Atlanta Black Gay Pride, the country’s leading LGBTQ annual pride, marked its 21st year celebration with a roaring lineup occurring during the Labor Day holiday weekend, including Cardi B, Sevyn Streeter, Lil Kim, Keke Palmer, Todrick Hall, Lil Mo, Karlie Redd, Trina Braxton, Melissa “DJ M” Scott, Dondria Nicole, Amiyah Scott, Tamar Braxton, Dream Doll, Brandon Karson, Gary Lavard, Tiffany Fox and more. A portion of proceeds from the weekend’s festivities will be used to benefit homeless LGBT youth and those infected/affected with HIV/AIDS via The Vision Community Foundation. The 2017 Atlanta Black Gay Pride took on a special meaning this year as many patrons mourn the recent unfortunate loss of Atlanta‘s own transgender woman, Miss Troy “Tee Tee” Dangerfield.
On Sunday, Sept. 3, Atlanta’s Piedmont Park held the sixth annual Pure Heat Community Festival; also known as a free “day of unity.” The cultural event was equipped with market and food vendors, live celebrity and local performers, entertainment, educational forums, prizes and giveaways, all designed to bring together the spirit of community, pride, and vision. Singer-songwriter Sevyn Streeter made a special appearance in receipt of receiving the 2017 Humanitarian Award; Transgender actress and model Amiyah Scott made her festival debut as she received the Legacy Award; additional honorees included Atlanta’s own Black gay icon Niesha Dupree, presented by actor and model Miss Lawrence.
YouTube sensation and performer Todrick Hall and HIV activist Deondre Moore attended the Pure Heat Community Festival on behalf of Positively Fearless, a movement from Janssen Therapeutics that aims to educate and help empower Black gay and bisexual men to be “positively fearless” when it comes to HIV — from getting tested and accepting a diagnosis, to sharing their status, to seeking care, to finding a treatment that is the right fit, and sticking to it. To learn more, visit www.positivelyfearless.com.
