Resolution 2023-32829RESOLUTION NO., 2023-32829
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RESOLUTION
NO. 2023-32701 TO ALLOW URGE MIAMI FESTIVAL TO CONTINUE ITS
LONGSTANDING, DECADES -LONG TRADITION OF HOSTING ITS
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND FESTIVAL ON 12TH STREET, A/K/A THE GAY
BEACH.
WHEREAS, "Urge Miami Festival" is one of the world's biggest LGBTQ+ events and circuit
parties that celebrates diversity and music in the LGBTQ community; and
WHEREAS, Urge Miami is scheduled to take from Friday, November 24, 2023, through
Monday, November 27, 2023, and will feature three nighttime events, and three daytime events,
including the Royal Palm Pool Party at the Host Hotel and the Legendary Beach Party; and
WHEREAS, the beach festival will include live performances, and is scheduled to take
place at Lummus Park beachfront at 12th Street, affectionately known as "Gay Beach"; and
WHEREAS, circuit parties hosted by organizers such as Urge Miami are popular within
the LGBTQ+ community — Michael Lozano, a spokesperson for Urge and one of the organizers,
describes circuit parties as "themed dance events with curated music, state-of-the-art installations
and performers, generally held in large venues"; and
WHEREAS, circuit parties emerged out of gay communities in New York around the late
1970, are largely owned and operated by members of the community, and have served as an
important safe space for sexual and gender expression; and
WHEREAS, more than just a party, Urge Miami is all about shared experiences with other
people and celebrating gay culture in a City that unabashedly supports, celebrates, and respects
the LGBTQ community; and
WHEREAS, on July 25, 2023, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution 2023-
32701, approving revisions to the Special Event Requirements and Guidelines, including a
prohibition on Special Event Permits to be issued for Lummus Park and Lummus Park Spoil areas
north of 131h Street, or Beachfront between 131 to 16th Street, unless approved by the City
Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission wish to waive the requirements of Resolution
No. 2023-32701 to allow Urge Miami to continue its longstanding, decades -long tradition of
hosting its Thanksgiving Weekend festival on 12th Street; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission's approval is grounded in the historic and profound
association of 12th Street with the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the long-standing celebrations
and traditions that have taken place over the years during Thanksgiving weekends, all of which
have significantly benefitted the gay community and AIDS -related causes, including the White
Party; and
WHEREAS, 12m Street has served as a gathering place where individuals from diverse
backgrounds could come together, celebrate their identities, and create a sense of belonging; and
WHEREAS, the Urge Festival in particular, which is always held after the Thanksgiving
Holiday, holds a special place in the hearts of the LGBTQ+ community where many gather to
celebrate their found families and pride; and .
WHEREAS, the cultural and historical ties between 12th Street and the LGBTQ+
community are deeply intertwined, and moving this festival to an alternative location would
undermine the essence of the event and its historical context.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT -DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that. the Mayor and City
Commission. hereby waive the requirements of Resolution No. 2023-32701 to allow Urge Miami
Festival to continue its longstanding,. decades -long tradition of hosting its Thanksgiving Weekend
Festival on 12th Street, a/k/a the Gay Beach.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this /I day of �b�� , 2023.
ATTEST:
OCT 2 O 2923
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
Dan Gelber, Mayor
(sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez)
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
City Attomey� Datd
2
10/17/23, 3:17 PM
Item Coversheet
19
MIAMI BEACH
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Rafael A. Paz, City Attorney
DATE: October 18, 2023.
Resolutions - C7 AH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS OF -RESOLUTION NO. 2023-32701 TO ALLOW
URGE MIAMI FESTIVAL TO CONTINUE ITS LONGSTANDING, DECADES -LONG TRADITION OF
HOSTING ITS THANKSGIVING 'WEEKEND FESTIVAL ON 12TH STREET, A/K/A THE GAY
BEACH.
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Commissioner Alex Fernandez.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The sponsor of this item requests that the Administration be prepared to address the fiscal impact of this proposed measure, if any,
at the October 18, 2023 City Commission meeting.
Is this a "Residents Right to
Know" item,_pursuant to
City Code Section 2-.14?
Yes
Legislative Tracking
Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
❑ Resolution
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
No.
https://miamibeach.novusagenda.com/AgendaWeb/CoverSheet.aspx?ltemiD=327718MeetingID=1195 1/1