Thousands of people from around the nation will participate in workshops, parties and discussions later this month in Philadelphia as part of an annual celebration of LGBT black culture.
Philadelphia Black Gay Pride will mark its 13th annual festival from April 22-29 with a slate of activities that includes a new outreach to the ballroom community.
The weekend will officially open with a kickoff reception at 7 p.m. April 27 at Crowne Plaza on City Line Avenue, the host hotel for the event, during which PBGP will present its LGBT-Friendly Politician of the year Award to Patrick Murphy, who spearheaded the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Immediately following the reception, the organization will launch its first “Evolution Ball,” the first-ever ball sponsored by PBGP.
In tandem with this year’s Pride theme — “The Evolution” — the ball represents a new phase of development for PBGP, said president Chris Alston.
“We realized that we haven’t really partnered with the ballroom community and felt this was the perfect opportunity to show our support and begin to build a stronger relationship,” Alston said.
Created in partnership with House of LaCroix, the ball will feature an array of categories with a grand prize of $1,000.
A portion of the proceeds from all PBGP events throughout the week will support the agency’s scholarship fund, launched last year to assist LGBT youth in pursuing their educational goals.
On April 28, PBGP participants will have the opportunity to join a diverse range of discussions on issues impacting LGBT communities of color.
“Numerous workshops and seminars will focus on educational, spiritual and social activities, and prevention methods aimed to unify the sexual-minority community,” Alston said.
Workshops will be held at Crowne Plaza from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The week leading up to the Pride workshops will feature a full schedule of parties and performances.
Mr. and Miss PBGP 2012 will be crowned in the annual pageant, at 6 p.m. April 22 at Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St.
Local youth will get their time in the spotlight during the second-annual Youth Round-Up & Remix Fashion Show from 7-9 p.m. April 24 at The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St. Admission is free, and food will be provided.
Performance artists will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. April 26 for the fifth-annual “One Night Stand” spoken-word and poetry-slam event, held at Arts Garage, 1533 Ridge Ave.
Festivalgoers will also have ample opportunity for partying at bar and club events throughout the week, such as the Love & Lust party at 10 p.m. April 28 at Mikey’s American, 3180 Chestnut St., and the closing White Party, 10 p.m. April 29 at Whisper, 1712 Walnut St.
The end of this year’s PBGP celebration will also mark the end of Alston’s six-year tenure at the helm of the organization.
“I’ve had a great time but I feel that it’s time to move on,” he said.
Alston will remain as a consultant to the board.
For more information about PGBP 2012, visit www.phillyblackpride.org. n