Houston’s beloved Black queer festival BQAF is getting a bold new identity. The Normal Anomaly Initiative, a national leader in Black and queer advocacy, announced the rebranded festival as “Black Like That” in partnership with Pride Houston 365. The event will take place Saturday, June 27, 2026, and promises to highlight culture, community, and empowerment with an unapologetic focus on Black and queer excellence.
“We Ain’t Going Nowhere”
The festival’s new slogan, “We Ain’t Going Nowhere,” captures both a celebration and a statement of resilience. “Black queer culture has always pushed the world forward,” said Ian L. Haddock, founder of The Normal Anomaly Initiative. “This festival honors the elders, the women leading the way, and the community that refuses to shrink. We ain’t going nowhere, so we’re building something that looks like us, sounds like us, and unapologetically celebrates us.”
Marking the organization’s five-year anniversary, the slogan also underscores a steadfast commitment to Black and queer Houston communities amid ongoing societal challenges. To commemorate the milestone, The Normal Anomaly released a documentary exploring the festival’s history, impact, and mission.
Centering Black Women Leaders
The 2026 theme elevates women of all experiences, Black and Brown women, queer women, trans women, cis women, and allies. A Black woman headliner will top the festival lineup, alongside artists, hosts, and cultural leaders shaping music, fashion, comedy, entrepreneurship, and beyond.
Honoring History, Building Community
The festival coincides with June’s historic significance: near the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising and National HIV Testing Day. Black Like That will highlight wellness and community care while celebrating the ongoing influence of Black and Brown queer pioneers.
Pride Houston 365’s president emphasized the importance of intentional timing: “Even as we shift the date of our main Pride celebration, partnering with The Normal Anomaly allows us to create something meaningful, intentional, and rooted in the legacy of Stonewall.”
What Attendees Can Expect
- Live performances from local and national LGBTQ+ artists
- Storytelling spaces honoring activists, elders, and culture-shapers
- LGBTQ+ vendor markets and small business showcases
- Wellness and resource zones offering testing and support
- Interactive art installations inspired by Houston’s LGBTQ+ history
- Food trucks, lounges, and shaded areas for comfort
- Main-stage programs featuring community leaders
More details, including the full lineup and location, will be shared closer to the festival date. Stay updated at normalanomaly.org.
Black Like That represents a bold step forward for Houston’s Black queer communities: vibrant, visible, and unapologetically here to stay.
