What’s the reasoning behind Gay8?
The demographics and identity of Miami’s heart is in flux. Little Havana is the historical, spiritual core of the Magic City. It’s long, colorful history involves all of Miami’s prominent, ethnic communities at one point or another (African-Americans, Anglos, Cuban-Americans, Haitians, Jews, Mexicans, Nicaraguans and yes Gay Americans as well.) Presently there is a another shift taking place in the area—while there is palpable energy in the air as new, younger Miamians begin to populate the historic neighborhood, talk of gentrification, uncontrolled development, a fragile, self sustaining economy and crime concerns everyone. All of this against a backdrop of political polarization that can threaten to tear apart diverse communities.
The Hispanic/Latino community in Miami hosts the Gay8 Festival (and its ancillary events) in an effort to promote connection and understanding across diverse communities, business, tourism, culture and economic activity in Little Havana (Miami) Florida.
Whether it’s a long time resident of South Florida who hasn’t had much of a reason to check out Little Havana in some time or an out of town snowbird or intrigued foreign traveler that pops into Miami Dade County to check out Gay8, the event strives to build a lasting bridge that will bring all of the city’s communities together in celebration, challenge us to pause and consider other points of view (instead of reacting to political messaging by all sides), and forge a union that will unite us all as proud Miamians for generations to come.
Today, the Gay8 Festival stands as the largest diversity and inclusion festival in America! None of that can happen without you.
