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Do we still need D.C. Black Pride?
Activists weigh in on relevance of annual events in Trump era
D.C. Black Gay Pride Day, May 28, 1994. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle)
In 1991, I was a 30-year-old Air Force captain and closeted. I had worked hard to earn my degree and commission and loved the Air Force.
But “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” was the law and I was always looking over my shoulder. Living two lives was physically and spiritually exhausting. I did go to the numerous bars that existed in D.C. at the time — they were fun, exciting and even dangerous. Gay bashing and HIV/AIDS were real hazards to living your life
I remember walking onto Banneker Field for the first DC Black Pride on Saturday, May 25, 1991 alone. It was the first time I was out in public, outside of the gay bar havens, with a group of black gay people, who looked like me and were dealing with the same issues I was dealing with. It was uplifting, refreshing and empowering. I bumped into a colleague from my office in the Pentagon who was in the Navy. We were not out to each other before. We laughed out loud, hugged and have been great friends ever since.
Now, 26 years later, LGBTQ people serve openly in the armed services. We have marriage equality at the federal level; and D.C. has some of the most LGBTQ positive laws in the world. Do we still need Black Pride? I posed this question to several LGBTQ leaders and activists. Here’s what they had to say:
Sheila Alexander-Reid, director, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Washington, D.C. “Yes — People want to celebrate themselves with their own community and still do not see a lot of their community at Capital Pride.” She followed up by applauding Capital Pride’s efforts to make its board more diverse by including Ashley Smith and SaVanna Wanzer who are both African American. “If the leadership is not diverse, then outreach is not diverse, then attendance is not diverse.”
Sheila Alexander-Reid
(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Dr. Anika Simpson, co-chair, Equality March for Unity and Pride. “Yes — we need safe places for Black LGBTQ people to come together to refresh and recreate; to come together in joy, solidarity and protest. The Equality March [set for June 11 in D.C.] intentionally has a majority of person of color leadership team, which has shifted the focus of the march. The mission centers very explicitly on those LGBTQ people who have been silent and neglected. There are 12 co-chairs: nine are black, Latino or Native American; the remaining three are white. Four are transgender or gender non-conforming.” Simpson added that this organization “shows the possibilities of where queer movements should go in the future.”
Ryan Bos, executive director, Capital Pride. “Yes, DC Black Pride offers that safe space for black LGBTQ people to learn and celebrate. Capital Pride is and will continue to help sponsor DC Black Pride.” Ryan stated that, “Capital Pride has a good relationship with DC Black Pride and that he’d continue to look for ways to foster partnerships.”
Peter Rosenstein, LGBTQ activist, planning committee member, Equality March for Unity and Pride. “Yes, DC Black Pride is still needed as a safe place for black LGBTQ people to come together and celebrate. It’s important that all voices are heard. On June 11, everyone needs to come together for the Equality March and resist — be unified to support and protect full civil rights for everyone – leaving no one behind.”
Abdur-Rahim Briggs, president and CEO, Project Briggs. “Yes, we still need Black Prides because of racism in the gay community. I do not see Capital Pride reaching into the black community.” Briggs does participate in Capital Pride. He has judged floats in the past and loves to march in the Pride Parade. He commented, “I would like to see more whites participate in Black Pride to build more bridges.” He’d also like to see more corporate funding to support Black Pride but he is wary of corporate control.
Ernest Hopkins, co-founder of D.C. Black Pride, legislative director, San Francisco AIDS Foundation: Yes — “Answer the question with a question, What is DC Black Pride to you? It still raises money to combat HIV/AIDS. It still provides a safe space, builds community and annual events that focus on black LGBTQ issues. The question answers itself — Yes!” Hopkins added, “There is one misconception that I must clear up. DC Black Pride was never a response or an alternative to Capital Pride. The original, Black and Lesbian Gay Pride Day, was established as a tool to sensitize the black gay community to the problems we were having with HIV/AIDS. Our friends were getting sick and needed money for rent, food and burial expenses.”
Chuck Hicks, community organizer, LGBTQ leader and historian. “Yes — Absolutely. The first Black Pride was held in D.C. as a fundraiser to help people struggling with HIV/AIDS. Welmore Cook took a leave of absence from Best Friends of DC Inc. to form the first black gay HIV/AIDS organization in DC to combat the disease. The Black Lesbian and Gay Pride Day Inc. eventually became DC Black Pride. Memorial Day weekend was chosen in homage to The Children’s Hour celebrations held at D.C.’s Club House. Black Prides became an expression of our lifestyle and culture that has spread worldwide. This wonderful result was completely unplanned. Black Prides also give black LGBTQ artists and entrepreneurs an opportunity to prosper.”
