Detroit, MI - KICK - The Agency for LGBT African Americans and Black Pride Society (BPS), the producers of the nation’s third oldest black LGBT pride celebration in the United States have joined forces to produce the seventeenth installment of Detroit’s Hotter Than July! 2012 (HTJ) on Tuesday, July 24 through Sunday, July 29.

“The board of Black Pride Society (BPS) is excited to have our friends at KICK join us in this historic union to strengthen our efforts and continue to implement this most significant pride celebration,” says Kimberly Jones, president of BPS.  In 1996, Detroit hosted its first black gay pride celebration as a result of a community wide, grass-roots endeavor, led by the organization ‘Detroit Black Gay Pride’ and overseen by a dedicated and engaged board of directors committed to the founders’ philosophy and value of a community-driven organization. 

In the years following, Detroit’s Hotter Than July pride celebration grew and the non-profit created to oversee the annual celebration expanded an array of events.  Since its conception HTJ has acted as host to numerous local and national personalities and entertainers, such as the cast of the Logo’s hit drama ‘Noah’s Arc’ hosted by BPS & Regine’s Off The Park; Snoop from HBO’s The Wire, hosted by Pandora’s Box; R&B singer Sisqo of the boy band Dru Hill; hosted by AW Entertainment; and prominent lesbian activist Ifalade Ta'Shia Asanti hosted by Karibu House. 

Over the years, the organization also sought to be an active voice and advocate for Metropolitan Detroit’s black SGL/LGBT community.  Along with hosting HTJ, BPS addressed issues affecting our constituents such as homophobia, safe schools environments for LGBTQ youth, HIV/AIDS testing, education and prevention; police harassment and fostering relationships with the larger black community. Other HTJ activities included voter education and local political candidate forums.

Talks for partnership between KICK and BPS were established with the goal of collaboratively hosting one of the most significant black pride celebrations in the United States.  “In this time of economic uncertainty, collaborations prove to be successful in accomplishing combined missions and goals,” says Tiffany Buchanan, president of KICK. 

The HTJ 2012 planning begins this Thursday, February 23 at KICK | The Center In Detroit, 41 Burroughs St (at Woodward Ave) in Detroit’s historic New Center.  Partner and sponsorship opportunities are available and encouraged,  please call 313-285-9733.  Volunteer opportunities and information are forthcoming.  Email Detroit@HotterThanJuly.com for information about programming & activities to be held throughout the HTJ week.  To find out more about HTJ visit www.hotterthanjuly.com.  Follow us on Twitter at @HTJDetroit.

Black Pride Society’s mission is to provide empowerment through the promotion of unity and pride while promoting community health, wellness, and social justice to the African American lesbian, gay, bi-attractional, and transgender community in the southeast Michigan region. www.blackpridesociety.org.

KICK’s mission is to increase awareness of and support to Detroit's dynamic lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, culture through education and advocacy with integrity and pride. www.e-kick.org.