Homepage - The Bears Of South Florida

DOUBLE
Your IMPACT.

An anonymous donor is matching every gift dollar-for-dollar — up to a total of $50,000. Help us reach the goal.

"Join the Grizzly Giving Program — be a bear who makes it possible."

Match ends December 31, 2026

GGP Match is Back!

Double your impact with a limited-time match of your donation to our Grizzly Giving Program supporting local LGBTQ+ organizations.

More information

Become a Member

Join The Bears family—it’s free to become a member and be part of our amazing community!

Become a Volunteer

Join 200+ volunteers who make The Bears of South Florida possible.

3500+

Members

228

Volunteers

Events a Year

$200,000

Awarded in Grants in 2025

Upcoming Events

There’s always something happening with The Bears! Browse our upcoming events and find your next opportunity to connect, celebrate, and give back to the community. We hope to see you soon!

Hear From Our Community

Our members are the heart of The Bears of South Florida. Here’s what they have to say about being part of our community.

The Pride Center is so grateful to be a beneficiary of The Bears of South Florida. During these unprecedented times when funding cuts for our life-saving programs and services is occurring, the financial support from BOSFL is even more impactful. The Pride Center and BOSFL have had a very long collaborative relationship. I have always been impressed by their hard work, commitment to community and their philanthropy. The work of BOSFL have helped so many organizations. It truly takes a village to keep our community safe and BOSFL sets the standard for other organizations to match.

Robert Boo, The Pride Center, CEO

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the Bears of South Florida for your unwavering support through your service grants. The generous funding we receive from your organization has helped us to expand our team, allowing us to provide life-changing mental healthcare and essential social services to even more LGBTQ+ youth, adults, and seniors in our community. Thanks to your support, we can help more individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Tony Lima – SunServe, CEO & Executive Director

The Bears of South Florida (BOSFL) for me is not only a fun and welcoming social group, but also is a way to contribute and strengthen our community in a meaningful way. The intrinsic rewards are endless, and I’ve made some close friends, been exposed to great people with similar interests, and I’ve had a blast at the events. I also get much satisfaction knowing that our fundraising efforts are benefitting a diverse group of organizations that serve our community. When I first joined out of curiosity, not knowing anyone, it wasn’t long before I felt like part of a chosen family. Whether people choose to attend an event, volunteer their time at events or simply write a check, BOSFL can be a major mood-booster. The recipe is simple: Great people, meaningful causes, FUN events and helping others. All of these things can be accomplished by just showing up!

Steven Levy, Grizzly Guardian

I moved to South Florida about 5yrs ago. I wasn’t really looking for more friends or personal growth when I started attending BOSFL events, but somehow they seemed to find me. I have always been somewhat shy and lacking confidence in social situations. But over time, attending BOSFL events, and volunteering at those events, this group of men helped me come out of my shell. The BOSFL are happy to see me and they know my name. There is a chemistry of acceptance and body positivity among the bear community in general and this one in particular. I have found confidence in this group of men and have made new friendships with many of them. The BOSFL are a special and rare group of men that I am proud to be a part of.

Rob Smith, volunteer and event coordinator

The Bears of South Florida has been a very welcoming group that has helped me overcome much of my natural shyness. Everyone has been easygoing, but hard-working. I have met many new friends and felt like part of the ‘family’ of like-minded men. There are members from all walks of life…older and younger, professionals as well as everyday folk. The pool parties are my favorite gatherings, but they also hold cultural events such as concerts, plays, wildlife tours, and bowling events. The best part of membership is that you feel welcome at whatever events you choose to attend, with no pressure to do anything that might not be your favorite kind of activity. I am very glad to have joined this group.

Allen Boucher, volunteer

Announcements

🔥 LAST BOSFL NIGHT POOL PARTY OF THE YEAR! September 2026 NIGHT Pool Party @Ed Lugo Resort 🎟️ TICKETS ON SALE NOW — $35 🚫 No gate sales 👉 https://buytickets.at/thebearsofsouthflorida/2353848 We expect this event to sell out very quickly, so grab your spot early. Your ticket includes food + a snack. 🍹 Bar & beverage service available (cash donations appreciated) 🎟️ 50/50 raffle 🧴 Bring a towel, chair, sunscreen 🩱 Clothing optional 🚫 Sexual activity prohibited #BOSFL #NightPoolParty #LastPoolPartyOfTheYear #BearCommunity

We packed Eagle Wilton Manors last night for Honey Pot. Spaghetti, stuffed shells, salad, garlic bread, cookies, brownies. Thank you to Jerry, Byron, Jeremy, Tom, and Richard for all their hard work, and to the AmbassaBears who greeted everyone. They chefs started at 5 AM to make sure everyone was fed. The Honey Pot is our monthly social event, third Wednesday of every month. It's free to come, but feeding a bar full of Bears takes resources. We do this through donations. Want to sponsor the next one? Donate at https://bosfl.org/donate/. #BOSFL #BearsOfSouthFlorida #BearCommunity #WiltonManors #HoneyPot #TheEagleWiltonManors

🐻 Bear Happy Hour Social: Where the only thing bigger than the bears is the appetite! 🍝 Wednesday, August 19 • 6–8 PM at Eagle Wilton Manors. Grab a drink, grab a friend, and grab a plate of spaghetti (because, priorities)! 🍝 It's Happy Hour, baby! Come hang with your bear squad and get your Italian on! Richard Leitner's baked goods are the icing on the cake (or should we say, the meatball on the plate?) 🍰. Oh, and don't forget to rep your BOSFL merch - those lifeguard hats are! 🎩 See you there, bears! #BOSFL #bosfl #bosflhappyhour #bosflmerch #bosflhoneypot

🐾 BEARS — LAST DAY TO NOMINATE! 🏆 The 2026 OUTSFL Your Choice Awards nominations CLOSE TODAY, and the Bears of South Florida (BOSFL) need YOUR help to make the finalist round! NOMINATE BOSFL TODAY! Nominate us in ALL FIVE categories: - Social Group - Group for Bears - Group for Seniors - LGBTQ-specific Nonprofit - Local Event: BOSFL monthly pool party NOMINATE HERE... https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdI8PkNdp1iH2cvoTVNRmDM7dS7uSQ5t93fYkXfmMIUzTDxmA/viewform Drop a 🐾 in the comments when you've nominated so we know our pack showed up! #BOSFL #BearsOfSouthFlorida #YourChoiceAwards #OUTSFL #BearCommunity #SouthFlorida #WiltonManors #NominateNow #LGBTQCommunity

Full house at Solstice at Wilton last night, and it was the best party of the season. The volunteers get the first thank you. They set up and ran the whole night in August heat that gave them nothing, so the rest of us could just show up and get in the water. #BOSFL #BearsOfSouthFlorida #BearCommunity #WiltonManors #NightPoolParty

Bears At The Movies, Spider-Man: Brand New Day part 2

DOUBLE
Your IMPACT.

GGP Match is Back!

Become a Member

Become a Volunteer

Upcoming Events

Hear From Our Community

Announcements

Upcoming Events

Pool Party – Ed Lugo

Happy Hour at Eagle

Roseland Resort & Campground – Bear Fair

Our Sponsors

DOUBLE Your IMPACT.

GGP Match is Back!

Become a Member

Become a Volunteer

Upcoming Events

Hear From Our Community

Announcements

Pool Party – Ed Lugo

Happy Hour at Eagle

Roseland Resort & Campground – Bear Fair

DOUBLE
Your IMPACT.