2018 Bloom Freedom Festival Set for November 28

Image: PHOTO: Hedonism II, Jamaica, location of the Bloom Freedom Festival. (photo via Wikipedia/JohannVanbeek) (Wikimedia Commons/JohannVanbeek)

by Paul Heney
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Sat January 20, 2018

Having an LGBTQ event in <a href="/destinations/caribbean/jamaica.html" target="_self">Jamaica</a> might seem a bit peculiar. But after experiencing the Bloom Freedom Festival with my partner this past year, I understand why people keep returning to the highly positive event that's held at the uniquely accepting <a href="/opinions/column/do-i-dare-to-bare.html" target="_self">Hedonism II</a> resort.The brainchild behind the festival is Olubode Shawn Brown, a Jamaican-born New Yorker who created Bloom as a program of self-discovery for professionals, creative types, entrepreneurs and others. In addition to <a href="http://theessentialjourney.com/the-book/" target="_blank">penning a book</a>, Brown began a series of Bloom parties in <a href="/destinations/north-america/united-states/new-york/new-york-city.html" target="_self">NYC</a>.By 2009, Hedonism II reached out with an invitation to visit and possibly bring down a group.

"Though skeptical, we did a site visit and that cemented things for us," said Brown. "The initial impulse was to bring a large group of friends to my country and show them a really good time. It's now a facilitated experiential journey for people who are exploring-internally and externally, physically and spiritually-the idea of freedom."In our experience, the vast majority of the attendees were gay men of color, but the event is open to all. As a Caucasian man, I was completely welcomed and accepted."We do not use the language <a href="/news/lgbtq" target="_self">LGBTQ</a>, yet we are keenly aware that at the heart of Bloom's leadership and membership are gay black men from the <a href="/destinations/caribbean" target="_self">Caribbean</a> and African Diaspora-and by extension our friends, regardless of race, gender or orientation," said Brown.Nightly parties were themed around the elements of fire, water, nature, earth and mineral. I was blown away by the creativity and complexity of the costumes-and quickly realized that I needed to bring my "A-Game" next time.The 2018 iteration of <a href="https://www.hedonism.com/events-entertainment/events/bloom-freedom-festival-2/" target="_blank">the Bloom Freedom Festival</a> will run from November 28 to December 3 at Hedonism II in Negril, Jamaica. The festival will feature five nights and six days of amazing ritual parties, spell-binding artistry, thought-provoking conversations, global beats, local tours and community engagements.There will be opportunities to meet in groups, and enjoy life-class-events about life-balance, meditation, sexual energy and spirituality.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

Hedonism Resorts LGBTQ+Jamaica Caribbean

Experience Paradise at Majestic Elegance Punta Cana

Paul Heney

Paul J. Heney is a lifelong writer and avid world traveler. He's served as Editorial Director for several hospitality magazines, including Luxury Hotelier, Hotel Design, and Hotel & Motel Management. He has written extensively about family travel, green issues, cruises, and LGBT travel issues. He has won multiple Azbee awards for writing from the American Society of Business Publication Editors and served as National President of the association from 1999-2003. He lives in suburban Cleveland with his partner and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @paulheney or Instagram at @paulheney.