Hotter Than July returns for the 30th Anniversary of LGBT Detroit’s Summer Pride event taking place from Tuesday, July 22 to Sunday, July 27 2025.
HOTTER THAN JULY 30th ANNIVERSARY
The official 2025 Schedule
TUESDAY, JULY 22 - CANDLELIGHT VIGIL at palmer park blue spruce tree
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 - RECEPTION AT THE DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 - mixer at The Griot Music lounge
THURSDAY, july 24 - FILM FESTIVAL at the northwest activities center Paul Robeson Theater
Friday, July 25 - ANNUAL GATHERING FOR LGBT+ ISSUES at The University of Michigan Detroit center
Friday, July 25 - MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM & state of the movement at The University of Michigan Detroit center
Friday, July 25 - OFFICIAL OPENING PARTY AT PANDORA’S BOXX
Saturday, July 26 - PALMER PARK PICNIC
Saturday, July 26 - HOT LIKE FIRE
SUNDAY, July 27 - sunday WORSHIP SERVICE AT ONE CHURCH DETROIT
Sunday, July 27 - SUNDAY BRUNCH WITH BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB at Phoenix of Detroit Fire Station
HTJ30
〰️
HTJ30 〰️
WATCH THE ANNUAL GATHERING LIVE
The Hotter Than July Annual Gathering for LGBT Issues features “The Mayoral Candidate Forum” and “The State of the Movement.” The Annual Gathering welcomes Detroit leaders in education, health, faith, and advocacy on Friday, July 25 at the University of Michigan - Detroit Center, located at 3663 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201. The day begins at 8:30 with breakfast for attendees.
Gain a deeper understanding of how we reached the incredible 30-year milestone of Black LGBT+ Pride in Detroit — through the words of someone who has been a fundamental part of that legacy from the very beginning.
Author, poet, producer, and writer Damon “Magic” Percy has help lead and shape Hotter Than July in a multitude of ways over the past three decades, and continues to honor the future of this community celebration with his featured article within Between The Lines.
Check out the full story on Pridesource.com and find out more on how you can celebrate the 30-year anniversary of Hotter Than July at hotterthanjuly.org
Photo Credit - Andrew Potter
How Three Decades of Hotter Than July Built Detroit's Black LGBTQ+ Legacy
MOTOR CITY PRIDE PARADE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF HOTTER THAN JULY
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Motor City Pride for recognizing the 30th Anniversary of Hotter Than July, and for honoring our very own A. Nzere Kwabena as Grand Marshal of this year’s Pride Parade. For over three decades, Nzere has led with strength, bravery, and vision—anchoring LGBT Detroit and the Hotter Than July movement in a spirit of unapologetic Black LGBTQ+ pride and purpose.
In a time when our identities, rights, and very lives are under increasing political attack, this moment reminds us that we are stronger united, not divided. When we show up together—Black, brown, queer, trans, allies and all—we build a future rooted in community, resistance, and love. Our unity today plants seeds for a stronger, more inclusive tomorrow.
A special thank you to Dave Wait, Chairperson of Motor City Pride, for his continued partnership and support to LGBT+ communities. Congratulations to Joseph Hunter, who led the charge in organizing Hotter Than July’s presence at this year’s parade, alongside the entire LGBT Detroit team, who showed up and showed out . Your efforts helped make this moment unforgettable.
Let’s keep the celebration going! Join us for the full week of Hotter Than July, from Tuesday, July 22 to Sunday, July 27. Let’s stand proud, march bold, and celebrate our legacy.
THE FILM FESTIVAL
The Annual Hotter Than July Film Festival will be held, Thursday, July 24, 2025 at the Paul Robeson Theaters within the Northwest Activities Center, located at 18100 Meyers Rd, Detroit, MI 48235. The festival starts at 6:00 pm. Admittance is free.
Join us for a powerful evening of storytelling at the Hotter Than July 30th Anniversary Film Festival, a cornerstone event in the celebration of three decades of Black LGBTQ+ Pride in Detroit. Hosted by LGBT Detroit and curated by Chris Inpaq Sutton and Joseph “Joe Black” Hunter, this free community event honors the vibrant legacy of Hotter Than July — the longest-running Black LGBTQ+ Pride celebration in the world.
