On Easter Sunday, which coincided with 4/20 this year, queer cannabis company FLAMER organized a large picnic in Prospect Park, drawing over 700 attendees. The event, aptly named “Faggots Attend Church,” served as both a celebration of community and a nod to the historical ties between the LGBTQ+ movement and cannabis activism, especially during the HIV/AIDS crisis.
FLAMER co-founder Wyatt Harms described the event as a chance to embrace the intersection of spirituality and cannabis use. He noted, “FLAMER is already a reclamation of terminology, and we wanted to bring everyone together with this plant that helps unlock your spirituality.”
Attendees were encouraged to dress in their Sunday best, showcasing vibrant outfits that reflected their identities and pride. Activities at the picnic included sound baths, meditation sessions, and games reminiscent of field days, allowing participants to engage in a joyful and supportive atmosphere.
The choice of Prospect Park was strategic, as it has become a go-to social space during the COVID-19 pandemic when traditional venues were closed. FLAMER co-founder Matías Alvial explained, “The parks opened up this sort of social space in which people could hang out at the same time that cannabis was decriminalized, so we wanted to honor the park as a public and accessible space.”
While the event celebrated LGBTQ+ creativity and joy, it also served as a statement against corporate influences in the cannabis industry. Harms emphasized that while the cannabis scene in New York is vibrant and queer, it often gets overshadowed by corporate interests. He shared his frustrations about how corporations profit from LGBTQ+ identities without giving back to the community, stating, “When corporations commoditize our identity and then disappear when times get hard, it’s just extraction.”
The atmosphere at Prospect Park was filled with pride and inclusivity, contrasting sharply with the corporate commercialization that often characterizes cannabis events. Attendees celebrated their identities freely, creating a space where they could connect over their shared love for cannabis and community.
FLAMER’s event exemplifies how cannabis culture can foster solidarity and a sense of belonging, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. It highlighted the ongoing efforts to reclaim autonomy within the cannabis space and promote a culture that prioritizes representation and community support.
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