Freedom comes from fights for rights. Despite being an inalienable right, too often independence must be won and celebrated. And celebrating is on the agenda for Juneteenth throughout South Florida.
On June 19, Hued Songs will hold the Juneteenth Experience events in the area, highlighting BIPOC LGBT+ voices. The main stage will be the Miami Beach Juneteenth Picnic at Bandshell Park at 73rd and Collins. A jazz picnic starts at 4 p.m., with short films screening at 6:30 and live performances at 8 p.m.
While Hued Songs has existed since 2017, their Juneteenth events, celebrating when the last of the slaves were informed of their freedom after the southern insurrection, was inspired by tragedy, the murder of George Floyd.
“Personally speaking, the Juneteenth Experience came from this profound desire to take action,” founder Kunya Rowley said. “To excavate what I was feeling, what so many of us were feeling. My hope is that every year, when we celebrate Juneteenth, it is a catalyst for us to remember, reflect, and take action because systemic change takes action, time, and consistency.”
Lifting up voices from marginalized communities isn’t easy, but it is important. Rowley’s Hued Songs is up to the challenge.
“As humans, we are not monolithic and that is absolutely the case as LGBTQ and Black folks. When I walk into the room, it's important that I am able to bring my whole self as a Black, Caribbean, queer man.”
It’s this reason that he believes Juneteenth specifically, and Hued Voices generally, aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity.
“Culturally-affirming programs are so important. We need to make space for folks to be fully seen, to share about their culture, their history, their experience. When we do this, we start to remove those barriers that make these conversations so difficult.”
The Miami Beach event will be streamed to satellite parties in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, with locations still to be determined.
To learn more about locations and Hued Songs, visit their website, HuedSongs.org.
Photo credit: Office Holidays, Flickr.