By V.S. Santoni
NASHVILLE, TN —Nashville Pride has historically occurred to coincide with the Stonewall Riots in the month of June, but Nashville Black Pride will hold its annual events in October, a month that lines up with National Coming Out Day, October 10th. Many southern states have held their Pride Month events in the fall, as the temperature in places like Mississippi has historically been oppressive in the summer months.
According to Nashville Black Pride, their mission “is to bring together African American and other Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT)/Same Gender Loving (SGL) People of Color in a social, non-threatening empowering setting to uplift, educate and present positive images that help to maintain a healthy, productive and visionary community.” Nashville Black Pride has also taken a positive role in the Nashville community, and note annual events include “an open reception, parties, book signings, spoken word showcase, live music & entertainment, a panel discussion, town hall meeting, health & wellness forum, a benefit event, workshops, couples recognition, free & confidential HIV & STI testing, and Black LGBT Film & Cultural Fest.”
It is also around this time that many other Black majority areas celebrate their LGBTQ communities. The 2023 Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade is scheduled for the weekend of October 14th-15th. The free Pride Concert will be headlined by Icona Pop and include Saucy Santana, G Flip and others. Mississippi Capital City Pride in Jackson Mississippi returns on October 6th-7th. The event will feature talent from Rupaul’s Drag Race including Angeria Paris Vanmicheals and Silky Nutmeg Ganache. The event will occur at the Jackson Convention Center.
2022 brought their 20th anniversary of their founding, hosting multiple events throughout the month of October to celebrate this milestone. In line with their mission, they return October 20th-22nd with their 21st Annual Black LGBTQ Vendor Market and Day Party. The event will be on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at the Bellshire Center, 3840 Dickerson Pike, Nashville, TN 37207. If you are interested in being a vendor for this event, check out their website at nashvilleblackpride.org/vendor.
