Are you a queer person of color looking for exciting day parties & brunches? Come out to NYC Black Pride 2020.
New York City Black Pride Weekend is a lineup of major events for the black LGBTQ community in New York. Even though there are many gay spaces, including gay bars and gay lounges, many African American LGBT persons feel excluded from these spaces. What’s worse is that the COVID pandemic has made it harder for the black gay community to network. Fortunately, Black Pride Festivals has provided social networking opportunities for that community. This blog post will serve as a guide for NYC Black Pride 2020.
NYC Black Pride Guide
Why Should You Attend New York Black Pride?
NY BP was created in 1997 to bring black queer persons together in safe, comfortable spaces. This celebration attracts thousands of beautiful persons from all over the East Coast and continues to draw more people every year. Here’s why:
- You’ll be in one of the best cities in the world! If you’re into the gay nightlife scene you definitely won’t be bored. There have been dozens of gay and gay-friendly bars, lounges, and clubs to go to. If you are not into the party scene you can still enjoy a variety of activities. Before the coronavirus outbreak, there were tons of events going on every single day of the week. Even on Tuesdays Frank Watson’s happy hour “Taco Tuesday” was always lit!
- There are so many gorgeous men. We gays already take pride in how we look and dress. This mindset is multiplied by many New Yorkers. During NYC BP a couple of years ago I went to a brunch party hosted by gay black event producer Joe Morris at the Rowhouse in Harlem. When I entered the venue I felt like I was in a fashion shoot. There was so much swag in the building. There were athletic men built men dressed nicely, twink boys with nicely fitted clothes, and tons of other guys wearing the latest fashions.
NYC BP and New York Pride can be easily confused with each other but they are two different gay festivals. NY Pride is a celebration of the whole LGBTQ community and takes place in June during Pride Month. The events started in honor of the Stonewall Rights in 1969 which was a fight for gay rights.
Parties & Entertainment
NYC Black Pride Weekend is the week of August 15th. The executive director of NYC BP Weekend is Lee Soulja-Simmons. There are several events you can go to while being socially distant. Here are the events organized by the NYC BP Committee:
Health as a Human Right (Virtual Chat)
Health as a Human Right is a staple event during NYC BP. It’s a discussion that focuses on health and wellness for the black LGBT community. The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to impact persons of color, especially people within the LGBT community. What’s also sad is that many black LGBT persons lack access to good healthcare. Health as Human Rights program helps to address those inequities in healthcare and propose solutions for health and wellness for black LGBT communities. This year the event will be virtual because of the coronavirus pandemic. The event is free so you.
Love brunch at B2 Harlem
The gays love brunch on the weekends so it made sense that a brunch event is included in the NYB Black Pride weekend roster. This is an event you can actually attend in person. Harmonica Sunbeam and other drag performers will be keeping guests entertained at this event. The location is B2 Harlem which is an upscale restaurant. The owner is a lesbian so if you’re an LGBTQ person you will definitely feel welcomed here. I’ve been to B2 Harlem a couple of times. You will love the decor with paintings on the wall and nice flooring. The brunch is delicious. If you plan to have brunch with unlimited mimosas expect to pay about $55-$60.
Songs for Marsha
This is another virtual event. It’s a dedication to Marsha P Johnson, the transgender activist who played a major role in the Stonewall riots in 1969 here in New York. She was the main LGBTQ activist that helped start gay pride festivals. Her involvement in the Stonewall uprising is one of the most historical moments. Whether or not you are a member of the LGBTQ community this is a New York event that you should definitely attend.
Staples Events Postponed due to COVID
- Pride At the Beach. This event won’t take place due to the coronavirus epidemic. Pride at the Beach is an event that takes place at Coney Island Beach. I went to this event in 2017 and I really enjoyed myself. The event has an educational and entertaining aspect to it. During this event, you’ll see LGBT organizations like Glaad, Harlem Pride, Tenz Magazine, etc. These organizations cater to the black LGBT and provide so many resources including HIV/AIDS educational workshops, youth mentoring, and panels on gay rights. The entertaining aspect of the event is the fashion shows, drag performances, and stage performances by LGBT artists.
- Heritage Awards Ceremony. This awards ceremony honors LGBTQ persons of color who have made contributions to the black LGBT community. This event takes place at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture located in Harlem, NY.
- Heritage Ball V. As depicted in the hit television show, “Pose” New York has a rich ballroom culture. At this event, you’ll see performances from drag queens, queer men, and other LGBTQ persons and vogue competitions. Ballroom culture originated in New York so if you’re into the ballroom scene you definitely need to attend Heritage Ball V.
How to stay safe
- Practice social distancing. Yes, New York doesn’t have a high COVID rate compared to other cities but you should still be mindful of how you interact with people. Your best friend may have the coronavirus and they may not even know. So wear your mask and avoid being in crowded spaces. No matter how cute that guy is no kissing or hookup.
- Drink to a minimum. It’s ok to have a few drinks but once you feel you are going past your limit. Just stop. I almost got myself into a very dangerous situation in DC by getting intoxicated. Thank God nothing happened.
- Download the Uber or Lyft app. Train and bus is very convenient here in NYC. But after 9 pm most trains start running locally which will make stretch the distance to your destination. To avoid that and to ensure your safety use Uber of Lyft as a backup option for travel.
- Avoid random hookups. A potential hookup could lead to a deadly situation. Be careful who you’re going home with. That cutie with the nice booty may not really be the pretty person you think he is.
NYC Pride
NYC Pride is the first official pride event & pride celebration and is one of the largest Pride Festivals. It started with the Stonewall riots in 1969. One of those protesters was a black trans leader named Marsha P Johnson. She and other LGBT activists organized a march in support of gay rights. The parade organizers started a movement of pride festivals all over the country.
The NYC Pride March was canceled this year due to the coronavirus epidemic. NYC Pride March 2021 will take place on June 27th and mostly be virtual. However, for NYC Pride 2021 there will be in-person events like a jazz performance, the Galarious Pride Stand-up Comedy Show, and the 40th Frontrunners Pride Run. The Pride Run is a staple event in Central Park, New York, and will allow 6k attendees.
Wrap Up
NYC Black Pride is a fun time to celebrate black gay pride. A lot of people assume Black Pride is just a big party but it’s more than that. The purpose of Black Pride is to promote unity and educate black SGBL communities so we can combat homophobia and racism and empower ourselves healthwise, economically, and spiritually. With the Black Lives Matter movement going on it’s even more important to show pride as a race. So, if you’re a queer person of color definitely come out.
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