Miami Beach Gay Pride Presents: “SOIRÉE”

Proving that “Pride” is a feeling expressed year-round by the South Florida LGBTQ community, especially now that the ban on same-sex marriage has been lifted, Miami Beach Gay Pride will present “Soirée,” the second annual VIP cocktail reception to raise funds to help produce this year’s Pride parade and festival.

Leading the “Soirée” festivities will be NBC6 anchor of “6 in the MixRoxanne Vargas and diva-licious celebrity entertainer Elaine Lancaster. The event will feature premium open bar cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and will take place Thursday, January 15, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the official host hotel of Pride, the Hotel Victor, 1144 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach.

In addition to mixing and mingling with Pride supporters to the sounds of DJ Adora, “Soirée” will present the world premiere of the 2015 Pride video, which has been produced by media partner NBC6. Representatives from Chipolte Mexican Grill will also be on hand to accept the “Best Float Award” for the 2014 parade, as voted on by a blue-ribbon panel of judges.

The event will also mark the official launch of the 2015 Angels program, whereby individuals can pledge donations to provide critical funding for the production of Miami Beach Gay Pride. For 2015, the Angels program has been completely redesigned to provide enhanced donor benefits and acknowledgements to its members. For a list of donor benefits, visit: www.miamibeachgaypride.com/angels.

“The essence of Miami Beach Gay Pride is that it’s a celebration of the LGBTQ community, for the LGBTQ community and our allies,” said Mark Fernandes, Pride’s Board Chair. “As the event’s popularity and participation have grown exponentially in six short years, so have the expenses to produce it. We’re committed to keeping Pride a free event for the community and fundraisers throughout the year like ‘Soirée’ and individual donations from Angels will help us continue to achieve that commitment.”

Tickets for the event are free with an Angels membership. Non-member tickets are $75 in advance or $100 at the door. 100% of the proceeds benefit Miami Beach Gay Pride. To register for the Angels program or purchase individual tickets, visit https://www.miamibeachgaypride.com/events.

Since its inception in 2009, Miami Beach Gay Pride has grown from a neighborhood event to an event on the global stage with A-list celebrities such as Adam Lambert performing in 2013 and Gloria Estefan serving as Grand Marshal in 2014. Attendance has grown as well. An estimated 15,000 spectators turned out for the first Pride parade in 2009; an estimated 100,000 attended the two-day event in 2014, which attracted not only South Floridians, but also visitors from throughout the world. In addition to Parade spectators, last April’s event included more than 100 parade contingencies, 35 floats and 2,000 participants.

The Pride Festival which followed featured 145 LGBTQ-friendly vendors and businesses, plus refreshments, two stages of entertainment, a family-friendly play area and fireworks. Recently, Miami Beach Gay Pride was named one of the “Top 100 Events of the Year” for 2014 by BizBash Magazine and earned the Pink Flamingo award for “Favorite Multi-Day Event” for the second year in a row.

The mission of Miami Beach Gay Pride is to bring together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, their friends, allies, and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBTQ community. Miami Beach Gay Pride organizes free, safe, quality, mass-appeal events that are open to all, including the annual parade and festival, which features community booths and expo areas, stages with entertainment, food and drink vendors and family-safe play areas. Additionally, Miami Beach Gay Pride produces educational, cultural and entertainment events and activities throughout the year and sanctions official Pride-related events in order to create a truly celebratory experience for the whole community.

For 2015, Miami Beach Gay Pride will become a full, two-day festival, April 11 – 12, and will include a Saturday beach party, women’s events and a community stage for South Florida artists to perform. Miami Beach Gay Pride is produced with the support of the Miami Beach Visitors and Convention Authority. For more information visit www.miamibeachgaypride.com.

Contact Us