Michigan has a number of well-attended Pride events, including Michigan Gay Pride in the capital city of Lansing, Kalamazoo Gay Pride, and Grand Rapids Gay Pride, as well as the region’s largest city, Motor City. Pride in Detroit. Yet one of the state’s longest-running and most popular gatherings takes place during the often sizzling days of summer – Hotter Than July is Detroit’s Black Gay Pride celebration, and given the region’s sizeable African-American community Metropolitan, it’s no wonder this six-day event draws such strong attendance.
This year’s dates are July 26 to July 31, 2016.
Detroit’s hottest July celebration, now in its 21st year, includes events each day culminating with the biggest parties on the final weekend. Here’s a full schedule of Hotter Than July events. Activities typically include a candlelight vigil opening, a Hotter Than July film festival, educational workshops and seminars on LGBTQ issues, and a Pride Picnic in Palmer Park, the weekend’s main event, which It is held on Saturday and attracts about 20,000 participants. There is live music, a children’s fair and more.
On Saturdays the events close with an official party, and then there is usually a brunch celebration to close things out on Sundays.
Detroit Gay Resources
For more information on Detroit’s gay scene, check local gay newspapers such as Metra Magazine and Between The Lines / Pride Source for details. Also take a look at the helpful travel site produced by the city’s official tourism organization, the Detroit CVB.
