May 2015 LGBT Events in Ft Lauderdale

On this Blog, I will post a highlight of some of the LGBT non-profit and political events that are going on in Ft. Lauderdale each month, so folks who want to attend can put them on their Calendars.

Sunday, May 3 – Raise Your Hair High!!! Gospel Brunch – 11:00am. Lips - Fort Lauderdale, 1421 E Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334. It's going to be a hair raising experience, join us for the 2nd annual LIPS fundraiser to benefit SMART RIDE. Bring your friends, unlimited mimosas and Bloody Mary's. https://www.facebook.com/events/767510563356421/

Tuesday, May 5 – Mack Power Lunch – 11:30am – 1:30pm at Beauty and the Feast, 601 N. Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale. At the beginning of every Power Lunch we offer approx. 30 minutes to introduce yourself and chat with fellow attendees in a social setting. There may be a very brief presentation by an event sponsor to share insights and industry information. Then the rest of our time is enjoying lunch and breaking the ice to develop professional friendships with everyone around you.  $34.00, Advance Registration required: www.mackplanet.com

Thursday, May 7, 2015 – GLLN CLE Luncheon – 11:45am – 1:15pm. Tee Jay Thai Sushi, 2254 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305. Cost: $20 members; $25 non-members. Includes appetizers, entree, dessert, soda, coffee/tea, tax and tip. http://www.glln.org/events/

Friday, May 8 – SunServe Silver Serve Luncheon – 11:00am – 1:00pm (Second Friday of the Month). ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL. Every Second Friday of the Month. SunServe is a model 501(c)(3) nonprofit social service agency serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) community in South Florida. We provide high quality, compassionate, and progressive care for all, including those in financial need, minorities, youth, seniors, families, and those with life-challenging physical or emotional conditions. We also perform numerous education and outreach projects. Kindly RSVP by calling 954.764.5150 ext. 114.

Saturday, May 9 – Pride Center Bingo – Second Saturdays of Each Month. 6:30 p.m. doors open; 7:30 p.m. games begin Main Hall, Schubert Building. Bingo; proceeds benefit The Pride Center. The cost is $15.00 for the Bingo Package.  There will be a concession stand open and there is a 50/50 raffle. In general about $1100.00 in prizes are given out. http://www.pridecenterflorida.org/

Saturday, May 9 – The inaugural Diversity Honors, co-presented by the Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park – 6:00pm – 10:00pm at The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Finally an event that brings together the leaders of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties to showcase leadership in diversity. The 2015 Diversity Honors event is a collaboration between two organizations, The Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park. Diversity Honors is designed to put South Florida on the International stage of LGBTQ rights and activism. The event will highlight those who have made a transformational effect on improving the lives of others, leading the change to promote inclusion and acceptance. This milestone event will recognize national honoree Judy Shepard, founder of the Mathew Shepard Foundation, plus several South Florida leaders who have made a significant impact on improving the quality of life for the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) community with special guest presenter Stuart Milk, co-founder and president of the Harvey Milk Foundation. Plus, Deborah Cox, Multi-Platinum Recording Artist & Actress; James Davis (Elaine Lancaster), Entertainer and Philanthropist; Rand Hoch, Palm Beach Human Rights Council; Jazz Jennings, Co-Founder of Transkids Purple Rainbow Foundation; Lillian Tamayo, CEO, Planned Parenthood of South Florida; Judge William Thomas, Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court; and Dean Trantalis, Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner. They will be joined by special guest presenter Stuart Milk, co-founder and president of the Harvey Milk Foundation and Host Craig Steven, WSVN News Anchor. Tickets: $150 per person. http://www.diversityhonors.com/

Tuesday, May 12  – Essential Planning for the Modern Family co-sponsored by Our Fund and The Pride Center – 6:00pm. The Pride Center, 2040 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, Florida 33305. (Estate, Financial and Gift Planning for LGBTQ Families). Experts:

·       Elizabeth Schwartz, ESQ

·       Darcy Beeman, Edwards Jones 

FREE ADMISSION - Wine and light hors d'oeuvres to follow.

