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carlos (@melrose) - Collective Profile | Washington, US For Community 🏳️‍🌈 and Culture ✊🏾 📍DC is home. Ask me about Queer History! 🫣 Recent posts: a vintage poster from the national coalition of black gays' 3rd world conference in washington, d.c. in 1979. the poster features text and a logo., a vintage poster from the coalition of black gays, celebrating gay pride week. the text is arranged in a circular pattern, emphasizing pride in both gayness and blackness., the image features text that reads "black queer dc lives here!" in a stylized font. the text is set against a dark background, with a logo at the bottom., a tender moment between two men during a pride event in central park. the image captures a sense of intimacy and affection., a movie poster for the film "him". the poster features two men, one with his hands on the other's shoulders., a mannequin wearing a unique outfit is displayed in a museum. the outfit features a long jacket, light-colored pants, and boots., an advertisement for a disco and pub called bachelor's mill and back door pub. the ad features a vintage design with text and a graphic., the cover of a vintage magazine features a shirtless black man wearing a firefighter's helmet. the magazine's title and cover lines are prominently displayed., an abstract illustration of a person in black against a red background. the figure is stylized with curved shapes and a smiling face., a black and white photo captures two men in a playful pillow fight. they are laughing and enjoying each other's company in a bedroom setting., a detailed black and white illustration of a group of people with their hands raised in worship. the image captures a moment of spiritual connection and devotion., two men smile at the camera in a vintage photo. one man wears a red sweater and bow tie, while the other wears a striped shirt and beanie., a black and white photo from kurt's nightclub in philadelphia in 1990. four people are seated, dressed in stylish attire., a vibrant mural depicting multiple figures in a city setting. the artwork showcases a powerful vision of rebirth., a group of male dancers perform on a rooftop at night. the dancers are dressed in various stylish outfits and showcase impressive dance moves., .
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carlos @melrose

For Community 🏳️‍🌈 and Culture ✊🏾 📍DC is home. Ask me about Queer History! 🫣
Washington, US
BQDC Read - Where We Belong
food
museums
grabbing drinks
music
queer history
Morning Vibe 🎧
A vintage poster from the National Coalition of Black Gays' 3rd World Conference in Washington, D.C. in 1979. The poster features text and a logo.
In 1979, Black and Third World Queer organizers came together in Washington, DC to imagine a future beyond oppression — one grounded in solidarity, power, and community. Read Where We Belong on Black Queer DC. Link in bio!
A vintage poster from the Coalition of Black Gays, celebrating Gay Pride Week. The text is arranged in a circular pattern, emphasizing pride in both gayness and blackness.
Ad placement by the Coalition of Black Gays in The Washington Blade celebrating Pride Week, June 1978.
The image features text that reads "Black Queer DC Lives Here!" in a stylized font. The text is set against a dark background, with a logo at the bottom.
Hey Collective family. So I’m excited to introduce BLAQDC. This is a digital project that will be documenting and celebrating Black Queer life in Washington, DC. This work centers our voices and histories. Hopw you join me along for this journey of uncovering history! Link in my Bio!
A tender moment between two men during a Pride event in Central Park. The image captures a sense of intimacy and affection.
A Moment During Gay Pride, Central Park, New York City; 1980s by Mariette Pathy Allen
A movie poster for the film "HIM". The poster features two men, one with his hands on the other's shoulders.
Anyone else excite to see HIM?
A mannequin wearing a unique outfit is displayed in a museum. The outfit features a long jacket, light-colored pants, and boots.
Superfine
An advertisement for a disco and pub called Bachelor's Mill and Back Door Pub. The ad features a vintage design with text and a graphic.
At the archives
The cover of a vintage magazine features a shirtless Black man wearing a firefighter's helmet. The magazine's title and cover lines are prominently displayed.
Front Cover of the July 1991 edition of the National Black Lesbian & Gay Magazine; Vol. 3, No. 6.
An abstract illustration of a person in black against a red background. The figure is stylized with curved shapes and a smiling face.
Anybody else excited for the new album drop!!!!!
A black and white photo captures two men in a playful pillow fight. They are laughing and enjoying each other's company in a bedroom setting.
Henry and his boyfriend, Mingle. From the series Just Like Us, 2016. By Eric Gyamfi.
A detailed black and white illustration of a group of people with their hands raised in worship. The image captures a moment of spiritual connection and devotion.
a soothing chill beat 😌
Two men smile at the camera in a vintage photo. One man wears a red sweater and bow tie, while the other wears a striped shirt and beanie.
Night at the Coffeehouse ☕️ Patron Darrin Frisbee and club founder Ray Melrose pictured inside the DC Based Gay Bar the Coffeehouse. Photo Credit: Fierceness Served! Archive
A black and white photo from Kurt's Nightclub in Philadelphia in 1990. Four people are seated, dressed in stylish attire.
