F T. L A U D E R D A L E
It’s Always Sunny in Ft. Lauderdale
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MIAMI
Life’s a Drag in Miami
These performances are some of the best we've seen By Taylor Henderson
When you think of drag queen hubs around the U.S., Florida isn’t usually the fi rst place that comes to mind. But in Miami, I discovered some of the best shows I’ve ever witnessed firsthand. Palace South Beach (2) is an iconic Miami Beach bar that’s been around for decades, and when the show starts, you’ll quickly learn why. One queen performed Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name” in the rain, broke into cartwheels in high-heeled boots, and shook her boobs under the pouring water like she was in Flashdance. It was surreal to see women who looked like my Aunties screaming over drag queens right next to a table of exotic dancers throwing ones like their lives depended on it. On top of that, Palace’s servers are so beautiful that it feels like you’re staring directly into the sun as you order your QuesaDiva. But the highlight of the trip was R House’s drag brunch (1, 3). The line was down the block and entry is $50, but each guest gets bottomless mimosas, a full family-style meal from chef/owner Rocco Carulli, and one of the best shows of your life. The royal Athena Dion hosted, Morphine Love Dion slammed into splits during her Nicki Minaj medley, Angie Ovahness Pryce twerked in a headstand, and the stunningly beautiful Gadfrie delivered a show-stopping Beyonce Coachella medley that nearly had me in tears. Later, Gadfrie stripped away reveal after reveal to strut around nearly naked, then straddled a patron and (with consent) poured a full carafe of water over them both. At one point, Dion led the crowd into a conga line that quickly evolved into an all-out twerk-session!
The Florida beach town has been embracing LGBTQ+ people of all shades since the 1970s. By Jacob Anderson-Minshall
Fort Lauderdale held its first Pride in 1977, and it was born more from anger than celebration, as LGBTQ+ people spilled onto the streets to protest the state-wide referendum that overturned Miami-Dade County’s landmark gay rights ordinance. Since then, the Florida beach city has gained a well-earned reputation for inclusion a nd celebrat ion of queer travelers and the local LGBTQ+ community. Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to more LGBTQ-owned businesses
than any tourist destination in the nation. There are queer and LGBTQ-embracing hotels for every kind of traveler. Want a dog-friendly beach-side hotel with one of the best pools in the city? Check out W Fort Lauderdale with WET Deck, the pool five floors above the ocean. (Insider tip: want to experience the pool while staying elsewhere? Day passes are available.) Want to bring your furbaby
COURTESY R HOUSE; COURTESY PALACE SOUTH BEACH; COURTESY GREATER FT LAUDERDALE CVB (SEBASTIAN BEACH)
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