Between creating the best album of the 2010s, editing a cult zine with contributions from Kanye West and Wolfgang Tillmans and writing a heartfelt essay about Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight Frank Ocean, has proven himself to be a true multi-hyphenate. With his most recent venture, club night PrEP+, he’s adding yet another string to his bow.
As announced via American LGBTQI+ magazine Gay Letter, the auteur will be launching a queer dance party tonight (17 October) in NYC. Entitled “PrEP+” the evening pays homage to the 1980s’ NYC club scene by imaging what it would have been like if PrEP, which can be taken to prevent HIV, was available at the time. Throughout the 1980s, many LGBTQI+ individuals lost their lives to HIV/AIDS in a crisis that was precipitated by the Reagan Administration’s criminal inaction and lack of solidarity.
In a release, PrEP+ is described as: “an ongoing safe space made to bring people together and dance. PrEP+ will welcome globally celebrated DJs.” Going onto list the safe space policy, the ground rules are set as: “No photos or videos are allowed. Consent is mandatory. Zero tolerance for racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, ableism or any form or discrimination. The dance floor is for dancing.” All we can say to that is; “hear, hear!”
As gentrification leads gay bars to shutter in increasing numbers, PrEP+ forms part of a wave of queer pop-up nights that attract the right crowd without the steep overheads associated with bricks and mortar. The resilience of queer promoters has, in this way, allowed LGBTQIA+ folks to continue creating community through nightlife in the face of economic and social erasure.
This just goes to show that there’s nothing Frank can’t do…except maybe stick to a deadline. Where’s that third album?
Check out the official PrEP+ club poster below.
