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BlackOutUK and 56 Dean Street to host UK premiere of ‘parTy boi: black diamonds in ice castles’ documentary

The film focuses on methamphetamine addiction among LGBTQ people of colour in the US

By Fabio Crispim

Sex and drugs have a long and complex relationship within Britain’s gay communities – impacting on both individuals and their social networks in different ways.

There has been little research or public discussion about the patterns of drug use and misuse among Black gay men in the UK, while anecdotal evidence suggests that illicit drug use and sex (chemsex) has become a problem for many.

But BlackOutUK and 56 Dean Street are working together to create spaces where Black gay men and those supporting their health can discuss the implications of chemsex in our lives and co-create solutions that support men in making better-informed decisions. 

To kick off a series of events, BlackOutUK and 56 Dean Street will host a screening of the powerful parTy boi: black diamonds in ice castles documentary, which focuses on the effect of methamphetamine on gay, bi, and queer men of colour.  

The documentary explores a drug epidemic that is affecting the lives of Black and Latino gay millennials at an alarming rate. parTy boi: black diamonds in ice castles features real stories of people who are thinking about using methamphetamine, dealing with the effects of usage, and surviving addiction.

In the past five years, crystal meth has spread through communities in New York City like wildfire. While the drug has gained newfound popularity with people of colour in larger cities, smaller towns are also being disproportionately devastated by the impact of ‘Tina’.  

The independent film directed by Micheal Rice and produced by Rice Creative is an untold tale from an urban perspective and aims to change perceptions within inner city and rural queer demographics, to spark debate, and educate LGBTQ youth around the world about crystal meth and drug addiction.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s creator, Micheal Rice, with input from UK based experts and community voices.

The documentary will premiere at 6.30pm on April 5 in Soho, London, and you can sign up for a pair of free tickets here.

Watch a trailer for the documentary below: