Several OutSFL writers won awards Aug. 17 during the annual Sunshine State Awards ceremony – this year taking place in Hollywood.

OutSFL won a first-place award in the annual Green Eyeshade Awards - a journalism contest covering 11 states across the Southern U.S.

OutFAU editor Mary Rasura was named a finalist in three categories in the annual Sunshine State Awards including College Journalist of the Year for her work at OutSFL and Florida Atlantic University’s student newspaper, the University Press.

Pride is something that has various meaning to each of us within the LGBTQ community, especially in the year of 2024. My first pride was in Fort Myers around 2002, when I was just a young gay boy living my life. Pride was a small event compared to the giant parties we have come to know and love in South Florida. With about 500 people from our community, we thrived to find family, friends, and our place in this world.

Drag superstar Erika Norell captured the inaugural Mz OutSFL Pageant on May 18 with a tour de force performance at Fort Lauderdale’s Sunshine Cathedral Center for the Performing Arts. The pageant, produced by J&J Media and Out South Florida Newspaper and Magazine, was created to raise funds for LGBTQ college student scholarships as well as pay tribute to the extraordinary talents and community service of individuals within the drag community.

While award-winning female illusionist Melissa St. John has spent more than 40 years advocating on behalf of the LGBTQ community through both her artistry and tenacity when it comes to supporting those in need, she is quick to point out that there is still much to do in the battle for equality.