Wynwood Pride hosts virtual party to highlight black performers, raise funds for BLM

The first ever LBGTQ pride was a protest, and this year’s Wynwood Pride will be no different.

After founder José Atencio wrapped up the first annual celebration in June 2019, he couldn’t have imagined that next time he’d be coordinating it in the midst of a global pandemic and civil rights movement.

But as soon as the challenges hit, he and his team adapted, knowing they had to uphold their mission statement to serve the community “in the pillars of youth, health and justice,” Atencio said. He realized the event’s ability to be a platform highlighting and fundraising for the Black Lives Matter movement.

“We had to now create a show that spoke to the world,” the 30-year-old said.

The Stonewall riots, 1969 protests against police brutality toward the LGBTQ community, are considered the origin of pride. Atencio said the activist work being done today is an extension of Stonewall.

Within two weeks, the leadership team tripled the talent to 150 performers from around the world with a goal of raising $100,000 for organizations battling racism, dismantling white supremacy and working toward justice and reform, he said.

“It really is highlighting black performers and black allies,” Atencio said. “It’s about black visibility and communicating exactly what they’re fighting for.”

The Saturday event will feature performances, DJ sets and shows across four Twitch stages and a party at night via Zoom. Atencio said moderators will protect against “Zoom bombers” as the space is meant to be free of racism, homophobia, transphobia or any other intolerance. More content such as live interviews will be held on Instagram.

All parts of the virtual festival are free, but hosts ask participants to take action however they can — via donation, signing petitions or educating others, Atencio said, calling the event a “digital protest.”

One of Atencio’s priorities in curating this pride was setting up an intersectional and inter-generational lineup to truly reflect the LGBTQ community.

“It’s time for the LGBT community to show up for all black communities,” he said. “Black lives matter, but all black lives matter — trans, queer, straight, non-binary — so we use the opportunity to charge up and rise to the occasion.”

Controversy behind the first Wynwood Pride came into play last year in discussions about whether profit should be made from a pride celebration, which are usually coordinated by non-profit organizations. Wynwood Pride, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, but those against the 2019 event were upset with its sponsorship by SWARM Events, a for-profit business.

Fundraising efforts this year are in collaboration with Plus1, a non-profit that works with entertainers for social justice. Marika Anthony-Shaw, co-founder and CEO, said performers owe it to their communities to give back and uplift voices.

“Artists have this important role to play,” she said. “We are cultural leaders. We are storytellers for our time.”

As a black drag queen, Miss Toto agrees. She said there was no doubt in her mind that the efforts needed to shift to supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and protesters. These protests speak straight to her identity.

Toto served as one of the leaders in coordinating creativity and production last year and this year.

“There is such an intersectionality between black and LBGTQ individuals,” she said. “It’s still important to do those things during Pride Month as long as it’s still respectful and in regards to the movement.”

Toto coordinated a Twitch channel that will be dedicated to black performers and “Miss Toto’s Royal Rumble” featuring Miami talent and diverse performers from New York, Chicago and Canada.

Before moving to Chicago, Toto was part of the Miami drag scene for four years and was named “Miami’s best drag queen” in 2018 by the New Times. She said she has an emotional connection to the city and to the pride festival as a safe space for many.

At an in-person pride event, people who attend are surrounded by an accepting community. However, she understands that this might not be the case with everyone tuning in from home.

“Do what you can to still be safe, but be able to enjoy yourself and express yourself in the best way possible,” she said.

Jorge Diaz lives in South Beach and keeps up with the local drag community. He is excited to see them on his screen Saturday. He said celebrating LGBTQ people, especially for a good cause, is needed more than ever.

“How many Zoom meetings and birthday parties and happy hours and graduation parties have we all attended?” Diaz, 34, said. “That’s the current normal.”

Isaiah Ramos, a gay DJ based out of Los Angeles, has also turned Zoom into his “current normal” by hosting a weekly virtual party. The 22-year-old will be doing the same for Wynwood Pride on Saturday night.

After the nationwide protests began, Ramos wasn’t sure if he felt comfortable continuing to host these, he said. But his followers suggested using them as a fundraising platform, and he has raised more than $18,000 to donate.

Ramos, whose DJ name is the Saddest Angel, said he always features black and brown artists in his parties which fits right in with Saturday’s message.

Last year’s Wynwood Pride is the most fun event Ramos has DJed, he said, and he looks forward to sharing the experience of his virtual parties, called The Saddest Spiral, with a Miami crowd, even if its behind a computer screen.

“You’re having an experience with other queer people, and that’s a big thing,” he said.

The virtual event is Saturday. Twitch streams are from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. and can be found on WynwoodPride.com. The Zoom Party is from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m., and the code will be announced closer to the event.

This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 2:53 PM.