“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

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 pull a last-minute outfit change.

Mya Abraham, 29

Pronouns: She/Her

Hometown: Queens, NY

Based: Los Angeles, CA

Attended RWT: Night 1 of LA (9/1)

Maya has admired her fellow Virgo since she could remember, falling in love with Beyoncé’s “IT factor.” From the moment [Renaissance] was released, Maya knew her inner child needed it. “The little girl who innocently kissed her best friend during pre-school at nap time — and was chastised for it — needed that. For most of my life, it seemed like sexual exploration was frowned upon, and being forced into heterosexuality was incredibly draining. However, with Renaissance, I found myself. The tour was the visual I needed—seeing us as a community being as bold, daring, and expressive as we wanted to be. That freedom, acceptance, found family was what I’d been searching for all along,” she says. As for the upcoming film, she hasn’t picked her premiere fit yet but might do a silver/chrome look or black sparkles.

Chiugo Akujuobi, 24

Pronouns: They/Them

Hometown: Houston, TX

Attended RWT: Houston, TX

Chiugo has listened to Beyoncé’s music since they were a child, but Beychella solidified their standom of the Queen. “On Feb. 5, Beyoncé won her 29th Grammy and thanked the queer community for creating the genre that helped her win. All I could feel as a queer artist was my battered heart wailing and sobbing with gratitude for all the people who believe in me, see me, appreciate my difference, and seek to understand it. Beyoncé, the greatest artist of our time, made me feel like I mattered. She helped me see that I deserve to be celebrated in all my queerness, that I am THAT GEWRLL! I am cozy in my skin! Comfortable with who I am,” they say. For the forthcoming Renaissance film premiere, they tell Reckon they will be on theme again and slay.

J’Neia Stewart, 28

Pronouns: She/They

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

Based: San Diego, CA

Attended RWT: LA birthday show

J’Neia has been a fan her whole life, but it grew after self-titling and attending the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. “This Renaissance era has given me so much joy as a Black queer woman and helped me feel freedom and self-love even [through hard times]. I knew I could turn on the album and conquer my day with “I’m That Girl” and listen to “Cozy” when I was having body issues or put on “Heated” on the ride home after a rough day at work and feel the weight of the day lift off me. This album is something I can constantly return to and find something new to love about it. This era has been so formative and freeing for me, and I can’t wait for the movie to come out so everyone else can finally experience what I did on her tour,” she says. She plans on being on theme for her premiere fit with slightly less pressure this time.