Fort Lauderdale, Florida welcomes everyone under the sun

Let’s not turn our backs on Florida just because the Right is on the attack. Remember the hard work travel pioneers have done in gayborhoods like Fort Lauderdale, where the rainbow carpet remains steadfastly rolled out! There are many LGBTQ+ inclusive accommodations when visiting Fort Lauderdale—and no, we don’t just mean gay guesthouses.

Fort Lauderdale has a well known established reputation amongst our community as an LGBTQ+ welcoming destination. And at the epicenter of the LGBTQ+ mecca is Wilton Manors the gayborhood that rivals any other U.S. enclaves such as Chicago’s, Northalsted, San Francisco’s Castro, Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen, Palm Springs and seasonal destinations such as Provincetown.

There are numerous aspects that set Fort Lauderdale apart from other gayborhoods aside from the miles of beaches lined with palm trees. One of the differentiators is rooted in the destination’s intentionality in embracing our community as a whole. While gay guesthouses and events targeting gay men were first to take root it’s been the steadfast vision of Visit Lauderdale’s Richard Gray, Senior Vice President, Inclusion & Accessibility ensuring all letters of the acronym LGBTQ+ are given a voice, representation and genuinely feel welcome.

The most recent example of Fort Lauderdale’s commitment to inclusion would be the world inaugural debut of Pride of the Americas, February 10 – 12, 2023 a three day celebration that drew tens of thousands of attendees to a parade along A1A, a weekend beach festival, t-dance, and parties culminating with a concert headlined by Boy George.

Why Fort Lauderdale?

There are many draws to visiting Fort Lauderdale: 23 miles of beaches, embarking on a LGBTQ+ cruise (February 2023 saw three large ship LGBTQ+ cruises in port at nearly the same time; Olivia Travel, Atlantis Events and VACAYA) attending a signature event such as Bears in the Alley, Stonewall Wilton Manors Pride, Southern Comfort Transgender Conference, or maybe visiting just to get away!

Visiting a destination with a thriving LGBTQ+ community means we have the opportunity to support LGBTQ+ owned businesses like some of our favorites; restaurants Apt 9F and Le Patio, watering holes Rosie’s Bar & Grill and Hunters Nightclub, retailers Chic Optique and Claudia Castillo Art Studio to name just a few. For accommodations, while many of the guesthouses in the area predominately cater to gay men other options like FabStayz recognize Airbnb-type properties fostering safe, welcoming, inclusive spaces.

Featured property in Wilton Manors

Featured here is FabStayz’ most-viewed listing, located in eastern Wilton Manors, an LGBTQ+ owned triplex property with a shared year-round heated pool, beautifully manicured outdoor space and laundry facility. Each unit has been meticulously updated and renovated with all new EVERYTHING. Guests have the option of choosing between a well appointed cozy studio or one and two bedroom units that feel like home, all with similar modern feel and decor and totally Instagram worthy.

A seasoned FabHost, Gene Broyles has welcomed over 500 guests from around the globe to his FabStayz triplex to glowing reviews since he dipped his toe into entrepreneurship becoming a short-term rental host. Gene got his start in 2019 with the encourage of his best friend when he stepped in to assist with her short-term rental while she was out of town on a family vacation. From that experience Gene was hooked!

Gene shares that his reviews often have a common theme with guests stating how amazed they are that the property in person looks exactly like the pictures! We totally understand, looking at the listing images one might think they were staged, but no, what you see is what you get.


Whether traveling to Fab! Lauderdale or hundreds of other destinations from Bali to Italy or Canada to Argentina, FabStayz recognizes ally and LGBTQ+ hosts fostering welcoming, inclusive spaces. Stay tuned for our upcoming features; hillside vintage RV outside of Los Angeles, century old chateau in France, ocean front cottage in Oregon with living room views of whale watching, tiny home and more.