History Fort Lauderdale Presents Take PRIDE! Zorita’s World Free Photo Exhibition at Galleria Fort Lauderdale at Galleria Fort Lauderdale

In honor of PRIDE Month, History Fort Lauderdale and Galleria Fort Lauderdale will present The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort “Take PRIDE!” 2025 free photo exhibition Zorita’s World, featuring photography highlights from the life and career of famed burlesque dancer, icon and LGBTQ+ advocate Zorita, along with costumes and other historical artifacts.

Zorita’s World offers a glimpse into the life and career of famed burlesque dancer and icon Zorita, as well as her same-sex relationships and networks of friends. The performer and entrepreneur pushed boundaries in Miami and beyond in the 1940s, ‘50s, and ‘60s - a time when so much of what she did was often controversial and illegal. Today, perhaps more than ever, her legacy and influence offer important lessons on the power of individuals in shaping history and making necessary waves towards progress. The exhibit is curated by Julio Capo, Jr., Ph.D., an author and associate professor of history at Florida International University.

Additional contributors to this year’s reception and exhibit are Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library and Florida International University. Capó curated a different exhibition on Zorita’s life in 2024 for Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library.

The exhibition, located near Swarovski, between Macy’s and Dillard’s, will be free and open to the public during Galleria Fort Lauderdale hours.

History Fort Lauderdale’s “Take PRIDE!” exhibition is sponsored by co-presenter Galleria Fort Lauderdale and title sponsor The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, The Our Fund Foundation, HotSpots Media Group/Happening Out Television Network and GPR | Goodman Public Relations. Additional funding is provided in part by Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward County Cultural Council and Visit Lauderdale - Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

History Fort Lauderdale, proud steward of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors, hosts a variety of engaging multicultural experiences, year-round. It seeks to bring awareness to the community through both traveling exhibits and multiple permanent exhibits including “Women Trailblazers,” “Fort Lauderdale – the Early Years,” “Roots of Resilience: The Journey of Black Broward,” “Fashion & Musical Theatre,” “From Dugouts to Dream Yachts: the story of boatbuilding along the New River,” Seminole Arts & Culture,” “New River Archaeology” and “Viva Fort Lauderdale: Celebrating Hispanic Art & Culture.”

For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit historyfortlauderdale.org. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ftlhistory, on Instagram @ftlhistory and on Twitter @FTLHistory. Subscribe to us on YouTube at youtube.com/user/FTLhistory.