Kurt’s Nightclub in 1990. (Au Courant Photo Collection, John J. Wilcox Jr. LGBT Archives) 📍Philadelphia, PA
A vibrant mural depicting multiple figures in a city setting. The artwork showcases a powerful vision of rebirth.
Renaissance City by 🎨 LeRoy Foster A powerful vision of Black rebirth by LeRoy Foster—a trailblazing Black gay muralist once called the Michelangelo of Detroit.
Will West is such an amazing dancer!
The cover of Blacklight Magazine from June 1980. The cover features two men posing next to a car, with the headline "D.C.'s Emerging Black Gay Middle Class."
Blacklight Magazine June 1980 Cover. “D.C.’s Emerging Black Gay Middle Class”
A person is sitting down, wearing white shorts, a red shirt, and black crocs. The photo is taken from a first-person perspective, with the sun shining down.
The day is bleh but at least I got the sun! ☀️🌞
A black and white portrait of a drag queen in an elaborate costume. The subject is posing with a confident expression.
From the series “Black Queer Diaspora in the Netherlands” © Dustin Thierry
A black and white photo captures a lively scene at a disco. People are dancing and enjoying themselves.
📸 At NYC’s underground disco The Loft.
A close-up selfie of a man with a beard, lit by sunlight. The man is shirtless and looking at the camera.
Good morning sunshine ☀️
A woman poses in a studio setting, with a modern and artistic aesthetic. The image is a promotional shot for an album.
On Repeat 🎧
For every little joyous moment, evil always finds a way to sabotage. This world is so brutal and I feel so defeated. I’m not feeling okay. 😢
Just a night out
What was the first Queer Spot you remember ever visiting?
Its such a beautiful day outside. I went to run a few errands today and decided to just take it all in and sit in the park and it felt refreshing to be still and calm and feeling the warmth of the sun. It’s amazing how much we miss or don’t take advantage of when we don’t stop to enjoy the moment.
A man walks down a sidewalk, wearing a jacket with a Black Panther Party logo. The photo is taken outdoors on a sunny day.
The Panther Party
A woman stands in front of a sign that reads "Sapphire Sapphos." The photo is from 1980 and documents the first ongoing group for lesbians of color.
Tania Abdulahad with Sapphire Sapphos banner; Washington, DC, 1980. 📸 Ron Simmons Sapphire Sapphos, founded in 1979, is considered the first ongoing group for lesbians of color. 🗃️ Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture
The album cover for The Jones Girls' "At Peace With Woman" features three women in flowing orange robes on a beach. The image has a vintage, retro aesthetic.
If you know, you know!
Two posters on a wall, one promoting Black LGBTQIA+ history preservation and the other featuring Dr. Mel Boozer.
A black and white image of a chess board with pieces in focus. The word "checkmate" is written across the top.
Amapiano 😌
A vibrant red piano sits on a brick-paved street, cordoned off by a black rope barrier. The piano is decorated with colorful patterns and text.
Damn I been really wanting to play one of this but didn’t have time to stop and jam! Until next time!
It feels so rare to find a corner of the internet where the noise fades away and all that's left is peace, love, and understanding. The anxiety, trauma, and constant debates of other platforms can be overwhelming, but here—this queer space—everything clicks. I'm so thankful to be part of a community where I can show up as my authentic self and not feel drained or attacked. This is what it feels like to exist without the constant weight of the world on your shoulders. Sending love! It’s a reminder that we can have spaces that uplift, not overwhelm. ✨🌈
A black and white photo of Richmond Barthé with his sculpture, Africa Awakening. Barthé is smiling and seated next to the sculpture.
Richmond Barthé posing with Africa Awakening (1959) Sculpture. Barthé was a Black Gay Sculptor who honored the Black male body with grace, sensuality, and power.
A person holds up the album cover for Mark Morrison's "Return of the Mack." The cover features Morrison in a leather jacket and sunglasses, holding handcuffs.
Adding this classic to the collecting 🎶
A graphic design with a red and black color scheme. It features an American flag design and a silhouette of a person, along with the text "Never ask permission for something that already belongs to you."
AMEN 🙏🏾
SirDavis tonight 😋
A vintage portrait of Alain Locke, a Black queer scholar and key figure of the Harlem Renaissance. He is depicted in a white suit and tie.
Alain Locke, Black Queer scholar & Father of the Harlem Renaissance. A legacy rooted in art, truth, and liberation.
Today feels a bit bland. Trying hard to get through it.
A dramatic sunset with towering clouds and communication towers silhouetted against the sky. The image captures the beauty of nature and the contrast between the natural and man-made elements.
In the clouds ⛅️
A black and white portrait of a man smoking. The man is looking up with a cigarette in his mouth.
Smoke Clouds, 1985, by Patric McCoy. Courtesy of the artist.
A man with glasses takes a selfie outdoors. He is wearing a baseball jersey and standing in front of a building.
New look 👀
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