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.

3700+

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

The South Florida Pride Bands brought Waves and Wanderers to The Parker on Saturday night, and The Bears of South Florida was proud to present it. The whole program was built around water: music inspired by rain, rivers, and oceans, plus pieces about setting out to explore. Thank you to every musician in the band, and to everyone who spent the evening at The Parker with us. See what we're doing next at bosfl.org/calendar/, and sign up at bosfl.org/join/ to get it in your inbox each week. #BOSFL #BearsOfSouthFlorida #BearCommunity #WiltonManors #WavesAndWanderers #southfloridapridebands

Happy Halloween! A team of Bears of South Florida volunteers will be running entry checkpoint #1 at Wilton Drive and NE 21st Court, and the club earns a percentage of every ticket we sell and every pre-sold ticket that comes through our gate. If you’re attending, please come through our checkpoint, say hello, and bring your friends!

🎟️ NOVEMBER POOL PARTY TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! 🌴☀️ Tickets are $35, and we expect to sell out quickly. Don’t wait. Get your tickets today! 📅 Saturday, November 14 ⏰ Noon–4:00 PM 📍 Ed Lugo Resort Grab your ticket and join us for an afternoon by the pool! Get tickets: https://buytickets.at/thebearsofsouthflorida/2477772 ⚠️ All sales are final. Refunds will not be available.

🎄🐻 Sip, Nosh & Mingle with Your Bear Family! 🐻🥂 The holidays are almost here, and we're putting a fresh spin on one of our favorite BOSFL traditions! Join us for the BOSFL Holiday Cocktail Party at the Graybox Theatre for a relaxed evening of great food, festive drinks, friends, and holiday fun. 📅 Saturday, December 5 ⏰ 5:30 PM 📍 Graybox Theatre 🎟️ Tickets: Just $35 Enjoy bountiful festive hors d'oeuvres and decadent desserts, four fully stocked bars, our classic Santa photo opportunity, and a silent auction filled with curated items. Grab a cocktail, find a table, catch up with old friends, make some new ones, and celebrate the season with your Bear family. ❤️🐻 Come as you are or dress to impress in your most festive attire. Either way, you belong here. Space is limited, so don't wait! 🎟️ BUY TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thebearsofsouthflorida/2478182 #BOSFL #BearCommunity #HolidayParty #BearsOfSouthFlorida #HolidaySeason

Another amazing Honey Pot at Eagle Wilton Manors last night for Casserole Chaos. The culinary bears behind the casseroles: Jerry , Byron, Roy and Bill, Richard, Lee, Rip, Thomas, Dominic, Blake, and Greg. Papa Duke's Deli sent over the tossed salad. Thank you to our volunteers: Bill Richardson, Byron Jones, Chip Goodnight, Dean Lerner, Harvey Shapiro, Jeremy Gershwin, Jerry Sturdefant, Marty Karp, Michael Macocco, Mike Dager, Roy Lyons, and Thom Rafter. Honey Pot is free and happens the third Wednesday of every month. The food is paid for by donations, through the jar at the bar or bosfl.org/donate/. Next month's date is on bosfl.org/calendar/, and bosfl.org/join/ gets you the newsletter. Thanks also to The Eagle, and to The Pride Center and Massage and Facials by Ozzy for their support. #BOSFL #BearsOfSouthFlorida #BearCommunity #WiltonManors #HoneyPot #TheEagleWiltonManors #CasseroleChaos

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

Fur Friday at Hunters

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

Fur Friday at Hunters

DOUBLE
Your IMPACT.