PRIDE Atlanta Black Pride On a Global Scale
By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Back in April it was announced the first ever Global Black Pride – the world’s first and only Pride event dedicated to Black LGBTQ+ communities globally – was to be hosted in Atlanta. At the forefront of attracting a Pride celebration of this scale is Malik Brown, Director of LGBTQ Affairs for the City of Atlanta, and we caught up with him to talk all things Global Black Pride.
First, tell us how Atlanta became the location for the first-ever Global Black Pride celebration – and what was your part in this process?
As a lifelong Atlantan, the choice was clear to me. Atlanta is such a special place so many people, especially Black LGBTQ+ people. We had several meetings with the Global Black Pride organizers to make sure they knew that the City of Atlanta would be an ally in helping them put on this important convening.
There are some familiar pieces to this Pride celebration, like the Mayor’s reception and the Pure Heat Community Festival in Piedmont Park, but also a lot of new events. How will this Pride be different than a ‘regular’ Atlanta Black Pride?
I think of it as an elevated and international version of what’s historically done here. We are lucky to have several great organizations who produce events during Labor Day Weekend, including Atlanta Black Pride and the organizers of the Pure Heat Community Festival.
The folks who produce Global Black Pride are working hand in hand with familiar faces and organizers in ATL. This year is different in a lot of ways. There will be a weeklong Global Human Rights Conference, global performers in Piedmont Park, and an incredible line up of events and visitors. For the annual Mayor’s Black Pride Reception, we’ve adopted a global theme
as well, it influences what folks will wear, as well as décor, food, and drinks.
Obviously, having an Atlanta Black Pride holds a lot of significance – what does it add to now have this become a global phenomenon?
There are a lot of cities that host some form of Black Pride across the world, but I’m so glad to see Global Black Pride continue to grow, and I can’t wait to see where it will go down the road. I’m a big fan of any Pride celebration that allows groups of people to celebrate their unique culture and norms in a safe and affirming space.
What do you think having the Global Black Pride here in Atlanta means for the city and in particular the Black LGBTQ+ community?
just think it further proves Atlanta’s special place in the world. It’s a place where people can come experience culture, innovation, and southern hospitality. I’m very excited to celebrate with fellow Black LGBTQ+ ATLiens, and our visitors.
What events are you excited about for Global Black Pride?
I’m excited for the Global Human Rights conference, particularly the Black LGBTQ+ Political Leaders roundtable that I’ll be moderating. Of course, I’m so excited about the 5th Annual Mayor’s Global Black Pride Reception. This is such a special event every year, but we’ve put a lot of magic into this one.
Are there any additional details you can reveal about the Pride celebration?
Be on the lookout for some very exciting visitors throughout the week. There are some pretty big names that I’m hearing my pop into Atlanta to celebrate with us.
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REAL STORIES
ELIAS CHAD
A letter from the Mayor of Atlanta
Dear Neighbors,
I am thrilled to celebrate Global Black Pride alongside our residents and visitors. Atlanta was the clear choice to become the first U.S. city chosen to host Global Black Pride, an event that unites Black LGBTQ+ communities across continents in a celebration of culture and diversity.
We are the LGBTQ+ capital of the south, and the Black LGBTQ+ capital of the world – and our actions back it up.
I declared 2023 the Year of the Youth, driven by my goal of making Atlanta the best place to raise a child, including LGBTQ youth. At the start of this year, we launched Atlanta’s firstever LGBTQ+ mentorship pilot, connecting our young people with our best and brightest adults. Throughout the year, these mentors and mentees have met at least once a month, both individually and in group outings. Last fall, we hosted our first Youth Pride Summit + Festival, providing LGBTQ+ youth and families with a day filled with fun activities, vital resources, and bonding opportunities. We also teamed up with the Rainbow Book Bus to distribute nearly 1,000 banned books by LGBTQ+ authors to our young people and their families.
Earlier this year, I appointed Judge Pierce Hand Seitz to the Atlanta Municipal Court, marking the first time an openly LGBTQ person has served on the bench. We partnered with Netflix to host a special Atlanta screening of Rustin, a film that tells the story of activist Bayard Rustin, who faced racism and homophobia as he helped shape Civil Rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington. Our Administration was also proud to join forces with the Atlanta City Council to celebrate a hometown hero and Atlanta Public Schools alum, RuPaul, by declaring his most recent visit as RuPaul Day in Atlanta.