David Bruinooge, founder, Equality March for Unity and Pride. “Yes, people should celebrate anyway they want. So yes. Communities can come together in many different ways. The various Prides celebrate their unique identities. Communities should come together to celebrate their uniqueness and see themselves.” Asked what motivated his interest in the Equality March, he said, “It is even better when we can all come together and celebrate together. The Equality March centers the margins to highlight those that have been forgotten and neglected. More people must be educated to support [LGBTQ] people who live in the margins. We need to mobilize our community and allies and rally behind the voiceless and poor. It is time that those issues are centered. We need to stand together as one.”
Earl Fowlkes, executive director, Center for Black Equity. “Yes, Black Prides are annual events driven by attendance. If they were not relevant, no one would come. Our Prides provide an opportunity to celebrate being black and LGBTQ — a duality that has to be addressed and acknowledged. Black Prides have workshops, poetry slams, plays and visual arts. Black Prides are also social. Social media doesn’t replace socializing face-to-face. The big parties are important too as we lose black bars and clubs.”
The Center for Black Equity supports 32 member Black Prides that include major cities across the U.S., DC Black Pride and London. “I’m encouraging the other Black Prides to come to support the Equality March. All hands on deck.” Fowlkes is an Equality March honorary co-chair and he also feels that the march is important and must not fail due to lack of local support.
Earl Fowlkes (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Khadijah Tribble, Ground Game, organizer, Equality March for Unity and Pride. “Yes, we need safe spaces and we need to be visible. We need DC Black Pride as long as we have people who are challenged about coming out and need resources. DC Black Pride has social as well as political consciousness and focus. Local D.C. politicians find some way to connect to DC Black Pride.” Tribble said she would like to see DC Black Pride workshops put more focus on “building, and rebuilding organizations, to create pipelines for new leaders, activists and entrepreneurs.” She would also like to see, “a method to pass national-level issues identified by Black Pride organizations to the DNC and Congressional Black Caucus for resolution.
Khadijah Tribble (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Devin Barrington Ward, president, Impulse Group DC. “Yes, we need Black Prides now more than ever. As DC and the country change, it is more important than ever to have spaces created by and for black people to contribute to Chocolate City. DC is changing and gentrification is a fact not just a discussion. It’s harder for black folks to have black spaces, which is so important.” Asked if DC Black Pride was missing anything for younger people, he said, “As the president of Impulse group DC, I have the luxury and responsibility to create the things that are missing.” Ward recognizes his privilege as a cis-gender black queer man. “Trans people will think differently. Our spaces will always be inclusive of trans and gender nonconforming folks.” Impulse Group’s mission is to educate gay, bisexual and queer men about HIV.
Whitman-Walker Health has announced Devin Barrington Ward will become its new communications director. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Dr. Ron Simmons, executive director emeritus, Us Helping Us. “Yes, the initial purpose of DC Black Pride was to raise money for HIV/AIDS organizations. Black gay men and lesbians need to be affirmed and see themselves as part of empowerment. You don’t see yourself at white pride. The events they have may not be what you need. It is like the difference between going to a white club and a black club.” Asked about the Equality March, he replied, “I think people must participate in the national march. We must be seen as part of the national community. As a young person, going to the gay march showed me I was not alone. Everyone should actually march and go to the rally.”
Ron Simmons (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Jamil Fletcher, publisher, SWERV Magazine. “Yes, we still need to celebrate Black LGBTQ Pride. We actually need it now more than ever given the state of the world today. At the root, Black Prides are about building community. A community that is empowered, healthy, financially strong, educated, and vibrant. Those of us living at this unique intersection of being black and queer know too well the challenges within our community. Pride affords us an opportunity to come together in a way that embraces all of our identities without condition.”
It was a unanimous, resounding “yes,” we still need DC Black Pride for the health and vitality of black LGBTQ communities. As the White House submits its budget to Congress this week, it’s clear that health and social services programs are being reduced to levels that threaten LGBTQ communities, particularly those already living in the margins. Moreover, several states are pushing anti-LGBTQ legislation, bringing a renewed sense of urgency to both Black Pride and the upcoming Equality March for Unity and Pride
Marvin Bowser is a lifestyle blogger and Blade contributor. Follow him on Instagram @FirstBroDC.
