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, Documentingthe Life and Career of the Famed Burlesque Dancer and Icon
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, along with costumes and other historical artifacts. As an added bonus, attendees can meet Fred Fejes and Rick Karlin, authors of “Last Call South Florida – A History of 1001 LGBTQ-Friendly Taverns, Haunts & Hangouts,” for a book signing.
“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.
The exhibit is curated by Julio Capo, Jr., Ph.D.an author and associate professor of history at Florida International University.
The exhibition, located near Swarovski, between Macy’s and Dillard’s, will be free and open to the public during mall hours.
