South Florida Gay News celebrated its 12th anniversary June 2 with a party in Grieco Ford’s showroom in Fort Lauderdale.

The event, originally scheduled for January, was postponed due to escalating COVID infections.

About 300 attendees showed up. There were light bites, drinks, a silent auction, and performances by the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida.

Wilton Manors Commissioner Chris Caputo was given an award for being named SFGN’s Person of the Year for 2021. Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steve Glassman presented him with the award.

“SFGN’s 12th Anniversary Celebration served as a reminder of how far our community has come as well as how important it is we continue to stand united as an LGBTQ community,” Caputo said. “In our current political climate, in a time when we're facing unparalleled attacks on our rights and in some cases our lives, it was great to be surrounded by people who are passionate about our community.”

Norm Kent, the publisher of SFGN, showed up despite still recovering from cancer surgery.

During a speech Kent thanked his staff for stepping in to take over the newspaper while he’s been recovering. He also encouraged the community to keep fighting in light of the current political climate for the LGBT community in Florida.

“As long as you have a breath in your body and a heart in your soul, you have to stand up,” Kent said.

The event was also a fundraiser for Our Fund Foundation and raised $3,500 for the local LGBT foundation.

“We love partnering with SFGN on their anniversary party because we share SFGN's commitment to making LGBTQ life better in South Florida,” said David Jobin, president and CEO of Our Fund. “The funds raised from SFGN's generous guests will support the wellbeing of LGBTQ youth — a cause that is especially critical at this moment when young queer lives are being leveraged for greater political ambition.”

The presenting sponsor of the event was Grieco Ford.

“Having the event held at a nationally renowned Ford dealership, Grieco Ford — the type of business one might not associate with LGBTQ events — shows how much acceptance we’ve earned since the Stonewall Riot,” Caputo said. “Our community is grateful to SFGN for the 12 plus years spent telling our stories and keeping us informed on the news that matters most to us. The SFGN Stonewall Party was a great opportunity to honor all that SFGN has done — and continues to do — for the LGBTQ community.”

Photo by JR Davis.

The other sponsors included CAN Community Health; Island City Smiles; Kraft Bistro; Smarty Pants; R3 Accounting; Storks; SunServe; Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida; Argenti Jewelers; KGS Studios; Pride of the America’s; Flockfest; Scandals; Chic Optique; South Florida Symphony Orchestra; Slow Burn Theater; Broward Center for the Performing Arts; Wilton’s Manor; Florida Grand Opera; New Orleans House; New World Symphony; Tropics Grille; The Grand; Symphony of the Americas; Financial Independent Wealth Management; Stage 954; Bona Italian Restaurant; Chi Spa; Butlers in the Manor; Art Frenzie; Native Ceuticals; South Beach Tanning Company; World AIDS Museum; Broward Art Guild; The Casino Dania Beach; Dudes Barber; Swiss Navy; Florida Department of Health; and Sarava.

SFGN is published weekly on Thursdays. Additionally the company produces a quarterly high glossy magazine, The Mirror as well as an annual Guide to The Drive, a directory of local LGBT-friendly businesses. The company also produces two newsletters multiple times each week.

View more photos our the event on SFGN's Facebook.