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Jason DePuy on coping with homophobia in ‘Big Brother’ house
First drag queen contestant on CBS show fought to stay positive
One week after Jason DePuy (known as Salina EsTitties on “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) was bullied and eventually evicted from CBS’s “Big Brother” house, the queer drag performer is still emotionally processing his feelings.
During his 24 days in the reality TV competition, DePuy often had a rough time, with fellow cast member Kamuela “Kamu” Kirk making homophobic comments and feeling isolated.
In a conversation with Head of Household Rick Devens, Kirk left viewers upset when he said, “Bro, miss me with the drag stuff. Miss me. I’m still an MMA guy, and I have an image to uphold.”
Former “Big Brother” contestant Frankie Grande called his words ‘homophobic’ and ‘gross.’ Another comment, where Kirk said he wanted to end DePuy’s career, also received strong backlash online.
Now that he is out of the house, DePuy has been shocked and deeply touched by the love from “Big Brother” fans and former contestants. We chatted with DePuy for this Blade exclusive.
“To know that my community was rallying for me outside the house was the most wonderful thing. Seeing how much people were just wanting to shower me with love was incredible. Even my friends, I went to say hi and give them a hug, and they’re like, ‘Uh, uh, come here.’ They had to hold me and let me know America was feeling for me in a way that I had no idea.”
He added: “To see that reality was just overwhelming, and I couldn’t ask for more.”
Known as a messy player in the house, DePuy often had to fight to stay positive and stand up for himself.
“No one was coming to my rescue. In real life, it’s easy to block people, but in the house, I didn’t have that luxury, so I had to find it within myself to learn how to speak up for myself in a way that wasn’t nasty or biting. I didn’t attack anyone personally, which is what I was the most proud of.”
DePuy acknowledged he has had a history of putting his foot in his mouth when it came to certain “Drag Race”moments, being in the public eye, and making a fool of himself. “I’ve learned my lessons; to see how I handled myself in the ‘Big Brother’ house was amazing.”
While DePuy has been sober for 14 and a half years and has a strong spiritual foundation, in the Big Brother house, he often felt like he couldn’t communicate what he was feeling.
“As a queer person, a person of color, a drag queen, I have to be very careful about how I move. I don’t have the luxury or privilege to just act a certain way or say a certain thing. I have to be very careful; I’m representing me. But who I am is a Latino, a person of recovery, a drag queen, a queer person in the community. I know that there’s a lot of pressure that comes with that. I felt it was safer for me to sit there and just breathe than try to do anything crazy.”
He continued: “I couldn’t speak to the personal attack that was happening in the house, because in my mind I was like, ‘no, this is a game, and I have to play it, put that aside.’”
Not only can viewers watch the episodes, but they can also watch the live feeds of what’s happening. Seeing the fans’ social media posts from people who had watched the episodes and the live feeds also contributed to DePuy realizing that his feelings of discomfort were valid.
“To know that I wasn’t delusional in those moments, that others could see what was happening, has been a lot to take in. Fans and friends let me know the comments made went beyond the game…I’m like, ‘Oh, so my instincts were correct.”
One of the most poignant moments on the live feeds occurred when DePuy was crying, alone in his room, and said how he missed his gay community.
“I really missed my friends. I missed my queer community. We’re so colorful. We’re so loud. We’re so vibrant. We speak off the cuff, and we’re very truthful and honest with how we speak, and it’s fun. We have fun lingo.”
DePuy had to censor his expressions in the house. “Because I can say one thing, but it can mean something different to straight people than it does with my queer brothers and sisters. So, there was a sense of code-switching that I had to do. I had to even put aside some of my queerness in a way sometimes to fit in.”
DePuy was thrilled to be the very first drag queen to ever be cast on the show.
“I’m honored to have been chosen. There’s a million drag queens out there, and to know that I was a contender to come in the house and not even be in drag was like a wow for me. I’m over here in Hollywood, running around these streets with a wig and heels just to make a dollar to survive, and I have to rely on drag to do that. And then to be offered this opportunity and be given the privilege to say, ‘hey, you don’t have to put on the wig for you to be valuable here,’ is just insane to me.”
Prior to his shows, DePuy has been hustling for 15 years, flipping burgers and doing drag at night.
“That has been my life these past since I was 17. So it’s been a long journey; the opportunity to do this out of drag is a very big blessing. I’m honored and grateful to be the representation of my community.”
