By: Johnny Diaz
One of the RHouse Drag performances in Wynwood which will be hosting its first LGBTQ Pride this June.
Like a giant peacock, South Florida loves to show off its LGBTQ pride.
Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors have long been known for their annual pride parades. Last October, Hialeah launched its own event.
Now, Miami’s colorful artsy Wynwood district plans to hold its own LGBTQ festival.
The neighborhood will host a series of Pride festivities throughout June for National LGBTQ Pride Month. Events include drag performances, vogueing competitions, panel discussions, art and fashion installations and HIV testing.
The festivities will culminate June 21-23 with the Wynwood Pride Music Festival which will be hosted by former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Carmen Carrera and other drag stars Pabllo Vittar, AJA, and Dorian Electra at The Wynwood Marketplace, 2250 NW 2nd Ave. DJ Citizen Jane is also part of the line up.
The events, which are free and open to the public, are being organized by event company SWARM and the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID).
“We encourage the South Florida community to attend the numerous events during Wynwood Pride that will spotlight the contributions of the LGBTQ community in June,’’ said Albert Garcia, vice chairman of Wynwood BID, a board that represents 400 property owners in the 50-city block district.
“We are excited to welcome the city of Miami’s inaugural Pride festival to Wynwood, a neighborhood that’s historically been home to people of all backgrounds,” said Miami mayor Francis Suarez.
For more information on the pride festivities, visit WynwoodPride.com
Although the event may be a first for the neighborhood, it’s not Miami’s first gay Pride. That took place in downtown in 1978. Photos of the event are featured in a new exhibit “Queer Miami” at the HistoryMIami Museum.