LGBT Detroit is describing Cold As Hell as its new winter pride celebration and sister event to Hotter Than July. This two-day celebration will also serve to educate and explore sexual freedom with members of the leather fetish and kink lifestyle.
Cold as Hell officially begins Friday, Jan. 31, at 9 p.m. with a mixer at The Eagle aka Menjo's. The main event, however, happens on Saturday, Feb. 1. Hosted by the 2019 International Mr. Leather Ironman Jack Thompson and Al J. Davis, IronMan Onyx. Saturday begins with an education session and happy hour from noon to 5 p.m. Then, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. attendees will reconvene for an evening event called Exploration.
While the events are open to all, organizers say they will focus on black queer sensuality, sexual health and mental well-being and center on black LGBTQ individuals in content, focus and experience.
"We are reclaiming sexual joy for black LGBT people," said Curtis Lipscomb, executive director of LGBT Detroit. "For most of my lifetime, our community has been criminalized, vilified or condemned for what are natural human sexual desires and experiences. In a post-marriage equality and a new HIV prevention era, it's long past time for us to push back against regressive conventions and to positively explore our bodies and sexuality without shame."
