Known as the first publicly "out" man in Michigan, after coming out in 1970, Jim Toy developed the first ever campus center dedicated to supporting those in the LGBTQ community. And because of his almost 50-year career of service to the LGBTQ movement through speaking, teaching, writing, administrating, organizing and protesting, Ann Arbor's LGBTQ Center dedicated its name to his legacy. On Thursday, April 4, the Center will honor him again at its annual Jim Toy Birthday Bash held at Bona Sera Restaurant.
"The Jim Toy Birthday Bash is a fantastic event to honor our namesake, the legendary Jim Toy, while also bringing our community together for an enjoyable evening celebrating an incredible man and his lifetime of advocacy and accomplishments on behalf of the LGBTQ community," event organizers wrote.
Not only will the event serve to celebrate Toy but all proceeds from the Birthday Bash will also benefit the Jim Toy Community Center to further its mission of creating an "inclusive community where people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity are visible and live together in equality, respect and happiness."
Bona Sera Restaurant is located at 200 West Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. and tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. They can be purchased online by visiting secure.lglforms.com or by going online to jimtoycenter.org.
Jim Toy Birthday Bash
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