Michigan has a number of well-attended Pride events - among them Michigan Gay Pride in the capital city of Lansing and Western Michigan Pride in Grand Rapids, as well as the largest city in the region, Motor City Pride in Detroit. All of these events take place in June. One of the state's longest-running and most popular gatherings, however, takes place during the often sizzling days of midsummer: Hotter Than July is the Detroit Black Gay Pride celebration, and given the metro region's sizable African-American community, it's no wonder this six-day event draws such a strong attendance. The dates this year are July 23 through July 28, 2013.
Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Detroit during Hotter Than July.
Details concerning this year's event will be posted here as they become available - here's a look at last year's celebration, in the meantime:
Detroit's Hotter Than July celebration, now in its 17th year, includes events each day culminating with the largest parties the final weekend. Two organizations partner to produce Hotter Than July: the Black Pride Society and Kick, the Agency for Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Transgender African-Americans. The week kicks off on Tuesday with a Candlelight Vigil, followed the next evening by a three-hour party on an excursion boat along the Detroit River, "Kickin' it on the River." On Thursday you can attend the Hotter Than July film festival, and Friday includes a full slate of workshops and educational opportunities known as the Genesis Conference, or the Annual Gathering of LGBTQ Issues. That same night, the weekend commences with a big party. Then on Saturday the Annual Palmer Park Pride Picnic draws some 20,000 participants, with live entertainment and music - it's the premier event of Hotter Than July. That night there's an official party, and on Sunday, things wrap up with a brunch celebration.
Additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride. Check local gay papers, such as Metra Magazine and Between The Lines/Pride Source for details. Also take a look at the useful travel site produced by the city's official tourism organization, the Detroit CVB.
