— Charles M. Blow, Columnist, New York Times, 2/11/12

For MBGP 2012, the Board of Directors expects more than 60,000 people will attend from all over the world due to extending MBGP from a one-day to a four-day event which includes new activities, cultural events, and parties starting on Thursday April 13th and culminating with the traditional Parade, Festival, and Entertainment Extravaganza on Sunday, April 15th. All information related to MBGP 2012 and schedule of events can be found at www.MiamiBeachGayPride.com.

The “renaissance” of Miami Beach often is attributed, in part, to the migration of a large LGBT community to Miami Beach over the past twenty years. The community came to live here, to build a diverse community of open-minded people, and to create and invest in new businesses that contribute to the tax base for the City of Miami Beach. And so, the creation of MBGP and participation by Miami Beach government officials, local businesses, nonprofits, churches, and the community at large is a wonderful way to celebrate the contributions of the LGBT community with the greater community at large during a festival for all to enjoy.

MBGP is held each year in April for three main reasons.

1. To complement and not compete against other large Miami Beach LGBT related events that directly benefit the Miami Beach community and include, Winter Party produced by The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in March, Aqua Girl produced by The Aqua Girl Foundation in May, and The White Party produced by Care Resource in November.
2. To not compete against the numerous other “LGBT Prides” traditionally held in June in other major USA cities, such as Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.
3. MBGP’s date ensures that local businesses and hotels benefit from people traveling from all across Florida, the USA, and the world to Miami Beach during what is traditionally the tail-end of the “high season.”

In essence, MBGP is an important and festive event that showcases the vibrant and diverse community of Miami Beach and greater Miami-Dade County. MBGP is fun for families and people from all walks of life, and it is good for businesses and local non-profits alike. MBGP directly benefits the business and non-profit community of both Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County in many ways. Over the past three years more than 400 unique business vendors of all sorts participated in the Festival, selling their goods, food, and services to MBGP attendees. MBGP 2012 will have more than 150 business vendors selling everything from food and beverages, bikes, skateboards, jewelry, sunglasses, and clothing to dental, medical, holistic, real estate services, and more.

Of equal importance is that for 2012, MBGP will provide a venue for non-profits to have exposure to more than 60,000 people providing them an opportunity to educate our community on all on the important work that these nonprofits ­— LGBT, straight, and allied — are doing to help both the Miami Beach and Greater Miami-Dade communities.

Beyond the cultural benefit to Miami Beach, MBGP has a direct positive economic impact to the greater Miami Beach community. Each year this benefit can be calculated using various metrics including: increased sales, where the associated sales tax benefits Miami Beach; Miami Beach Police estimates of total attendees; and hotel occupancy rates. According to police estimates, each year MBGP grows to new heights with more than 60,000 people expected to attend MBGP 2012. Not having sales totals available for all businesses to calculate sales tax contributions to Miami Beach, I instead provide a short analysis from data provided by the Director of Planning & Research at the Great Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau office. This analysis provided below shows the positive economic benefit MBGP has on the Miami Beach community and the potential MBGP has for continued growth and success.

We look forward to seeing you at all of the wonderful cultural and festive events during Miami Beach Gay Pride 2012 in support of the vibrant and diverse Miami Beach community we all love so much.

All details about events during Miami Beach Gay Pride 2012 can be found at www.MiamiBeachGayPride.com.

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Economic impact analysis Miami Beach Gay Pride has on Miami Beach Hotel Occupancy:

Assumptions:

• Miami Beach Gay Pride was marketed as a one-day Saturday event for 2009 and 2010
• Miami Beach Gay Pride was marketed as a one-day Saturday event for 2011 with ancillary events happening two days before hand leading up to Pride
• Most of the analysis below takes into consideration room occupancy starting on the Thursday leading into each Pride weekend, and noting that only 2011 was marketed as a three-day get away
• Miami Beach Gay Pride 2012 is marketed as a three-day get away leading into weekend event with Pride now on Sunday

2008 — Year Before Miami Beach Gay Pride (“MBGP”) Started and partial Recession Year

• Thurs. – Sat. of same week as MBGP 2009 = avg. occupancy rate 82.8%

2009 — First Year of Miami Beach Gay Pride and in a Recession Year

Summary Analysis: All weeks were off compared to prior year due to the recession, BUT MBGP Weekend was better (less off) than the other weeks in April.

