Black History Month has begun as the most controversial in recent history. The annual national celebration began as the White House directed all components of the Federal Government to eliminate recognition of Black and LGBTQ and any reference to race and gender. They are using a phrase called “race essentialism” as a new criticism of a new wave of woke attacks on minority communities. What was happening in Washington was vastly different from what was happening in South Florida. On the first day of February’s Black History Month, the LGBTQ community had a diverse offering of celebration events. The day began with Hotspots Happening Out CookOut that was a cooperative effort with CAN community health Midland and the City of Wilton Manors. The traditional cookout includes food, music and games for the family friendly event. Wilton Manors read a proclamation of the importance of the day. At Pride Center at Equality Park, the Ujima Art Awakening project brought black artists to visibility complete with art, music, food and refreshments. Across the hall at Pride Center, Rainbow Ladies and Women with Pride held a vision board party to build an art project to build a better vision of each participant. The McKenzie Project held an important launch to Black History Month in Margate with a trans focused project called the Gender Affirming Resource Fair. Queer News Tonight’s Executive Producer Al Ferguson and OutSFL’s John Hayden attended February 1 events. They focus attention on how important it is and how the CIS White Gay community honors and supports the Black LGBTQ community and this month of history celebration. Al Ferguson said
“Seeing these important Queer Black events at this moment in history is so important. How do we celebrate and support our LGBTQ people of color? I think it is most important to be a good cheerleader. Allow this community to lead and help us understand their issues and history. Our entire community is stronger when we do.”
John Hayden filmed the two white gay guys’ experience for the first day of Black History Month.
