Homepage - 2026 - 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

🎨🐻 Support Our Grantee and One of Our Own! 🐻🎨 On Friday, July 3, the Bears of South Florida is proud to host the opening reception for Provocative #1: Vent or Bent at ArtsUnited Gallery. ArtsUnited is one of BOSFL's valued Grizzly Giving grant recipients, and we'd love to see our Bear family come out to support this incredible organization and the talented artists featured in the exhibition. We're especially excited to celebrate Michael Macocco, one of our longtime BOSFL members and volunteers, whose powerful piece, "Red, White & Blue: The Emergency Whistle," will be on display. Michael has given so much to our organization over the years, and this is a wonderful opportunity to support him and his artistic talent. 📅 Friday, July 3 🕖 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 📍 ArtsUnited Gallery 2401 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors Admission is free, and artist awards will be announced during the opening reception. Let's show our Bear pride by filling the gallery with familiar faces and supporting one of our grantees, one of our volunteers, and the amazing local arts community. We hope to see you there! 💜🐻 #BOSFL #ArtsUnited #SupportTheArts #BearCommunity #GrizzlyGiving #WiltonManors #MichaelMacocco

🌙🐻 July Night Pool Party 🐻🌙 🎟️ TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! Our June Night Pool Party sold out, and we're doing it again! Join your Bear family for another unforgettable evening under the stars at Ed Lugo Resort. 📅 Saturday, July 11, 2026 🕕 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM 🎟️ $35 per person 🍽️ Includes food and a snack 🍹 Bar & beverage service available (cash donations appreciated) 🎟️ 50/50 raffle 🧴 Bring a towel, chair, and sunscreen 🩱 Clothing optional ⚠️ Sexual activity is prohibited 🚫 No tickets will be sold at the gate, and we expect this event to sell out quickly. 🎟️ Get your tickets today: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thebearsofsouthflorida/2279241 Gather your Bear brothers and join us for a fun summer night of friendship, food, and community. #BOSFL #NightPoolParty #EdLugoResort #BearCommunity #SummerNights #BearsOfSouthFlorida

Night Pool Party at Ed Lugo Resort - July 11, 2026 *** TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS SATURDAY, June 27th, at10:00 AM *** Night Pool Party will be Sat, July 11, 2026, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM at Ed Lugo Resort We expect to sell out very quickly. Tickets are $35 and will not be available for sale at the gate. The ticket includes food and a snack. Bar & beverage service available - cash donations accepted. 50/50 raffle Bring a towel, a chair, and some sunscreen. Clothing is optional. Sexual activity is prohibited. #bosfl #BOSFL #bosflnightpoolparty #bosflpoolparty #bearpoolparty

🇺🇸🚢 4th of July Sunset Tea Dance Cruise 🚢🇺🇸 Celebrate Independence Day with your BOSFL family aboard The Musette for an unforgettable evening of music, community, sunset views, and fireworks! This three-level yacht is the perfect place to spend the holiday with fellow Bears while enjoying one of the best fireworks displays in Fort Lauderdale. 📅 Saturday, July 4, 2026 🍸 Pre-Cruise Party: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM ⚓ Boarding: 6:45 PM 🚢 Departure: 7:00 PM Sharp 🎉 Cruise: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM 🎆 Fireworks Display: 9:00 PM 📍 Departure Location Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill 3115 NE 32nd Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 ⚠️ Important Reminders: ✅ Arrive by 5:30 PM for the pre-cruise party ✅ Boarding closes promptly at 7:00 PM ✅ Bring a valid photo ID Whether you're dancing on deck, enjoying the sunset with friends, or watching fireworks light up the sky, this is one summer event you won't want to miss. 🎟️ Reserve your spot today:

4th of July – Sunset Tea Dance Cruise

#BOSFL #FourthOfJuly #SunsetCruise #TeaDance #BearCommunity #FortLauderdale #SummerFun #BearsOfSouthFlorida

Yesterday was a long one. We started under the South Florida sun and finished in the rain, but The Bears of South Florida were out there all day at Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival and we would not have had it any other way. 🐻 Our booth was packed from start to finish. Free temporary tattoos, BOSFL merch, and a photo booth kept things buzzing all afternoon. We even had the incredible Tony Oakley perform a couple of songs live at the booth. What a treat. To the organizers, volunteers, and staff who put together Stonewall Pride and keep this celebration going year after year, our deepest gratitude. What you do matters. And to our own BOSFL volunteers who worked the booth all day through the heat and the downpour, you are irreplaceable. You are the glue that makes every event we do run smoothly, and this one was no exception. Thank you. #BOSFL #BearsOfSouthFlorida #StonewallPride #WiltonManors #BearCommunity #Pride

🎨 Provocative #1: Vent or Bent 🎨 Come out and support ArtsUnited, one of our valued BOSFL grantees, at this free juried visual art exhibition! Provocative #1 explores two sides of artistic expression: Vent, featuring work centered on political, cultural, or personal issues, and Bent, exploring artistic freedom through playful or body-positive imagery. This is the first of two exhibitions coming to Arts United Gallery this July, and admission is free to the public. Artist awards will be announced at 8:30pm during the opening reception. 📅 Friday, July 3 🕖 7pm to 9pm 📍 Arts United Gallery, 2401 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors 🎟️ Free event, no tickets required Come out and celebrate bold, boundary-pushing art while supporting one of our community partners. #BOSFL #ArtsUnited #ProvocativeArt #WiltonManors #LGBTQCommunity #FortLauderdaleEvents #BearCommunity #SupportTheArts

DOUBLE
Your IMPACT.

GGP Match is Back!

Become a Member

Become a Volunteer

Upcoming Events

Hear From Our Community

Announcements

Upcoming Events

ArtsUnited with the Bears of South Florida

Sunset Tea Dance Cruise

Nighttime Pool Party – Ed Lugo Resort

Our Partners

DOUBLE Your IMPACT.

GGP Match is Back!

Become a Member

Become a Volunteer

Upcoming Events

Hear From Our Community

Announcements

ArtsUnited with the Bears of South Florida

Sunset Tea Dance Cruise

Nighttime Pool Party – Ed Lugo Resort

DOUBLE
Your IMPACT.