But our journey is far from over. With the unwavering support of the Mayor’s Division of LGBTQ Affairs, housed within the Mayor’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and the dedication of the Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board, we remain committed to advancing equity and fostering a city where every person is embraced for who they are. Atlanta’s strength lies in its unity, and our continued progress depends on our collective resolve to create a city that celebrates diversity in all its forms.
Let us continue to stand together, united in our vision for an inclusive Atlanta. Together, we will ensure that our city remains a beacon of hope, resilience, and pride for generations to come.
With gratitude and optimism,
Rediscover Your Erotic Energy
By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
In the beginning of September, Body Electric will be facilitating a multi-day workshop called “Celebrating the Body Erotic” for all men, including non-binary, trans, intersex, and two-spirited people of all sexual orientations and gender expressions who feel belonging in men’s spaces. We spoke to Ben Lewis, who coordinates events for Body Electric in the Atlanta area, about what to expect and what it means to participate.
First, let us know a little bit about the Body Electric event ?
Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for the idea. The Body Electric School teaches a range of erotic workshops around the world, and Celebrating the Body Erotic (the workshop that we’re teaching here in September) is our most popular of these classes. This is a workshop that helps people reconnect with pleasure, rediscover their own erotic energy, get back in touch with themselves, and practice making connections with other people in a safe and supportive container.
Celebrating the Body Erotic was developed in San Francisco in the 1980s by a man named Joseph Kramer. Remember, this was the early days of the AIDS crisis when so many people were dying every day, and the community (especially the gay male community) was terrified of touching each other. Joseph was a massage therapist who had also studied to become a priest, and he combined his knowledge of massage and his desire
to serve others to teach this method of healing touch, initially to gay men.
Over the years, the school has expanded, and today, we offer this and other workshops in variations for women and for all genders, as well as for a wide variety of different affinity groups. But the workshop that we’re teaching here in September is specifically for men.
By the way, the school is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year!
Why do you think an event like this is important and needed today?
We live in a world where we can search for an anonymous hookup nearby using our phones, and then swipe left on someone without ever talking to him, based on a short description and a thumbnail image that’s a few hundred pixels, max. For all the good things that technology has brought to us, we’ve lost the ability to connect with the real human people around us. This workshop is an invitation to reset that and get to know actual 3D people in real time.
In addition, there’s a deep kind of emotional or spiritual healing that’s tied in with physical touch. We know that touch is one of our basic primal human needs, yet we convince ourselves that we don’t need it to survive
and can get by without it. Then, when we finally get to experience touch from a nurturing person in a warm and compassionate way, we’re often overcome by the sensation. It’s very common for people in this workshop to have big emotional reactions because they don’t realize just how touch-deprived they are and how badly they need this.
Why do you think that people are limited in their sexuality and desires today?
Honestly, as children, I think most of us grew up with a big mystery around sex, knowing that it was something big and important but having no idea what it meant. We were taught that it was taboo, that we didn’t talk about those body parts, and our parents would cover our eyes if something sexual came on TV. Except they didn’t call it sexual, they called it “dirty.” Then when we hit puberty and discovered what an orgasm felt like… well, that was it, wasn’t it? We spent the next few decades chasing that feeling, but somewhere along the way we forgot how to be curious and to explore and imagine and play. And eventually, for so many of us, sex lost its lustre.
The event obviously focuses on sensual and erotic aspects. How do you convey that message so that participants won’t expect a full-on sex party?
So many people think this is an orgy! Whenever I’m talking to people, I’m very up-front and just tell them that this is not an orgy, not a happy ending, not a circle jerk. We use breathwork and movement and guided touch to explore what it means to be an erotic being. Someone told me that this course is hands-on and clothes-off*, and that’s a good description! But really, this workshop is an invitation to rethink pleasure in a way you probably haven’t done since you were a teenager.
*And if you don’t want to be fully naked, you don’t have to be.
Say, you’re part of the event and you get aroused – is that okay?
Sure it is! I will say that that erections are not the point of the workshop. You don’t need one to do anything that we do, and you won’t miss a thing if you go all weekend without it. But you know some folks are more responsive than others, and… well, an erection isn’t a bad thing!
I’m sure consent and boundaries are extremely important in this setting – how do you enforce and encourage this?