• Thurs. – Sat. leading into MBGP 2009 = avg. occupancy rate of 76.0% a (6.8%) decrease from 2008

• Comparing Thurs. – Sat. two weeks prior to MBGP 2009 weekend = avg. occupancy rate DROP off from 2008 for three day period was (10.3%)

• Comparing Wed. – Sat. week leading into MBGP 2009 weekend = avg. occupancy rate DROP off from 2008 for three day period was ONLY(6.8%) = +3.5% positive delta (INCREASE) for this three day period compared to prior two weeks’ three day period drop offs from to 2008

2010 — Second Year of Miami Beach Gay Pride and still in a Recession Year

Summary Analysis: All weeks showed increase from prior year and the Saturday of MBGP had amazing +9.6% increase from prior year = one of the top five increases for the month of April

• Thurs. – Sat. leading into MBGP 2010 = avg. occupancy rate of 80.3% = +4.3% increase from 2009
• Comparing Thurs. – Sat. two weeks prior leading into MBGP 2010 weekend = avg. occupancy rate INCREASE from 2009 for three day period was +4.2%
• Comparing Thurs. – Sat. week leading into MBGP 2010 weekend = avg. occupancy rate INCREASE from 2009 for three day period was +6.4% = +2.2% positive delta (INCREASE) for this three day period compared to prior two weeks’ three day period increase from to 2009

2011 — Third Year of Miami Beach Gay Pride

Summary Analysis: All weeks showed increase from prior year and, while the three day period leading into MBGP did not increase as much as prior two week three day periods in April, the three day period leading into MBGP was the HIGHEST occupancy rate for the same three day period over 2008, 2009, and 2010.

•  Thurs. – Sat. leading into MBGP 2010 = avg. occupancy rate of 84.2% = +3.9% increase from 2011
• Comparing Thurs. – Sat. two weeks prior leading into MBGP 2010 weekend = avg. occupancy rate INCREASE from 2010 for three day period was +7.2%
• Comparing Thurs. – Sat. week leading into MBGP 2010 weekend = avg. occupancy rate INCREASE from 2010 for three day period was +4.8% = (2.4%) negative delta (DECREASE) for this three day period compared to prior two weeks’ three day period increase from to 2010… HOWEVER… THIS WAS STILL AND INCREASE AND…
• Occupancy Rate for Thurs. – Sat. three day period leading into MBGP 2011 averaged 84.2% = THE HIGHEST three day Thurs. – Sat. occupancy rate average over the period 2008, 2009, and 2010 and +1.5% HIGHER than the same three day Thurs. – Sat. period in 2008 (when there was no Pride)!

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With Pride, Chip Arndt
Board of Directors | Treasurer
Miami Beach Gay Pride 2012

Analysis above provided by Chip Arndt, Board of Directors and Treasurer of Miami Beach Gay Pride 2012 and does not represent the views or opinions of any other member of the Board of Directors of Miami Beach Pride but for Chip Arndt.

Have you been to the new LGBT Visitor Center, (sponsored by MetLife) on Miami Beach?

Located conveniently in the historic Old City Hall building at 1130 Washington Avenue, the Visitor Center is fast becoming your one-stop destination for information, publications, wireless internet access, LGBT curious and weekly/monthly community events. The LGBT Visitor Center can also assist with any travel needs such as hotel and excursion reservations, dining and attraction recommendations as well as being a community resource to assist you and your friends & family during your “fun-cation.”

We are excited about some of the great initiatives that we have begun and are striving to launch.

We have just closed our 2nd art Exhibit, “Listen Out”, a project for Gay Black Pride and Black History month. Our first was “This Art is SO Gay”, which opened during Sleepless Night and ran thru Art Basel, giving our South Florida LGBT artists & cultural scene an international view. We have recently partnered with Arts United to have 5 – 6 exhibits each year. Check out GoGayMiami.com to see what is currently on exhibit.

You may have also noticed that we are hosting monthly Career Workshops in conjunction with the LBT Career Enhancement Forums. Topics such as Resume Writing, Starting your own Business, Unemployment and Dressing for Success have already been addressed.

Opening soon is our computer center – Plug-In @ The Center. This will allow residents & visitors access to e-mail, web resources, job searches, etc. And there is always free Wi-Fi, so dropping in between meetings to check and answer e-mails is welcomed & encouraged.

And most importantly, our new GoGayMiami.com website is home to the new Community Calendar. Our local LGBT organizations can enter their own public events into the calendar for locals & visitors alike. This not only provides added exposure & marketing for them but also serves as a resource as organizations plan their schedules and visitors plan their vacations.

The Visitor Center is funded and operated by the MDGLCC Foundation, Inc., the non-profit arm of the Miami Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Chamber membership includes restaurants, nightclubs, realtors, retail operators, municipalities and more. Stop by the Visitor Center and pick-up a copy of our membership directory. At the Chamber we promote “S.O.M.A.,” which means Support Our Members Always, and we hope you will too!

