Lezcronymz Productions is taking it back one time–and this time we’re getting our GLO ON! More fun and More freedom when you ride with Queer Outta Philly!
The Bus Features:
Center-City Philly Glo Party on Wheels! (42 Passengers!)
On August 6th from 2-8PM SWEAT PHILLY is taking you to SUMMER SCHOOL for the LAST SWEAT of the Summer!!!!!!!!
Come dance at the BIGGEST, SHAME-FREE, ALL-INCLUSIVE LGBTQIA Dance Party in the Tri-State Area!
They told you you would be screwed up. And you know what? Being screwed up is kinda fun. Nerds, Queers, & School S*uts welcome. Come to SWEAT. Where the misfits belong.
A year ago, I was fucking around on my business instagram account, posting ridiculous memes and thirst traps (not my own) for my followers to love me or hate me for. It’s usually a combination of both. On that particular day I had come across some proper eye candy (ahem, Timeekah Murphy aka “Murph”) and reposted the image with the same level of thirstiness my followers were about to endure. It was no surprise when like after like swiftly came pouring in as we lesbians swooned over this gentle-womxn in her androgynous, top-of-the evening attire.
To be honest, I didn’t even know who the hell I was reposting. I just knew the fellow queerdos would share my affinity for her—imagery. A closer examination of Murph’s page proved to be impressive. Turns out Timeekah Murphy is the CEO and designer of the fast-rising, high-end fashion brand Alani Taylor Co. Now before you write this off as some stalker ass blog piece—just know this is headed somewhere culturally significant—but also know I had to ask if she had a girlfriend. I’m a huge advocate of shooting full court shots.
I didn’t expect a response. So when she offered up the #singlelife hashtag in the comments all inner G left and I melted—then I quickly remembered I was on my business account and kept it kosher. The next comment was from an individual who we’ll refer to as NYC Shordie. NYC Shordie said something about Murph being “fine as hell” and we became screaming teenage fangirls in the comments from there. Murph then responded to NYC Shordie’s comment and inadvertently put her into shock—you know cuz we’re fan-girled out. NYC Shordie then went on to state how she didn’t think Murph would ever speak to someone like her. To which Murph replied (I know I’m shout-out AF):
“I appreciate this whole conversation y’all are having with each other lol 😂. But baby girl your a queen, your beautiful and don’t ever let anyone take that away from you. No matter what status we hold we are all equal. I am not above you luv. Hold your confidence luv. ❤️”
In that moment I realized I fucked with Murph on a people level. In that moment Murph lifted the fabric between fan and fashion guru. Not to make her sound like Jesus, but we could all accomplish a thing or two by walking in her footsteps. The presumed barrier between those in their respective spotlight being unreachable is a testament to how we as people block our blessings. Some call it Imposter Syndrome. Some call it low-self esteem. Whatever you call it, it’s in the entire GOT-damn-way.
Regrettably, NYC Shordie’s comments have since been removed (deleted account) however, the way Murph virtually put that woman in a GEWD place: priceless. NYC Shordie’s entire perspective changed at that moment. (I hope she’s out in the world baggin celebrities and conquering dreams now).
For those of you who put up your own invisible barriers, blocking blessing after blessing: let’s rap about manifestation for a minute—through the eyes of Murph. Newark, NJ born Timeekah Murphy had been designing far before the first A-List celebrity team ever hit her up. She constructed pieces to pass the time during her 12 year service in the U.S. Military. In 2016, she departed from the military and made the decision to focus on fashion—with no formal fashion training might I add. It wasn’t until her daughter, Alani Taylor Murphy, was born that her passion for fashion finally had a direction and a solid vision for where she wanted to take her brand.
Timeekah Murphy, CEO Alani Taylor Co.
Now fast forward to 2020—just four years after the launching of the Alani Taylor Co. brand.
Visualize being Timeekah Murphy and your phone rings. At the other end is someone representing Fashion Stylist Zerina Akers. For the non-fashion junkies, Akers is best known for her work with The Queen B herself: Beyonce Knowles. Are you screaming yet?! Murphy didn’t know it at the time, but the dress she designed in collaboration with Déviant La Vie would go on to be a part of Beyonce’s visual album Black is King.
