The First Gay Pride Was a Riot; Today, It’s Hotter Than July

The first gay pride was a riot.

During a typical raid of the Stonewall Bar in New York in 1969, someone threw a brick at a police officer. This started a riot that gained national attention. It lasted six days and gave birth to a revolution. Queer organizers helped move us toward tolerance and move us forward past discriminating laws and policies created out of hate. The first pride parade was then born on June 27, 1970.

Today, Detroit boasts the second longest-running Black pride event. Summer of 1996, the effects of the Stonewall riot reached the predominantly Black city of Detroit and Black queers gathered for the first annual Hotter Than July Black Pride parade. The parade was a collaboration between multiple LGBTQ+ organizations founded on the seven principles of Kwanzaa. It addressed the need for Black queer folks to have safe, culturally appropriate gathering spaces.

In years past, the celebration included working with elected officials and law enforcement, inviting them to rebuild relationships with the Black queer community. Celebrating the parade’s 27th groundbreaking year, the first ever cis woman and trans man were crowned as Mister and Miss Hotter Than July.

This is more than a parade. It’s a political call to action and an act of resistance. This year reminds us that we are deserving, resilient, and progressive. Black, queer people are centering ourselves, our spaces, and our traditions while continuing to recognize our trailblazers. As we move forward, Hotter Than July will continue to serve as a blueprint for our political and social future.

Join in the celebration and watch out for the following dates for Hotter Than July 2022.