization is celebrating a big 2024 and gearing up for an even bigger ‘25.

Richard Kowalczyk, owner of Southern Nights in Orlando and Tampa, and his partner, Eric Patrick, have been indicted on multiple counts involving child pornography.

Capping what has arguably been the Year of Melissa St. John, the award-winning female illusionist has won Bronze recognition in the Best Local Drag Queen category by GayCities in their annual international “Best of GayCities 2024” competition.

My family lost their home and now I have been patiently waiting since mid-November for another family to pick me and love me.

A New Year embrace turned into a heartbreaking goodbye. Angel Nunez was outside with his partner, Chris Dillon, when a stray bullet hit and killed him. 

Wilton Manors felt like it was in at least four time zones Dec. 31, and when you shouted “Happy New Year!” depended on how long a bar’s satellite feed was delayed. Along Wilton Drive, cheers would rise up from one bar, followed 40 seconds later by cheers in a parking lot. Moments later, another bar started celebrating.