#4theQulture advocates for Black LGBTQ+ creativity and liberation June 26-28
CHICAGO- LGBTQ+ centered organizations Reunion Chicago, Slo ‘Mo and OTV – Open Television are combining energies and resources to present an intergenerational and intersectional virtual Pride festival that celebrates, centers and advocates for Chicago Black LGBTQ+ artists, community and causes.
Tapping into the talents of Black Chicago LGBTQ+ creatives and communities, this free three-day experience will take place June 26-28, the weekend Chicago Pride would traditionally take place, and air 7-10PM on OTV’s streaming platform.
The highly stylized, interactive variety show is co-curated by Chicago queer nightlife institution Slo ‘Mo and LGBTQ+ BIPOC project incubator Reunion Chicago with community partner collaborations coordinated by OTV. The programming will feature Chicago queer party & performance collectives A Queer Pride, Futurehood, Molasses, Fabitat and Unfriendly Black Hotties as well as pop up musical performances by Chicago artists providing original content with the prompt of honoring the past, present and future of Pride as we celebrate 50 years of Chicago.
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Doing something “for the culture” means to make a creative offering to benefit the cultural zeitgeist – something you might not have normally done but it feels important for the current climate and community. “While previously we wouldn’t have put on virtual Pride festival, in this unexpected and unprecedented timeline we feel compelled to provide engaging, uplifting and accessible queer content to our community – for the culture,” said Reunion Development Director and OTV Executive Director Elijah McKinnon.
THE PILLARS OF #4THEQULTURE:
Accessibility: Online content presents a new opportunity to engage folks of various abilities across physical, financial and geographic identities & origins by nature of being accessed through the world wide web. We will utilize closed captioning to reach a diverse array of viewers, and with the support of sponsors, we will make entry free to remove any financial barriers of entry.
Inclusion: This festival puts Black LGBTQ+ folks front and center and behind the scenes. We will provide slots to community groups, collectives & organizations to imagine & produce their own Pride dreams using the #4theQulture platform
History: Chicago is celebrating 50 years of LGBTQ+ Pride since the first Chicago Pride parade kicked off in 1970! We will intentionally integrate Chicago queer history to uplift our ancestors and elders work while showcasing how our community is moving forward to the future to more inclusive and brave futures
Advocacy: #4theQulture will partner with and provide OTV curated PSAs to share the crucial messages of the organizations doing the work to protect and support our Black communities.
#4theQulture is generously made possible by the support of Aids Foundation Chicago, the #Prep4Love and Women’s Connection initiatives, Howard Brown Health and Red Bull.
For more information and press inquiries, contact Kristen Kaza at kristen@reunionchicago.com or text 312-771-8546 with your name, outlet and inquiry.
