FERNDALE –
Affirmations, the Ferndale-based LGBT community center, announced plans last week for a new campaign designed to keep center youth alcohol-free and is counting on area bar and restaurant owners to help out. They are asking the managers and owners of Ferndale establishments to join the campaign by signing a pledge of support.
All participating businesses will receive window clings to display in their windows.
As one of the hotspots for the LGBT community, Affirmations found that Ferndale was the perfect place to start. Whether boasting gay nights, girls nights or neither, nearly every bar or restaurant in Ferndale is likely to cater to the LGBT population and will likewise be a magnet for queer youth looking for connection and community.
"Access to alcohol is one of the key factors influencing the rate of underage drinking," said Affirmations Youth Program Manager Ryan Oliver. "With this initiative, we hope to gain the support of local business and limit access to alcohol for youth."
The LGBT community has historically gathered in bars, one of the few spaces where one could meet someone and form relationships. With more social outlets being created every day, the social scene for LGBT is certainly changing, but the bar-hopping draw is still a strong one for young people.
Affirmations is one of the alternatives for youth. It offers a range of support and social activities for youth and has provided services for more than 150 youth since re-designing and re-launching its new youth program this past winter.
Its "Cross the Line" peer outreach team, led by members of the youth program, will be visiting bars and restaurants in July and August to ask their help in making the campaign to stop underage drinking a success. "Ferndale business people are very community-minded," said Oliver, "and we're looking forward to working with them to help keep our youth safe."
The Oakland County Health Division Office of Substance Abuse Services has provided funds to support project costs. To learn more about this and other programs, visit http://www.goaffirmations.org.
Affirmations launches campaign to end underage drinking
Read More
Michigan's Trans Migration Project Is Helping to Protect Trans People Just By Getting Them Somewhere Safe
A faith-based collective of partners across Michigan is shepherding out-of-state trans people to Michigan for the gender-affirming care and affirmation they [...]
Go Girl! Saugatuck Celebrates Women’s Weekend at Nation’s Largest Gay Resort
Women hearing the siren call of Lake Michigan may want to mark May 31-June 2 on their calendars. Those are the days that the largest gay resort in the country [...]
Michigan Democratic Party LGBT and Allies Caucus Holds Spring Meeting
One of the most often derided cliches of political journalism is to say “a lot is at stake in this election” but it is quite literally true this [...]
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 [...]
