There will be plenty of black queer jaws on display next week in Houston.
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Black Queer af Week, organized by it Normal abnormal initiativeTexas’ largest city opens on Saturday and continues until May 4th. It features music, dance, drugs, yacht brunch and more.
This year’s theme is “visibility,” and more important than ever, says Ian L. Haddock. Normal abnormality.
Politicians and others who oppose diversity and are trying to counteract black representation; LGBTQ+People, and basically non-white people. “We need vision,” Haddock says. “Our visibility isn’t for those who are trying to shut us up, it’s for those who are scared – to see us still here.”
Normal Anomalies became an organization in 2021 and launched a Black Queer event in May of that year. Originally it was a one-day music festival, and now it’s a week-long celebration, attracting around 3,000 attendees.
Performance at BQAF last year.Courtesy of BQAF
The music is still at the heart of BQAF Week. The music festival, which will be held from 2pm to 7pm on May 3, will be spotted by rapper and singer-songwriter JT, LGBTQ+ Ally. Joining her is Asher Havon, the first member of the LGBTQ+ community. voice; Kent Hemann made xxl List of magazines for top freshman rappers for 2022. Mr. Bqaf, Sevndeep; R&B singer Jeronell.
Other events include a women’s sneaker ball at 8pm on Saturday at Zoe Ballroom. Shoot your shot on a night exploring your relationship with gay dating coach Lamont White at Montrose Center on Tuesday at 7pm. BQAF Drag University graduation, Thursday at 7pm, Play Nightlife. Microphone Check, Y’all: Communication & Media Training Workshop led by Paris Kissell of Bekind Comms, noon, May 2nd, 2310 Arbor St. ;Welcome reception, May 2nd at 8pm on Sharespace. VIP Yacht Party and brunch in Galveston Bay with music from DJ Panda at 11am on May 4th. Yacht parties are sold out, but tickets are still available at other events, some of which are free.
Attacks on black people, queer people and other historically marginalized communities are “truly attacks on hope and joy,” and it is important to restore hope and joy through events like BQAF Week.
The week will be more than fun, he adds – it will promote behaviorism and empowerment. Various events require marriage and intimacy, marriage equality, and both Cisgender women and transgender women to be tested for HIV and, if HIV is negative, to participate in pre-exposure prevention or preparation.
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Throughout the year, normal anomalies offer a variety of programs, including project release. This will help participants start their business. Drug University develops art and advocacy with newly seasoned drag queens. Health support including HIV testing. And partnerships with transgender alliance groups and trans-led organizations will train businesses, elected officials and more on the importance of being an alliance. Normal anomalies are based in Houston but provide services in the South.
“We’ve been evacuating a bit in Houston because it’s a more liberal space than the rest of Texas,” Haddock points out.
Haddock, a strange black man, says the current attacks on the community remind him of what he experienced as a teenager. He was kicked out of his home at the age of 16 because he was queer. When he was 18, he sat outside at Black Prom, where he couldn’t enter because the event was over 21 years old. But even from outside he saw many strange people, black and brown. “For the first time, it felt like I saw it,” he says.
BQAF Week undoubtedly helps many people in the community to be seen.
check here Event details and tickets.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
