By BTL STAFF
DETROIT – The Motor City Pride Festival and Parade is set for Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. Held at Detroit's waterfront Hart Plaza, the annual event attracts tens of thousands of attendees to the live music, DJs, vendors and food. The festival is the largest LGBT celebration in Michigan.
Emily Dievendorf, executive director of Equality Michigan, organizers of the event noted, "The momentum is incredible right now, but we are hoping the perception of inevitability doesn't lead to a lack of action."
Equality Michigan will be working to sign up more people during the two-day gathering to build support not only for same-sex marriage, but to educate the public about the need to amend the state's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes that experience discrimination in the workplace, housing and public accommodations.
The festival is poised to attract more attendees this year because of the stellar music line-up. Featured headliners include Andy Bell (of Erasure), Alex Newell, who plays Unique in the TV series Glee, and musical performer and Tunde Olaniran, one of Michigan's fastest rising musicians. The rest of the line-up features some of the state's best DJs, bands and performers.
The move to Hart Plaza four years ago allowed the two-day event to expand and offer more programming. Five performance areas, an expanded family area, a larger parade, food and retail vendors provide attendees with activities and entertainment throughout the weekend. Daily admission is $5 for those 21 and over, no charge for those under 21.
Since it began as a pride march 42 years ago in response to the now historic Stonewall Riots in NYC, the festival has evolved into a culturally significant affair. This year's celebration of community is especially important in raising awareness about LGBTQ issues and providing a safe space for members of the community.
The Parade is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, June 8. Visit http://www.motorcitypride.org for map, music lineup and additional information.
More information online
Motor City Pride is a volunteer-driven event and a project of Equality Michigan. The organization has worked for over 20 years to achieve full equality and respect for all people in Michigan regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. For more information visit online www.equalitymi.org Motor City Pride is sponsored by the following companies that support the goal to build an inclusive community that is free of violence, intimidation and discrimination. Current sponsors include: Five-15, Motor City Casino Hotel, Fifth Third Bank, Delta Airlines, Netco, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Chrysler, Comerica Bank, Kroger, Great Lakes Distributing, Menjo's, Gigi's, TD Bank, Pride Source Media/BTL, Metra Magazine, Flame Magazine, Hott Magazine and AMP Radio.
Motor City Pride
http://www.motorcitypride.org
Equality Michigan
http://www.equalitymi.org