Dear Friends: 

It is a pleasure to join you in celebrating Pride Month 2025 through  the pages of OutClique Magazine! As a proud member of this  community, I continue to be inspired by the strength, resilience, and brilliance of our LGBTQ+ family. Not just here in South Florida, but  across the country. 

Pride is more than a celebration—it’s a testament to our collective journey. It’s about the joy of  living authentically, the courage to stand firm in the face of injustice, and the responsibility to  look after each other. It’s about recognizing how far we’ve come while remaining vigilant in  protecting the progress we’ve made. 

Here in Fort Lauderdale, inclusivity is not just a value, it’s a practice. The city continues to earn a  perfect score year after year on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, and we  are home to vital institutions like the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, the Sunshine  Cathedral, and the World AIDS Museum. These spaces, along with our LGBTQ+-owned  businesses and cultural centers, embody the spirit of Pride year-round. 

That’s why visibility matters. Why allyship matters. Why local leadership and civic engagement  matter. In Fort Lauderdale, we remain committed to being a safe harbor—a city where you can  live and love proudly. 

Thank you, OutClique, for continuing to tell our stories and celebrate our community. Let this  month renew our pride and strengthen our resolve to create a future that is freer and fairer for  everyone! 

Happy Pride,

Dean J. Trantalis

Mayor