A History Fort Lauderdale Exhibition, to Honor the LGBTQ+ community on May 28
Save the date and time of Thursday, May 28, from 6 to 8pm, to celebrate PRIDE Month at Galleria Fort Lauderdale with “Take PRIDE!” 2026, a History Fort Lauderdale benefit cocktail reception and exhibition honoring LGBTQ+ community advocates. The special event, hosted by previous “Take PRIDE!” honoree FayWhat?!, will kick off Wilton Manors Stonewall PRIDE Parade & Street Festival activities and pay tribute to some of South Florida’s most impactful LGBTQ+ leaders with surprise performances. Attendees will also receive a sneak preview of the exhibition “Coming Out of the Shadows” that will run from May 29 – June 30 at Galleria Fort Lauderdale (2414 East Sunrise Blvd).
“Galleria Fort Lauderdale is a proud supporter of our community and the immeasurable contributions of this year’s ‘Take Pride!’ honorees,” said Tatiana Juarez, regional marketing director at Galleria Fort Lauderdale. “As a welcoming environment for all, we invite guests to shop and dine while learning more about our dedicated leaders and local history.”
This year’s “Take PRIDE!” honorees who have made significant contributions to the South Florida community are:
Chris Caputo, commissioner and vice mayor of the City of Wilton Manors; Dennis Dean, executive director of ArtsUnited; Robert Griffin and Durell Watkins, the bishops of Sunshine Cathedral; Ronnie Larsen, actor, director, playwright, and producer; Rafaelé Narváez, co-founder and director of health programs for Latinos Salud; Jason Parsley, owner and publisher of Out South Florida; William C. Schultz, police chief, City of Fort Lauderdale; Nicole Stodard, artistic director of Thinking Cap Theatre; and Tatiana Williams, founder and executive director of TransInclusive Group, Inc.
Scott Holland was able to ask three of his friends their thoughts on being honored this year and they said:
Dennis Dean: “Pride, to me, is about visibility with purpose. It’s celebrating who we are—loudly and unapologetically—while creating space for others to feel seen, valued, and inspired. Through the arts, we don’t just express Pride… we activate it, we share it, and we build community around it. It’s truly an honor to be recognized for this year’s TAKE PRIDE award.”
Jason Parsley: “Pride is about visibility, history, and community, and this event brings all of that together. I’m honored to be among this year’s honorees and proud to continue telling stories through Out South Florida that connect and uplift our community.”
Commissioner Chris Caputo: “I’m deeply humbled to be recognized as a 2026 Take PRIDE! honoree. This honor means a great deal not only because of what it represents, but because of the extraordinary company it places me in — leaders, artists, advocates, public servants, and community builders who have shaped LGBTQ+ life in South Florida in meaningful and lasting ways. To be included alongside this year’s honorees, and among the names recognized in prior years, is truly an honor. Our community’s progress has always been built by people willing to show up, speak up, and make space for others, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to play even a small part in that work.”
The “Take PRIDE!” 2026 exhibit “Coming Out of the Shadows” will feature photos and ephemera that tell the stories of the tumultuous political climate of 1960s pre-Stonewall Fort Lauderdale. The exhibit, a collaboration with Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library and Florida International University, is curated by Fred Fejes, professor emeritus of multimedia studies at Florida Atlantic University and Julio Capo, Jr., an author and associate professor of history at Florida International University.
“History Fort Lauderdale is proud to be a beneficiary of this important event that showcases the valuable legacies of our LGBTQ+ businesses and influential leaders across a variety of disciplines,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director, History Fort Lauderdale. “Education and tolerance is paramount as we continue to build upon these touchstones and safeguard our progress to ensure that Fort Lauderdale remains a welcoming place to live and visit for all…during PRIDE month and beyond.”
The exhibition will be free and open to the public during mall hours.
“Take PRIDE!” is presented by Galleria Fort Lauderdale with support from Hotspots Happening Out, OUT SFL, Hunters Nightclubs, Gulf Stream Distillery, Ethos Greek Bistro, and GPR | Goodman Public Relations.
Tickets for the May 28 “Take PRIDE!” reception are $50 and are available at Historyfortlauderdale.org. Guests will enjoy a preview of the exhibit, surprise performances, cocktails and light bites.
For more information about Galleria Fort Lauderdale or for a complete list of retailers, call (954) 564-1015 or visit www.galleriamall-fl.com.