For more information about the Visitor Center, to support the center with a tax-deductable contribution or to inquire about space rental, please contact Cindy Brown, Executive Director at 305.397.8914 or cindy@gogaymiami.com

Cindy Brown
Executive Director
305.397.8914
cindy@gogaymiami.com
www.GoGayMiami.com
It was a real pleasure chatting with you during our recent visit to South Beach. It was our good fortune to wander into the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and find you there. It was a real pleasure chatting with you and hearing a bit about your time at the Guthrie Theater. Michael and I had a wonderful time in Key West and South Beach, but South Beach was definitely a highlight, particularly the Art Deco Tour. Thanks again for your gracious hospitality, and please let us know if your travel plans take you to Minneapolis!

Sincerely,
Mr. & Mrs. Morrie Hartman
Minneapolis, MN 55419

Sherry Roberts & Dr. Alice Randolph

Sherry and Alice have been together 29 years and do not consider themselves exceptional. Actually they describe themselves as boringly normal. Like so many gay couples of their generation, their commitment evolved and they do not have an anniversary date and have not experienced the public celebration that usually occurs on anniversaries.

The first Pride celebration was so special for them because it was a very public acknowledgement of their 26 year relationship and particularly amazing because of the 20,000 + cheering people lining the parade route calling the names of each legacy couple as they passed.

Sherry and Alice expressed surprise that there were so many legacy couples. Many of these couples were meeting each other for the first time and found the experience affirming of their own paths and for the entire LGBT community. Legacy couples talked to each other about their feelings and about their hope that the path would be easier for the next generations.

During the parade there were moments that were particularly poignant. One young couple yelled, “We want to be you in 20 years.” Another common question was “Tell us how to do if?” Many just said “Thanks.”

Honoring the legacy couples is a community validation of not only love but of the work and commitment that goes into sustaining a relationship. Some of the younger members of the LGBT community were curious the challenges of gay relationships such as family responses, and reactions in the workplace.

“We were thrilled to support the Pride celebration four years ago Sherry’s son David and his partner Sean drove our car in the parade and made the event that much more poignant. We had no idea what to expect and we NEVER would have imagined 20,000 people cheering and calling our names. As we rode down Ocean Drive we waved to couples of all types and lots of children. One of the most touching memories (Sherry still cries when she tells the story) of young woman saying we inspired them.”

Rarely is there a time for introspection about the factors that facilitate the survival of a long-term relationship such as commitment, compromise, communication, caring and common values.

Richard H. Murry & Greg Griffin

As a Board member for Pridelines Youth Services, being a Legacy Couple has a deeper meaning and significance than proudly acknowledging my 24-year relationship with my partner Greg,” said Richard Murry. “By walking with the Pridelines youth, instead of being on the Legacy Couple float, we are able to interact with these young people throughout the Parade as role models for lasting and committed relationships. At a time in their lives when a ‘relationship’ lasts all of three weeks, and headlines abound with youth suicides and homelessness, we are living proof for these kids that a happy relationship can also be a reality for them.

John Bariletti & Tom Camerlengo

I have been asked how it felt when I and my partner Tom sat on the back of my convertible holding a sign, and not a small sign either, proclaiming our love for each other in the Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade. We will be celebrating our 30th anniversary this April.

It felt surreal is the best way I can put it. You must remember I came from a simple Italian family in the very macho section of Brooklyn, New York and for me to be in this relationship for one thing was and is hard to believe, but to be out in public sitting on a vehicle holding a sign with, get this, my cousin and my Aunt giving a new meaning of the words “Tutte Familia”, in the front of the car voicing their support was truly surreal. Sitting on my convertible I could not fathom this moment if it wasn’t for people like Rosa Parks saying, “NO,” and not getting off her seat on a bus because of the color of her skin; or those wonderful drag queens in Stonewall, on the day of Judy Garland’s funeral, showing the NYPD that high heels hurt; and having famous people like Ellen DeGeneres and Harvey Milk come out of the closet with so much to lose. So now I, the little Italian from Brooklyn, have a responsibility to the many LGBT youth. Like those before me, making it possible for me to, not only think about being in a Gay Parade but, actually publically proclaiming my love for Tom.

South America is home to many unique attractions that you can’t find anywhere else in the world — the culture, the food, the people, the exotic locations, and the diversity. South America is also home to many wonderful celebrations, including some of the largest and most obscure LGBT Pride festivals. From Sao Paulo, Brazil to the jungles of the Amazon rainforest, gay pride festivals take place throughout South American in almost every country.

Let’s go on a journey to discover a few of South America’s prominent and ground-breaking gay pride festivals. We’ll even tell you how to get there! To begin, the Sao Paulo Gay Pride Parade is the largest of its kind on the planet. The Sao Paulo Gay Pride or Parada do Orgulho Gay GLBT de Sao Paulo, in Portuguese, has grown from 2,000 participants in 1997 to four million people in 2011. Sao Paulo made the Guinness Book of Records in 2006 for the world’s biggest Gay Pride celebration. This year, the event will be held on June 10, 2012 with over 4.5 million people expected.

