Black Gay Pride over Labor Day Weekend is one of the busiest times in the LGBT year. While In the Life Atlanta is the official governing body of Black Gay Pride, several local promoters offer a full weekend of events.
See what’s happening each day, or find your favorite promoter by color.
From parties to panel discussions, Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride intends to not only entertain the tens of thousands who descend on the South’s black gay mecca each year over Labor Day weekend, but also inform and empower them.
Each year, party promoters offer revelers a chance to attend everything from upscale cocktail parties to sexy pool parties to down and dirty late night parties that celebrate the uniqueness of being black and gay.
But there is also the annual State of Black Gay America Summit on Sept. 1, this year with the theme “Embracing Our Collective Power to Influence Change,” that will include panel discussions on the Affordable Care Act as well as how to fund progressive organizations and support political allies.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend in gay Atlanta means parties, parties, parties. Gay promoters know thousands of people are visiting the birthplace of the civil rights icon not only to commemorate but to celebrate.
“People come to Atlanta because of the festivities we all have to offer. But by Atlanta being the home of the civil rights leader, it adds history to the weekend,” says Phillip Boone, owner of Traxx Atlanta, one of the largest black gay promoters in the country. Traxx celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
The tough economy impacts party promoters. Boone says Traxx Atlanta knows the pockets of partiers are not as deep as in the past and is striving to bring affordable entertainment in a city that’s famous for its black gay events.
Labor Day weekend brings tens of thousands to Atlanta for what is billed as the world’s largest Black Gay Pride. This year’s festivities will have added impact, as the nonprofit In the Life Atlanta celebrates 15 years of bringing cultural and educational events to the massive celebration.
In the Life Atlanta formed in 1996 to create a community component to Black Gay Pride, which began as an informal network of house parties, nightlife and other gatherings. This year, ITLA’s packed schedule of events focuses on the theme “A Crystal Ball” to mark the organization’s crystal anniversary.
“The overarching theme for our anniversary this year is ‘In the present, learning from the past to shape the future.’ We chose the crystal ball because it’s been 15 years; 15 is the crystal year,” explained ITLA President Raymond Duke.
Packed with educational and informative events such as the State of Black Gay America Summit, Black Gay Pride is more than just a weekend-long party. But there is no doubt that partying is a major aspect of celebrating Pride for the estimated 100,000 people who come from all over the world to descend on Atlanta over Labor Day weekend.
This year’s parties should be as hot as ever, but which celebrities will perform remains unclear as promoters continue to finalize their nightlife schedules.
“It’s going to be a full weekend and we’re still putting on some final touches. It’s been a real struggle with artists this year but they are slowly trickling in,” says Phillip Boone, owner of Traxx Atlanta.
DJ M is a prominent nightlife promoter in Atlanta’s lesbian scene. Her Traxx Girls parties typically attract hundreds if not thousands of women who love women to see the likes of Fantasia, Amber Rose, the Real Housewives of Atlanta and, at the 2010 Atlanta Black Gay Pride celebration, Nicki Minaj, who rocked the house and happily autographed many women’s breasts.
It’s at these parties where friends Deborah, who once dated R&B star Omarion; Suga, one of Atlanta’s top exotic dancers at Kamal’s 21 Adult Emporium; Lisa Cunningham, a video producer who does work for Traxx Girls as well as her own projects including music videos; Jaimee Balenciaga of the renowned Balenciaga ball family; and the renowned Glenn Twins, models and aspiring actresses, come together for socializing — and perhaps some intense exchanges that make for great TV.
At least that’s what the women hope. For about five years, they have been filming their exploits and shopping the show — named “My Secret Society” — to networks.
It was a bittersweet holiday season for Wynter Robinson, daughter of the late Durand Robinson, the co-owner of Traxx Atlanta who was killed in August.
“The holidays were difficult but I gave back to the community, a tradition my father instilled in me to go into underprivileged neighborhoods and help,” she said.
Robinson, 24, said she purchased gifts for a 5-year old girl who had no other gifts.
“I bought her a lot of presents. It was something he [her father] would have done,” she said.