30th Anniversary of “Hotter Than July”: World’s Longest-Running Black LGBTQ+ Pride Event

With the warm weather comes new exhibits that will be highlighted at the Detroit Historical Museum. Rebecca Salminen-Witt with the Detroit Historical Society appeared on “Live in the D” to offer insight on the exhibits that celebrate Detroit’s Black LGBTQ+ community.

“Hotter Than July started in 1995, and it was the first in the nation around the idea of Black gay pride…It’s a full week of supportive services and celebration,” Salminen-Witt said.

The Detroit Historical Museum is showcasing two exhibits that help to share this history. Hotter than July is on the second floor of the museum featuring facts and photographs. A local artist and historian teamed up to create a comic book: “Come Out! In Detroit” that narrates the story of Michigan’s first ever LGBTQ+ pride celebration. That exhibit is being featured on the first floor of the museum.

“Come on down to the Historical Museum anytime this summer. We are really passionate about telling all of Detroit’s stories. We want everyone to come find a piece of their own history in our halls on our walls,” Salminen-Witt said.

For more information about these and other exhibits, click here.