WAM’S RED DRESS GALA RAISES MORE THAN $100K

John Hayden

When you entered the party, all you saw was a sea of fierce red fashion.

healthy lifestyles to pride-themed clothes, jewelry, and welcoming congregations. Several area bars set up shop, including Boardwalk and Hamburger Mary’s. Hunters sponsored the VIP tent.

From the start of the party, dance music blared from the stage. However, no live entertainers or hosts took the stage until late mid-afternoon.

About an hour after sundown, LGBT icon Boy George, took the stage and thrilled the remaining crowd.

Sunday Splash

The closing pool party was held Sunday at Rok Bar Day Club. Several hundred people showed up to enjoy the end of the weekend. Despite less-than-ideal circumstances surrounding POTA, the weather was ideal. Sunny and in the low-eighties all weekend helped the vibes.

“We all needed a win,” Pride President Miik Martorell said. “With the beautiful weather and the great crowd, and the volunteers, we got it.”

Indeed, despite all the obstacles leading up to the event, volunteers stayed the course. Martorell says this would have been impossible without them.

“The volunteers were exceptional. It takes a lot out of you to do this. One volunteer I worked closely with was there every day from start to finish, and he wasn’t the only one.”

Clearing A Low Bar

The original vision for POTA was a grand, weeklong event with a Mayor’s Welcome, a 5k, and more. It was predicted that up to 350,000 people would come to Greater Fort Lauderdale for a week on the beach.

In the end, no events happened on the beach. Martorell estimates that 15,000 people total attended events. Since the pandemic delayed the original April 2020 date, funding dropped off, grants expired, and sponsors pulled out.

Executive Director Kevin Clevenger announced before the festival he would leave after the event wrapped up.

Steven Crawford, Pride vice president, is also leaving. Before POTA, he said, “The fact that it’s happening makes it feel like it’s successful.”

Now, POTA has happened. The question is: what’s next?

The Red Dress Dress Red gala went down at the DCOTA (Design Center of the Americas).

The venerable party made its Florida debut as a fundraiser for the World AIDS Museum (WAM). The event raised more than $100,000. Since the money is donated as part of WAM’s AIDS Walk efforts, all the funds will be matched.

Executive Director Terry Dyer said even he was blown away.

“It makes me feel so proud. I knew South Florida would show up and show out with their outfits. Everyone was dressed to the nines. There was creativity. There was comfy cozy, chic, elegant, rock, and leather. My heart was filled to see all the beauty in one room having the time of their lives.”

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis issued a proclamation celebrating WAM’s efforts and reinforcing the city’s support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“The color red has been part of the HIV awareness program ever since the beginning,” Trantalis said.

“With WAM, it’s a continuation of that history.” Local and national stars took the stage, with Velvet LeNore emceeing. Headlining the night was out country music star Billy Gilman. When friends approached him about performing at the gala, Gilman says he was all in.

“Anything to help the betterment of people, especially in our community, is so important.”