Welcome to Florida’s gay capital! With a gay mayor, the highest population of same-sex couples in the state, and year-round Pride events, Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors earned their title of Florida’s gay mecca.
If you want to move here, you’ll find a city that discarded its reputation as a Spring Break party town and became a safe and welcoming haven for LGBTQ+ singles, couples, and families to call home.
A Very Brief History of Fort Lauderdale
Named after Major William Lauderdale and several United States military forts from the Second Seminole War, Fort Lauderdale was settled in 1838 and incorporated in 1911.
Heavy development happened during a 1920s land boom, and the first of Fort Lauderdale’s 165 miles of inland canals were constructed, earning it the nickname “Venice of America.” Despite its history of segregation, today, the city is one of the most diverse and progressive in the country. Its people come from 170 different countries, and 147 different languages are spoken here, making the city truly in a league of its own when it comes to welcoming people from all over the world.
Fort Lauderdale’s LGBTQ Community
Although recent legislation in Florida has put the gay community on alert, the Fort Lauderdale area and gayborhood Wilton Manors have 214,000 LGBTQ+ people, 4.5% of the population.
Compared to other LGBTQ-friendly states, Greater Fort Lauderdale is among the best for gay people. It scores 100 on the Municipal Index Equality Scorecard (MEI) thanks to complete sexual orientation and gender identity protections for employment, housing, and public accommodations.
On February 14th, 2015, just one month after Florida legalized same-sex marriage, a mass wedding ceremony of 37 gay couples was held at Wilton Manors City Hall.
Wilton Manors is the second gayest city in America and home to the Pride Center at Equality Park, an LGBTQ+ community center, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce. It supports gay-owned restaurants, hotels, and other economic opportunities for the gay population.
As a vacation destination, there are numerous hotel and guesthouse establishments that are proudly LGBTQ-owned in Ft. Lauderdale and Wilton Manors. For example, the Coral Reef Guesthouse is exclusively gay and 18-or-over, offering private rooms for intimate staycations or the ultimate honeymoon trip.
Lauderdale’s Ever-Vibrant LGBTQ Events Scene
As the LGBT+ capital of Florida, it’s no surprise that Fort Lauderdale has an active social calendar. In June, the Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival celebrate the historic Stonewall Riots and the beginning of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The parade and festivities are one weekend, but June is full of smaller gatherings to celebrate the Pride movement.
Pride Fort Lauderdale historically held a week-long celebration in October; they also have the Pride Fort Lauderdale Parade and Festival scheduled for February 7-9, 2025. One October celebration that will continue is the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival, with movie premieres, parties, and awards for the gay film community.
Top Gay Neighborhoods of the Floridan Gem
Fort Lauderdale, often hailed as a premier LGBTQ+ destination, is celebrated for its inclusive atmosphere and vibrant community. Known for its beaches and nightlife, this coastal city offers a range of districts that are particularly welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community.
Here are some of the top gay-friendly areas in Fort Lauderdale that stand out for their inclusivity and lively culture.
North Beach
Wilton Manors may be the gay mecca in Greater Fort Lauderdale, but North Beach is a close runner-up. South of Fort Lauderdale city limits, the neighborhood’s luxury condominiums and million-dollar beachfront properties have come a long way from the area’s humbler fishing background.
This is an outdoor-lovers paradise, from the Anne Kolb Nature Center and many beaches to the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program, designed to log and protect sea turtle nests.
Moving to North Beach
This is a small community of about 784 people living in condos, apartments, and single-family homes. Prices range from $500,000 for a one-bedroom bungalow to over $3 million or more for a beachfront four-bedroom.
Condos are typically $700,000 to $1.5 million. Students attend Dania Elementary School, Olsen Middle School, and South Broward High School.
Pompano Beach
This busy oceanfront neighborhood takes its name from a fish local to the area’s ocean. Incorporated in 1908, Pompano is undergoing extensive revitalization. There is a growing LGBTQ+ community and many new gay businesses and shops at the Fisher Family Pier.
This area hosts various fun moments that celebrate its vibrant culture and inclusivity. The annual arts festival showcases visual art, live performances, and interactive activities, celebrating the local culture scene.
Additionally, Pride Pompano Beach, a growing event, includes a parade, drag shows, and live entertainment, providing a welcoming space for gay men and women.
Moving to Pompano Beach
About 46% of the 13,361 people who live here are over 65, making this community a great choice for retirees. Homes are primarily condominiums and apartments, with prices ranging from $400,000 to $1 million.
Some single-family homes, even those with smaller square footage, are close to $1 million thanks to their oceanfront location. Kids in Pompano attend Cresthaven Elementary, Crystal Lake Middle, and Deerfield Beach High.
Sea Ranch Lakes
The Village of Sea Ranch Lakes is an up-and-coming LGBTQ+ neighborhood in Greater Fort Lauderdale, surrounded by Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. This is an extremely private gated community with resort-style living.
Sea Ranch Lakes surprisingly has no public property; it’s all owned by The Sea Ranch Beach Club. Residents pay annual dues to the club and vote on its board.
Moving to Sea Ranch Lakes
About 20 minutes from downtown, Sea Ranch Lakes has approximately 600 residents in .2 square miles. The roughly 200 residential properties are primarily single-family homes, with prices in the millions. Students attend McNab Elementary School, Pompano Beach Middle School, and Northeast High School.
