PHOTO VIA GAYDAYS.COM
Gay Days Orlando (Website) runs June 4–7 this week, and this year marks the 35th anniversary of one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in the country, and in case you forgot, it almost didn’t happen.
Back in February, organizers called it off. The 35th anniversary celebration was cancelled on February 9 due to sponsor losses, a breakdown in the host hotel agreement, and what organizers described as broader challenges facing LGBTQ+ events nationwide. Co-owner Josh Duke told Metro Weekly that many organizations had taken a more conservative approach to corporate marketing, including sponsorships, travel, and discretionary event spending. Two weeks later, organizers reversed course, secured a new venue at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Celebration, and announced the event was back on.
So here we are. The entire hotel has been taken over for the weekend, with two pools, DJs spinning until 2 a.m., and a full slate of returning events: Drag Bingo, Porn Bingo, the Miss GayDays Pageant, the Mr. GayDays Leather Competition, and the Puppy Mosh – if you don’t know what that is, it’s probably not for you. Performers and DJs include ChiChi LaRue, Aracely, DJ Itty Bitty, NITRIX, and J-Dare.
VIP packages include private pool bars, meet-and-greets, early entry to cocktail parties, and exclusive gifts. The Red Room, Foam Party, and third-party events run alongside the main hotel programming throughout the weekend.
