By Rachel Galvin
In correlation with Pride Month, History Fort Lauderdale and Galleria Fort Lauderdale teamed up to present the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort “Take PRIDE!” 2025 on July 18. The benefit kicked off with hosts Fay What?! Albernas and Shawn “Kitty Meow” Palacious. They introduced Patricia Zeiler, the executive director of History Fort Lauderdale, and deputy director Ellery Andrews, who read a proclamation on behalf of the mayor, who was unable to attend. Melissa Milroy, senior marketing manager at The Galleria, also had a chance to say a few words.
Before jumping into the honorees being awarded, the hosts brought out the very colorful and dynamic Drag Queen Rianna Petrone, who rocked it in her performance, complete with a costume change, high kick and a death drop. DJ Jay McCracken kept the beat.
Next came the honorees. This year’s inspiring leaders being honored included Steve Glassman, Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner, District 2; Hon. Robert Lee, retired judge (known for dealing with the hanging chad incident back in the 2000 presidental campaign); Scott Holland, media president for Hotspots Happening Out; Michael Berry, complex general manager of The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel; the hostess with the mostess FayWhat?! Albernas, host of the Take PRIDE event and also of “The FayWhat?! Show” on the Happening Out Television Network; dazzling drag queens Velvet Lenore and T.P. Lords; Tony Lima, CEO of SunServe; Franchesca D’Amore, founding president of TransEd; and beloved arts advocate and philanthropist Ed Hashek.
The event also kicked off the opening of the exhibition Zorita’s World, with photos and other artifacts of the groundbreaking burlesque performer and fearless LGBTQ+ advocate. The exhibition was curated by Julio Capo, Jr., Ph.D., associate professor of history at Florida International University. It is on display free to the public until July 13 near Swarovski during mall hours.
Also at the event, authors Fred Fejes and Rick Karlin greeted guests and signed copies of their book “Last Call South Florida – A History of 1001 LGBTQ-Friendly Taverns, Haunts & Hangouts.” Their work chronicles South Florida’s LGBTQ+ spaces from the hidden bars of the past to today’s thriving community hubs.
Throughout the event, guests could mingle while enjoying a drink or some tasty tidbits from the likes of PF Chang’s and Seasons 52.
For more information on History Fort Lauderdale, visit historyfortlauderdale.org.
