Universal Orlando Resort has reportedly extended the Love is Universal Pride nights at Red Coconut Club through the month of July.
The event, which was originally set to run only for the month of June (Pride Month), will be held each Thursday evening from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Tonight’s event was originally scheduled to be the final Pride Night of the year. The extension announcement was made at the club this evening.
Love is Universal
Love is Universal is Universal Studios’ LGBT+ pride slogan, used for events, merchandise, and more.
For 2023, Universal Orlando Resort has announced that through August, 100% of profits from their “Love is Universal” merchandise collection will be donated to local organizations.
The local organizations Universal will donate profits to include Zebra Youth, The Center Orlando, and onePULSE Foundation.
Zebra Youth describes itself as “a network of organizations which provide services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and all youth (LGBTQ+) ages 13 – 24.” They assist young people facing homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, physical and sexual abuse, and drug abuse with individualized programs to guide them to recovery and stability.
The Center Orlando aims to “promote and empower the LGBT community and its allies through advocacy, education, information, and support.” They have programs and services for people of all ages and backgrounds.
The onePULSE Foundation was founded by the owner of Pulse nightclub following the 2016 shooting at the nightclub that resulted in the deaths of 49 people. The foundation’s fund “is intended to support a memorial that opens hearts, a museum that opens minds, educational programs that open eyes and legacy scholarships that open doors.” Contributions support the National Pulse Memorial & Museum design, construction, land acquisition costs, operations, community education programs, and 49 Legacy Scholarships.
Pride Month is celebrated worldwide every June, honoring the anniversary of the Stonewall riots — although Florida saves some celebrations for the cooler fall months.
Universal Orlando Resort honors Pride Month every year with the “Love is Universal” collection. In the Hollywood section of Universal Studios Florida, a window pays tribute to the Team Members who were killed during the Pulse shooting.
While Walt Disney World Resort is still facing backlash from denouncing Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill (a.k.a. the “Don’t Say Gay” bill), Universal Orlando Resort never publicly acknowledged the bill. During Pride Month 2022, a former Universal Orlando Resort Team Member spoke out about how the company had failed to support its LGBTQIA+ employees.
Red Coconut Club
The Red Coconut Club is a venue for dancing and drinks at Universal CityWalk, located at the top of the escalators that come up from Cold Stone Creamery and Red Oven Pizza Bakery. It’s been known to change themes recently, celebrating whatever major season or event is happening around Universal Orlando Resort at any given time.
During Halloween Horror Nights, it was the Dead Coconut Club, sporting skeletons, spooky lighting, and even the Bride of Frankenstein. We reviewed this venue in its haunted form last September.
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