Tuesday, May 12 – Mack Mixer Fort Lauderdale – 6:30pm - 9:00pm. TAPS
330 Himmarshee Place, Fort Lauderdale, FL. There’s no doubt MACK continues to redesign how business people create new relationships and establish friendships - regardless of sexuality. MACK aims to be the most reliable business and social network for the Gay and Lesbian Community of South Florida. Join their mailing list, register for a lunch, swing by one of the mixers, but most important - bring your friends! Everyone is welcome. MACK is less about orientation and all about discovering untapped opportunities! Entry $10 includes one Ketle One Cocktail. For information, visit: www.mackplanet.com

Thursday, May 14  – Equality Florida Broward Spring Florida Council Mixer – 6:00pm - 8:00pm. 213 Hendricks Isle
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. *Parking is EXTREMELY limited. Please consider carpooling or other alternatives.* Please join us for a special appreciation event for you, our Florida Council members and your friends, at the beautiful waterfront home of Charles Hindmarsh and David Carme. There will be bountiful beverages, opulent hors d'oeuvres and scintillating socializing! Our very special guest speaker will be Equality Florida's Public Policy Specialist, Carlos Guillermo Smith. Carlos has received many honors, and in 2014 was listed as an LGBT leader in the Congressional Record by Congressman Alan Grayson. He served as Legislative Aide to State Representative Joe Saunders before joining Equality Florida as Public Policy Specialist and was recently quoted in a Time article about the “religious freedom” laws. Carlos is currently in Tallahassee helping to defend LGBT rights during the worst backlash since the days of Anita Bryant, and we look forward to his insider's update. Invite a friend or two! Our mixers are a wonderful opportunity to introduce people to the work of Equality Florida. There is no commitment to become a Council Member, just a chance to meet folks and hear about the great work EqFL is doing. Please RSVP to Row Iliescu, South Florida Development Director, Equality Florida. rowi@eqfl.org

Thursday, May 14  – Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Gay and Lesbian Business Xchange (GLBX) Business After Hours – 5:30pm - 7:00pm. TBD. Broward County's premiere gay-friendly networking organization, maximizing our member’s business profitability. The GLBX Business After Hours receptions are a key element in creating and fostering these relationships. The GLBX meets either the second or the fourth Thursday of each month, depending on venue. Members: Complimentary. Non members $10. Parking $5. http://www.ftlchamber.com/index.php?submenu=Councils&src=gendocs&ref=GLBX_home&category=Groups

Tuesday, May 19th  – Broward House Dinner Under The Stars  – 6:30pm. S3 - Sun Surf Sand, 505 North Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL. Cocktails, Dinner, Silent Auction, and Live Music. Our Grand Reception will be an intimate evening of networking and raising funds and awareness to full Broward House’s programmatic gags to ensure access to health care and support. $150 per person. http://www.browardhouse.org/events/upcoming-broward-house-events

Wednesday, May 20 – Bachelors And Bachelorettes Auction at Red Hot & In Style, A Benefit For Deliver The Dream – The Village Pub, Wilton Manors.  The 3rd annual Red Hot & In Style will be an opportunity for members of the LGBT community to bid on some of South Florida’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, while helping families who are dealing with serious illness. All proceeds from the event directly fund Deliver the Dream’s specialized Family Retreat Program, serving families living with HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Autism, Cerebral Palsy and other life-changing illnesses and crises. There is no cover charge for the event so guests are encouraged to come out and be ready to bid on the ladies and gentlemen and their exciting date packages. http://www.deliverthedream.org/get-involved/red-hot-a-in-style-lgbt

Wednesday, May 20th – Join the GFLGLCC and the YPG for a networking Fundraiser for Poverello’s Bowling to Fight Hunger – 5:30pm - 8:00pm. Hard Rock Cafe a the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314. One complimentary Drink, Appetizers, Happy Hour pricing on additional drinks. Free Parkeing. $10 to benefit our team for Poverello’s Bowling to Fight Hunger Event. http://www.gogayfortlauderdale.com/

