City Of Miami Beach Becomes A Sponsor Of New York Pride Parade & Festival
Photo: South Beach’s own Elaine Lancaster will lead a Miami Beach delegation during NYC’s Pride at the end of June.
The City of Miami Beach is packing its rainbow flag and heading to the Big Apple as one of the sponsors of the upcoming New York City Pride on June 27. Manhattan’s “sixth borough” intends to show that Miami Beach is so proud, its LGBT visitors need an extra hour each day of the week to experience one of the most accepting and diverse cities in the world. That’s the message behind the City’s “Miami Beach Proud 25/7” NYC Pride theme.
“In addition to our white powder beaches, world-class shopping, non-stop nightclubs and five-star dining, Miami Beach has a long and strong history of acceptance and progressive attitudes toward the LGBT community,” said Miami Beach City Manager Jorge M. Gonzalez. “We’re proud of our reputation as a top destination for LGBT travelers, and we’re also proud of our nearly two-decade history of supporting LGBT residents and businesses — including our domestic partnership registry, a Gay Business Development Committee, and one of the strongest human rights ordinances on record of any city.”
For the NYC Pride parade, Gonzalez said the city will participate by fielding a street team, led by legendary drag diva Miss Elaine Lancaster, and complete with a large banner and body-painted marchers harnessed to giant
“Miami Beach Proud 25/7” balloons. Members of the street team will also interact with spectators along the parade
route and distribute 25/7 Proud fans, temporary tattoos and sunscreen samples, all designed to remind the expected 1.5 million spectators that there’s so much shopping, dining, staying, playing and discovering in Miami Beach, they’ll need an extra hour each day when they visit.
One of those spectators will be Miami Beach resident James Keith Buehner, who won the Proud 25/7 drawing at the Miami Beach Pride Expo tent. In addition to round-trip airfare, Buehner and his guest will be treated to VIP status at NYC Pride’s “Dance on the Pier” immediately following the parade.
Finally, for those who want to share their favorite “Proud 25/7 moment” — whether from New York or Miami Beach – the City is hosting a Facebook photo contest where the winner will receive a two-night stay and spa treatments from the Shore Club. To enter the photo contest, log onto www.miamibeach25-7.com, click on the Facebook link at the bottom of the page, and upload a photo to the Miami Beach 25/7 fan page. Or simply follow the video instructions linked to the Neo Scan tag on the back of the “Proud 25/7” fans.
For more information on NYC Pride, Mark’s List Guide to NYC Pride