Hotter than July (festival)

Hotter Than July! is an annual week-long black LGBT Pride celebration held annually since 1996 in Detroit, Michigan which includes events each day culminating with a large festival on the final weekend. The Detroit Black Pride Society and KICK partner to produce Hotter Than July.[1]

Hotter Than July!
Hotter Than July! logo
Congressman John Conyers speaking at Hotter Than July 2013's Palmer Park Festival
GenreBlack LGBT pride parade and festival
Date(s)July
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
Years active24
InauguratedJuly 1996
Attendance20,000[1]
Organized byDetroit Black Pride Society and KICK
WebsiteOfficial website

Activities

The week of events generally kicks off with a candlelight vigil, followed the next evening by a three-hour party on an excursion along the Detroit River, "Boat Ride." The later part of the week includes a film festival and The Annual Gathering for LGBT Issues, an educational conference. The week commences with a large festival with live entertainment and music is held over the weekend in Detroit's Palmer Park and draws around 20,000 participants. The night of the festival there's an after-party, and on Sunday, the celebration wraps up with a brunch.[1][2]

History

Hotter Than July! began in 1996 as collaboration between numerous LGBT organizations — including the Billionaire Boys Club, Men of Color Motivation Group, Karibu House and Ladies of a Current Affair.[3] The celebration was founded on the seven principals of Kwanzaa.[4] Until 2003, Detroit Black Pride Society co-founder, Johnny Jenkins, served as the event's primary organizer.[5] The event is now produced by the Detroit Black Pride Society and KICK.[1]

In 2013, candidates for Detroit's mayoral race - Krystal Crittendon, Mike Duggan, Fred Durhal, and Jean Vortkamp - attended a special Hotter Than July! community forum.[6] Candidate Benny Napoleon did not attend the forum, but did attend the Palmer Park Festival.[7] Seven years later, as the COVID-19 pandemic was to blame, a virtual event will be hosted.

See also

References
  1. Collins, Andrew. "Hotter Than July 2013 - Detroit Black Gay Pride 2013". About.com. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  2. Azzopardi, Chris (2006-07-27). "Hotter Than July: Working for equality". Between the Lines. Detroit, Michigan. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  3. Klein, Sarah (2006-07-26). "Hot and bothered". Metro Times. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  4. "Who We Are". Hotter than July!. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  5. Michael, Jason A. (2004-07-29). "The changing face of Hotter Than July". Between the Lines. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  6. Michael, Jason A. (2013-07-29). "Mayoral Candidates Make Their Case For LGBT Support At Annual Hotter Than July Conference". Between the Lines. Detroit, Michigan. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  7. Equality Michigan (27 July 2013). "Photo of candidate for Detroit Mayor, Benny Napoleon, with participants at Hotter Than July 2013 in Detroit Michigan's Palmer Park". Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
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