Storytelling for Change: BlackPrideYYC
Community Sportlight: BlackPrideYYC
Storytelling for CHange: BlackPrideYYC
We’re highlighting stories in the community of groups creating a more just future! We chatted with Daphne, Founder of Black Pride YYC!
The mission of Black Pride YYC is to; Empower, Uplift & Advocate for the holistic well-being of Black 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, families, and communities.
Daphne and those she inspires are doing great work. Here’s her story!
What made you want to start Black Pride YYC, what was happening in Calgary that inspired you?
When I arrived in Calgary, I asked myself "Where are the gays gathering"? Checked out instagram hashtags, asked around, it was essentially just clickbait or seeing black people doing anything, Googled opportunities.. came up short.
I kept thinking where are my people, what do I do next? There was nothing that I saw that was familiar, I knew I had to network more and find where the black people were. I did get introduced to a few people and got people to hangout. Eventually every Friday night it became "the black lesbian club" just at my house, It took me all of 2022 to find people who were ready to party! By Spring of 2023, I found my people where I could be myself!
We gathered to watch that Netflix queer show. but I still knew there were people like me who were lost and looking for a community coming to Calgary? This question led me to respond with Black Pride YYC. I didn’t just want to just exist in the community, I wanted to see further representation. From the music to the food in these spaces, all of these contributed to me forming Black Pride YYC - Jollof Rice, Afrobeats, amapiano, dancehall- Every participant played their own part to launch the BPY!
What do you think Black PrideYYC represents for those who have never come out? Figuratively and literally.
We recognize that homophobia exists even in the black community, I don’t want to put anyone in harms way, if it’s not safe for you to bring attention to your queernesss - you’ll never see their picture up on our social media. We want people to exist, come to our events, hangout, and be yourself with people who are like you, without fear of being outed while also Creating a safe space to come out… and exist freely, it’s really okay to be black and queer!
Where do you keep the drive to keep going? Where do you see Black Pride YYC going?
The path I’m walking now is the path that was set for me from my ancestors. As Black people we have had to fight for everything we’ve had, I’m clearing a path for Black Queers to be that representation they have been looking for. I am creating the history of the future. Imagine 10 years of Black Pride YYC where black queer people are thriving, living, existing, celebrating, winning, enjoying, communing. As people migrate into Calgary, creating the opportunity for people to be involved! It would be amazing where you meet people who find relationships in that in-person events. and I’m going to officiate that wedding.
One last question, there's a duality to the name Black Pride YYC, say more?
I know some people don’t identify as queer it’s a fence word, my blackness is not independent from my queerness. They coexist in that intersectionality to make Daphne, Black pride can mean to be queer and be proud of also being black , we’re black, we’re queer, we’re taking space, existing and thriving!
My joy in life is to see black queer people succeed! If we’re succeeding it means the system is finally working for everyone! We need to exist in those spaces to challenge the systems. It’s more than just representation it’s about challenging. My blackness and queerness is in your face! Daphne is a black, lesbian, proud gender fluid person and I am here!
[Interview is edited for length and clarity]
What’s Next?
On Juneteenth, (June 19th) Black Pride YYC is hosting a Movie Night! At 6:30 is a special dedicated to screening the film 14 Years and a Day afterwards a panel discussion! Get your tickets now!