Absolutely you’re right. One of the first things that we do in every workshop is to practice setting and holding boundaries. So many of us are encouraged not to say no in the interest of “being nice.” Or other people never learn to say yes because of confidence issues or low selfesteem. So right out of the gate, we practice making requests of each other, and we practice saying both yes and no. And throughout the weekend, we’ll encourage you to give an honest yes or no to everything that happens -- even the things we ask you to do! Personally, I hope you’ll say yes to everything, but if something truly makes you uncomfortable, then we encourage you to opt out.
We also reserve a corner of the room as a place of refuge, where you can step out of the action and regroup yourself, for whatever reason. You’re still in the room and you can watch whatever’s going on, and you’re welcome to rejoin the group whenever you’re ready.
What is something that you have learned about yourself during a Body Electric event?
I learned how to be spiritual, which feels like a weird thing to say because I never thought of myself as a spiritual person. As long as I had a job and could pay my bills, I figured that was all there was to life, right? But after I started getting in touch with my body, I learned that the body and the spirit are intertwined in a way I never really understood or appreciated. I learned just how important it is to tend to your spirit, and I learned that physical joy is an amazing way to do that.
What do you hope that participants will take away from this event?
I hope they’ll learn how to say both no AND yes. I want them to remember what it’s like to feel joy, and to get a better sense of who they are and what makes them truly happy. I want them to feel like a kid again. I want them to have the kind of transformative experience that I had in my first workshop, and to leave with a new feeling of confidence. And if they find themselves healing old wounds in the process, so much the better.
How can participants prepare for this event?
Start to think of ways to begin waking up your body. Move. Stretch. Dance. Do yoga or go for a hike. Practice walking in the world like the sexy beast you are. Develop a swagger! Also, spend some time thinking about your intention in taking this workshop. What do you think is missing from your life? What is it that you want to learn about yourself, or heal, or grow? (But we’ll also send you a detailed list of what to bring and how to prepare as the workshop draws closer.)
Tell us how we can learn more about how to be a part of this event.
You can find more details and a link to register online bodyelectric.org/online-shops/celebrating-the-bodyerotic-atlanta-2024-1/. Or if you prefer, you can always reach out to me with questions at atlanta@bodyelectric. org. Plus, you can also simply scan the QR code on our ad in this issue.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Just one thing, but it’s a biggie: the school believes this work is important, and we don’t want finances to be a barrier to anyone. If you think this workshop isn’t in your budget, please consider applying for a scholarship. I know from experience that the school is very generous, and the process is discreet. No one will know that you received any assistance. So if a scholarship will make a difference for you, please talk to us. You can reach me at atlanta@bodyelectric.org or apply online at bodyelectric.org/scholarships/.
Joy is a frequency that permeates the universe. Joy is the breath of the Divine.
– Eli Andrew Ramer
David magazine Wishes Atlanta Happy
Together, we honor the past, celebrate the present, and envision a future where Black LGBTQ+ voices are uplifted with pride, dignity, and equality. Be part of something historic. Be part of Global Black Pride in Atlanta!
This year, Atlanta Black Pride Weekend is partnering with Global Black Pride making it the largest Black Pride event in the United States! This Pride festival of empowerment and unity comes with an abundance of amazing events and parties – get your overview right here!
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Global Black Pride Human Rights and Health Conference
Time: 7 am - 6 pm daily
Venue: Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 Invite only
Global Black Village Exhibition Center and Main Stage Presented by ViiV
Time: 7 am – 7 pm
Global Black Village - Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA, United States
The Global Village is a diverse and vibrant space where communities from all over the world connect, share, and learn from each other. Experience a unique program from public applications from individuals, groups, and organizations working across the response to Health, Human Rights, and cultural interests.
Official Welcome to Atlanta Reception
Featuring special performances
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Venue: Global Black Village - Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Global Black Pride Human Rights and Health Conference
Time: 7 am – 6 pm
Venue: Global Black Village - Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA, United States
Global Black Village Exhibition Center and Main Stage Presented by ViiV
Time: 7am-7pm daily
Venue: Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Thursday, August 29, 2024
5th Annual Mayor’s Global Black Pride Reception
As Atlanta hosts the first-ever Global Black Pride convening in the United States, Mayor Andre Dickens is proud to host the 5th Annual Mayor’s Global Black Pride Reception.
