Ask most travelers to name the top LGBT travel destinations in the United States, and Fort Lauderdale will likely rank near the top. This Florida vacation city has long been a favored getaway for LGBT visitors—particularly gay men—and it is actively broadening its appeal across the entire LGBTQ community. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, which notes it is the only CVB in North America with a dedicated LGBTQ department, leads those efforts.
Stonewall Pride banner © Lee Serenethos | Dreamstime.com
“The rainbow flag flies loud and proud in Broward County, and we are committed to welcoming all segments of the LGBTQ community, as we always have and will continue to for years to come,” said Richard Gray, LGBTQ managing director for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.
In 2014, Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomed about 1.5 million LGBT visitors, according to the CVB. To better serve a wider range of travelers, the bureau has commissioned research into the travel habits of LGBTQ families and transgender travelers, and is using those insights to shape marketing and programming.
The destination offers numerous attractions and cultural resources that appeal to LGBTQ visitors. These include the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, which preserves and interprets LGBT history and culture; the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center, described as the first museum devoted to the global AIDS story; and the global headquarters of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, the leading international organization for LGBTQ travel professionals.
Much of the area’s LGBT-oriented nightlife, dining and shopping is concentrated in Wilton Manors, a distinct municipality within Broward County. Wilton Drive is lined with LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly bars, restaurants and boutiques, and it hosts recurring events such as the Art Expo, held on the third Saturday each month from November through April, and Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride in mid-June. The city also serves as a hub for larger gatherings, including the annual Southern Comfort Conference, the nation’s largest transgender conference, which in recent years has been hosted at venues like the Bonaventure Resort & Spa.
Fort Lauderdale’s combination of welcoming local leadership, cultural institutions, and a lively neighborhood scene makes it a leading U.S. destination for LGBTQ travelers seeking both community and rich programming throughout the year.