On June 1, Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus (CBGMC) celebrated Gay Pride and its 20th anniversary with a fully loaded Spring Fling.
This year’s edition was held at The Iron Lab, 3700 S. Iron St., featured a silent auction; live music from two vocalists with a live band; an extended performance from noted female impersonator Erica Renee Christian;
a fashion show; brunch; a tribute to LGBTQ+ supporter Phyllis Hyman; DJ sets from Lady D and Lora Branch; a live violin performance; a closing dance party—and a packed room full of Black LGBTQ+ supporters and influencers.
Awardees from the Caucus this year included Pastor Stephen Thurston (who took the Lora Branch Community Ally Award); Karriem S. Watson (who received the Sidney Thomas Health Advocacy Award); Ramon Gardenhire (who received the Ben Montgomery Civic Engagement Award); Roderick K. Hawkins (who took the Dr. Keith R. Green Community Leader Award); members of the Rails Marketing Group (taking the Community Choice Award); and married couple Deondray and Quincy LeNear Grossfield (taking the Joel Hall Creative Visionary Award).
As guests mingled and browsed the silent auction, they were serenaded by violinist Michelle Mason before CBGMC Board Chair Harold Gatewood and Iman Moore, the Liaison for the CORE (Center for Ordan Recovery & Education) Advisory Board, took the stage and started the show.
Gatewood said, “The Caucus was founded in 2005 in response to the alarming HIV infection rates among Black, gay, bisexual, and same-gender-loving men in Chicago. Recognizing the urgent need for culturally affirming, community-led solutions, a group of advocates, public health-professionals and community members came together to form a space that prioritized both health equity and holistic wellness for the Black gay community.”
Moore added, “The Caucus quickly evolved from focusing solely on HIV prevention to addressing broader social determinants of health, including mental wellness, financial stability, sexual health and community empowerment.”
The Caucus’s goal, Gatewood noted furthermore is to work “in partnership with city agencies, local organizations, and grassroots movements to ensure that Black, gay, bisexual, and same-gender-loving men in Chicago not only survive but thrive.”
CBGMC CEO Keith R. Green served as the trophy handler as he joyfully passed out the awards. Lluvia Ramirez then kicked off the fashion show with a bevy of models wearing selections from Out of the Closet. Vocalists Malone and Kenyotta Kenchris came out and paid tribute to Hyman with Justin Paul Jones and Maurice Cook of CBGMC handing out awards.
Sponsors for the event included Chicago Department of Public Health, Uncle Nearest Whiskey, Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition, Howard Brown Health, Equality Illinois, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Gilead, Moor’s Brewing Co. and Montrose Behavioral Health Hospital.