Invite ONLY
Venue: Atlanta City Hall
Global Black Village Exhibition Center and Main Stage Presented by ViiV
Time: 7 am – 7 pm
Global Black Village - Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA, United States
The Global Village is a diverse and vibrant space where communities from all over the world connect, share, and learn from each other. Experience a unique program from public applications from individuals, groups, and organizations working across the response to Health, Human Rights, and cultural interests.
The Global Village is a diverse and vibrant space where communities from all over the world connect, share, and learn from each other. Experience a unique program from public applications from individuals, groups, and organizations working across the response to Health, Human Rights, and cultural interests.
Global Black Pride Political Leaders Roundtable
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Venue: Global Black Village - Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA, United States
Friday, August 30, 2024
Global Trans Rally
Venue: Global Black Village - Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA, United States
Email info@globalblackpride.com for more details
Global Black Village Exhibition Center and Main Stage Presented by ViiV
Time: 7 am – 7 pm
Global Black Village - Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA, United States
The Global Village is a diverse and vibrant space where communities from all over the world connect, share, and learn from each other. Experience a unique program from public applications from individuals, groups, and organizations working across the response to Health, Human Rights, and cultural interests.
Celebrating Global Black
Black Pride in Atlanta
Empowering My Sisters Lunch & Learn
Time: 11 am – 2 pm
Venue: GA State University Student Center
RSVP - www.lgbtgreekweekend.com
Influencers Award Dinner
Time: 7 -8 pm
Venue: Sterling Hotel
The Annual Black Excellence Influencers dinner hosted by ProductionRockStars and Traxx Girls is a pivotal part of the Atlanta Black Pride Weekend Celebration. It’s a unique opportunity for trail blazers, leaders and influencers to celebrate accomplishments while highlighting individuals and organizations who significantly impact and contribute to the LGBTQIA+ community.
A Greek Showcase Open House TICKETS: www.lgbtgreekweekend.com
Time: 7 – 11 pm
Venue: GA State U Student Center
Saturday, August 31, 2024
14th Annual LGBT Greek Brunch
Time: 11 am – 2 pm
Venue: GA State U Student Center
Global Black Pride x Atlanta Black Pride Weekend Festival Presented by ViiV
Time: 12 – 8 pm
Venue: Piedmont Park
Join the vibrant celebration of Black LGBTQI+ culture and community at the Global Black Pride Festival in Atlanta. This festival is a safe space to honor diverse sexualities, gender identities, and expressions, bringing together our global community for both celebration and activism. Headliners include acclaimed artists Yemi Alade, Billy Porter, and Omawumi.
Sunday, September 1, 2024
Global Black Pride 2024 March
Time: 9 am - 12 pm
This event is a unique opportunity to stand in solidarity, amplify our voices, and continue the relentless pursuit of justice for all Black LGBTQI+ individuals globally. Don’t miss this chance to be part of history and make your voice heard.
Pure Heat Community Festival
Time: 12 – 8 pm
Venue: Piedmont Park
Monday, September 2, 2024
Booze Cruise Time: 2 – 4 pm
Venue: Lake Lanier
We Rock Pride Day Party / BBQ Time: 4 – 8 pm
Venue: Truth Midtown, 657 Antone St NW
Atlanta Pride Weekend Annual White Party
Venue: Revel, 1778 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
Celebrating Identity and Community at Global Black Pride in Atlanta
Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
As the LGBTQ+ community continues to advance the fight for equality and visibility, it’s crucial to recognize the unique challenges and triumphs faced by marginalized groups within the broader movement. Black Gay Pride, a vital celebration within the LGBTQ+ community, serves as a space where Black LGBTQ+ individuals can honor their identities, history, and culture. This year, the significance of Black Gay Pride is underscored by the upcoming Global Black Pride, which is set to take place in Atlanta for the first time—a city with a rich history of both civil rights activism and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Why Black Gay Pride Matters
Black Gay Pride events are more than just celebrations; they are essential platforms for visibility, empowerment, and solidarity. While mainstream Pride events focus on the broader LGBTQ+ community, Black Gay Pride creates a space where the intersection of race, sexual orientation, and gender identity is not only acknowledged but celebrated. This is especially important given the historical and ongoing marginalization that Black LGBTQ+ individuals face, both within the LGBTQ+ community and society at large.
