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.

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

🐻🎉 Bear Jamboree 2027 — Orlando Gay Bear Weekend Presented by BearJamboree.com + BOSFL Get ready, Bears — the biggest bear party in Florida is coming back, and BOSFL is proud to co‑promote next year’s Bear Jamboree in Orlando! If you missed this year, here’s your chance to see what all the hype is about 👇 🎥 Watch the recap video from Bear Jamboree 2026! From pool parties, Bearaoke, bingo, comedy shows, pup events, and the legendary Bear Lagoon at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, this weekend is packed with world‑class productions and non‑stop fun. 📅 Dates: June 3-7, 2027 📍 Location: Orlando, FL 🏨 Hotel: Book early — https://bit.ly/bosfl-bjam27 Stay tuned for BOSFL group plans, meetups, and travel options. Let’s make this the biggest bear weekend yet! #BearJamboree #BOSFL #BearWeekend #OrlandoBears #BearCommunity

🐻 Bear Happy Hour Social 🎅 Mario Trottier Farewell Celebration 📅 Wednesday, September 16 ⏰ 6–8 PM 📍 Eagle Wilton Manors Grab a drink, grab a friend… GRAB A BEAR It’s Happy Hour! Come out and connect with your bear family as we celebrate Mario Trottier and wish him a warm, joyful farewell. 🎉 This Month’s Theme: “Celebrating Mario and ALL the Holidays He Loves!” We’ll be serving a main dish or dessert inspired by seven different holidays — a festive tribute to Mario’s spirit and all the costumes he’s brought to our events. 🍽️ Food Service begins at 6:30 PM 👨‍🍳 Prepared by Jerry and friends Raise a glass with your bear community and help us send Mario off with love, laughter, and a whole lot of holiday cheer. #BOSFL #BearHappyHour #MarioFarewell #EagleWiltonManors #BearCommunity

Our Bears showed up Saturday at Ed Lugo Resort for the September Pool Party, weather and all. The first 90 minutes were a washout, but our community made the best of it. Big thanks to Steven Levy, Dean Lerner, Marc & Commissioner Don, and Indelible Art & Tattoo for keeping everyone fed. To our volunteers who ran everything, Thank You!! Next event: bosfl.org/calendar/. Join the newsletter: bosfl.org/join/. #BOSFL #BearsOfSouthFlorida #BearCommunity #WiltonManors #PoolParty #EdLugoResort

2026 BOSFL Holiday Party Save the Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026 🌟Mark your calendars NOW and make plans to be there! The theme this year is "BOSFL Holiday Sip, Nosh and Mingle" More details available soon. Watch this space! #BOSFL #BOSFLHolidayParty #HolidaySipNoshMingle #SaveTheDate

🎳 Bowling Night at Manor Lanes! Saturday, October 3rd Join us for a fun night out with the Bears! Get your tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thebearsofsouthflorida/2381094 🍻 Check‑In & Happy Hour: 5:00 PM 📍 Sports Den Pub (on‑site) 🎳 Bowling Starts: 6:00 PM sharp Bowling Bears — $38 per person Includes: • Two games • Shoes • Pizza • Soda • Munchies & sweets Non‑Bowling Bears — $18 per person Includes: • Pizza • Soda • Munchies & sweets Come out, have fun, and spend the evening with your bear family! #BowlingBears #BOSFL #BearCommunity #WiltonManors #SouthFloridaEvents

🏆 OutSFL's Your Choice Award Finalists Are IN! It’s time to vote for your favorite local people, places, and organizations — and we’d love your support for Bears of South Florida in the 2026 Your Choice Awards. 💛 BOSFL is nominated in SIX categories: - Best Social Group - Best Group for Bears - Best Group for Seniors - Best Local Fundraiser: Grizzly Giving (Bears of South Florida) - Best LGBTQ-specific non-profit - Best Local Event: BOSFL Monthly Pool Party 🌈 Plus a special shoutout: - Best Local LGBTQ Activist: Brock Boyd 📩 Reminder: You can vote once per email address — every vote helps! Vote here: https://bit.ly/OSFYCA26 Let’s show South Florida the strength of our bear community. #YourChoiceAwards #BOSFL #BearsOfSouthFlorida #VoteLocal

DOUBLE
Your IMPACT.

GGP Match is Back!

Become a Member

Become a Volunteer

Upcoming Events

Hear From Our Community

Announcements

Upcoming Events

Happy Hour at Eagle

Roseland Resort & Campground – Bear Fair

Pirate Pub Crawl

Our Sponsors

DOUBLE Your IMPACT.

GGP Match is Back!

Become a Member

Become a Volunteer

Upcoming Events

Hear From Our Community

Announcements

Happy Hour at Eagle

Roseland Resort & Campground – Bear Fair

Pirate Pub Crawl

DOUBLE
Your IMPACT.