HISTORY FORT LAUDERDALE AND GALLERIA FORT LAUDERDALE PRESENT THE WESTIN FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH RESORT “TAKE PRIDE!” 2025, A TICKETED BENEFIT RECEPTION AND EXHIBITION HONORING AND SHOWCASING LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ADVOCATES
June 18 Opening Benefit Reception to Honor LGBTQ+ Local Allies; FREE Public Exhibition to Feature Highlights from “Zorita’s World” and “Last Call South Florida – A History of 1001 LGBTQ-Friendly Taverns, Haunts & Hangouts”
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 5, 2025) – History Fort Lauderdale and Galleria Fort Lauderdale will present The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort “Take PRIDE!” 2025, a ticketed benefit reception and exhibition honoring and showcasing LGBTQ+ community advocates during Pride Month. On Wednesday, June 18, at 6 p.m., a special opening preview reception hosted by FayWhat?! and previous “Take PRIDE!” honoree Shawn “Kitty Meow” Palacious will pay tribute to 10 new impactful LGBTQ+ community leaders with a special performance by Rianna Petrone along with music by DJ Jay McCracken of Spiked Entertainment. From June 19 – July 13, the public is invited to view the FREE companion exhibition, Zorita’s World, featuring photography highlights from the life and career of famed burlesque dancer, icon and LGBTQ+ advocate Zorita, plus “Last Call South Florida – A History of 1001 LGBTQ-Friendly Taverns, Haunts & Hangouts” by Fred Fejes and Rick Karlin, along with costumes and other historical artifacts.
“We are proud to honor this year’s LGBTQ+ advocates whose leadership, advocacy for equality and contributions to the South Florida political, business and arts landscapes are revered and innumerable,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. “South Florida has prospered and grown on the wings of their commitment to inclusivity and acceptance for all. We are grateful for their perseverance and sharing their stories so that we may continue to champion diversity in our city and beyond.”
The 2025 “Take PRIDE!” honorees who have made significant contributions to the South Florida community are: Steve Glassman, City of Fort Lauderdale District 2 Commissioner; the Honorable Robert Lee retired judge; Scott Holland, vice president of operations and associate publisher of HotSpots! magazine and Happening Out Network; Michael Berry, complex general manager at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort; FayWhat?! Albernas, of The FayWhat?! Show on the Happening Out Television Network; Velvet Lenore, entertainer and philanthropist; T.P. Lords, entertainer and choreographer; Tony Lima, CEO and executive director, SunServe; Franchesca D’Amore, founding president and executive director of TransEd and Ed Hashek, arts advocate and philanthropist.
The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort “Take PRIDE!” 2025 exhibit will feature photos and ephemera from Zorita’s World, the life and career of famed burlesque dancer and icon Zorita, as well as her same-sex relationships and networks of friends. The performer and entrepreneur pushed boundaries in Miami and beyond in the 1940s, ‘50s, and ‘60s – a time when so much of what she did was often controversial and illegal. Today, perhaps more than ever, her legacy and influence offer important lessons on the power of individuals in shaping history and making necessary waves towards progress. Also featured will be selections from “Last Call South Florida – A History of 1001 LGBTQ-Friendly Taverns, Haunts & Hangouts” by Fred Fejes and Rick Karlin, co-curated by Ellery Andrews, deputy director at History Fort Lauderdale and Julio Capo, Jr., an author and associate professor of history at Florida International University.
“Galleria Fort Lauderdale is grateful for the support and sense of community that this year’s ‘Take Pride!’ honorees have fostered,” said Melissa Milroy, senior marketing manager at Galleria Fort Lauderdale. “Our city’s remarkable growth is due, in part, to the contributions of these illustrious and dedicated community leaders who strive to ensure equality and representation. We welcome our shoppers to learn more about them during their visit.”
Additional contributors to this year’s reception and exhibit are Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library and Florida International University. Capó curated a different exhibition on Zorita’s life in 2024 for Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library.
The exhibition, located near Swarovski, between Macy’s and Dillard’s, will be free and open to the public during mall hours.
