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EVERYONE UNDER THE SUN
A Note from Visit Lauderdale President and CEO Stacy Ritter
Greater Fort Lauderdale has a long history of supporting civil rights and equality. Our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all visitors is, and will continue to be, unwavering. As a diverse and welcoming community, we respect all people, no matter who you are, who you love, or what you believe in. We are a community open to all — welcoming everyone under the sun with open hearts and minds. I invite you to immerse yourself in our 31 distinct communities, each indicative of the 170 nations represented in a place I’ve personally called home for almost five decades. And when you do, you’ll experience a place that’s rich in resilience, deep in diversity and strong on supporting one another.
Interesting Facts
- 147 languages spoken in Greater Fort Lauderdale households
- Greater Fort Lauderdale residents hail from 170 countries
- Greater Fort Lauderdale is recognized as Florida’s LGBT+ Capital and as one of the most progressive destinations in the U.S.
- Broward County is the 23rd most diverse county out of 3,143 counties in the United States (U.S. 2020 Census Diversity Index).
- According to the 2022 Human Rights Campaign Municipality Equality Index (MEI), which examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are of LGBT+ people who live and work there, the following Greater Fort Lauderdale cities received a perfect score:
- Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Oakland Park and Wilton Manors
In The News
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Stacy Ritter, President & CEO at Visit Lauderdale, talks with Travel Industry Today about tourism and travel advisories: https://travelindustrytoday.com/not-so-fast-travel-advisories-touch-a-nerve-with-florida-tourism/
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Stacy Ritter, President & CEO at Visit Lauderdale, and Neki Mohan, VP of Multicultural Business Development, discuss the NAACP Travel Advisory on Legacy Leaders with host, Ann Marie Sorrell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7ojK7vkRPk
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Skift Meetings Podcast: Stacy Ritter, President & CEO at Visit Lauderdale, talks about Florida's travel bans, the seven groups that have relocated their meetings, and breaking the glass ceiling: https://meetings.skift.com/shining-a-light-on-everyone-under-the-sun/
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Richard Gray, Senior Vice President Inclusion & Accessibility at Visit Lauderdale, is interviewed by host Al Ferguson on the show "Unapologetically Queer." The interview focuses on LGBTQ+ civil rights history and an exhibit at History Fort Lauderdale: https://youtu.be/rwrmbfm8BNM
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Top 15 Destinations for LGBTQ+ Travelers: #3 Wilton Manors: https://www.advocate.com/travel/top-15-destinations-lgbtq-travelers
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5 Suprisingly LGBTQ-Friendly Small Cities: #4 Wilton Manors: https://livability.com/topics/love-where-you-live/the-most-lgbtq-friendly-small-cities-2/
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2023’s Most & Least Ethnically Diverse Cities in the U.S.: #58 Most Culturally Diverse Cities in the U.S. - Fort Lauderdale: https://wallethub.com/edu/cities-with-the-most-and-least-ethno-racial-and-linguistic-diversity/10264
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Most Diverse Counties in Florida Ranked: #2 Broward County: https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/most-diverse-counties-in-florida-ranked-and-the-list-might-surprise-you/
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Top 10 most LGBT-friendly places to retire in America: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/07/most-lgbt-friendly-places-to-retire-in-america-senior-advice-report.html
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10 Best Gay Beaches in the World: #10. Sebastian Street Beach Ft. Lauderdale, Florida: https://www.newsweek.com/best-gay-beaches-1314053
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These South Florida cities rank highest for LGBTQ travelers during the holidays: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2018/11/19/these-south-florida-cities-rank-highest-for-lgbtq-travelers-during-the-holidays/
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These South Florida Cities Ranked Among LGBTQ Friendliest for Retirement: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2019/04/10/these-south-florida-cities-ranked-among-lgbtq-friendliest-for-retirement/
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Why Ft. Lauderdale Is Among the Most Welcoming Cities for LGBTQ+: https://www.afar.com/magazine/ft-lauderdale-is-among-the-most-welcoming-cities-for-lgbtq
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Guide To Pride Parades And Other Events In America’s Most Gay-Friendly Cities: https://www.travelawaits.com/2558761/pride-parades-us/
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Going To Florida? Here's How To Spend 48 Hours In Black-Owned Ft. Lauderdale: https://travelnoire.com/going-to-florida-heres-how-to-spend-48-hours-in-black-owned-ft-lauderdale
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6 LGBTQIA-Friendly Small Towns You Need to Visit: https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/queer-friendly-small-towns-to-visit
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Exploring the LGBTQ-Friendly Wilton Manors, Florida: https://thegavoice.com/culture/exploring-the-lgbtq-friendly-wilton-manors-florida/
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The Top 8 Cities Where LGBTQ+ Travelers Feel Most Welcomed According To Airbnb: #4 Wilton Manors: https://www.traveloffpath.com/the-top-8-cities-where-lgbtq-travelers-feel-most-welcomed-according-to-airbnb/
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Embracing Florida's Black history landmarks: https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Embracing-Florida-Black-history-landmarks
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Top 20 Cities for LGBTQ Retirement: https://www.senioradvice.com/articles/top-20-cities-lgbtq-retirement-2019
Videos