The entire month of June in Sao Paulo is Pride month and the city will host visitors from all over the world. For the upcoming 2012 parade, the theme will celebrate Brazil’s many victories on gay marriage and same-sex rights in Brazil.

In the neighboring country of Argentina, there is also a large and popular LGBT Pride festival. Every November in Buenos Aires there is the “Marcha del Orgullo” on the first Saturday of the month. Thousands march in celebration of the country’s liberal gay rights policies. In fact, Argentina is often considered the most gay-friendly country in South America and was the first nation in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage. Visitors from all over the world come every year to experience one of the more unique and progressive gay pride events of South America.

Moving north, Lima, Peru is home to a gay pride celebration every June. In 2011, this Pride celebrated its 10th anniversary and drew hundreds of people for the celebratory day. Although small in comparison to neighboring Brazil, the event is unique in that it’s organized by the Homosexual Movement of Lima, which is the oldest gay organization in Latin America. In 2011, Lima Mayor Susana Villaran waved to supporters from a colorful float as she led a small Gay Pride parade down the streets of the Peruvian capital. Although a small gay pride festival, it’s definitely considered to be a more politically charged festival than most garnering international attention.

In the small Amazon town of Benjamin Constant, 2011 marked an important milestone—its first gay pride celebration. The Brazilian town, with approximately 30,000 people from multiple ethnic backgrounds, boasts a small but thriving gay community. This is an example of how progressive South America is in some corners and a reminder that gay rights are spreading to the furthest corners of the world.

Far from being an isolated event, the local gay pride celebration echoes a larger trend across the Amazon. More than 10 small and large towns along the Amazon River have also held successful gay pride celebrations, including Manaus, Brazil celebrating its 12th gay pride event in 2011, Iquitos, Peru celebrating its sixth and Tabatinga, a military town across the river from Benjamin Contstant celebrating its fourth.

Diversity can be found in every corner of South America and the same can be said for the various gay pride celebrations. Some are more celebratory and festival-like, such as in Sao Paulo, while others are more political in nature, such as defending transgender rights in Lima. It’s safe to say though, there is a celebration to experience for all — no matter your background or interest.

Booking a trip to one of the exotic South American pride events has never been easier. LAN Airlines, the leading international airline in South America, provides a number of daily nonstop flights out of Miami to destinations throughout South America, including Lima, Buenos Aires, Bogota and Guayaquil, with convenient connections to over 50 South American destinations. LAN recently unveiled its own LGBT-focused website that serves as a one-stop-shop resource for LGBT travel to South America. Be sure to visit www.LAN.com/diversity for specials when you’re planning your South American gay pride trip and contact your LGBT travel agent or tour operator for more information on these South American gay pride festivals and many more.

Kati Mandakovic
LAN’s Leisure Market Director
LAN.com/diversity
1-866- I FLY LAN

“It is important for the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to help create a dialogue between our community’s advocacy goals with business leaders in South Florida,” said Steve Adkins, President and CEO of MDGLCC. “It is an honor to have 4 such distinguished mayors attending our inaugural event and, we plan to schedule this “State of Our Community” luncheon to be an annual part of our outreach platform.”

“You are incredible. The First Annual ‘State of Our Community’ Luncheon was superb!! The speakers were good and engaged and to have 4 Mayors of the largest municipalities (except Hialeah) appear and be positive was most incredible. THANK YOU!!!”  

Richard Milstein
Akerman Senterfitt
MDGLCC Member

“You did such a magnificent job. Congratulations! You all looked great on Channel 4, as well. Thanks for doing all the great things you do.”

Marty Davis
Legal Solutions Group
MDGLCC Member

(Photo: An extraordinary event with four Mayors and two LGBT community leaders.)

Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to Honor Community Leaders at 11th Annual Gala Awards Celebration: SATURDAY, JUNE 23.

Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber Of Commerce (MDGLCC) will honor corporate and individual leaders of the Miami-Dade LGBT community at its 11th Annual Gala Awards Celebration, beginning at 6:00pm on Saturday, June 23, at the Hilton Miami Downtown, 1601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. The honorees were selected for their long-term commitment to fostering diversity, as well as for their efforts in contributing to the overall well being and quality of life in South Florida.

• “Business of the Year” – IKEA

• “Business Person of the Year” – STEVE HAAS

• “Non-Profit Organization of the Year” – MIAMI BEACH VISITOR & CONVENTION AUTHORITY

• Special Recognition Award – DANIEL SPRING

PURCHASE TICKETS

(Photos: Colorful past galas of blue, green and red.)

Oscar M. Cartagena
President
OCG & Associates, Inc.
MDGLCC Member