If you missed Jason on “Big Brother: Unlocked,” the episode can be seen on CBS.com. He will be back on the show for the finale.
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Rainbows in Revolt on a mission to make LGBTQ artists’ voices heard
Rainbows in Revolt on a mission to make LGBTQ artists’ voices heard
Last month’s Pride celebration in D.C. was so fun. Walking around my first Capital Pride with a $15 lemonade I was loving the madness and the color. Artists and small businesses battling banks you’ve never heard of collecting your personal information so you can spin a wheel to snag free merch. Great music blaring, people actually smiling and enjoying themselves, the “Great” American State Fair could never!
The Monument Stage was on Pennsylvania Avenue, directly in front of the National Gallery of Art and I can’t think of a better venue to see live music. How does someone get on the lineup for Pride? How do we accelerate the visibility of the most talented voices in our community to perform in places like this?
There is certainly not a talent gap, but there is a visibility gap. Chappell Roan went from playing for two people in a parking lot to owning the main stage at Coachella in one year. Whether it is shadowbanning or bias in AI, algorithms have been shown to suppress queer artists. In a digital age, how can queer people break through and show the world how talented they are?
Allison and Matt of Rainbows in Revolt are on a mission to make openly LGBTQ+ artists’ voices heard. Their goal is to find “musicians whose queerness is central to their identity as an artist,” and accelerate them to a place where they can actually reach fans.
The only time queer events seem to be in the spotlight is June, but this should be year round, according to Allison and Matt. Rainbows in Revolt wants to act as a “nucleus” for different sub-communities, finding common ground in the universal language of music.
Matt and Allison founded Rainbows as a way to make cheaper, higher quality merchandise for queer artists. While Rainbows has already pledged 20% of their profits to the LGBTQ+ community, with 10% to Whitman-Walker Health and 10% to LGBTQ+ organizations in need, this is just the beginning of the work that they do.
Rainbows “does the dirty work” that artists normally struggle to do on their own with limited resources. Interviews, artist profiles, social promotion, playlist discovery, radio outreach, and merch-funded support. This work is normally expensive, time consuming, and requires lots of different skills. Musicians don’t want to be editing clips to post online. Standup comedians don’t want to make graphics for their tour dates. They want to write more. They want to focus on their craft.
In addition to helping artists find their audience, Rainbows has built other digital tools to help queer people connect, including an interactive Safe Space Map for most major cities. It is hard to know which places are truly safe and supportive just from a simple Google search. Attitudes and actions change, and there should be a simple way for queer people to find other places that align with them. The Safe Spaces Maps are all up to date, and are tagged and filterable. Instead of relying on forums and word of mouth, Rainbows has created a centralized way to find authentic community quickly.
I had a chance to talk with Allison and Matt at Pride where Lily Erin, one of their signature artists, was performing on the Monument stage. Lily Erin is a folk singer who is familiar and forging her own path. Her bittersweet sound echoes through Acadia, and her garb mirrors the New England athletes I grew up with. Gorp Core meets streetwear. A graphic tee, hiking shorts, and creamsicle Jordans.
Her debut single, “Bus Stop,” tells a sad story about unconditional love, and the conditions that still seem to come with it. Graduating into lockdown, Erin needed a new way to connect with herself and others. Lily made “Bus Stop” without an intention to share it, but doing so was a liberation. People have been responding to her honesty around queer-ness, family, and the “ghosts which haunt us” even in the daytime.
Rainbows in Revolt has helped Lily Erin go from bars and backyards to The Monument Stage at Pride. This is a meteoric rise, and a testament to both Erin’s talent and the work of Rainbows to promote her. “A little encouragement goes a long way with early artists,” and by “planting a seed” Rainbows is already seeing their artist garden grow. Community is power, and Erin is a perfect example of how effective simple modern techniques of promotion can be.
A next step for Rainbows is putting on shows themselves. On Oct. 3, Rainbows in Revolt will host an Evening with Ray Boltz at the National City Christian Church. Boltz grew up in the Catholic Church and for many years was the soundtrack to many services, youth camps, and church groups. He was celebrated by millions until he came out in 2008. Allison remembers her community “never playing his music again.”
Rainbows in Revolt is helping him to return to the church, and proving that identity does not need to be exclusive. We live in a complicated world with complicated lines being drawn. Boltz proves that these lines don’t exist, and will be breaking down barriers to bring together communities. To Allison, “a trans woman standing next to a straight white man in church is a powerful teacher.”
