For Nathan Smith, being out and proud is nothing short of a “blessing.”
“I see it as a gift. There are still people out there that can not live their lives out and proud, and me being able to, I take it as a blessing,” he said. “Being able to freely be myself 100% is something I do not take for granted.”
That truth hit home on the first anniversary of his bar.
“I had the community thanking me for providing a safe place for them to be themselves,” he said. “That was the moment I knew me being out and proud and living my truth has allowed me to do the same for others by having the safe place for them to meet up and be who they really are.”
Smith is a longtime fixture in Miami’s gay nightlife scene, having worked at Palace and then Twist for two decades. In 2020, he opened Nathan's Beach Club in South Beach, the club is closed for now but hosts special events every Friday and Saturday at the Foxhole in Miami Beach.
He takes pride in owning a business he considers a “safe place” for the LGBTQ community.
“It is honestly my purpose and passion in life,” he said.
And despite owning a bar, some may be surprised to learn — Smith doesn’t drink.
Smith knows these are rough times for many folks in the queer community and believes kindness is one answer.
“Be aware but do not let it control you. The biggest impact that you have is in your day-to-day life. Politics are there to divide us,” he said. “So be the change you want to see in your day-to-day life. Tell someone they look nice. Help someone when you can. Be the light that is so needed right now. Do not feed into the hate and be the love that is needed.”
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