Who we are
In June 2025, Back to BlaQ debuted in Wilton Manors, Florida, not just as a party or one time event, but as a proclamation that Black LGBTQ+ people belong at the center of Pride celebrations.
It was a bold statement: that Black queer and trans people deserve space, deserve power, and deserve joy in all its fullness. Back to BlaQ created a new cultural blueprint where Black queer expression leads, not follows, Black trans futures are centered, not debated, and where our stories are told on our terms.
Back to BlaQ sought to unite a community of innovators, creators, and leaders to affirm the intersection of Black identity and LGBTQ+ expression. Through dynamic performances and entertainment, across three rooms and seven DJs, Back to BlaQ spotlighted the unparalleled creativity and resilience of Black LGBTQ+ people across the African Diaspora, while providing a safe space for everyone in our community to experience joy, freedom, and authentic self-expression.
And with over 1,200 attendees from around Florida and beyond, the inaugural event surpassed every expectation, igniting a vibrant space where joy, freedom, expression, and community took center stage. Back to BlaQ created moments of joy and reclamation, and showed what’s possible when you move with intention.
And in 2026, Back to BlaQ evolves into
Florida BlaQ Out Pride Weekend from June 4-7, 2026.
A multi-day, destination celebration grounded in Black LGBTQ+ liberation, community, and joy. This expanded weekend will include the signature Back to BlaQ celebration, while weaving together programming that amplifies arts, wellness, and economic opportunity.
But this is more than just a festival. This is a cultural anchor and a necessary resistance, especially here in Florida.
Florida BlaQ Out Pride Weekend anchors itself as a national celebration of Black LGBTQ+ brilliance. With an anticipated attendance of 3,000+ people, the expanded programming will reflect the feedback and dreams of our community, creating a more intergenerational, inclusive, and immersive experience.
In 2026, Back to BlaQ grows into:
A cultural summit for organizational leaders to meet and discuss the hopes, triumphs, and drawbacks at the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality.
A creative playground, centering Black queer artists, musicians, performers and nationally recognized celebrity guests, ensuring our stages and our entertainment reflects our lived experiences.
A homecoming, drawing thousands of attendees from across the United States with gatherings and spaces dedicated to affirming Black LGBTQ+ folks, while also welcoming allies to plug in to equity.
An economic engine, prioritizing Black LGBTQ+ vendors and small businesses while generating tens of thousands in revenue for local businesses, restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs.
A national destination, drawing tourists and cultural influencers from across the country and turning the Ft. Lauderdale area into a beacon of Black queer celebration.
Florida has become one of the most politically hostile states toward
LGBTQ+ people in the U.S., especially Black and trans communities.
From book bans to anti-drag legislation, from curriculum censorship to attacks on gender-affirming care, the political climate in Florida is increasingly dangerous for those at the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. And within the LGBTQ+ community, Black LGBTQ+ stories are still too often excluded from dominant narratives. BUT... Black LGBTQ+ people continue to lead, create, organize, and inspire.
Florida BlaQ Out Pride Weekend exists because we know that
JOY IS ESSENTIAL
to our mental health, community safety, and collective liberation.
In this context, BlaQ Out Pride Weekend is not just a party. It’s protection. It’s not just a celebration. It’s sanctuary.
Creating this space here, in Florida, is a deliberate and defiant act. It reclaims public space, invests in community health, and pushes back against narratives that seek to erase us. This is not just a festival. It is an infrastructure for Black LGBTQ+ equity. A platform for new partnerships. A chance for everyone to go beyond lip service and demonstrate real investment in Black queer lives.
