I was so excited that the Queer Miami exhibit coincided with our visit - our group was incredibly lucky to get a tour through it from Steve Rothaus of the Miami Herald, notably the first dedicated LGBT beat reporter in the US. It also has a very cool and informative exhibit on the Kinsey Institute and foundational research into human sexuality and LGBT sexual identities! Also, again, cannot emphasize enough the volume and diversity of dick-related art.
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It houses sculptures and paintings ranging from the conceptual to the very representational, and more kinds of dicks, both artistic and functional, than you can imagine. Founded by Naomi Wilzig, a Jewish grandmother, the museum was first based on the private collection of erotic art from all over the world she started more than 20 years ago. I cannot report with enough pleasure that the Museum of Erotic Art was one of the first things I saw on my very first day in Miami, and it was a pure joy. Did the Surfcomber intend this as part of my hotel guest experience? I cannot say, but am very grateful for it. Also notable is that as I was leaving for the airport, I snagged (stole?) a copy of Normal People someone had left on the shelf in the hotel lobby, a book which would later emotionally gut me like a fish.
#GAY PRIDE MIAMI 2019 CALLE OCHO FREE#
I cannot believe I am even saying this but they host a free (!!!) happy hour between 4 and 5 in their lobby, in case all that relaxing poolside has worn you out and you need to replenish yourself with other, different wine and adorable tiny snacks. The incredible views over Miami were a great way to get acquainted from above with a city I’d never been to before, and also were extremely beautiful!Īfter a few days at EAST, we moved to the Surfcomber in Miami Beach, a cute little hotel that boasts Miami Beach as its backyard and also a killer pool to drink a bottle of rosé next to, or inside of if that’s your jam. There were macarons waiting for me! The rooftop bar, Sugar, made me feel like a character on the OC, in a good way. Not to put too fine a point on it, but the EAST Miami might be the fanciest place I’ve ever been inside of.
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Along with a group of other LGBT media professionals - Journalists! Influencers! Editors! Roxy, deputy editor at Diva, which we love! - I got to explore Miami and Miami Beach’s incredible cityscape, culture, food, museums, beaches, and of course Pride. In April I had the delightful opportunity to leave Minneapolis, the charming and also ice-bound city where I live, to visit sunny, gorgeous Miami for the occasion of Miami Beach Pride.