Brian Gorman is the Miami-based hotelier behind the first openly gay hotel, Lords South Beach. He describes it as “a quantum leap in gay travel.” Lords is a renovated 1930s art deco house redesigned by the New York-based studio, BH+DM, in bright yellows and aquamarines, featuring mid-century modern furniture and, of course, glitz and glam. Ten percent of the profits of room sales go to LGBT charities.

Meet Brian Gorman
Expertise: Hotel Owner
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Interests: Fashion, fitness, charitable contributions, and hotels of course.
Background: Fashion, architecture, branding and marketing

Favorite meal: A huge salad, I’m such a health nut. Oh, and almonds and coffee. But not all at once.

Recent purchase: Everything Lanvin.

Hidden talent: Poetry.

Book recommendation: Are you there Vodka, It’s Me Chelsea by Chelsea Handler. It’s fabulous!

Restaurant recommendation: Cha Cha Rooster at Lords South Beach - we serve my mom’s Pecan Pie with hand-whipped cream, it’s to die for.

If I had $20, I’d… : Give it to charity.

Transformative travel experience: The ancient city of Petra in Jordan.

Favorite neighborhood: I’d like to say South Beach but the West Village is certainly hard to beat.

Dream holiday: North Island.

If I could solve one problem, it would be: Curing people of bad manners.

I wish people cared more about: Each other.

Recent big aha!: Owning an hotel is a ton of work but also a ton of fun and quite rewarding when you realize that you can make a difference in people’s lives.

The world would be a better place if: Gay and lesbians were accepted and respected for who they are; we’re working on it.