BY BTL STAFF
There's a new community-based organization committed to resisting any erosion of civil and human rights, and to promoting local, state and national policy and legislation that are in line with the group's guiding principles. Known as We GP – Welcoming Everyone Grosse Pointe – the organization believes in affordable health care, racial equality, women's rights, LGBTQA rights, immigrant rights, religious tolerance and caring for the environment.
It's with those beliefs in mind that We GP will host the inaugural Grosse Pointe Pride March at 10 a.m. on June 11 in conjunction with local and national Pride events across the country.
"This has been a grass roots effort from the beginning, involving a diverse cross section of our community, in an effort to make sure that everyone in our community feels accepted, no matter their sexual orientation," said Andrea Joy, We GP LGTBQA Task Force leader.
"When you consider that almost half of all LGBT youth say that they do not feel welcome in their communities and that LGBT youth are twice as likely to be physically assaulted in school, it is our duty as friends and neighbors to extend a hand to those who might not feel safe or supported. It is our hope that the Pride March is just the first step to creating a more open, loving and welcoming Grosse Pointe."
A committee of community based volunteers, including students from local schools, have been working on organizing the event. The objective is to raise awareness and show support for LGTBQA people within the Grosse Pointe community as well as those who are considering the area for shopping, dining, recreation and living.
As a further show of support, residents who live along the march route will be given tree ribbons in the iconic rainbow print. Others who are interested in displaying the tree ribbons can pick up their free ribbons at the following Grosse Pointe locations: Breckel's Massage Therapy, Flowers by Gabrielle or O'Flaherty's Irish Bar.
The family-friendly march will begin in the Grosse Pointe South High School "J" parking lot along Fisher Road and will proceed along Kercheval Avenue to Maire Elementary School. The event will conclude with a brief rally at 11 a.m.
Attendees are encouraged to continue their Pride celebration at Detroit' Motor City Pride in Hart Plaza.
"We timed our Grosse Pointe Pride March so that our event is ending just as Motor City Pride is kicking off that day," said Joy. "As a new event and young organization, we have looked to established groups like Ferndale Pride and Motor City Pride for guidance and inspiration. This is really a global movement and we all want to work together and support each other."
Moving forward, We GP will provide opportunities for social engagement and community building, as well as opportunities for political engagement and activism.
