Where to Celebrate Pride Month in Michigan
Alyssa Witzleben
| 2 min read
June is Pride Month, a commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising and the LGBTQ+ community’s ongoing fight for equal rights. It’s also a time of celebration, acknowledging advancements that support those with queer identities. Throughout Michigan, you’ll find multiple Pride events offering an inclusive atmosphere for all LGBTQ+ members.
Most major cities host festivals packed with entertainment highlighting the importance of love, acceptance and kinship. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s diversity and inclusion efforts are proud to support LGBTQ+ employees and their community through the sponsorship of various Michigan Pride events.
Here are some of the best festivals the state has to offer:
- Ferndale Pride Festival – June 1: Ferndale is encouraging visitors to get healthy and active during their LGBTQ+ celebration. Pride events start early with a Rainbow Run at 8:30 a.m. followed by Pride Yoga at 11:30 a.m. Attendees will break a sweat and feel the burn, but also have fun.
- Kalamazoo Pride Festival – June 7 and 8: Stop by Arcadia Creek Festival Place in Kalamazoo, MI. This Pride event will feature an extensive list of performers as well as a Miss(ter) Kalamazoo Pride Pageant.
- Motor City Pride Festival – June 8 and 9: Right in the “hart” of Downtown Detroit, Hart Plaza will set the stage for the Motor City’s annual Pride festival. Visitors can expect multiple events and attractions including live music and a colorful parade.
- Grand Rapids Pride Festival – June 15: This Pride month, Downtown Grand Rapids’ Calder Plaza is the place to be. Aside from the usual food and dancing, the festival will be headlined by singer/songwriter MAX.
- Up North Pride Week – June 17 – 23: In downtown Traverse City, Pride festival is a week-long event. Attendees can enjoy LGBTQ+-centric storytelling, short film expos, a pop-up gallery and drag night.
For more information about local LGBT+ centers or to find one near you, go to equalitymi.org/resources.
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Photo credit: Rosemary Ketchum
