Embrace Pride in Orlando: A Rainbow of LGBTQ+ Friendly Spaces

Orlando is a city of love.  

It’s also a city of pride.  

Orlando has erupted in a vibrant display of color and rainbows in a high visibility show of acceptance and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community.  

 

Two men smile with happy children sitting on their shoulders as they raise a rainbow pride flag into the air.

 

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer culture around the country.  

In Orlando, there are plenty of unique and safe places to show your support for the LGBTQ+ community and the individuals – both residents and visitors – who make The City Beautiful a beautiful place to be.

Here are some of our favorite LGBTQ+ friendly spaces in Orlando.  

LGBTQ+ Owned Restaurants and Bars

 

A slice of bread on an oval marble plate topped with avocado, a soft-boiled egg, pink pickled onions, and garnished with edible purple and yellow flowers.

The Glass Knife

 

Looking for a bite to eat or a cleverly crafted cocktail?

Orlando is home to a variety of unique bars and restaurants owned by members of the LGBTQ+ community.  

Southern Nights Orlando has been the city’s hotspot for LGBTQ+ nightlife for over 40 years.

This woman-owned bar and nightclub is the perfect spot to grab a drink with friends, catch an entertaining drag show, or break a sweat on the dance floor.  

Check out their social media to keep track of the exciting events you can catch at Southern Nights on any given evening.

At Disney Springs you’ll find Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Kitchen serving up hearty Southern food with fresh Florida ingredients and cocktails made with their famous moonshine.  

Florida native, cookbook author, and former personal chef for Oprah, Art Smith and his husband live together in Florida with their five children.

The Glass Knife in Winter Park is the perfect place to find delicate desserts, delicious brunch and lunch menus, and a variety of elegant cakes, pastries, and donuts.  

The chic vintage vibes set a playful and sophisticated atmosphere for any occasion. Look for their second store, set to open on the stylish Park Avenue in spring of 2025.  

Open early until late, you can treat yourself to a tasty meal, a freshly made cup of coffee, an indulgent donut, or a glass of wine whenever you choose.

Se7en Bites owner Trina Gregory has become quite the Food Network star, appearing multiple times on a variety of Guy Fieri competition shows and the classic Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  

Her restaurant serves Southern breakfast, brunch, and lunch favorites featuring fresh biscuits, chicken and waffles, and other rich and delicious dishes.  

Check out the bakery counter to choose a treat from the drool-worthy selection of cakes, pies, cobblers, and other baked goods.  

Out of the Closet Thrift Store  

 

Two women in sunglasses peek out through a rack of clothing, smiling.

 

Out of the Closet Thrift Store is a community gem in more ways than one.  

This fashion-forward store collects and resells stylish donations to support sustainable fashion and encourage customers to buy secondhand.  

Out of the Closet also serves a special mission to raise awareness and funds for AIDS Healthcare Foundation.  

When you shop at Out of the Closet, 96 cents of every dollar they make helps fund AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s HIV prevention and treatment services.  

In addition, each Out of the Closet location offers high-quality HIV testing services.  

Whatever treasures you’re searching for, you can shop with pride when you visit Out of the Closet.  

Hamburger Mary’s  

 

A drag queen with dramatic makeup wears a shiny pink dress inspired by a retro-diner waitress with white gloves, sipping from a mug in a diner booth in front of a neon sign that reads brunchtime.

 

Looking for dinner and a show?

Hamburger Mary’s has been serving delicious meals with a dash of flamboyance for over fifty years.  

This iconic name in burgers and drag has been a popular mainstay in Orlando since 2008.  

Join them for a glamorous drag brunch or an entertaining evening of larger-than-life performances.  

In June 2024, Orlando’s Hamburger Mary’s closed its popular Church St. location, but they’ll soon be reopening in a brand-new location in nearby Kissimmee.  

In the meantime, check their social media to stay up to date with their community performances and long-awaited grand opening.

Theme Parks  

 

Two women in rainbow Mickey ears hold Mickey ice cream pops and take a selfie in front of Cinderella castle.

 

Orlando’s theme parks aren’t just for thrill-seekers and ride enthusiasts. They’re also safe havens for the LGBTQ+ community.  

From the enchanted realms of Walt Disney World to the epic adventures at Universal Resort, you’ll find welcoming environments for guests from every walk of life.

During pride month, you can find rainbow theme park merchandise at a variety of gift shops and souvenir stands.  

At Walt Disney World, an annual (unofficial) gathering known as Gay Days s held the first weekend in June.  

This family-friendly meet-up draws tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ families, couples, individuals, and allies to Magic Kingdom for a fun-filled, celebratory weekend of love.  

Rosen Hotels & Resorts Supports Pride  

 

A close-up of an outstretched rainbow pride flag.

 

At Rosen Hotels & Resorts, we support love in every form.  

When it comes to hospitality, we pride ourselves in going above and beyond to ensure every guest feels valued and respected.  

At Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando, and across all Rosen properties, inclusivity is not just a buzzword; it's a way of life.  

This Pride Month, let's come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and embrace a future where everyone is free to love and be loved.  

Whether you're dancing the night away, shopping for a cause, or indulging in delicious cuisine, Orlando welcomes you with open arms and a rainbow of possibilities. 

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