WINTER PARTY DANCES INTO MIAMI FOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY

There’s always a good reason to throw a party.

With that spirit in mind, the LGBTQ Task Force arrives in South Florida this week to dance up some dollars.

Winter Party is the occasion, a week (March 1-7) of music and dance events at venues in Miami and Miami Beach with the goal of raising money for organizations serving the LGBT community.

This year is the event’s 30th anniversary and comes at a tumultuous time for the movement, as lawmakers have made a habit of targeting LGBT people. Bans on pride flags and queer-themed books, investigations into drag shows and plans to boot transgender troops from the military have all been proposed by politicians eager to score points with social conservatives.

In the face of these increased hostilities, Task Force Executive Director Kierra Johnson said it’s important to remember the victories.

“While it’s undeniable that we have hit hard times with the increased number of attacks on our communities across the nation – at the local, state and federal levels. We must acknowledge and celebrate the tremendous strides forward that we’ve made,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the ruthlessness and cruelty coming from the far right is a bitter realization that time is running out. A majority of Americans approve of same-sex marriage, more and more same-sex couples are having children – either through adoption or surrogacy – and raising families and three U.S. states elected gay governors.

“It’s critical for us to remember our ancestors and those who came before us who could never even dream of the support, number of allies and the way legislation has evolved over the last 50 years,” Johnson said. Along with raising money, Winter Party is a way to rejuvenate and relax and what better way to do so than in Miami, where seven world class venues will host events that feature beats by internationally recognized DJs. Officials estimate 10,000 people will attend this year’s events.

“Our events are known for keeping people on their feet,” said Johnson, who took over as executive director in 2021, becoming the first Black woman to lead the organization in its 50- year history.

Saturday’s signature event, Under One Sun, is on the move this year. Oasis Wynwood, in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood arts district will host the massive daytime outdoors party for the first time, while Sunday’s big beach party returns to the sands off Ocean Dr. and 12th St.

The Task Force estimates Winter Party brings close to $4.2 million in revenue to Miami with help from corporate partners Comcast, Hilton, Bacardi, Credo Mobile, ActBlue and ViiV Healthcare. Since 2005, the organization has donated more than $3.3 million to local community-based organizations that support social justice causes.

The journey, Johnson said, is far from over.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” Johnson said. “The reality is no civil rights struggle has been an easy one nor has it been one and done. Our fight for civil and human rights is continuous.”

Grant funding from the Miami Beach Visitor Convention Authority and MiamiDade Department of Cultural Affairs partly supports this year’s Winter Party. Tickets, passes and volunteer shifts are still available. For more information, visit https:// winterparty.com/.

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March 2, 2023 • Volume 14 • Issue 9 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

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