Diversity Rules

This weekend, hundreds of people will come from all over to the first annual Buffalo Black Pride. A weekend full of events developed for Buffalo’s black LGBT communities will take place as part of a celebration of the diversity within our local LGBT community. This year’s Buffalo Black Gay Pride is sponsored by three local LGBT community service providers—Pride Center of Western New York (PCWNY), AIDS Community Services of WNY (ACS), and Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) Project—along with two community groups, the House of Paciotti and the House of Boyette. This is the first event of its kind in Western New York and has been largely organized by volunteers and staff of Life Changes, a collaborative project of the three community service agencies funded by ACS.

The weekend highlights include a “Meet & Greet” at MOCHA (531 Virginia Street) on Friday, July 25, at 7pm, followed Saturday, July 26, by the Buffalo Black Gay Mini-Pride BBQ & Picnic, 2-9pm, at Front Park (off Porter Avenue near the Peace Bridge). Both events are free and open to the public.

On Sunday, July 27, 2008, the Disney Ball takes place at Marcella’s Showclub and Lounge (622 Main Street) with doors opening at 6pm. There is a $15 cover charge for this event and you must be 21 to attend. This wonderful theme party invites you to come dressed as your favorite princess, prince, mighty knight, or pixie. There will be contests and performances including best “vogue” performance, best dressed, best runway walk, and more.

So, come celebrate the wonderful diversity of the LGBT community of Western New York and show your support for Buffalo Black Gay Pride. For more information on events, please visit aidscommunityservices.com or call 847-0315. I hope to see you out!

—bryan whitley-grassi