Raise your rainbow flags, stock up on party favors and don’t forget to tip your drag queens. Outside of the official events, keep an eye out for Miami Beach Pride-themed drag brunches and satellite parties going down all over the city at Miami’s best gay bars and the hottest South Beach clubs. The legendary Pride Parade closes out the festivities on Sunday. What’s in store for this year’s festivities? Aside from a pool party, the Legends Ball, an art showcase and a bevy of family-friendly activations that honor and celebrate Miami’s diverse LGBTQ+ community, the flagship three-day Pride festival at Lummus Park features English R&B songstress Raye as its headliner, with support from Diva Janice Robinson and electronic artists Beth Sacks, La Trice Perry, Sushiman, Zehno, Dan Slater and SDOT. Since its inception in 2009, the Miami Beach Pride Festival and Parade has grown from a neighborhood gathering of 15,000 to a multiday international extravaganza drawing more than 170,000 attendees. Each business displayed a pride “safe” sticker on their front storefront to indicate that they welcomed anyone who felt unsafe no matter the circumstance.It’s the happiest time of year: Miami Beach Pride is back for 2022, marking the return of one of South Beach’s most colorful and inclusive annual celebrations. Businesses joined together to create safe spots for those in attendance. The Miami Beach Gay Pride fest made sure that their main concern this year was safety. With a two-stage setup, there was a little something for everybody. Some people even did a dance off in the middle of the dance floor.
Wherever there was music, there was a sure party as the crowd danced non-stop. Beach goers passed through, families walked by all enjoying themselves. The day s eemed light and everyone was all smiles. Pride is a celebration that brings out the best in us all. I couldn’t help but notice that all the bartenders I saw were shirtless ripped men. From the vendors selling some of the finest cuisine to the budget friendly alcoholic beverages, it was an A+ experience. The early birds got to enjoy the sound of DJ Adora. Pop sensation Bebe Rexha was spotted backstage. Saturday’s festivities centered on the special celebrity guests which included Ross Matthews previously of the Tonight show with Jay Leno and special guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. With nine years under its belt, the pride fest is surely living up to its slogan that Pride is a celebration that brings out the best in us all. The celebration will finish off with a 5-day cruise to Key West which is also known for its large LGBTQ population. In addition, one of the PULSE survivors exhibited his own display of rainbow-colored LED screens throughout Lincoln Drive. The tribute w ould continue nightly leading up to Sunday. Miami was lit up with the colors of the rainbow. Mario Perez, a Miami native and PULSE survivor, was in attendance and had the honor of pulling the rainbow streamers which introduced the rainbow-colored light display this past Thursday. Tuesday and Wednesday promised social mixers while Thursday was the Lights the Night event where tribute was paid to the fallen victims and the survivors of the PULSE nightclub shooting. The rainbow of flag event was held this year at the convention center in Miami Beach followed by Miss Miami beach gay pageant. The pride fest began this past Monday, with a multitude of events that led up to Sunday’s big parade. Cars were parallel-parked poorly and in residential areas but other than that, the day was one to remember. A group of young men refused to cross the street when the traffic light beamed red and instead decided to throw themselves in the middle of the road once the traffic light turned green. It was apparent that there were out-of-towners considering that people had no concern when crossing the narrow streets of Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive. There was a huge feeling of acceptance of everyone no matter the gender, culture, race or religion. What I admired the most about the Pride fest was that people from all walks of life were in attendance. Annually, hundreds of thousands of people flock to the city to celebrate the freedom of sexual orientation. It’s a coming together of those who support the LGBTQ community. The Miami Beach Gay Pride week long celebration but many come out for its three-day event that celebrates the freedom of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender communities.
It’s also known as being a central point for the LGBTQ community. Miami is known for its array of diversity both in its population and in its culture.