Michigan Pride: Living out loud

by Jessica Carreras

For a gallery of pictures from Lansing, click here.
LANSING – Temperatures soared and humidity hung in the air in Lansing on June 12, but it didn't stop thousands of LGBT Michiganders from travelling from all across the state to take part in Michigan Pride. The weekend of events included a four-location White Party on June 11, which brought out the 21-and-over crowd to Old Town's gay-friendly hotspots. Events raged on all day June 12 with a float-filled parade, rally at the Capitol and hours of performances, vendors and activities. Things concluded on Sunday with a post-Pride Tea Dance.
Whether attending the festival, or marching through downtown and rallying at the Capitol, out and proud attendees flooded the city to party, be visible and get a glimpse of grand marshal and out county music singer Chely Wright, who spoke at the rally, performed a few songs and signed copies of her memoir.
"I love Michigan because it reminds me so much of home," Wright told the crowd at the Capitol. "I'm a Midwestern girl. I'm proud to be here and I'm proud to be gay – and out."
After Wright performed a song, several speakers took to the stage, including Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, who issued a proclamation and plaque naming the date as Chely Wright Day in Lansing. "Your courage is an example to all of us, and your presence today is a big boost to all of us here," he told Wright.
Bernero, who has entered Michigan's gubernatorial race as a Democrat, also spoke briefly about his history of commitment to the LGBT community, and spoke in vague – but promising – terms about how he would continue his progressive work if elected as governor. "I take my role as an ally to the LGBT community seriously every day of the year, not just at Pride," he said. "In Lansing, we have worked with the LGBT leaders to support our community and ensure that Lansing is a welcoming place for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."
"As Michigan's next governor, I will work with LGBT groups statewide to make sure our entire state recognizes the unique value and contributions of this community," he continued. "You will have an ally in the state capitol."
His promise was met with loud cheers.
Equality Michigan Board President Denise Brogan-Kator and Executive Director Alicia Skillman also spoke at the rally, both echoing their organization's commitment to furthering LGBT policy in legislature.
Brogan-Kator talked optimistically about how far the state has come – although it still has further to go toward full equality for LGBT citizens.
"Not so long ago, if you were LGB or T, you had to hide in the closet to be safe. You couldn't tell your family or your friends, you couldn't come out to your employer or your pastor. You had to hide your relationships; you had to deny that the person you loved was nothing more than just a friend," she said.
"Thank goodness we've made some progress. The mere fact that we're here today at Michigan Pride, unafraid to be who we are, to love who we love, is a testament to the fact that times do change."
And it's Equality Michigan's hope, Brogan-Kator continued, that they can work with community activists to ignite more change.
"We're an amazing, diverse group of people," she said. "We are of every age, every race, ever religion, every ethnic background – we cover the entire spectrum. We live on farms and in small towns and in suburbs and cities. We have different life experiences and educations, economic conditions and cultural biases. But I'm here to tell you: Our community will only achieve equality if we work together."
Skillman built off of Brogan-Kator's speech, adding that Michigan LGBTs need to live out loud.
"Come out of the closet – not just during Pride, but every opportunity that you get. Come out to your grandma, come out to your uncle, come out to your dentist, come out to your teacher, come out to the guy that gives you a ticket. Please come out," she implored the crowd. "Coming out is a way of living out loud, an act of faith and an act of hope. And we will need those two things – faith and hope – to move our movement in Michigan."