Out On The Lakeshore will celebrate the one-year anniversary of its community center located at 451 Columbia Ave., with an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 31.
The OOTL Community Center opened last May to provide a place for LGBTQ residents and their allies to meet and feel safe. It has provided numerous educational and training programs as well as providing programs and outreach for youth.
Because of its expanding programs and services, it moved from the north end of the building at 451 Columbia Ave., to a larger space at the south end in February.
"Some of what's happening is we're becoming more a resource to the community than we originally thought we would be," noted the Rev. Jen Adams, an OOTL board member. "Just our existing has brought people to us that I didn't think would be connecting with us. It's grown in ways we didn't expect."
The center is open to the public from 5 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and 3 to 6 p.m. every Thursday. Among some of the programs hosted by the center have been a focus group on homeless youth, area schools' Gay/Straight Alliance events, pop-up hours the second Monday of every month by Michigan Equality's Department of Victim Services and a Gender SAFE support group.
Refreshments will be served at the free Open House. For more information contact Jim Larkin at 616-610-9891, or go online to outonthelakeshore.org.
Holland's Out On The Lakeshore LGBTQ Center Celebrates First year
Read More
Michigan Democratic Party LGBT and Allies Caucus Holds Spring Meeting
One of the most often derided cliches of political journalism is to say “a lot is at stake in this election” but it is quite literally true this [...]
Why So Many Local Queer Folks Are Flocking to Mishpacha, Temple Beth Emeth’s Thriving LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
Ari Smith was a little worried when her rabbi called to ask her about something he was noticing in her part of the sanctuary during weekly services at Temple [...]
Why a Local Academic Is Fostering Queer Discussion and Community Through an Old-Fashioned Book Club
Queer books on public library shelves have come under fire across the country in recent years, but you wouldn’t know it at the Ypsilanti District Library [...]
Biden-Harris Campaign Launches LGBTQ+ Voter Initiative at Affirmations — How You Can Get Involved in the 2024 Election
The election season is officially heating up in Michigan, with a special focus on queer voters. On April 10, local and statewide community leaders and elected [...]
Tips on Selecting a Wedding Venue When You’re Stuck on the ‘Where’
One of the most critical decisions engaged couples will make is choosing a ceremony and reception venue. These choices will impact almost every other choice, so [...]
How the Recently Passed Michigan Family Protection Act Will Safeguard LGBTQ+ Parents and Families
Michigan Democrats have held a “trifecta” of power since late 2022 when the party flipped both chambers of the House and won the governorship and [...]
