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Back in the day, late afternoon on Chicago Pride Parade Sunday meant the ultra-fun gathering at Belmont Rocks for the celebration of Black Gay Pride.  It featured numerous BBQ cookouts, a music tent with the best DJs in the city, and an incredibly fun, diverse & sexy mix of people (of all colors, ages, and genders).  Not surprisingly, Black Gay Pride has grown and expanded over the years; what was once a large afternoon picnic along Lake Michigan is now a week-long series of events and parties throughout the entire city.  This year, Black Gay Pride in Chicago takes place July 3-7 in all parts of the city.  Here's a sampling of what's in store. 

Thursday, July 3:
"Chicago Black Pride Welcome Party" w/ DJ Lil' John (house) & DJ Unknown (hip-hop) @ Club Ruby (151 W. Ohio St.). $10. 10pm-4am.

"Strip Down in Chi-Town" hosted by the Heavy Diva and Mz. Ruff ‘N Stuff; featuring tsripper Redickulous (ATL), Vicious (ATL), The Dicksman (NoLa), Panther (NYC) & Boyz N Toyz (Detroit) @ The "G" Spot (2719 E. 92nd St.) $25. 10pm-2am. 

Friday, July 4:
"Black Pride Poetry Slam" @ Circuit Night Club with $1,200 in cash prizes up for grabs.  $7. 6:30pm-9pm.

"Urbano: Hip-Hop For All" w/ Guest DJ Gavin T (Miami) & DJ Kenae @ Circuit. $15. 10pm-4am.

"Rails 10th Anniversary Celebration" w/ DJs Sedrick, Ransom, Unknown & Anton @ The Prop House. $12. 10pm-4am.
"WCBP Fashion Benefit: Fashion Carnivale" @ Harold Washington Cultural Center (4701 S. Martin Luther King Dr.) $20/$35 VIP. Reception @ 6pm/Show @ 7pm. Followed by the "Pride & Unity Ball." Free @ 9:30pm. 

"Grown & Sexy Ladies Night: The Official WCBP Women's Party" @ Spoken Word Café (4655 S. Martin Luther King Dr.).  $5 b4 11pm / $10 after. 9pm-2am.

Saturday, July 5:
"WCBP Hotel Vendor/Health Fair" featuring workshops and panel discussion about health & fitness, financial planning, and black gay identity issues.  The "Mini Film Fest" features screenings of "Blueprint" @ 12:30pm and "Finding Me" @ 2:30pm.  Hyatt Regency McCormick Place (2233 S. Martin Luther King Dr.) Free. 12pm-5pm. 

"Black Pride LGBT Author Reception" w/ authors Rodney Lofton, Lee Hayes, D.J. McLaurin, & Anita Charlot, & Naleighna Kai @ Center on Halsted (3656 N. Halsted). Free. Reception @ 3pm; readings & book signings 4pm-6pm. 

"Black Party" w/ DJs Craig Loftis, Kenae & Anton @ Congress Theatre (2135 N. Milwaukee Ave). $20. 10pm-3am. 

"6th Annual White Party." This signature event for women features DJ Boolmaster & the sexxxy Oohzee @ Park West Theater (322 W. Armitage). $15 b4 11pm/ $20 after.  10pm-3am

Sunday, July 6:
"Chicago Windy City Black Pride Festival." This "family affair" celebration of the entire LGBT community features vendors, live entertainment & DJs, and cultural activities @ South Shore Cultural Center (7059 S. South Shore Dr).  11am–5pm.

"WCBP Park Festival" @ Sherman Park (1301 W. 52nd St. & Racine).  $5 Suggested Donation.
12pm-7pm. 

"WCBP Finale Celebration: Le'Chocolat: The Sweetest Hangover" @ Boutique (803 W Evergreen St.). $15/$25 VIP. 11pm-4am.

"Freedom Party" w/ DJs Kenae & Anton @ Club 720. $15. 11pm-4am.

Monday, July 7:
"Spanky Dupre Hawkins' 13h Annual Mr. & Mrs. Black Universe Chicago" @ Baton Show Lounge. $15. Show @ 9:30pm. 

"Chicago Black Pride United Closing Party" w/ DJ Stoney, hosted by Mz. Ruff ‘N Stuff @ Circuit. $10. 10pm-4am. 

For updates and complete listing of events, check out www.chiblackpride.com, www.windycityblackpride.org

This article was originally published in Boi Magazine and provided in partnership with www.boimagazine.com.

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