White Parties have become vibrant cultural celebrations and, in many cases, significant philanthropic events within the global 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The tradition began in 1985 in Miami, Florida, when Frank Wager organized a birthday celebration for his partner and invited guests to wear white, creating a striking sense of unity and symbolism. What started as an intimate private gathering soon grew into a large annual event known as White Party Miami.
At the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the late 1980s and 1990s, the White Party assumed greater purpose, becoming a major fundraiser for HIV/AIDS service organizations, particularly Care Resource (formerly Health Crisis Network). By pairing celebration with activism, the event helped generate millions of dollars to support care, prevention, and advocacy initiatives.
The Party in White honours and celebrates this important chapter of queer history.
