Together for 16 months, Avian Watson and Chantrece Buggs met at a Traxx Girls event at Club Miami. But it was definitely not love at first sight.
“Her first words were, ‘You look like my ex girlfriend,’” Chantrece says.
“She favored an ex of mine and I immediately went the other way,” Avian adds with a smile.
But after time, the two struck up a friendship that developed into a relationship based on love, respect, attending church together and “adventure” dates.
The sweltering Atlanta heat on Sunday made the name of the first Pure Heat Community Festival quite fitting, but did not dissuade thousands of Black Gay Pride attendees from enjoying a day of live entertainment and celebrating in Piedmont Park.
Organized by Traxx Girls and the non-profit Vision Community Foundation, the first such fest was deemed a success by nearly all in attendance, especially by the community partner organization. The Vision Community Foundation, affiliated with the Vision Church of Atlanta but is a separate entity, does outreach to homeless people, organizes HIV testing, and provides youth mentorship among other community projects.
DJ Sugar Cut, pool parties and more close annual fest
There won't be a Nicki Minaj versus Lil Kim drama storm, a Brandy sing-a-long or Kelly Rowland waving to the masses at this year's Black Gay Pride. Expect old-fashioned block parties, plenty of great music from up-and-coming artists, and still a few notable names including Elle Varner, Fantasia and Melanie Fiona.
Tough economic times are taking a toll on Black Gay Pride promoters known for bringing in the big names and many decided this was the year to cut back and work to produce quality parties with great talent at affordable pricing.
For the first time ever, Traxx Atlanta, Rockstars Production and the Lions Den are combining their VIP and Club Hopper passes so participants can purchase one pass from any promoter and have access to all parties the promoters are producing.
Is it something about the particular women’s bars that have opened here, or is there something inherently different about the way lesbians approach nightlife? Either way, Atlanta is back to having just one lesbian bar, despite about two dozen bars targeted to gay men.
This week, Bellissima, the lesbian bar located at Amsterdam Walk in Midtown, announced its closure after a contract to sell the bar encountered problems.
That means there is just one specifically lesbian bar left in the city: My Sister’s Room, which reopened last weekend with renovations and new owners, and debuts a new sports bar menu this weekend.
This is down from a heyday of a whopping three lesbian bars in the Atlanta area in 2010, when Paris Decatur closed.
Traxx Girls is one of the top party promoters for women who love women. During Atlanta Black Gay Pride each year, it brings in such top entertainers as Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott, Ciara, Amber Rose and, this year, Brandy.
The company’s CEO and owner is Melissa Scott, 36, a woman who readily acknowledges she likes to work hard and party hard. In late October, Traxx Girls was honored as Co-Promoter of the Year at the Second Annual MillerCoors T.A.P. Awards.
Scott, also known as DJM, has owned Traxx Girls for five years.
Tens of thousands of people thronged Atlanta to celebrate Black Gay Pride, considered the largest event of its kind in the U.S. From educational seminars to free HIV testing to massive parties, the Labor Day weekend event continues to offer something for everyone.
This year also marked the 15th anniversary of In the Life Atlanta, a non-profit organization that was founded to organize educational and cultural Black Gay Pride events to complement the many nightlife and social offerings.
Club promoters and ITLA now work together to put on many events, including the State of Black Gay America Summit begun five years ago by community advocate Darlene Hudson and Gregory Allen, president and CEO of Xtreme Entertainment Inc.
White Party features sexy Glenn Twins in newly renovated Club XS
Ladies only event is also grand opening for 'Pretty Girl Hideout'