Murph Lost Her Voice and Her Mind at first Glance of Beyonce in Her Dress.
Pictured: Beyonce in White Rope co-designed by Alani Taylor Co.
Edible Podcast: What was it like when you got the call to design for Beyonce’s dress in Black is King?
Murph: “It was insane. But that was the second time we had did something for Beyonce. I think the first time is where all of my excitement came from because, again, when I talk about the manifesting, I have a prayer box. And I put all of the things I want to accomplish in that prayer box. So every year I put twenty things in my prayer box for that year. That year— or the year before I had just moved to L.A. and before I left I was packing. I was living in Texas at the time. And I put ‘I want to design for Beyonce’ in my prayer box. And a year later I go to the prayer box and that’s what I pull out. We had did Lion King for her…I was on Cloud 10 for a good two weeks when it did happen.”
“…but when Black is King came out that meant moreto me because it was my brand attached to it this time and it wasn’t like I was living through something else that wasn’t attached to my daughter. Because I started this whole thing for my daughter…When Black is King came out and I seen that image of her <Beyonce> standing there—or first when they were carrying her—is when I completely lost my voice…and then when she started walking towards the camera I lost my mind.”
The Reality and Power of Manifestation.
Murph: “I believe in the universe man. And nobody can tell me different because I see it happening in my life and in a lot of other people’s lives around me. When you put that energy out there and you say you wanna do something and know…God is saying you can have whatever it is that you ask for at any given moment. So When I look up to the sky and I say: I want to do this or I want to do that. The same way that we get on our knees and pray and we say amen, is the same way that I look at life within itself. I was taught that if you gone pray, don’t worry and if you gone worry don’t pray. And I live by that.”
Pictured: Carter the Body with Timeekah Murphy of Alani Taylor Co.
Who could be worried when a part of your day included flying to L.A. to design Da Baby’s baby’s (say that three times as fast as you can) very own red carpet dress? According to Murph, he personally hit her jack to request her services in designing a last-minute dress for his daughter’s stunning red-carpet event. She looked like Black Royalty in the making.
Pictured: Da Baby with his daughter wearing a custom dress by Alani Taylor Co.
Murph Tells Edible Podcast about the Call to Design Da Baby’s Daughter’s Red-Carpet Dress.
Edible Podcast: “So you designed a piece for Da Baby’s Baby?”
Murph: “He wanted to do a red carpet event for her because she wasn’t able to go to the Grammys. First of all his red carpet was better than the Grammys’ red carpet. Let me first say that. This man went above and beyond for his daughter and he wanted a dress for her…it was crazy and that’s why I look the way I look right now…I just hopped on the plane with what was on my back.”
Timeekah Murphy on Luck.
Edible Podcast: “Do You Believe in Luck?”
Murph: “I don’t believe in luck. I believe that once you put something in the atmosphere and you keep continuing to bust your ass for it the universe has no choice but to give you what you deserve.”
Luck or no luck, Fashion Nova Cares and Megan Thee Stallion just donated 25K to four independent designers one of the recipients being Alani Taylor Co. I literally just read the news as I was working on this piece. Talk about the universe. HELL FUCKING YES MURPH!!!!!!! Fashion Nova and Meg plan to award a total of $1 Million throughout the month of March for their Women on Top initiative during Women’s History Month.
In honor of Womxn’s History Month we salute Timeekah Murphy for her service in the U.S. Military and her passion to build a legacy for Blacks, Womxn, the LGBTQ Community and most importantly—her daughter. Happy Womxn’s History Month.
“We have to shed light on our Black Women because we’ve had it hard. And it’s time for all of us to start supporting each other to get us where we need to be. You know it took a long time for us to get here but now with our generation we can create a lot of change…everybody is starting to understand that black people are powerful.”
Brooklyn based Art Collective Kinsey [@kinseyxkinsey] brings their queer namesake party to Philadelphia for the first time in collaboration with Solar Sounds [@solarsounds.us] and Lezcronymz [@lezcronymz]. Residents Joopiter and Synead join Solar Sounds Co-founders Riva + Bianca along with Philly based DJ Nia.Wav to bring a night of sound and vibes spanning genre and texture.
