In 2017, Pride Fort Lauderdale celebrated its 40th anniversary on Fort Lauderdale Beach, attracting more than 40,000 people for the festivities. With everything from protests and political parades, to lively parties and beach festivals, the rich program of events each year continues to keep pride enthusiasts coming to this dreamy LGBTQ destination on the sea. The varied nature of Fort Lauderdale Pride over the years has givin this pride a unique and inspiring history.

Since then, the name and location of Fort Lauderdale Pride have varied over the years, however, the core value has remained untouched: to promote and maintain pride in Fort Lauderdale and support organizations and business that nurture the local LGBTQ community. The need to launch Pride Fort Lauderdale came in the height of protests surrounding entertainer and evangelical activist Anita Bryant, who led a discriminatory and hateful campaign that aimed to overturn a landmark gay civil rights ordinance in Miami-Dade County.

Surely the only thing better than celebrating Gay Pride is ringing it in on the beach? Well, luckily, Fort Lauderdale Pride allows you to do both! Fort Lauderdale Pride is the oldest Pride in Florida, and was first launched in 1978.