A wave of backlash hit social media this week after Black gay nightlife brand Deviant announced that influencer Fredo would serve as one of the hosts for an upcoming Black gay pride event, with critics questioning why a non-Black influencer was chosen for a celebration centered around Black queer culture.
The debate exploded after screenshots of the announcement and reactions began circulating on X. Some users accused the organizers of sidelining Black talent at an event specifically branded around Black Pride.
One viral response read, “So there were no Black gay influencers available?” while another user wrote, “Black people create spaces for ourselves and somehow still end up pushed to the side in them.”
Others argued the issue was bigger than one host and reflected a broader frustration many Black LGBTQ people feel about visibility and representation within queer nightlife and influencer culture.
Several commenters specifically pointed to what they saw as a double standard online. One widely shared argument claimed that “a Black man would never be welcomed as the face or host of an Asian-centered queer event,” with users debating whether the same level of inclusion would exist in reverse.
As criticism intensified, Fredo — whose real name is Alfredo and who is known online as @fredomarxelo — responded directly to the backlash in a series of posts defending both his involvement and his relationship with the Black queer community.
“Crazy concept: people of different races can support Black queer spaces without taking anything away from them,” Fredo wrote. “I was invited because I bring value, energy, and community. Not because I ‘checked a box.’”
He also explained why he personally feels connected to Deviant and the crowd surrounding it.
“Deviant feels like family to me because every time I’m around them, I feel welcomed and safe,” he wrote. “As an Asian man who was raised in a Black community, these spaces feel natural to me.”
Fredo later added, “I have a platform that brings people together, and supporting people who’ve always shown me love is something I’ll do every time.”
But it was his final statement that appeared to escalate tensions the most.
“Instead of worrying about why I’m there, ask yourself what you’ve done for your community besides talking shit about a group creating a safe space for everybody,” he posted.
That response triggered another flood of reactions, many of them harsh.
One critic replied, “Being Black isn’t a performance contract. Just because you host sex parties and get fcked by Black men don’t put you on no pedestal. A Black person simply living and existing in this anti-Black world being unapologetically their Black selves has more impact than you EVER could.”
Another wrote, “Even if they did nothing for the community they would still have more of a right to be there than you. Black people are tired of sharing spaces because you entitled POC gays who lack respect for our spaces and culture.”
Others focused less on his role at the event and more on the tone of his response.
“Instead of explaining calmly and not seeming threatening, you went for a ‘what are you going to do about it’ approach,” one user commented.
Another viral response read, “You think taking Black dick makes you an activist or something?”
Some users also accused Fredo of fetishizing Black men and profiting from Black queer culture while becoming defensive toward the same community now criticizing him.
At the same time, many people defended Fredo and called the outrage unnecessary. Supporters argued that he has long been embraced within Black queer nightlife spaces and that inclusion should not suddenly become controversial when a non-Black LGBTQ creator is welcomed into the environment.
The controversy has since evolved into a larger conversation online about cultural ownership, allyship, interracial dynamics within LGBTQ spaces, and whether Black-created queer spaces should prioritize exclusivity or openness.
As of Thursday evening, Deviant had not publicly responded to the backlash surrounding the event announcement or Fredo’s comments.