The Safe Space maps bridge all types of spaces, and one of the unlikely ones is, perhaps, churches. Matt said that “BYU has only nine safe spaces around their campus and seven of them are churches.” Not all churches are anti-gay, and many times they are the only place for people to find community.
Rainbows in Revolt is just getting started bridging gaps and building community.
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Summer in the City: Free exhibits, movies, more fill D.C.’s calendar
America 250 celebrations continue
From late-night museum visits and outdoor jazz concerts to free movie screenings and America250 exhibitions, Washington’s summer calendar is packed with events that don’t charge admission. Here’s a look at some of the free activities happening across the District through September and beyond.
Museum exhibitions
The Renwick Gallery is presenting State Fairs: Growing American Craft, an exhibition that looks at unique and unconventional crafts from the 19th century to the present. It will run until Sept. 7, and admission is free.
The Arts and Industries Building, located next to the Smithsonian Castle, is presenting the exhibition Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America. The exhibition features the development of American independence and what that has meant over time, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Admission to the museum is free, and the exhibition runs until Sept. 7.
The National Gallery of Art presents Dear America, an exhibit featuring more than 100 pieces of work, including letters, photographs, and drawings that depict American landscapes and depictions of freedom. The exhibition will run until Sept. 20.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts is exhibiting Burnished: Pueblo Pottery until Sept. 27. The exhibit features pottery from the Southwest, and while most of the pottery belongs to women artists, a few also reflect those who have advocated for women.
Extending past this summer, the exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa will be at the National Museum of the American Latino until July 2028. The exhibition shows how Afro-Cuban music has become a staple in the U.S. Admission is free.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will feature the exhibition District Vibes / American Pride: How DC Changed American Culture, which will highlight all of the ways D.C. has impacted American life. The exhibit will run until Sept. 27.
At the Folger Shakespeare Library, the exhibit Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era will be on view through Aug. 2. All the portraits on display come from the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery in London.
The United States Botanic Garden will be open until 8 p.m. on Aug. 20 and Sept. 17, as part of America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration. The evenings will include live music, mocktails, ice cream, and snacks.
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden will have extended hours, staying open until 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday until Sept. 3.
Live performances
On Aug. 7, the postgame Nationals concert series will continue with Jordan Davis performing. To see the concert, guests just need to buy tickets to the Nationals game.
Jazz in the Garden will run each Friday until Aug. 14. The event has free admission, but those interested have to enter a lottery due to the high demand for the event.
From May to October, Capital Harvest Market occurs every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The market features fresh foods, crafts, and recipes for unique dishes. A full list of vendors is available on Capital Harvest’s website.
Live! Concert Series on the Plaza will feature live performances at Woodrow Wilson Plaza until Sept. 25. The performances run Monday to Friday from 12-1 p.m. Admission is free to the performances.
DowntownDC Live! at Anthem Row is running until July 30, with free performances every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The final performance will feature HUE and a vintage flea market hosted by Get Flee Marketplace.
Located in Adams Morgan, AdMo Vibe will present live performances every Thursday at 6 p.m. in Kalorama Park. Guests are encouraged to check out Adams Morgan before and after shows, and it is an event for all ages.
Other events
Union Market is hosting drive-in movies on Aug. 8, featuring “Monsters, Inc.”, and Sept. 12, featuring “Wicked.” On Aug. 8, the parking lot will open at 7:30 p.m., with the movie starting at 8:25 p.m. On Sept. 12, the parking lot will open at 6:35 p.m., and the movie will start at 7:30 p.m.
Sunset Cinema at the Wharf will also be available one day a month. On Aug. 12, “10 Things I Hate About You” will premiere, and on Aug. 26, “Project Hail Mary.” No tickets are necessary.
The Library of Congress will also show movies. On Aug. 6, guests are invited to watch “Apollo 13.” The movie will be shown at 8 p.m., with additional live performances beginning at 7 p.m.
For fans of Asian media, the Okaton convention will be at Walter E. Washington Convention Center from July 31-Aug. 2. Festivities will include cosplay contests, skits, live music, and panel discussions.
Washington Spirit’s season also begins in August. The Spirit is Washington’s National Women’s League, with matchups occurring between the San Diego Wave, the North Carolina Courage, the Orlando Pride, and the Bay FC.
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Jason DePuy on coping with homophobia in ‘Big Brother’ house
