Advertisement

2001

Jan. 2, 2001 – The City Commission of Traverse City removes all "We Are Traverse City" gay pride stickers at the advice of legal counsel. "Some of the most insecure people in the population are middle-aged men, white and straight. They daren't swing against the tide, they daren't seem to be less than all-powerful," said commissioner Margaret Dodd, following the city's decision to halt the rainbow diversity flag campaign.

Jan. 26, 2001 – Twelfth Street Missionary Baptist Church holds a meeting to discuss HIV/AIDS in Detroit after CDC reports say that one out of 50 black men in the city has HIV. Leaders and the pastor agree that part of the solution is removing homophobia from the church.

March 2001 – Ann Arbor Cub Scout Pack 33 drops its affiliation with Boy Scouts of America in protest to the organization's anti-gay policy forbidding gay troop leaders. "We have a significant number of homosexual parents. How could we tell them that they couldn't be leaders or members? We are a very diverse community. Being affiliated with the BSA was not enabling our organization to serve all of the families." -Jan Culbertson, former pack leader. However, Detroit Human Rights Commission will not vote to limit city funding to the Boy Scouts that same month on March 12.

June 2001 – PrideFest (now known as Motor City Pride) moves to Ferndale for the first time ever. The event has been held in the city ever since.

February-August 2001 – An estimated 300 gay men are arrested in a series of Rouge Park sting operations, many claiming to have done no more than blow a kiss or arrange to meet someplace else with an undercover officer.

Oct. 10, 2001 – The LGBT community holds its first official gay rights lobbying day in Lansing. Over 50 students and community members participate, focusing on two proposed House bills to add sexual orientation to Michigan's existing civil rights and hate crimes laws.

Nov. 6, 2001 – All on the same Election Day, Kalamazoo and Traverse City voters reject anti-gay charter amendments and voters in Huntington Woods uphold a gay-inclusive human rights ordinance.

Nov. 6, 2001 – Margaret Dodd is elected as mayor of Traverse City after fighting for the rights of LGBT people on city council all year.

Advertisement
Advertisement

From the Pride Source Marketplace

Go to the Marketplace
Directory default
Multi-service, multicultural organization providing HIV testing and counseling, prevention and…
Learn More
Directory default
I have over 30 years experience working with adults and adolescents who have issues with depression…
Learn More
Advertisement