With fewer than ten days to go, My Hollywood Pride is changing its location. OutSFL confirmed that the Jan. 26 event, originally set for Arts Park at Young Circle, will be held in downtown Hollywood.
The reason? Security.
“The city of Hollywood feels they can safeguard this area much better than Arts Park. They can guarantee our safety and security,” MHP co-organizer Jameer Baptiste said.
City officials told MHP they feel streets can be more easily blocked off and secure by putting the party in downtown.
A last-minute venue change for an event this size is nearly impossible to pull off. However, each of the previous MHPs were downtown. They will essentially be utilizing their original footprint.
The change caught many by surprise. Baptiste says the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans is what had officials rethink their plan.
A Challenging Year
This is the latest in what has been a challenging year for MHP organizers.
A principal sponsor, the Quadracci Family, pulled its significant support this year. Multiple people tell OutSFL that the Quadraccis were unhappy with the organization’s political activity in 2024.
We’re also told several businesses were unhappy with the street closures during past festivals and that it hurt their sales during one of the key weekends of the year. Baptiste says the event was moved to Sunday to minimize impact to businesses. (Moving to Arts Park would have removed the impact almost entirely.)
Dwindling corporate support, often under pressure from Florida government officials and right wing groups, is affecting lots of Prides.
“I think nationally it feels like everything is shifting a little bit away,” Hollywood City Commissioner Caryl Shuham told OutSFL. But she says official city support is not flagging.
“I think anyone who comes to any of our Pride events in January will see incredible support. Not only from our community but from our commission and our politicians and our staff.”
The main event leading up to the party was the Pride 100 Brunch, which recognized Misty Eyez Alicia as this year’s Trailblazer Award recipient.
"Receiving the 2025 Trailblazer Award from the Hollywood LGBTQ Council is a deeply humbling and profound honor,” she said. “This recognition reflects my personal commitment to fostering inclusivity through training City of Hollywood employees, inspiring future generations with Drag Queen Story Time, and celebrating the resilience and beauty of our community. Together, we’re proving that authenticity, love, and perseverance can create lasting change and build a brighter, more inclusive future."
She currently works for SunServe leading trans services and DEI initiatives. She has been part of the community for decades, speaking out when no one else would, and speaking louder when people tried to shut her down.
MHP will also host Queer Comedy Night at Cinema Paradiso on Jan. 25 hosted by Jonathan Kaplan and featuring Natalie Tyler, among others.
Despite the challenges, Commissioner Shuham says Prides are still vital community events.
“Especially in communities like Hollywood, where we have a vibrant LGBTQ+ population. Bring awareness.”
