Meet Sen. McMorrow, Cheer the Pistons and Hot Daddies, Join the Lesbians to Socialize, Celebrate Mutual Aid
If March is coming in with that lion energy (and we're not talking about the weather so much) — and you're feeling like the ideal hangout involves you, your cats and the covers — you're not alone, friend. But if you can venture out, there's so much to do! You can meet Michigan Sen. Mallory McMorrow as she launches her new book, cheer on the Pistons at their Pride Night and watch dapper contestants vie for the title of "Hot Daddy" in Ferndale. If that’s not enough, there’s a rooftop lesbian social and a deep dive into polyamory as a survival strategy.
1. Meet Sen. Mallory McMorrow
Sen. Mallory McMorrow’s viral speech against hate is unfortunately more relevant now than when she gave it three years ago. If you've been listening on repeat to her saying "I am straight, white and Christian" while simultaneously being very nearly spitting mad on our behalf (oh, just me?) this event is a chance to hear more.
Sidetrack Bookshop will host a launch for McMorrow's book "Hate Won’t Win: Find Your Power and Leave This World Better Than You Found It" on March 23, and Sidetrack co-founder Jennifer Carney could not be more excited. "We are thrilled to host this event because Senator McMorrow is the leader our world needs now,” she told Pride Source. “She stood by our side in March 2023 when online protestors threatened Sidetrack Bookshop’s Drag Story Hour. Despite the hateful rhetoric, Senator McMorrow showed up, in person. That support, for our queer-owned independent bookstore, for Drag Story Time — it was the embodiment of her viral speech. ‘Hate Won't Win’ is an expansion of that speech… It is our absolute honor and pleasure to make this event happen."
Writer Nicole Tersigni (of "Men to Avoid in Art and Life" fame) will lead the conversation, so expect both wisdom and wit. Plus this is all going down at Royal Oak High School, so if you never got a chance to be out as a teenager, you can sashay down those halls and redo a little of your own queer history.
March 23, 6-9 p.m., Royal Oak High School (1500 Lexington Blvd., Royal Oak). Reserve tickets at bit.ly/hatewontwin.
2. Cheer on the Pistons at Pride Night
The Detroit Pistons are rolling out the rainbow carpet for their annual Pride Night, and it’s your chance to catch the action at Little Caesars Arena. Snag the Pistons Pride package for a game ticket, a food and beverage credit, an adorable Pistons Pride jersey, a special Pride themed half-time show (which the straight people will also have to sit through, making it all the more satisfying) and an opportunity to go on the court after the game to shoot a free throw!
Whether you're a die-hard fan or just here for the snacks (and let's be real here, the adorable jersey), it's a slam dunk.
March 28, 7 p.m., Little Caesars Arena (2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit). Tickets at pistons.com/pride.
3. Join a Lesbian Social Event
Picture this: A rooftop lounge. A sea of queer women. Cocktails and conversation flowing under the Detroit skyline. We're not describing a scene from a potential Hollywood sapphic rom-com (which we all know would be cast with straight women) — it’s the monthly Lesbian Social gathering. This real-deal event is held every second Sunday at the Rooftop Lounge in Godfrey Hotel, hosted by Lesbian Social Detroit. Whether you're new in town, looking for community or just want an excuse to wear formal flannel you look incredible in (what? Just me again?), this is the spot.
Every second Sunday of the month, The Godfrey Hotel (1401 Michigan Ave., Detroit). Learn more at bit.ly/lesbiansocialdetroit.
4. Watch Hot Daddies Compete for the Crown
We all know the Father's Day greeting cards that say "It takes someone special to be a daddy" aren't really meant for us, but that doesn't stop us from occasionally sending one to the queer daddy in our lives, right?
If you'd like to celebrate that amazing daddy energy and raise money for Ferndale Pride, the Hot Daddies Contest is where you need to be! To compete, fill out the application online. The only requirements are that you need to be 35 and over and want the title. The contestant who raises the most money (beforehand and at the event) wins. Julia Music, Ferndale Pride event director, explains, "Technically, daddies can sign up until the day of the event; however, it's an advantage to start early."
If Daddy-dom isn't your thing, you can support by showing up at 215 West and throwing dollars at the daddies! Music said, "DJs Brando and Darryl are spinning until midnight, so come out and party with us."
Will there be dad jokes? Dad bods? Daddy issues? Dad's root beer? Show up and find out!
March 21, 9-11:30 p.m., 215 West (215 W. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale). Learn more and sign up to compete at bit.ly/hotdaddies25.
5. Celebrate Queer Mutual Aid
What if polyamory isn’t just a relationship style, but a radical blueprint for collective care? If this question catches your attention (or your heart) join Jaime Grant ("Polyamory for Dummies"), JD Davids ("The Cranky Queer Guide to Chronic Illness") and Kelli Dunham (comedian, ex-nun and, yes, full disclosure, writer of this column) for a discussion about love, survival and finding the right group chat app for your polycule.
Livestreamed from NYC’s Bureau of General Services - Queer Division, this convo is perfect for polyamory veterans, exhausted activists, poly-curious and anyone who wants to understand and expand the way queers care for one another.
March 27, 7 p.m., BGSQD (virtual) Learn more at bit.ly/polyamoryandmutualaid.
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