house resolution no.287

Reps. Love, Kuppa, Elder, Hertel, Brixie, Ellison, Hood, Hoadley, Anthony, Cynthia Johnson, Brenda Carter and Wittenberg offered the following resolution:

A resolution to declare July 21-26, 2020, as Hotter Than July Week in the state of Michigan on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the event to celebrate and bring awareness of the black LGBTQ community.

Whereas, At the height of the AIDS/HIV pandemic in the 1990’s, information was scarce and paranoia and prejudice were high. In 1994, Curtis Lipscomb returned home to Detroit from New York to form Kick Publishing Company to provide vital information and awareness to the LGBTQ community in the middle of the pandemic. It is only the third black American LGBTQ media company created in the country; and

Whereas, The following year in 1995, Lipscomb, the executive director of LGBT Detroit, and a group of friends that included Johnny Jenkins and other Detroit area LGBT organizations formed Hotter than July to celebrate black gay pride; and

Whereas, Prior to 1995, organizers had marshalled busses to travel to the Washington, D.C. event. They hatched the idea of creating a uniquely Detroit event and succeeded beyond all expectations; and

Whereas, Hotter than July has continued to thrive and its proudly chains the title as the world’s second oldest black LGBTQ pride event, second only to Washington, D.C.; and

Whereas, Last year, more than 9,000 people were in attendance at the 2019 Palmer Park Picnic; and

Whereas, Hotter than July is much more than just a celebration. It has evolved into a week-long social justice rally that creates a multidimensional forum to advocate for equality and justice; and

Whereas, After 25 years, Hotter than July finds itself in the middle of another pandemic. On its 25th anniversary, Detroit Black PRIDE, the nation’s second oldest behind Washington, D.C. and a founding member of Center for Black Equity, is working with local healthcare professionals to implement COVID-19 testing, in addition to testing for HIV and AIDS; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare July 21-26, 2020, as Hotter Than July Week in the state of Michigan on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the event to celebrate and bring awareness of the black LGBTQ community; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to LGBT Detroit.