By : BCN Contributors
4 min read
(June 29th – July 3rd)
As a response to numerous conversations within our QTBIPC community, many acknowledging the predominantly white LGBTQIA+ spaces in Boston, myself, Eilakeisha Spencer, and Curtis Santos founded Boston Lesbigay Urban Foundation, a 501c3 community-led, nonprofit organization, and subsequently, Boston Lesbigay Urban Events (B.L.U.E.). We coordinate and host events that highlight and provide services to Boston’s QTBIPOC community.
Pride festivals and parades are often the reason members of the LGBTQIA+ community visit a city, sometimes for the first time. Boston urban pride started during the pandemic (2020), and we had over 1000 viewers watch our virtual pride celebration. In 2021 and 2022, hundreds of QTBIPOC community members from numerous states were drawn to our in-person events in and around the city of Boston. We focus on bridging the gap in education, giving our underserved community the opportunity to display their black/brown/Latino pride and talent in a safe and welcoming space, receiving resources on mental health, medical care (Covid-19 vaccines, Monkey Pox vaccines, annual physicals, learning about HIV & STI prevention/interventions), food access programs, and community resources. This year’s celebration will include the following 9 events:
June 29, 2023:
Youth Pride Event (301 Columbia Rd, 12PM-5PM)
June 30, 2023:
Welcome to Boston Mixer (Residence Inn South End, 2PM-6PM)
Pitch-Black “The annual all-black affair” (OceanSide Ballroom, Revere, 9:30PM -1:30AM)
July 1, 2023:
3 on 3 Basketball Tournament (Almont Park, 9AM)
Health Summit (Bruce Bolling Municipal Building, 11AM-3PM)
Drip Pool Party (Mojitos Country Club, 2PM-7PM)
Entourage Part II (HAVA Nightclub, 10PM-2AM)
July 2, 2023
Music and Arts Festival (TBA, 12PM-
6PM)
· Grand finale event “Detox” (Yas Chicken, Allston, 10PM-2AM)
Our intention in hosting these events is not only to be a catalyst for change in the community, but also to bring individuals together and allow individuals to create long-lasting healthy relationships as their true authentic selves.
For tickets and more information, visit: https://www.lesbigayurbanfoundation.org/bup.
—Eilakeisha Spencer, LMHC (Deputy Director)
Originally published in-print in Boston Compass Newspaper #158 June 2023
Check out all the art and columns of June's Boston Compass at www.issuu.com/bostoncccompass
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