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]
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, the "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 is 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, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual event was hosted.
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