Lauderdale Lakes
Lauderdale Lakes in West Fort is the quintessential noisy, bustling, oceanside neighborhood you might expect from this gay city. Known as the heart of Broward County, it’s highly walkable and easy to drive. Major roads through the neighborhood make it quick to reach downtown, 8 miles away.
The growing LGBTQ+ population here celebrates Pride, the Black Excellence Parade and Festival, the Caribbean Heritage Festival Unifest, and more.
Moving to Lauderdale Lakes
Lauderdale Lakes's 32,000 residents often move here for gated condominium communities, Spanish ranch-style single-family homes, or modern bungalows at budget-friendly prices. Prices range from $140,000 to $450,000. Children here attend Castle Hill Elementary, William Dandy Middle School, and High School of Lauderhill.
Neighborhoods in the Fort Lauderdale area have a variety of styles, vibes, and prices. If you’re looking for a bohemian studio on Wilton Drive or a luxurious oceanfront near Sebastian Beach, we can help you through the pre-approval process, so you know exactly what you can afford.
Things to Do: Our Favorite Spots in the City
As one of the country’s most LGBTQ-friendly cities, Fort Lauderdale has something fun for everyone. Along with Wilton Manors, there are almost 200 gay-owned businesses and plenty of gay-friendly hotels, bars, clubs, and shopping locations. Enjoy a wild night in town, a relaxing brunch in the sun, and a dose of LGBTQ+ culture!
Nightlife
Not surprisingly, the nightlife in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors is electric! Ramrod Leather Bar on Wilton Drive is a world-famous gay leather-fetish bar with rotating DJs, theme nights, and a wild atmosphere. Hunters Nightclub is a more upscale, two-story dance club that repeatedly wins the South Florida Gay News “Best Bar” award.
For the ultimate nightclub experience, hit the dance floor at The Manor, an epic event space with multiple bars that is a favorite for locals and visitors.
Bars and Restaurants
Nightclubs aren’t the only places to find drinks and dancing. Enjoy some Western flair at Scandals Saloon with free line-dancing lessons Monday through Thursday and delicious cocktails all week. If you’re more in the mood for an award-winning restaurant, drag brunch, and happy hour karaoke, check out Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar, voted one of the top gay bars in the country.
Ramrod Fort Lauderdale offers a vibrant atmosphere with themed nights and strong drinks, catering to a diverse crowd. Hunter’s Nightclub, known for its energetic dance floor and friendly vibe, hosts events that draw in large crowds.
Another favorite brunch option is Rosie’s Bar & Grill, with bottomless mimosas and DJs. And no Fort Lauderdale gay experience is complete without dining at Lips, the ultimate drag queen palace and restaurant.
Arts and Culture
Though you have your pick of amazing nightclubs, there’s plenty of culture centered around the LGBTQ+ community. A crown jewel in greater Fort Lauderdale gay culture is the Stonewall National Museum and Archives, nicknamed the “LGBTQ+ community’s Smithsonian.” This is the largest gay archive and library in the country, with rotating galleries of items relevant to many years of gay human rights.
Stonewall National Museum and Archives also seeks to preserve the story of the queer BIPOC communities in Florida and beyond. Last year, its “Beau McCall’s Rewind: History on Repeat” exhibition demonstrated the power of Black LGBTQ friendship throughout beautiful candid photographs of friends.
A smaller Wilton Manors attraction is the World AIDS Museum, an educational center developed to end the stigma around HIV/AIDS and preserve its history. While there, check out the many quirky shops on Wilton Drive.
For a laid-back experience in the sun, stroll down Las Olas Boulevard where Pride flags hang outside chic boutiques and art galleries. Hop on a Paddle Pub boat tour at the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District, or spend the day at one of the city’s famous beaches, Fort Lauderdale Beach or Sebastian Street Beach.
Find Your Florida Dream Home
No matter what style of home or neighborhood atmosphere you’re looking for, Greater Fort Lauderdale probably has it! There are possibilities for every budget, whether you’re in the market for a cozy $500,000 bungalow or an expansive million-dollar penthouse condominium.
The average price of a home in this area is around $635,000. If you want to put down a 20% down payment and avoid mortgage insurance, you’ll need to save up around $127,000, which can be daunting. However, Pride Lending can help you find down payment assistance programs that make this cost a little more bearable.
One option is the First-Time Homebuyers Program, which can provide up to $75,000 as a second loan for income-eligible individuals. There is also a Purchase Assistance program for low-income individuals that offers a low-interest, deferred payment loan.
We’ll scour both state and national programs that can provide the funds you need to achieve homeownership, and we will also review other programs with low down payment requirements with you, such as FHA loans that only require a 3.5% down payment for well-qualified individuals. We can also connect you to a conventional loan that only requires 5% upfront or 3% for first-time home buyers.
Before you dive into your home search, contact Pride Lending and use our free mortgage pre-approval request to learn how much home you can afford. Our team works with LGBTQ+ folks in a safe, understanding environment.
Pride Lending is committed to helping people from all backgrounds and identities find the right mortgage for their needs. Our team is composed of allies and members of marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals. We’ll assist you in reviewing different mortgage lenders and programs, which can include FHA, VA, conventional, and investment mortgage products depending on your specific financial goals.
Whether this is the first city you’re searching in or the last, Pride Lending will help make your homeownership dreams a reality!
Comments