FERNDALE –
Two public marches are in the works this summer to cross the 8 Mile bridge and raise awareness about the need to value cultural and racial differences. "Building Bridges: Walking Together to Embrace Diversity" is a pair of events that will take place Sunday, June 1 and Thursday, July 24. Both marches feature crossing the 8 Mile bridge and take place during the area's two largest and oldest pride festivals for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The first march will take place the morning of Ferndale's Motor City Pride and the second march will happen during the week of the black gay pride event Hotter Than July, which takes place in Detroit's Palmer Park. Each march will begin in a sister town, cross 8 Mile Road and end at the festival on the other side.
All are welcome to attend this free event.
"We as a community need to do more than just talk about race; we need to do something about it," said Alicia Skillman, co-coordinator of southeast Michigan's LGBT group Sistahs Providing Intelligence, Community and Empowerment. "This event is a creative collaboration between four organizations representing a culturally diverse LGBT community."
"We welcome participation from our straight friends and families on an issue that unites us all," she added.
According to the event coordinators, the marches are just a stepping-stone toward making even bigger changes. "We're anticipating hosting town hall forums and other activities designed to encourage people to truly value cultural and racial difference," said Affirmations CEO Leslie Thompson.
Building Bridges is a collaborative effort between Affirmations, Black Pride Society, SPICE and the Triangle Foundation. Community-minded organizations are invited to join in the planning and promotion of these marches.
For more information about partnering on the events, or to register to walk in the event, please visit http://www.goaffirmations.org.
Bridges' marches aim to increase diversity acceptance
Read More
Why So Many Local Queer Folks Are Flocking to Mishpacha, Temple Beth Emeth’s Thriving LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
Ari Smith was a little worried when her rabbi called to ask her about something he was noticing in her part of the sanctuary during weekly services at Temple [...]
Why a Local Academic Is Fostering Queer Discussion and Community Through an Old-Fashioned Book Club
Queer books on public library shelves have come under fire across the country in recent years, but you wouldn’t know it at the Ypsilanti District Library [...]
Biden-Harris Campaign Launches LGBTQ+ Voter Initiative at Affirmations — How You Can Get Involved in the 2024 Election
The election season is officially heating up in Michigan, with a special focus on queer voters. On April 10, local and statewide community leaders and elected [...]
Tips on Selecting a Wedding Venue When You’re Stuck on the ‘Where’
One of the most critical decisions engaged couples will make is choosing a ceremony and reception venue. These choices will impact almost every other choice, so [...]
How the Recently Passed Michigan Family Protection Act Will Safeguard LGBTQ+ Parents and Families
Michigan Democrats have held a “trifecta” of power since late 2022 when the party flipped both chambers of the House and won the governorship and [...]
Let's *Not* Say Forever and Other Ways LGBTQ+ Folks Are Queering Their Wedding Vows
My perhaps ill-advised decision to permit connection with my extremely heterosexual and extremely traditional mom on social media has resulted in many [...]
