In a time when visibility, safety, and authentic representation matter more than ever, FL BlaQ Out Pride Weekend arrives in Wilton Manors as more than just a celebration. It is a declaration of joy, liberation, culture, and community for Black LGBTQ people across Florida and beyond.
Taking place over four dynamic days, FL BlaQ Out Pride Weekend transforms South Florida into a vibrant cultural destination centered on the beauty, brilliance, and full spectrum of Black queerness. Rooted in celebration yet grounded in purpose, the weekend creates intentional space for connection, healing, visibility, representation, artistry, empowerment, and belonging.
From live performances and nightlife experiences to wellness activations, leadership conversations, and cultural programming, the weekend reflects the many layers of Black LGBTQ identity and expression. Organizers describe the event as “a national celebration of Black LGBTQ+ brilliance” and a direct response to the ongoing need for affirming spaces that center Black queer and trans communities.
FL BlaQ Out Pride Weekend comes on the heels of the groundbreaking success of Back to BlaQ 2025. In June 2025, Back to BlaQ debuted in Wilton Manors not simply as a party or one-time event, but as a bold proclamation that Black LGBTQ people deserve to exist at the center of Pride celebrations and not on the margins of them.
With more than 1,200 attendees traveling from across Florida and beyond, the inaugural event surpassed every expectation, creating an electrifying atmosphere where joy, liberation, culture, expression, and community unapologetically took center stage at The Manor. Back to BlaQ became more than an event; it became a moment of reclamation, visibility, and affirmation.
The response was overwhelming. According to the 2025 Back to BlaQ Impact Report, attendees praised the atmosphere of safety and inclusion, the visibility of Black LGBTQ performers, artists, and vendors, and the authentic representation of Black queer joy in all its forms. Most powerfully, nearly every attendee asked for more.
Now, FL BlaQ Out Pride Weekend builds upon that momentum with an even larger vision: positioning Wilton Manors and South Florida as a national destination for Black LGBTQ Pride celebrations in the South.
This year’s expanded celebration will feature an incredible lineup of artists, performers, activists, influencers, and community leaders joining the festivities, including stars from entertainment, Broadway, nightlife, advocacy, and media. One major highlight of the weekend is Black II
Broadway, the powerful musical celebration honoring Black artistry on Broadway and featuring legendary Tony Award-winning icon Jennifer Holliday alongside an all-star cast of performers.
But FL BlaQ Out Pride Weekend is not simply about entertainment. It is about creating a sanctuary. It is about reclaiming visibility. It is about ensuring Black LGBTQ people are not simply invited into Pride spaces, but intentionally centered within them.
That mission carries special significance in Wilton Manors, one of the most recognized LGBTQ communities in the country and a city long associated with queer visibility, nightlife, and advocacy. While Wilton Manors has become a destination for LGBTQ culture and connection, FL BlaQ Out Pride Weekend intentionally expands that narrative by ensuring Black queer voices, artistry, leadership, and experiences remain visible, celebrated, and prioritized within the broader LGBTQ landscape.
The weekend also honors the enduring legacy of Bishop S.F. Makalani-MaHee, founder of South Florida Black Gay Pride, whose groundbreaking work helped cultivate affirming spaces for Black queer and trans communities throughout the region. Organizers view FL BlaQ Out Pride Weekend as a continuation of that work — building spaces rooted in liberation, equity, healing, and joy.
In today’s political and cultural climate, particularly within Florida, the significance of such spaces cannot be overstated. Organizers openly acknowledge that joy itself becomes a form of resistance. FL BlaQ Out Pride Weekend positions Black queer celebration not as escapism, but as an intentional act of community care, visibility, healing, protection, and empowerment.
Attendees can expect:
- Live performances and celebrity appearances
- Cultural and nightlife experiences
- Wellness and community programming
- Black queer artists and creatives
- Networking and leadership conversations
- Vendor marketplaces supporting Black LGBTQ businesses
- Spaces intentionally designed for affirmation, joy, and connection
The impact extends far beyond the weekend itself. FL BlaQ Out Pride Weekend also serves as an economic and cultural engine for Wilton Manors and Greater Fort Lauderdale — bringing tourism, supporting local businesses, and further positioning South Florida as a destination for inclusive LGBTQ+ experiences.
Most importantly, the weekend reminds attendees of one essential truth: Black queer joy deserves space. Black queer stories deserve visibility. And Black LGBTQ communities deserve to gather, celebrate, and thrive unapologetically.
For tickets, event schedules, sponsorship opportunities, and additional information, visit backtoblaqfl.com/
Terry Dyer, an award-winning author and activist, raises HIV/AIDS awareness, develops community programs and grants, fosters LGBTQ+ engagement, and engages in athletics. He wrote “Letters to a GAY BLACK BOY,” sparking discussions on racism, homophobia, mental health, family, and love.
Rev. Skip Jennings, an author, podcaster, transformational coach, and yoga/meditation teacher. He is a New Thought Minister and his notable work, “The Little Book for Transformation,” inspires change and living an authentic spiritual life.
