By Sydney Melson
The Birmingham Times
Birmingham Black Pride is hosting Black Pride Week beginning August 13.
Christopher McCummings, one of the founders of Birmingham Black Pride, said the event is important to provide a safe space during a global pandemic.
“Although this pandemic has caused the cancellation of many in-person Pride events, we still require space where we can celebrate our culture and orientation during these difficult times,” McCummings wrote in an e-mail to the Birmingham Times.
He added, “Black Prides strengthen our collective power by providing culturally specific celebration for those of us that live at the intersection of racism, homophobia, transphobia and sexism.”
McCummings described the need for a Black Pride in Birmingham as “urgent,” highlighted by the revival of the Black Lives Matter movement. “[The resurgence] made us question if ALL Black lives matter,” he wrote in an e-mail.
“WE are an important part of the Black and Gay communities respectively and without us they are not whole,” McCummings said.
Most Pride Week festivities will be virtual, with the exception of a voter registration rally on August 15, and “Pride in the Park” at Avondale Park on August 16. Virtual events include poetry, music, a drag show and an award ceremony for people in Birmingham who have given back to the local LGBTQIA+ community.
“While we may not be marching in a Pride parade or attending a workshop in person this year, we must continue to fight the good fight,” McCummings said. “This year’s virtual events are well thought out, safe and easily accessible from the comfort of your homes.”
For a full schedule and dates of events, visit the Birmingham Black Pride Facebook page.