Kinsey’s mission is to elevate queer artists of color through a unique event curation. We hope to inspire creatives in our community to bring their artistic visions from inception to fruition.
Kinsey aims to create and hold space for queer artists of color and the surrounding community. We aim to foster solidarity and connection through performance, movement, and live music. A mindset rooted in unabashed acceptance, liberation, and freedom is core to the values we hold. We believe in resistance by existence. Though we began with our namesake party – which has doubled as a fundraiser for organizations working to benefit Black queer lives – we hope to expand into all corners of creative and performing art from Brooklyn to Worldwide.
No one will be turned away for a lack of funds. Please contact us if you are unable to purchase a ticket.
The LGBTQ Owned Tour Company has planned a Gayborhood Bar Crawl for all who seek community in the absence of the traditional Philadelphia Outfest. A pay-what-you-wish option allows for increased community access–a big priority for the top-rated, philly-area tour company.
Started in 2018, the Caroline LeCount Fund was created to allow for Beyond the Bell Tours to throw Pay What You Wish Events and have a “No Turn Away Policy” to make sure our history remained public history. During the pandemic, these events were put on hold, but this Outfest weekend, they are back.
Picture your typical, touristy Philadelphia walking tour and then replace that picture with fun LGBTQ History, local Culture, and untold stories of the gay underground. Beyond the Bell prides itself in offering relatively, un-known local LGBTQ history as well as giving it to you straight on local LGBTQ culture. Local legends like Gloria Cesarez are highlighted on the tour alongside international LGBTQ heroes.
The Gayborhood bar crawl will commence at Stir Lounge, a Philly Gayborhood community staple and will feature drink specials along with LGBTQ History–as told by actual queer folk. The lounge itself has it’s own history which you’ll learn about on the tour. Other local, queer-friendly bars are expected to be added to the list.
WHILE PHILLY OUTFEST IS NOT HAPPENING, THIRST TRAP @ ROAR NIGHTCLUB +THE AFTER PARTY @levelupbarlounge ARE THE ONLY MAJOR QTPOC CLUB EVENTS ON THE PHILLY RADAR HONORING NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY + FREEDOM OF SEXUALITY. PERIODT!
COME OUT & PARTY WITH US! GET YOUR TIX NOW! #THIRSTTRAP OCT 8TH!!!!
LGBTQIA+ / 21+ Saturday, 10/8/22 4-8pm Roar / 939 Delaware Ave, Philadelphia PA
The name Amber Hikes rings a bell in most LGBTQ circles on the East Coast. As the former Executive Director of the Philadelphia Office of LGBTQ Affairs and current Chief Equity Officer of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) she’s done some amazing work in the community. The trail she blazes is black and brown as she advocates for Queer People of Color and had a major role in the creation of the official Philadelphia Pride Flag.
TONIGHT, we’ll learn what it was like for Amber in High School, her role in the LGBTQ Mega-Party SWEAT, PLUS we’ll ask juicy questions submitted by our followers! Watch the interview tonight on Lezcronymz and send in your questions to be answered LIVE!
On August 6th from 2-8PM SWEAT is taking you to SUMMER SCHOOL for the LAST SWEAT of the Summer!!!!!!!!
Come dance at the BIGGEST, SHAME-FREE, ALL-INCLUSIVE LGBTQIA Dance Party in the Tri-State Area!
They told you you would be screwed up. And you know what? Being screwed up is kinda fun. Nerds, Queers, & School S*uts welcome. Come to SWEAT. Where the misfits belong.BUY NOW & SAVE!! TICKETS JUST $20!
SWEAT Features: 21 +, All-Inclusive (All are welcome!) 4 DJS | @DJPapo610 | @DJ_HarleyBeretta | @DJDiorCartel | @DeluxxtheOG Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, Reggae, + more! LGBTQ + GO-GO Dancers 5 Bars, Delicious Food, Drink Specials! Twerk-Off, Wet Body Contest, & Water Guns! Door Prizes + Giveaways!Indoor/Outdoor Party on the River! (Rain or Shine!)
