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Black Pride weekend kicked off last night, bringing thousands of people to D.C. to celebrate the fortitude of the
LGBTQ community through a series of social, educational, and activist events. Anyone still searching for a Sunday night event that’ll rock until the wee hours of Memorial Day morning need not look any further than Patty Boom Boom’s Batti Party—-the quarterly event will celebrate its one-year anniversary with night of reggae, soca, and dancehall music.
“Batti” is a slur used within the West Indian community to refer to gay, bisexual, and effeminate men; the Batti Party is so named in an effort to reclaim the word, making it an expression of empowerment by creating an atmosphere where everyone is accepted and encouraged to shed their inhibitions.
The Batti Party doubles as a fundraiser for JFLAG, Jamaica’s first organization dedicated to serving the human rights of LGBTQ Jamaicans, and D.C.’s own Center Global, which aids individuals seeking refuge from violence.
Keeping the mood fluid and light will be a skilled collection of DJs, including John Jazz, Will Nainis, and DJ Jahsonic. This is an all-inclusive affair that’s sure to be a Black Pride weekend staple for years to come.
The Patty Boom Batti Party is free and will run from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Sunday, May 25.