Pure Heat, one of Atlanta’s Black gay pride celebrations, is back in Atlanta, but did it ever really leave? The past year has been particularly challenging for the Black queer community. While COVID-19 forced people to be isolated from their communities, the fight for social justice and equity has brought them back together. This year, the ninth annual Pure Heat Community Festival and other celebrations are returning to the city.
Atlanta is known for some of the most epic Black pride celebrations in country. Labor Day weekend is when events like night life and day parties, brunches, pop up shops, an influencer dinner, workshops & seminars, sip and paint, and a spades tournament will kick off.
Pure Heat will be on September 5th at Piedmont Park from noon to 8 p.m. The purpose of the festival is to bring together the Atlanta’s Black LGBTQ community and their allies, through competition, entertainment, and education. The event will include food vendors, celebrities and local performers, dance competitions, giveaways, and live hair battles.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to aid the homeless LGBTQ youth and others affected by HIV/AIDS. According to the CDC, various factors contribute to LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness at higher rates than non-LGBTQ youth. When it comes to homelessness and HIV/AIDS in the country, Georgia is ranked in the top ten in the nation for both.
Being a part of this year’s events means giving back to the community that so desperately needs uplifting as well as unifying Atlanta’s courageous Black and Queer community. The year has been a fight for freedom and change, and the events are meant to be a reflection of that.
The year has also been a time of overcoming and rejoice, in the battles won. This fall, Atlanta is where you want to be if you’re seeking the heart of Black celebration. Black pride is something that rests within the individual, but the power of it is truly when those individuals unite to deliberate, celebrate and take action for their community.
Pure Heat schedule:
Wednesday, September 1
Night Life Party 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Thursday, September 2:
Meet and Greet 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Night Life Party 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Friday, September 3:
Pop up Shop 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Influencer Dinner 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cocktails and Convo 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Night Life Party 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Late Night Brunch midnight
Saturday, September 4:
Pop up Shop 11a.m. to 8 p.m.
Workshops and Seminars noon to 6 p.m.
Sip and Paint TBA
Spades Tournament TBA
Day Party 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Night Life Party 10 p.m. to 3a.m.
Late Night Brunch midnight
Sunday, September 5
Pure Heat Community Festival @ Piedmont Park noon to 8 p.m.
Brunch noon to 3 p.m.
Day Party 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Night Life Party 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Late Night Brunch midnight
Monday, September 6:
Day Party 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Annual Boat Ride noon to 4 p.m.
Annual White Party 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Tuesday, September 7:
Details coming soon.
You can find more details on the events above or other pending events here.