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Gays: It's OK to have fun

Working for LGBT rights is a serious business. Legislative sessions, meetings with politicians, rallies, candlelit vigils, protests, marches – the list of obligations to fulfill if we want full equality is long. And in a state like Michigan, with economic pressure adding weight to all of our loads, activism can sometimes become more of a chore than a passion.
But every June, something happens. We remember that we want equality, and that we can have fun, make friends, find love and grow as people as we achieve it. This month in Michigan, we all saw (despite our setbacks, our long haul and our troubles) just how fun the LGBT community can be. And most important? We can still make a difference while doing it.
This month, Pride events took over the state. Every weekend, there was something new to do (and sometimes, too much to do!). Motor City Pride kicked off the festivities on June 7; Michigan Pride's White Party, march, rally and festival were the buzz around Lansing on June 12 and 13; sharing the weekend with Lansing was Kalamazoo Pride on the night of June 12. Then, rounding out the month of Prides was West Michigan Pride on June 20 in Grand Rapids, which reportedly had the highest attendance in the festival's history.
And then there was the 24th Annual Pride Banquet and Awards Ceremony on June 18. Where to even begin? There were people decked out in full costumes, there was a "Wizard of Oz" theme with a yellow brick road and Emerald City made out of balloons. There was even a great Wizard of Oz – albeit one who frequently mispronounced the names of presenters. The food was good, the mood was upbeat and the acceptances speeches were short and sweet.
Also, it should be noted that a special moment was given to honor the friendship and working relationship between Affirmations community center CEO Leslie Thompson and Triangle Foundation Executive Director Alicia Skillman. It was a touching recognition that epitomized the way all attendees wanted to feel: friendly, and proud of each other for the work we do.
Overall, the Pride Banquet was a good time, and it hardly felt like the event took place in a state with such heavy amounts of bleak news as Michigan.
But it did. And it happened here, along with all those exciting Pride events, because it is possible to have fun and enjoy our LGBT community – even when things aren't so great.
Whether it's an outing with co-workers or a community event where we all cut loose, the LGBT community needs more than just serious work. Granted, we need a lot of that, too, but it's difficult to get the hard work done when we're constantly stressed out and we're not enjoying ourselves. So let loose. Have fun. And when the time comes to do the tough work for LGBT equality in Michigan, you may just find that it's a little easier to accomplish.

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