by Terence J. McGinn
Viewpoint
This week the Community Center Network focuses the struggle for LGBT rights in Michigan by launching its "Hungry 4 Equality" campaign, calling attention to the state's hostile environment for sexual minorities. During the 100 days that remain until the Nov. 6th election, a series of community leaders will each maintain a 24-hour fast in the front window area of Affirmations' Ferndale office, beginning on July 30 with the executive directors of Michigan's LGBT community centers.
The CCN coalition is comprised of eight community centers: Affirmations (Ferndale), Detroit Latin@z (Detroit/Ferndale), Jim Toy Community Center (Ann Arbor), The Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center (Kalamazoo), KICK (Detroit), The Network (Grand Rapids), The Out Center (Benton Harbor), and Perceptions (Bay City/Saginaw/Midland), plus affiliated organizations such as the Calhoun County Coalition for Inclusion (Battle Creek).
Dave Garcia, executive director of Ferndale's Affirmations describes the CCN: "For the first time in Michigan history, every LGBT center is working together to advance equality in a focused, cooperative and intentional way. Community centers are truly the grassroots of the Equality Rights Movement."
Local community centers were first provoked to act collectively when Gov. Rick Snyder signed House Bill 4770 into law 3 days before last Christmas, forbidding public entities to provide benefits for the partners of their LGBT employees. Sponsors of the bill reportedly expected that excluding public universities from the bill would minimize negative public reaction. Their miscalculation became apparent on Jan. 18th, when local community centers staged the "Gay Families Matter" protest at the capitol on the same day that Snyder delivered his State of the State message. The unexpected highlight of the protest was the opportunity to directly confront both Snyder and 4770 sponsor Rep. David Agema when they unwittingly exited their offices on foot for lunch.
Subsequently the eight community centers have met monthly by telephone and quarterly in person. At a May strategy session the CNN formalized its mission "to strengthen and improve the quality of life for Michigan's LGBT community and our allies by promoting equality, building capacity, and fostering new leaders across the state," with the immediate goal of "engaging Michigan residents on issues specific to equality."
Pat Ward, executive director of Grand Rapids' The Network says, "We particularly appreciate the role that CCN plays in coordinating state-wide efforts among all of the local agencies." Zachary Bauer, executive director of the Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center adds, "Our Resource Center proudly stands with the Community Centers Network because all Michiganians deserve Equality, Justice, and Liberty."
In addition to "Hungry 4 Equality," CCN member organizations are currently engaged in efforts to identify and mobilize voters who favor LGBT equality.
