IC See updates at end of this article.
The U.S. Supreme Court could rule any day on the two cases that affect the LGBT community, and community centers across Michigan are in the process of figuring out how to serve as gathering places for people affected by the decisions. A national movement, called Day of Decision 2013, is working to organize places for people to gather whether the outcome requires celebrating, protesting, or simply understanding what the decision means.
Planning is still in the works, but the Community Center Network has confirmed that on the day the rulings are issued, the public is invited to gather at the Jim Toy Center in Ann Arbor, The Network in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center in Kalamazoo and Affirmations in Ferndale. Other centers may have similar events as well.
"We'll have the big screen up to watch the news unfold and we hope to have area experts on hand to answer questions," said Affirmations Executive Director Dave Garcia. "We don't know when they will make their decision, but normally they give 24-hours notice. As soon as we know, we're ready to send out invitations to people on our mailing list to join us that day."
GetEqual and Light the Way to Justice are also organizing a rally to be held at Geary Park in Ferndale. That event is planned as a picnic from 6 to 9 p.m. "The evening the Supreme Court hands down its decision on DOMA and Prop 8, we'll have a picnic so we can discuss with others who are interested in what the decision means to us and where should we go from here with it. Some hamburgers, hot dogs and buns will be provided but it is encouraged to bring other food and non-alcoholic beverages and guests so it may be a really time of rejoicing or regrouping," organizers said on their Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/events/609300945749247.
The Day of Decision movement has taken off with over 100 events organized around the country. The website http://www.dayofdecision.org lists events and has promotional materials for those who would like to start their own gatherings.
BTL will update Michigan events as more information is available.
Update Thursday June 13, 2013
Ann Arbor Event Update:https://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=60777