Wednesday, May 20 – The Equality Garden Club – The Equality Park Garden Club meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month except December.  It is a Gay and straight friendly garden club with a variety of plant related events.  Meetings include a guest speaker with a horticultural topic, plant exchange, raffle table, and refreshments. For more info contact for Chuck Nicholls at canick@aol.com

Thursday, May 21 – The Pride Center’s Founders Circle Reception – 6:00 – 8:00pm. Gallery of Amazing Things, 481 South Federal Highway, Dania Beach, FL 330004. The Founder's Circle are individuals who make a monthly gift of $100 to the Pride Center. If you are interested in attending the event to see what it is all about, just email Roger Roa at Rroa@PrideCenterFlorida.org and he will put you on the Guest list. There is no commitment to become a Founder, just a chance to meet folks and hear about the great work the Pride Center is doing.

Thursday, May 21 – GLLN Happy Hour – 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Thirteen Restaurant and Bar, 2390 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305. Happy Hours are on the 3rd Thursday of every month at various locations. The mission for the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Network is to provide a social network in which gay, lesbian and gay friendly lawyers can develop their practices through friendships, referral relationships and professional development. Our intention is to fully realize a true business and social network and to provide the opportunity to our participants to support one another in our practices, to promote ourselves within our firms, and to offer a helping hand to each other when needed. http://www.glln.org/uncategorized/happy-hour/

Wednesday, May 28 – GFLGLCC Lunch and Learn – 12:00pm – 1:00pm. TBD. The 4th Tuesday Luncheons are in addition to the Quarterly Networking Luncheons and Executive Lunch. Each will feature a Speaker/Sponsor who will speak briefly to the attendees. There will be only ONE speaker per luncheon. Each luncheon is limited to 25 people which will allow more time to get to know the attendees. Lunch will be served "family style" with several options to save time in ordering. The lunch price includes non-alcoholic beverage, tax and gratuity. The luncheons will be held in the Bali private dining room at Dapur each month. Members: $35,Future Members:  $40. Price includes a 3-course lunch, beverage, tax and gratuity. To RSVP: keith@gflglcc.org

Save the Date:

Art Walk On Wilton Drive – Held on the 3rd Saturday of each month, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m., November through April, along the 1.1 mile Wilton Drive, in the Wilton Manors Art and Entertainment District. The official participants include galleries, eclectic stores, cafes, boutiques and upscale restaurants, which will host over 40 local artists. This is a grassroots collaboration bringing culture and business together for the public to enjoy.  Experience Stonewall Gallery, as part of the Art Walk On Wilton Drive. Free admission and festive offerings along Wilton Drive and throughout Wilton Manors. http://artwalkonwiltondrive.com/

Pride Center Bingo – Second Saturdays of Each Month. 6:30 p.m. doors open; 7:30 p.m. games begin Main Hall, Schubert Building. Bingo; proceeds benefit The Pride Center. The cost is $15.00 for the Bingo Package.  There will be a concession stand open and there is a 50/50 raffle. In general about $1100.00 in prizes are given out. http://www.pridecenterflorida.org/

Wednesday, June 9 – GFLGLCC Quarterly Networking Luncheon – 11:30am- 1:00pm. Steak954, W Ft. Lauderdale, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Please join us for our GFLGLCC Quarterly Networking Luncheon. You'll meet new friends, make business connections and enjoy a wonderful lunch, includes 3 Courses, Beverage, Tax and Gratuity. FLGLCC Members $35 for lunch. Future members $40. Reduced Valet Parking $5. To RSVP or further information, email keith@gflglcc.org

Tuesday, June 16  – Easy steps for Estate, Insurance and Gift Planning co-sponsored by Our Fund and The Pride Center – 6:00pm. The Pride Center, 2040 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, Florida 33305.    (Important planning steps after Marriage Equality).Experts:

·       Andrew Jimenez, ESQ

·       Christopher Dunham, Dunham and Associates Insurance

 FREE ADMISSION - Wine and light hors d'oeuvres to follow.

Thanks,

Lee Rubin

rubinlee@yahoo.com

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