MEET THE SWEAT SUMMER SCHOOL TEAM Hosted by Jay LaTay Co-Hosted by Mike the Qreator, Lola Bunnie, LocsLady and #FKNLex
DOPE ASS VENDORS! SKIRTSEWPRETTY Follow them on Instagram! @SkirtsSewPretty
ZIMA DESIGNZ Follow them on Instagram! @ZimaDesignz
AU NATURAL Follow them on Instagram! @Aunatural_llc
TASTE ATL THE SERIES Check out SWEAT footage featured in the upcoming Season 2! Follow them on Instagram! @TASTEATLTHESERIESCheck out Atlanta’s NEWEST series for QTPOC! Season 2 dropping August!
SWEAT is presented by The Main Event Philly, Sway Philly, Lezcronymz Productions, & Jay LaTay Entertainment
The Party Starts at Cavanaugh’s Riverdeck located at 417 N Columbus Blvd, Phila, PA.
A new lawsuit alleges SKITTLES used a known toxin in their ingredients that could cause health problems. So we shouldn’t have tasted the rainbow? What is this anti-gay propaganda?! Read the full story on ABC News.
Beyond the Bell Tours Presents: The Official SWEAT Pre-Game BYOB + LGBTQ History Trolley Tour. THAT is a mouthful. Now think: Trolley + B.Y.O.B. + Queer History. THEN add in a HOT Dance Party Mix curated by SWEAT, Philly’s BIGGEST LGBTQIA Dance Party and Live Performers. You’ve got yourself a gay-ole-time!
The best part? The Official SWEAT Pre-game Trolley picks riders up and drops them off in front of Cavanaugh’s Riverdeck where the SWEAT dance party is just getting started! Call an uber to Cavanaughs on July 9th to get the gay—I mean day-drinking started! Remember: It’s not day-drinking if you don’t start in the morning!
Taken at City of Pride Tour by Beyond the Bell Tours. Photo Credit: Lezcronymz Productions
OTHER COOL TOUR FEATURES.
Did we mention BYOB? Bring tiny coolers and plastic cups!
Photo Credit: Kelly Burkhardt. Taken at SWEAT 2021.
July’s SWEAT is all about the Culture! Check out this LIVE dance mix with Bad Bunny, Drake, Koffee, City Girls, & more!
PLUS! WHAT DOES CULTURE MEAN TO YOU?
Lezcronymz wants to know: WHAT DOES CULTURE MEAN TO YOU? For us, it’s the ability to create safe spaces for our people. It’s walking down the street holding the hand of whomever the fu*k you want. It’s the random dance parties on the street corner and the pop-up protests because we give a damn. It’s freedom. It’s movement. It’s the people.
TELL US WHAT CULTURE MEANS TO YOU IN 30 SECONDS FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN 2 FREE TICKETS TO SWEAT ON JULY 9TH. Send your video to lezcronymz@gmail.com to enter! CONTEST ENDS JULY 1ST!
SATURDAY JULY 9TH, 2022 from 2PM-8PM, The SWEAT Team is back—but this time IT’S FOR THE CULTURE!
WEAR your COLORS. REP your FLAG! Jamaica! Trinidad! Puerto Rico! Liberia! Shit if you from Scotland bring your flag too!!!
SWEAT is all about celebrating LOVE, UNITY, & COMMUNITY. We are proud of who we are, where we came from, and where we are going! Come move ya body at Philly’s BIGGEST LGBTQIA Dance Party for ALL!
LIMITED PRE-SALE TIX AVAILABLE! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR $20 SAVINGS! PRICES WILL INCREASE!
THE RUN-DOWN. 21+ (ALL INCLUSIVE, LGBTQIA) Reggae, Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, Reggaeton & more! 4 DJS | DJs Jay LaTay x Lioness x Deluxx the OG x Na$h Indoor & Outdoor Vibes Drink + Food Specials Hosted by Philly’s own Jay La Tay! Co-hosted by Mike the Qreator, Locs Lady, Lola Bunni, + Mehkhi!
Edible Wordz by Lezcronymz Productions 