For many Black LGBTQ+ people, mainstream LGBTQ+ spaces often fail to fully represent their experiences and struggles. Issues such as racism, economic inequality, and systemic oppression are realities that Black LGBTQ+ individuals confront daily, and these issues are often overlooked or inadequately addressed in larger Pride celebrations. Black Gay Pride offers a space where these experiences are centered, where Black LGBTQ+ voices are amplified, and where the community can come together to celebrate their unique culture and contributions.
The Significance of Global Black Pride in Atlanta
Global Black Pride, which will be held in Atlanta for the first time, is a groundbreaking event that elevates the importance of Black Gay Pride on an international scale. Atlanta is an ideal host for this historic gathering. Known as the “Black LGBTQ+ Mecca,” Atlanta has long been a hub for Black culture, activism, and LGBTQ+ rights.
The city’s rich history of civil rights leadership, coupled with its vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community, makes it the perfect backdrop for a celebration that honors the global Black LGBTQ+ experience.
The inaugural Global Black Pride in Atlanta will not only celebrate the diversity within the Black LGBTQ+ community but also highlight the interconnected struggles and triumphs of Black LGBTQ+ people around the world. It will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to connect, share their stories, and build networks of support that transcend national boundaries.
Why We Need Black Gay Pride Celebrations
Having dedicated celebrations like Black Gay Pride is vital for fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment within the Black LGBTQ+ community. These events offer a safe and affirming space where Black LGBTQ+ individuals can express themselves freely, connect with others who share similar experiences, and celebrate their multifaceted identities. In a world where they often face discrimination and erasure, Black Gay Pride serves as a powerful reminder that their lives, stories, and contributions matter.
Moreover, Black Gay Pride events provide an opportunity to educate the broader community about the unique challenges faced by Black LGBTQ+ individuals. They serve as a platform for raising awareness about issues such as HIV/AIDS, mental health, and social justice, which disproportionately affect the Black LGBTQ+ community. By bringing these issues to the forefront, Black Gay Pride fosters greater understanding and advocacy, both within and outside the LGBTQ+ community.
As Global Black Pride prepares to make history in Atlanta, it’s important to recognize the event as more than just a celebration. It’s a movement— one that honors the past, celebrates the present, and envisions a future where all Black LGBTQ+ individuals can live with pride, dignity, and equality. The significance of this event cannot be overstated, as it represents a powerful and necessary affirmation of Black LGBTQ+ identity on a global stage.
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
Dini
BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN
BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE
BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE
FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl.com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com 66 12th St NE
X MIDTOWN xmidtown.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE
THE T modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE
CHESHIRE
HERETIC hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road
BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
WESTSIDE
MARQUETTE
868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW
840ATL 840 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW
ANSLEY
ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE
FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
THE HIDEAWAY 1544 Piedmont Ave NE
MIXX mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE
OSCAR’S oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
WOOFS woofsatlanta.com 494 Plasters Ave NE
EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD
MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE
SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH sisterlouisaschurch. com 466 Edgewood Ave SE DINING MIDTOWN
CASA ALMENARA 991 Piedmont Ave NE casa-almenara.com
HENRY’S henrysatl.com
132 10th St NE
LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com 900 Monroe Dr NE
TUK TUK THAI FOOD LOFT TUKTUKATL.COM 1745 Peachtree Rd NW
DEKALB
LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE
RETAIL
MIDTOWN
BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
CHESHIRE
SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
ANSLEY
BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A
GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com 1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE FITNESS MIDTOWN
URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbody tness. com
500 Amsterdam Ave N
CHESHIRE
GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com
2201 Faulkner Rd NE
SPAS/BATHS
ADULT
FLEX SPA exspas.com 76 4th St NW
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.
If my boss thinks that working from home is pretending to work, what do you think I’m doing when I’m at the office?
You are enough. We don’t need more of you.
Telling my friend that if she invites me to her gender reveal party, I will scream ‘PENIS!” or ‘VAGINA!’ at the moment of reveal.
Not the 20-something-year-old gays talking about getting their life together. Girl, it just started!
My brat summer will extend well into fall.
The block button isn’t enough. I need you to lose your vape.
My favorite books right now are restaurant menus.
I think I’m healed. Bring on another love bomber!
Be Fearless. Be Fearless. ™
Fearless Fearless TESTED.
