It’s official. After years of false starts, Hotspots Happening Out announced today that a new future is born for Pride Fort Lauderdale. In February it was announced that the former Pride organization board voted to dissolve and transfer Pride Fort Lauderdale to Hotspots Happening Out. When Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis found out he said: “I’m pleased to hear that Pride Ft. Lauderdale has taken on a worthy partner in joining forces with the Stonewall Pride Hotspots Happening Out Organization. Jeff Sterling and his team offer amazing talent and broad experience in producing successful events. I’m looking forward to working with them for the success of our entire community.”
The non-profit media and event organization is the largest of its kind in America. But the real big news today is all about LOVE. How appropriate that in the hostile world our LGBTQ community is facing from radical voices… LOVE seems to be the answer.
Pride Fort Lauderdale Parade and Festival will be held on Saturday, February 14; Valentine’s Day. This was important because weeks of negotiations continued with various decision makers wanting to have Pride Fort Lauderdale in early January. My Hollywood Pride’s marketing is “The First Pride in the World,” and in 2026 it is being held January 24. Negotiations were time consuming to continue Hotspots Happening Out support of My Hollywood Pride being the first Pride event of the calendar year. Today, that became final!
We asked former President of pride Fort Lauderdale, Miik Martorell his thoughts and he said: I’m happy that Pride Fort Lauderdale will continue to live on eventually achieving its 50th anniversary in 2027. It fills my heart with joy to know that an experienced group will be at the helm of a 2026 Pride Fort Lauderdale! When I first got involved almost 12 years ago, my goal was to see our community come together in a wonderful display of love and appreciation for each other and our community. This announcement keeps that vision alive for years to come!
On Friday, February 13 Wilton Manors and the famous LGBTQ entertainment community will host ‘Pride On The Drive’ as a kickoff to what will be a landmark date on the community’s calendar. Another big news is that the parade, for the first time in its nearly 50-year history, will move to the downtown Ft Lauderdale entertainment district. Pride Fort Lauderdale is the oldest LGBTQ Pride celebration in Florida. The parade will be held downtown near Riverwalk. Anchor areas around Pride Fort Lauderdale will include New River, Broward Performing Arts Center and the Museum of Science and Discovery. The parade will end at the Pride Fort Lauderdale festival that will include entertainment stages, vendors, food providers and much more. The location is in the heart of nightclubs, restaurants and other business organizations that will add events, parties and more. Pride Fort Lauderdale will bring the largest LGBTQ presence ever to Downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Hotspots Happening Out Co-CEO, Jeff Sterling, said: “This is the biggest single LGBTQ expansion for the city of Fort Lauderdale since Pandemic. Utilizing the downtown entertainment district, bars, theaters, attractions and all the community and business partnerships will make this one of America’s signature LGBTQ events. Growth for the future is nearly unlimited. Exactly what Fort Lauderdale represents from its large and diverse LGBTQ community.”
Hotspots Happening Out will be unique in producing three nonprofit Pride events including Stonewall Pride on June 14 on Wilton Drive. Then the diversity festival PrideFete on August 9. Rounded out by today’s breaking news of the return of Pride Fort Lauderdale on February 14, 2026.
Stay tuned soon for further details at Pridefortlauderdale.org.
