[1] The week of events generally kicks off with a candlelight vigil, followed the next evening by a three-hour party on an excursion along the Detroit River, the "Boat Ride".

The later part of the week includes a film festival and The Annual Gathering for LGBT Issues, an educational conference.

The week commences with a large festival with live entertainment and music is held over the weekend in Detroit's Palmer Park and draws around 20,000 participants.

began in 1996 as collaboration between numerous LGBT organizations — including the Billionaire Boys Club, Men of Color Motivation Group, Karibu House and Ladies of a Current Affair.

[1] In 2013, candidates for Detroit's mayoral race - Krystal Crittendon, Mike Duggan, Fred Durhal, and Jean Vortkamp - attended a special Hotter Than July!