The latest episode of the Dear Black Gay Men Podcast didn’t hold back. Host Jai The Gentleman dove deep into the recent firestorm surrounding DC Black Pride and a major promoter misstep that has the internet in shambles. If you’ve been feeling like Pride is becoming more of a “pay-to-play” circuit than a celebration of our culture, this one is for you.

The DC Pride Controversy: Centering Non-Black Voices

The conversation kicked off with the backlash against Deviant, a popular event organizer. During a weekend specifically meant to uplift the Black LGBTQ+ community, they featured a non-Black host on their flyer.

Jai and guest caller Blossom broke down why “Black and Brown” isn’t always interchangeable with “Black.” When spaces meant for us start centering others, we lose the very essence of why Black Pride was created in the first place.

Scamming the Gays? The Rising Cost of Pride

Is Pride still a “party with a purpose,” or is it just a scam? Many brothers are speaking out against the “Pride Tax”—charging $120 for a club entry that usually costs $20, only to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a hot room with no dance floor. Jai challenges us to think: Are we supporting promoters who actually support us, or are we just paying for the proximity to celebrity and straight-adjacent status?

Reclaiming Our Culture

From the importance of HIV testing at events to learning about icons like Bayard Rustin, Jai reminisces on a time when Pride changed lives, not just bank accounts. It’s time to move beyond the fights and the “readable positions” in the club and get back to loving Black gay men authentically.

What do you think? Is Pride still Pride, or is it just a glorified party?

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