11th Annual Hotter Than July sizzles with diverse entertainment and health awareness

By Cornelius A. Fortune
DETROIT – The sun was hot and unmerciful as people stretched out in lawn chairs trying to stay cool; the smell of bar-be-cued meats filled the air and music – hip-hop, R&B, jazz – pounded on all sides. Couples relaxed, and friends greeted each other in the congested streets and on the grassy knoll.
About 9,000 people came out to celebrate Detroit's 11th Annual Hotter Than July, a pride celebration for African American gays and lesbians, held Saturday, July 28-30 in Palmer Park. The theme this year was "Eyes Wide Open."
Attendants were treated with musical performances, a film shorts festival, poetry slams, as well as comedy. According to Johnny Jenkins, president of Black Pride Society, the growth of the event is a natural progression.
"It's definitely gotten bigger," he said. "The community takes more ownership of it as a pride event. The goal of our board is to build an institution – to have something reliable that people can look forward to at least once a year, because it might be the only time of year they come out. If you can make them feel comfortable for that one time a year, we're hoping that'll encourage them to step a little more out of the closet."
For Jenkins, Hotter Than July has been more than just an annual event, it was
part of his coming out experience, an awakening of sorts.
"All 11 years (of Hotter Than July) have been a coming out process," said Jenkins. "I had to force myself to come out, (and) not be in the closet; be visible and vocal, and to practice what I preach."
This year the City of Detroit Health Department conducted HIV/AIDS testing,
which Jenkins noted, makes the event more than just a party, but an event focused on health awareness and nurturing small business. "It's like an incubator for the community," he said.
Considered one of the Midwest's oldest black pride events, he sees the celebration as one of the most unique gatherings the city of Detroit has to offer.
"There's no black pride events for straight people – this is happening in the gay community, and there are 35 black gay prides across the country, and that type of energy is bound to seep into the broader black community on a whole bunch of different levels. On a social level it's helping to instill pride within us. This community understands what our mission is."
Robert Clark, a board member of Black Pride agrees that Hotter Than July is an important event for the LGBT community.
"Every year we get better. This year our theme is 'Eyes Wide Open,' I'm coming out," he said. "And it sends the message that this is a time for being true to who you are, and not being afraid because coming out is a wonderful experience. Staying in the closet takes such an emotional toll on our community, especially the African-American community. So events like this help people to make that transition."
Jay Mitchell with her wife, Sandy, have attended the event for several years. "It's just a fun place where we come, we party, and have a good time – it's gay pride. We look forward to it each year," she said. "This is a part of our life, it's not a lifestyle – it's part of the life that we live, and every last one of us out here is family to each other; it's a serious affair."
Bay, a Detroiter, made a point in saying that Detroit needs more pride events, and there are few places black gays and lesbians can gather.
"I come every year," he said. "We don't have any other places – the mayor
managed to shut down most of all the nice places we had."
"The fact that we're able to mobilize such a closeted community for something as simple as 'pride' is a big accomplishment, especially when we have to fight issues such as race and sexuality," said Jenkins.
The event concluded with a Sunday brunch, featuring jazz performances, and
other special performances by local artists.