“Bey is back and … sleepin’ real good at night!”
In 2022, the Third Ward Houston, TX pop star Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter returned to announce the Renaissance era with lead single Break My Soul, a track paying homage to House music, Ballroom, Black LGBTQIA+ liberation and expression, and a nod to her southern roots with a sample from New Orleans’ Big Freedia. As the Renaissance album hit streaming platforms, fans communed to listen, receiving catharsis, joy, and a moment of reflection whether they were feeling Cozy, Thique, or a Church Girl trying to cut loose. Not long after, Beyoncé invited the world to her “gratitude tour,” a celebration of the over 25 years of support from her BeyHive.
Now a year later, as she wraps tour and announces the release of Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé debuting in theaters Dec. 1, Reckon spoke with a few Black queer fans as they reflect on what this era has meant to them.
JaQuarious Wimberly, 25
JaQuarious Wimberly, attends the Renaissance World Tour in Tampa, FL
Pronouns: She/they
Based: Orlando, FL
Attended RWT: Tampa, FL
The earliest memory JaQuarious has of falling in love with Queen Bey is when The Pink Panther came out alongside the “Check Up On It” music video; the iconic pink visual would go on to inspire her Renaissance World Tour outfit. “Witnessing Renaissance has been pivotal for me, especially starting my transition. Having queer artistry be broadcast and given center stage, especially in times like this when it’s needed now more than ever, seeing fellow ballroom participants gracing the stage and ICONS in the songs has warmed my queer heart. The song that instantly and to this day ( TS Madison voice) connects to my inner FQ (Femme Queen) would be “Heated.” A song about not allowing someone to have you f*cked up and being unforgiving in your reclamation of your peace,” they say. For Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé premiere, she tells Reckon they may pull her cowgirl dress combo back out or…
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