Looking forward to a boring summer? A lack of funds doesn't have to mean a lack of fun. From Motor City Pride all the way to Windsor Pride, every month is bursting with LGBT-friendly things to do. Here's BTL's guide to your summer of Pride, celebrating 40 years since Stonewall, and another season of Pride events for Michiganders.
Motor City Pride
June 5-7
Detroit and Ferndale
Motor City Bear Bash Party
9 p.m. June 5
Food and drink specials, plus contests for bears and their admirers. Cover: $3.
The Male Box, 3537 E. Seven Mile Road, Detroit
Pancake Breakfast
9 a.m.-noon June 6
All-you-can-eat meal with pancakes, sausage, fruit and beverages. Proceeds benefit Ruth Ellis Center and Affirmations. Cost: $6 adults, $3 children
Zion Lutheran Church, 143 Albany, Ferndale
Women's Golf OUTing
10 a.m. June 6
Day includes 18 holes of golf and dinner. Registration (includes dinner): $99. Dinner only: $50.
Commitment Ceremony
11 a.m. June 6
A mass commitment ceremony for LGBT couples. Cost: $100 per couple.
City Hall, 300 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale
Bears in Speedos Car Wash
1-4 p.m. June 6
Scantily clad bears get your car hot and soapy. Proceeds benefit Ruth Ellis Center and Affirmations. Suggested donation: $4.
Paramount Bank, 22635 Woodward Ave., Ferndale
Spaghetti Dinner
6-9 p.m. June 6
All-you-can-eat meal with spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, drinks and desserts. Vegetarian option available. Proceeds benefit Ruth Ellis Center and Affirmations. Suggested donation: $12.
Zion Lutheran Church, 143 Albany, Ferndale
Pre-Pride Beach Bash
8 p.m. June 6
A pride dance for the 18 and older crowd, hosted by Affirmations' 20-Somethings group. Tickets: $5.
Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale
Motor City Bear Bash Party II
9 p.m. June 6
A night of food, dancing and socializing at the "home" of the Motor City Bears.
Diamond Jim's Saloon, 19650 W. Warren Ave., Detroit
Pride Family Picnic
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 7
Sack races, balloon and egg tosses, volleyball and more. A picnic for the whole family.
Martin Road Park, Ferndale
Pride Festival
12-7 p.m. June 7
A Time for Change, featuring vendors, entertainment, food and more.
Downtown Ferndale
For more information, visit http://www.motorcitypride.com.
Divas of the Majestic Pride Show
6 p.m. June 7
A drag show featuring Amanda Lepore, Trixie Deluzze, Electra Lites and more. Ages 18 and older only. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 day of the show, $25 reserved seating.
Majestic Theater, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Jeanne White Ginder Appearance
6 p.m. June 12
A speaking engagement to gain support for renewal of the Federal Ryan White Act.
Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale
Michigan Pride
June 12-14
Lansing
White Party
9 p.m. June 12
The Michigan Pride kickoff, happening all night at Spiral Dance Bar, The Chrome Cat, Esquire Bar and Grand Cafe.
Old Town, Lansing
Diversity Festival
11 a.m.-7 p.m. June 13
Booths, food and entertainment, plus a VIP Open Air Bar, moonwalk and Pet Pampering Parlor. Admission: $5 for festival, $20 for VIP bar.
Adado Park, 300 N. Grand Ave., Lansing
State Pride March
12 p.m. June 13
A march to the Capitol to celebrate pride. Registration for floats and vehicles: $25. Walkers are free. Ends with a rally at the Capitol Building.
Adado Park, 300 N. Grand Ave., Lansing
Commitment Ceremony
2:30 p.m. June 13
Stand up and out and show your love during a group commitment ceremony. No fee, but donations to Unity of Greater Lansing Church are appreciated.
Capitol Building, 100 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing
Old Town After Party
7 p.m. June 13
Pride after party with entertainment, held at Spiral Dance Bar, The Chrome Cat, Esquire Bar and Grand Cafe.
Old Town, Lansing
Sunday Tea Dance
11 a.m. June 14
Begins with brunch and "hangover specials." T-Dance held at 3 p.m. Grand Cafe will also feature noon lunch and drink specials.
Chrome Cat, 226 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing
Wine Tasting and More
6 p.m.-midnight
Wine tasting, plus hair and fashion show and Drag Queens Gone Wild.
Spiral Dance Bar, 1247 Center, Lansing
For more information, visit http://www.michiganpride.org.
Kalamazoo Pride
2-11 p.m. June 13
With entertainment, food vendors and lots to do for the whole family. Day ends with the second annual Zkoo Pride Drag Show at 10 p.m. on the main stage. Features performances by Claire Voyant, Ladonna Divine, Roshelle Rockett and more.
Arcadia Festival Site, 145 E. Water, Kalamazoo
For more information, visit http://www.kglrc.org/pride.
West Michigan Pride
June 19-21
Grand Rapids
Pride Movie Night
6:30-10 p.m.
This year's featured movie is "Breakfast With Scot," which tells the story of Sam and Eric, whose lives are changed when a young boy named Scot comes to live with them. Tickets: $10, which includes the movie and a reception.
Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts, 41 Sheldon Blvd., Grand Rapids
West Michigan Pride Festival
2-10 p.m. June 21
With bingo, food and more. Features performances by the Great Lakes Bride Band, Kelly and Rick, Ben Walter and more. Two drag shows will also be held – the Fun and Fabulous Drag Show at 4 p.m. and the Awesome Late Drag Show at 9 p.m.
John Ball Park, Grand Rapids
For more information, visit http://www.westmipride.org.
Hotter Than July
July 18-26
Detroit
Ruth Ellis Pride March
4:30-7:30 p.m. July 18
Join one of the oldest black gay pride parades in the country for a march Covington Drive near the park. Floats, banners, dogs and drums are encouraged. March ends with a birthday tribute to Ruth Ellis.
Palmer Park, Detroit
VIP Reception
7-9 p.m. July 22
Reception, networking and light refreshments.
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, 100 Renaissance Drive, Detroit
Interfaith Candlelight Vigil
7-9 p.m. July 23
Light a candle in memory of those who have passed due to HIV/AIDS, cancer and other ailments. Hosted by Pastor Darlene Franklin of the Full Truth Church of Christ.
Palmer Park Pond, Detroit
Genesis Conference Author's Corner
July 24
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, 100 Renaissance Drive, Detroit
Hotter Than July! Celebration and Family Picnic
Noon-8 p.m. July 25
The annual picnic features food, music, entertainment, HIV screenings and a kid's fair. Also returning this year is the Power of Prevention Mini-Ball, hosted by the R.E.C. Boyz of AIDS Partnership Michigan.
Palmer Park, Detroit
Soul Brunch
11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 26
Location to be announced
For more information, visit http://www.hotterthanjuly.com.
Windsor Pride
August 5-9
Dances, picnics, bowling and more. Details coming soon.
Windsor, Ontario
For more information, visit http://www.windsorpride.com.
