The DC Black Pride is celebrating its 20th anniversary and it runs from May 26-31, 2010. Last night at the Opening Reception I had the chance to meet Earl Fowlkes, the president of DC Black Pride and the International Federation of Black Prides, who talks about this year's program and the importance of taking pride of being a LGBT person of color:
The 2010 DC Black Pride locations are the Hamilton Crown Plaza Hotel [see website] and the Washington D.C. Convention Center.
The Program
The festival’s program kicked off with a Town Hall about “Dealing with Homophobia and Racism in the Political Arena”, and an Opening Reception honoring the District of Columbia City Council, Charlotte Smallwood and local LGBT leader Jeffrey Richardson.
DC Black Pride Opening Reception: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Jeffrey Richardson, president of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club. Photo and video by Carlos A. QuirozEarly on today, the festival included free workshops on LGBT issues including personal development, travel, religion, relationships, college life, health care and career improvement. Also there was a free Writer’s Forum, and the DC Black Pride Film Festival with 7 LGBT films.
Tonight there will be a Fashion & Entertainment Extravaganza, at The Sphinx on 1315 K Street, NW Washington, DC, from 9:30 PM to 12:00 AM including designers: Maurice Thompson, Renee Hill, Teronce’ Styyles, Will Caldwell and Deramine Johnson.
Also there are plenty of private and public parties in bars around the city.
Tomorrow Sunday May 30, 2010 there will be a Church Service at the Hamilton Ballroom, of the Hamilton Crown Plaza Hotel at 10AM followed by the popular Health and Wellness Expo at the Washington D.C. Convention Center from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
This long-awaited Expo will include live performances by D.C. rapper Wale, who has confirmed his presence at the event, after a previous cancellation that was assumed due to homophobia, which he has denied.
Also there will be live dance, singing and comedy performances by Running Water, Romance, Sabrina Blue, Yarde, Monet Dupree, Tina Tuna Adams, Telle Thomas, Eric Rainbow, Shadina/Topaz, Yahzarah and Beat Ya Feet Kings [So You Think You Can Dance]. Also Shi-Queeta Lee, Epiphany Bloomingdale, Tyria Iman, Raquel Savage, Lacountress Farrington, Brandi Courvisler, DJ Flexx and J Holiday.
Read more details about the DC Black Pride and get involved here.
.
The rappers name is Wale'. Great piece.
ReplyDeleteCarlos I saw you last night taking pictures of the models at the fashion show... you are cute papi!
ReplyDeleteLet me say this getting old, being black, and gay can get depressing at times. As a gay black man approaching 50 and not living as a openly gay man, I can remember the first gay Black Prides back in the early 90's. Black and Puerto Rican men would travel to D.C. from all over the United States by the thousands. On Memorial Day weekend in Washington, D.C., you would see gay black men every where you traveled in the District. There were many places black gay men could hang out and socialize like the Court House downtown, TRACKS, the Edge, the book stores near North Capital Street, S.E., the Circle Bar, Knobs Hill, Bachelor’s Mill, and the Delta Elite. Today in 2010, many of these establishments no longer exist. You see, the gay community is D.C. is very segregated and with gentrification taking place in Washington with more affluent white gays moving into the District in large numbers, black gays seem to be disappearing. The Black Gay prides within the last several years has become small with less gay black men coming to D.C. for this event. As I sit back and reflect on the early 90's, I use to have so much fun back during those times. Many of the men I once knew are dead from AIDS, gotten older, or have moved away from Washington. On Labor Day Monday, there was always a big picnic in Rock Creek Park for black gay men, but this too has disappeared.
ReplyDeleteAs I sit here in my home listening to WHUR on this Sunday night, tears are flowing down my face remembering the good old times I shared with other attractive masculine gay black men that were openly gay or on the down low. At the age of 49 being black and gay, I no longer feel welcome in my native Washington because many of the white gay men have or is taking over and most are racist towards black gay men and many don't find us attractive.
In closing, getting old is very depressing for many gay black men like myself. In this life style, the focus is on looks, tight gym bodies, and being young without a care in the world. I look forward to my death because I no longer with have to deal with the loneliness and being alone. RIP Melvin Lindsey.
Mark, contact me. I thought I was the only black man in DC who felt this way. You are not alone. disismyspace@yahoo.com DJ
ReplyDelete