One way of battling the dearth? One-off parties thrown by companies like Pandora Events, which has pioneered the space since the late '90s.
Co-founded by Amy Alonso, Yesi Leon, and Allison Burgos, the once Miami-based collective has found steady growth from small local gatherings to an event planning powerhouse that produces some of the most beloved queer events across Florida. The company has expanded its reach in recent years by hosting destination parties in Atlanta, Puerto Rico, and Las Vegas.
Alonso remembers the company's unlikely founding: "I was 21 and trying to raise money to go backpacking through Europe. Yesi had already been throwing rave events and working with promoters, and I had a friend who'd just opened a club on Biscayne. We teamed up to throw a single night for queer women, and it ended up being a hit," she says. "We saw a real need for inclusive, high-energy events where queer women and the LGBTQ+ community could feel celebrated and safe."
In the years that followed, the pair linked up with Burgos, who brought her own expertise to the table. The longtime Fort Lauderdale promoter and founder of Aqua Girl teamed up with Alonso and Leon to launch events like Girls in Wonderland, the famed Orlando festival that has since become one of the largest gatherings for queer women in the Southeast.
"Putting these events together is a lot of work, but it's incredibly rewarding," Alonso adds. "It's about creativity, community, and connection. Every detail matters, from the venue to the music to how people feel when they walk through the door. Seeing a packed dance floor and knowing people feel seen and free...that's what makes it all worth it."
Now, the team is gearing up for its next big bash: Brat Rave, a Charli XCX-themed party at the Manor in Wilton Manors, produced in collaboration with Orlando party staples Girl the Party and Orlando's Les Vixens burlesque company.
"This is our second big event in South Florida this year," says Burgos. "Earlier this year, we did a [Chappell Roan-themed] Pink Pony Party, which was a really huge success. I think we had over 500 attendees. It was a lot of fun, and we expect an even bigger turnout for our Brat Rave."
The team says it often hears from attendees who found love, formed lifelong friendships, or simply felt seen for the first time on its dance floor.
"You know, when we started 25 years ago, people weren't out in the same way. Pandora was sometimes the only place someone could feel like their authentic self," Burgos says. "It's deeply important to us, especially with the way the political climate is right now. I thought maybe ten years ago that the world would be different and we wouldn't need something like Pandora anymore — but now, I feel like we absolutely do."
As the team looks to the future, it's also documenting its history in a forthcoming documentary. The film will chronicle Pandora Events' founding and its 25-year evolution.
"We want Pandora to always be more than just a party. It's a platform, a movement, and a celebration of queer culture in all its forms," says Leon. "[The documentary] is going to tell that story of how we built this from the ground up, the love and struggle behind the scenes, and what this community really means to all of us. It's a love letter to our people, and we can't wait for everyone to see it."
Brat Rave. 10 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Manor Complex, 2345 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors; 954-626-0082; pandoraevents.com. Tickets cost $18.23 to $21.61 via eventbrite.com.
