Hotter than July (festival) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hotter Than July! |
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Hotter Than July! logo
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Congressman John Conyers speaking at Hotter Than July 2013's Palmer Park Festival
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| Genre | Black LGBT pride parade and festival |
| Date(s) | July |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Detroit, Michigan, United States of America |
| Years active | 29 |
| Inaugurated | July 1996 |
| Attendance | 20,000 |
| Organized by | Detroit Black Pride Society and KICK |
Hotter Than July! is a special week-long event held every year in Detroit, Michigan. It celebrates Black LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) pride and community. The event started in 1996 and includes many activities each day. It ends with a big festival on the last weekend. The Detroit Black Pride Society and KICK work together to organize Hotter Than July!
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What Happens During the Week?
The week of Hotter Than July! usually begins with a quiet candlelight vigil. This is a gathering where people light candles to remember or honor someone. The next evening, there is a fun three-hour boat ride along the Detroit River.
Later in the week, there is a film festival. There is also an educational meeting called The Annual Gathering for LGBT Issues. This meeting helps people learn more about topics important to the LGBT community.
The Big Weekend Festival
The main part of the week is a large festival held over the weekend. This festival takes place in Detroit's Palmer Park. It features live entertainment and music. About 20,000 people attend this big event.
On the night of the festival, there is an after-party for more fun. The celebration then finishes on Sunday with a special brunch.
How Hotter Than July! Started
Hotter Than July! began in 1996. Many LGBT groups worked together to create it. These groups included the Billionaire Boys Club, Men of Color Motivation Group, Karibu House, and Ladies of a Current Affair.
The celebration was founded on seven important ideas from Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a celebration of African-American culture. Until 2003, Johnny Jenkins, who helped start the Detroit Black Pride Society, was the main organizer. Today, the Detroit Black Pride Society and KICK produce the event.
Important Moments in History
In 2013, several people running to be Detroit's mayor attended a special Hotter Than July! meeting. These candidates included Krystal Crittendon, Mike Duggan, Fred Durhal, and Jean Vortkamp. Another candidate, Benny Napoleon, did not attend the meeting but did go to the Palmer Park Festival.
In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held online. This allowed people to still celebrate safely from their homes.
See also
- Black gay pride
- History of the African-Americans in Metro Detroit
- LGBT community of Metro Detroit
- Motor City Pride
- UK Black Pride
References
