On the afternoon of Dec. 7, Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus (CBGMC) held its annual Love Fest, but instead of repeating formats from previous festivals this one aimed for something entirely different. This 2025 edition focused on pleasure whether physical, sexual, psychological, or with substances, while creating safe spaces.
The event took place at Bassline Bar, 2239 S. Michigan Ave., and featured a packed schedule of events and discussions.
This time out there was a panel discussion on kink, BDSM and consent with Adam Murphy, MD, Deimos Onyx, and Boy Badu Ngozi, and another on stimulants with mixologist Sherri Bradley, Sway Dispensary general manager Daveon Mason and Maya Green, MD. Both panels were moderated by CBGMC CEO Keith Green.
There were also demonstrations on mixing cocktails by Bradley, a discussion on choosing recreational cannabis by Mason, workshops on kink by Ngozi and Onyx, a craft market with venders, and an HIV test station sponsored by ONYX Wellness.
Sway Dispensary, which is the first queer BIPOC-owned dispensary in Chicago, provided a Sesh bus, a safe space to enjoy cannabis with free samples and snacks. Later in the evening, there was a musical performance by Travie Austin and a kink performance from Ngozi. The festival reached its climax with a mini-ball which featured many figures from the Chicago Ballroom scene and many contestants competing for cash prizes.
Sponsors for Love Fest 2025 included Taskforce Community Services, Sway Dispensary, Steamworks Baths, Center on Halsted, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, Pride in the Pews, Onyx Medical Wellness and Chicago Department of Public Health.
Photos by Vern Hester
