For over two decades now, Transgender Pride in the Park has served Southeast Michigan's LGBTQ community as a community celebration of Pride while also being something of a safe haven of expression for local transgender people. This year, however, due to health concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Aug. 8 community picnic-style event will be held online. Transgender Michigan organizes the event annually, and its Executive Director and Co-Founder Rachel Crandall-Crocker said that it was the best way to ensure that nobody gets sick.
"People are lonely and isolated, especially now. This is a great way for us to all come together without the tremendous risks [of COVID-19]," Crandall-Crocker said. "It will be a celebration of being trans, [and] because it's online we will be able to reach out to more people."
Additionally, Crandall-Crocker emphasized the online event will still provide an avenue for connection at "the virtual picnic table" so that every participant gets a chance to reach out and meet up online with other participants. Because, as event organizers said, "Unlike other Prides, Transgender Pride is less about presenting a big stage show and more about making connections and networking."
However, that's not to say that the event will lack entertainment.
"All the [scheduled] acts will be on our website for people to watch anytime," Crandall-Crocker said.
Transgender Pride in the Park will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. Find out more about the event and register ahead of time here.
