Black Femme Brunch, where the three commandments are “Be Black, Be Femme, and Be Friendly”. Joslyn Rae Bloomfield, M.A. (aka Jos) looked around at the cis-male dominated LGBTQ scene in Washington, D.C. and decided things needed to be shaken up a bit. Conceived by a seed planted by a close friend, Black Femme Brunch was birthed in October 2014. Since then, the monthly brunches have been building community by being a radical, irreverent, and unapologetic celebration of queer and trans black femmes of all genders.
If you’re wondering whether Black Femme Brunch is your cup of tea, Jos urges you to answer two questions. Do you self-identify as black? Would you consider yourself in touch with your feminine side? If you answered no to any of the above questions these events are not for you. #SorryIAin’tSorry
Jos, a Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland College Park, stresses “this is a safe space for black queer people who are in touch with their feminine energy; transgender peeps, tomboys/girls, and androgynous folks of all (or no) gender(s).”
Creator of Black Femme Brunch Joslyn Rae Bloomfield (right) with event attendee
On July 23, Black Femme Brunch is mixing things up with The Takeover Picnic at Malcolm X Park. The organizers believe those walking around calling it Meridian Hill Park, aren’t woke enough to be in formation with Black Femme Brunch. If your melanin be popping go ahead and break the “black girls don’t go outside” stereotype.
Hosting the Takeover Picnic is Juh Neigh and Makia Green. DJ Fiveboi aka Vanessa Newman will be providing the sounds for the day. The event is everyone’s favorite price: “free.99.” Make sure you BYOB: Blanket, Bottle, Bites, Black Femme, Bae. Not sure what to bring? Think brownies or cupcakes made with extra love.
Jos emphasizes, “This is a Black Femme space. Femme being an open description.” Androgynous with a hair toss – accepted. Studly with side of Beyoncé – accepted. Homo with a Hermes – accepted. If you woke up in a moment of femme this is for you. Transwomen, transmen, intersex, gender non-conforming, queer women, queer men, asexual, and same gender loving people alike are welcome to come get this love. Playing no games about keeping the safe space, Black Femme Brunch warns that you will be asked to leave if this space was not created for you. You ain’t gotta go home, but you gotta get the hell outta here.
Black Femme Brunch hosts events in the spirit of joy. Jos highlights the events are to “celebrate for being your most authentic self. Celebrate what others see as negatives – being too black or too feminine. Realize it’s these differences that make us great.”
The Black Femme Brunch: The Takeover Picnic takes place on July 23 at Malcolm X Park from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. For more information on Black Femme Brunch, you can visit their Facebook page here.
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