The LGBT Recognition and Entertainment Center is a new concept that is in need of implementation. The cause of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people is one of the last major segments of society that have fought the restrictions placed on them by leadership and social pressures of most countries around the world. Even though the barriers are breaking down due to the efforts of various gay organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign as well as many other groups devoted to attaining social equality, it will be some time before true equality is accomplished.

The creators of this Center believe that it is time that major LGBT places be established that will recognize and honor this segment of humanity that has contributed so much to human evolution. Their contributions were most often cloaked under a persona that was established to keep their family, friends and the rest of their community unaware of who and what they really were. This camouflage is now dissolving and like black society that achieved their freedom before them, the LGBT community is emerging into the sunlight of being able to truly express themselves.

It is extremely important that those LGBT peoples and their families, friends and supporters that lived through those awful secret years acquire a physical symbol that demonstrates what they suffered as well as what they have accomplished. And such a symbol would be essential to teach LGBT youth that are emerging into this new more enlightened humanity what those that came before have done on their behalf. Even those people who were once opposed and perhaps even still opposed to this part of their community will benefit from seeing this proud image of a freed people.

The creators of this LGBT places concept also believe that the time will never be better than the present to create such a recognition center. The proposed location of this facility could be any number of places in the world, but we believe that Orlando Florida is ideal for several reasons. One of these reasons is of course the climate and another is the fact that Orlando is a mecca for tourists from all over the world. But perhaps the recent terrible massacre of 49 LGBT souls and another 53 seriously injured, will forever make Orlando a particularly symbolic city for all of us around the world. That an evil force can target LGBT people banding together to celebrate being alive in one of the most celebratory cities in the world during Gay Pride Month makes Orlando forever etched in the LBGT psyche.

But being true to the nature of LGBT folk, it would be essential that this recognition center be a truly upbeat and gay place as well as a memorial. There must be very somber and contemplative areas within the center where visitors will seek knowledge and remembrance and shed a few or often many tears, but they also, true to the LGBT code of living find places to celebrate being people and with people who wish to be gay. This means observing their artistic creations and participating in musical and other performance venues. It must be a Center that lauds those who came before us and praises those of us who are here now. The Center needs to make all of us aware and respectful of the efforts of those that have been dedicated to and sacrificed for the LGBT Community.

Although it will be a truly awesome task to raise the funds needed to bring this concept into reality, it is hoped that once the LGBT Recognition Center starts operations it will be self-sustaining in perpetuity due to an ability to attract people from all over the world to see the various exhibits and to enjoy performances by musicians and comedians as well as Motivational and Inspirational speakers and others. It would also be appropriate for the Center to feature local and other emerging talents, gay or straight, on their stage as The Pulse nightclub was known for doing.

We have attached a conceptual plan to start interested people on a path to seeing such a LGBT place emerge. And true to the nature of a concept, it is only a start. Whoever or whatever organization eventually takes on the responsibility of bringing such a Center into being, will set different targets and goals based on the various realities forced onto them for many different reasons. But to start the process, following are the various elements that we have conceived to get the ball rolling.

Statistics:  LGBT RECOGNITION AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

TOTAL ACERAGE- 15+/-

TOTAL ENCLOSED BUILDING SQUARE FOOTAGE – 81,096

TOTAL LAKE SQUARE FOOTAGE – 38,595 -AVERAGE DEPTH 8 FEET

TOTAL  DRIVE/PARKING PAVING SQUARE FOOTAGE – 254,515

TOTAL PARKING SPACES – 432 (Additional land may be required for parking)

CONSTRUCTION CONCEPT:

Concrete block & stucco support walls- floor to ceiling glass walls on

all buildings – 4 foot overhangs.

ELEMENTS:

Building A- Two story Entrance:

Bottom; Reception kiosk, fresh rooms, security & reception staff, elevator & utility.

Top floor: Administrative offices- rest rooms- utility

Building B – Single story:

Hall of Health/Aids – A retrospective display of the general health problems and especially of AIDS with a compete digital interactive display of the Memorial AID’s Quilt.

Medical Advancement – A display of the various health problems that LGBT community has faces and is facing and a discussion on the solutions that have been brought forth.

Building C – Single Story: Organizational

Hall of Friends – A discussion and relevant displays of friends of the LGBT community

PFLAG Hall – – A discussion and relevant displays of the Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays and their contributions.

Equality Florida – A discussion and relevant displays of this statewide human rights organization dedicating to achieving full equality rights of LGBT people.

Hall of Literature – A display of the books penned by LGBT authors and the impact they have made on all lives.

Pantry for Bldg I restaurant

Storage for Bldg I restaurant.
Building D – Single Story:

HRS Hall – Human Rights Campaign – Office and Promotion for

Americas largest civil rights organization  working to achieve LGBT and Queer equality.

The Pulse Memorial Hall – A museum & memorial for those killed or injured in The Pulse Nightclub massacreon Sunday June 12, 2016. Photographs, sculptures or possibly holographic images for those slain could tell the story in a respectful and meaningful way to the centers visitors.

Building E – Single story – Entertainment/Performance/Information Media

Damon – LGBT Travel & Information publication

Out – A LGBT fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle magazine,

The Advocate – Gay commentary, arts & entertainment publication.

Bravo – LGBT friendly NBC Tv media company.

Conference Room: Available for smaller business meetings or motivational speaking venues.

Hall Of Entertainment – Available for large seated performance and motivational speaking venues.

Performance Stage: A covered open sided performance platform that is open to the lakeside grassy knolls, the Building E open sided veranda walks and the restaurant verandas.

Auditorium/Theater – Available for small capacity performance and motivational speaking venues. Adjacent to the larger Hall Of Entertainment, it can be merged to it for overflow performances.

Visual Arts Wing – This is a small venue for displays of films and videos of LGBT interest.

Building F – Single Story:

Hall of Shame – Information and displays of individuals and public officials that purposely or inadvertently performed activities that  damaged or held back LGBT evolution.

Hall of Fame – Information and displays of individuals and public officials that purposely performed activities that promoted and advanced LGBT evolution.

Building G – Single Story –

Hall of Sports – Information and displays of LGBT individuals that led the way and demonstrated that they could become icons and impressive examples to everyone in spite of the stereotypes in  their times.

Hall of Pride – Information and displays of LGBT individuals came out of their closets in difficult times to become a success and serve as examples for others to follow.

Hall of Leadership – Information and displays of LGBT and non LGBT individuals who used their political, business, military and  others important positions to advance the LGBT cause.

Education Display – A retrospective display of how education helped or hindered the growth of LGBT and how such activitiescan be promoted in today’s homes and school environments.

Building H – Single Story –

Hall of History – A panoramic display of both the closeted and open history of the LGBT people, using photographic, video andvocal presentations.

Fashion Space – A discussion and display of the influences that LGBT designers and promoters have had on the fashion and cosmetic industries.

Building I – Two Story – 131,800 square feet – 4,840 square feet open verandas.

Bottom:  15,900 square feet – 2,420 open veranda.

Library/Media store – Sales of books and videos of interest to LGBT community.

Gift Store – Various gifts for sale of interest to all visitors.

Restaurant & kitchen – Interior dining and outside veranda dining overlooking the lake and the Performance Stage.

(2) Rest rooms

Stairs & elevators to top floor.

Top floor: 15,900 square feet – 2,420 open veranda

Overlook bar & grill- Interior dining and outside veranda dining  overlooking the lake and the Performance Stage.

Administrative offices-  (2) rest rooms- utility

Building J – Single Story – 2,145 square feet

Maintenance and backup generator.

Covered breezeways- Building access – 3,834 square feet