Below is a list of Pride events in Michigan and surrounding areas. For a list of Prides around the world visit http://www.gay.com/pride/calendar.
May 26-29
Washington D.C. D.C. Black Pride. Join the largest longest running Black Pride in the world as it celebrates its 16th anniversary. Visit http://www.dcblackpride.org.
June 1-30
Chicago: Chicago Pride. A month-long celebration featuring dozens of social, cultural, athletic and political events, as well as the 37th Annual Pride Parade June 25. Visit http://www.chicagopridecalendar.org.
Thursday, June 1
Chicago area: "Friend-Raiser" by American Veterans for Equal Rights & Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. 7-9 p.m. Visit http://www.aver.us or email [email protected] for details.
Friday, June 2
Detroit area: Dine Out Detroit to benefit Midwest AIDS Prevention Project. Over 100 metro Detroit area restaurants from over 30 local cities will participate. For list of participating restaurants call 248-545-1435 or visit http://www.dineoutmichigan.org.
Kalamazoo: Show Pride Art Show co-sponsored by the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center and the Smart Shop. Proceeds to benefit KGLRC. Live auction, food, beverages, entertainment. Free; donations encouraged. Smart Shop, 516 E. North St. in Kalamazoo. Call Sharon at 269-349-4234, email [email protected] or visit http://www.kglrc.org.
Saturday, June 3
Ferndale: Mass Commitment Ceremony – Marriage ceremony of same-gender couples co-officiated by Rev. Mark Bidwell of Detroit Metropolitan Community Church and Ferndale mayor Robert Porter at Ferndale's City Hall, 11 a.m. Contact 248-399-7741 or email [email protected].
Royal Oak: Pride Movie Event: "Say Uncle." Main Art Theatre, 118 North Main Street, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10; order online at http://www.motorcitypride.com/film.html or call 313-537-3323 x 103.
Bloomington, Ind.: Summertime Pride, a mini-film festival featuring short, upbeat LGBT movies at The Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 3-8 p.m. $10 tickets available by phone at 812-323-3020 or online at http://bloomingtonarts.info.
Sunday, June 4
Belmont (near Grand Rapids): Pride bike outing sponsored by Grand Rapids Front Runners and Walkers. Staging area in Belmont for the White Pine Trail. 10 a.m. Call Doug Oosdyk at 616-954-0823. Rain or shine.
Ferndale: Motor City Pride Family Picnic. Family pride picnic for LGBTs and their children. Martin Road Park at Martin Road and Orchard. 10:30 a.m – 12:30 p.m. Call Shannon Cuttle at 313-537-3323 for more information.
Ferndale: Motor City Pride, Noon – 7 p.m. Downtown Ferndale. Featured entertainers include Crystal Waters, Cate and Sahah, Barb Payton, Joan Stevenson, and the Motor City Pride Idol. For more information visit http://www.motorcitypride.com.
Ferndale: Official Post Pride Tea Dance at Club Q, 141 W. 9 Mile Rd.,
7 p.m. – 2 a.m. For more information visit http://www.motorcitypride.com.
Saturday, June 10
Grand Rapids: Pride Potluck 6:30-9 p.m. at First United Methodist, 227 E. Fulton. Free; bring a dish to pass. Contact Ben Boerkoel at [email protected].
Friday, June 16
Grand Rapids: Pride Movie Night at UICA, 41 Sheldon Blvd. 7 p.m. reception, 8:30 p.m. showing of "Adam and Steve." Tickets $10. Call 616-454-7000, or email Michael Woerner at [email protected].
Saturday, June 17
Ann Arbor: WRAP Pride Picnic at West Park, located between Miller and Huron, Chapin and Seventh, from 1-4 p.m. Parking off Chapin. Bring everything you need for a picnic. WRAP has paid the rental for the park shelter and electricity. Small pop-up tents for shade can be set up. Free event. Non-profit groups may have tables, displays, etc. Call 734-995-9867 visit http://www.wrap-up.org.
Grand Rapids: Pride Worship at Noon at John Ball Park on the city's northwest side led by Rev. Dan Bennett of Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church. Contact The LGBT Network at 616-458-3511 or http://www.the-lgbt-network.org.
Grand Rapids: Pride Festival at John Ball Park, 2-10 p.m. Stage performances by Jamie Miller, Kerri Heartwell, Kate Sawicki, Heather McGartland, The Grand River Squares, and the Grand River Renegades (line dancing). Commitment ceremony on the stage at 3 p.m. conducted by Rev. Dan Bennett of Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church. Beer tent, vendors, kids and family area and more. Contact The LGBT Network at 616-458-3511 or http://www.the-lgbt-network.org.
Sunday, June 18
Sandusky: (Unofficial) Gay Day at Cedar Point. Visit http://ajw.freeshell.org/sanduskygaypride.
June 19-25
Toronto: Pride Toronto – Fearless in 2006. Events include Pride Awards Gala, Community Fair & Marketplace, Dyke March and Family Pride plus 650 artists over three days. Visit http://www.pridetoronto.com.
Friday, June 23
Holland: Hope College Professor Dr. David Meyers addresses the topic, "Why Knot? A Christian case for gay marriage" at Grace Episcopal Church, 555 Michigan Ave, 7-9 p.m. Sponsored by Holland Lakeshore PFLAG. Email [email protected].
June 23-24
Michigan Pride
Lansing: Comedy show, march, Civil Rights Rally, festival, the Capitol Wedding and Dancing in the Streets – Michigan's LGBTs come to party, to politic, and most of all to show our pride. Visit http://www.michiganpride.org for details.
Saturday, June 24
Columbus, OH: Columbus Pride. Pride Holiday at Bicentennial Park. Parade will begin from Goodale Park in the morning. Visit http://www.stonewallcolumbus.org or call 614-299-7764.
July 1-2
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Fourth annual Out at the Park. July 1 at the Park at Dollywood Theme Park and July 2 at Dolly's Water Park. A fun, all-ages social event for all members of the LGBTQ community, our friends, families and supporters. Wear something RED! Call 423-943-3718 or visit http://www.outatthepark.com.
July 15-22
Chicago area: Gay Games VII! Join 11,000 out and proud LGBTs in the thrill of victory! Visit http://www.chicago2006.org.
July 20-30
Charlotte, NC: Charlotte Black Gay Pride 2006, "A Family Affair." For more information visit http://www.charlottencblackgaypride.org.
Windsor: Windsor Pride! Events include a Fundraiser for HIV Care Program, cruise, the Can-Am Rainbow Antique Car Show, bowling, Summer Sizzle, and Parade. Visit http://www.windsorpride.com.
July 26-30
Detroit: Hotter Than July! Detroit's LGBT and SGL Pride festival. The Midwest's oldest black, same-gender-loving Pride celebration. Ruth Ellis Pride March, Interfaith Candlelight Vigil, and more. Visit http://www.hotterthanjuly.com.
July 29-31
Toronto:
Toronto Black Gay Pride '06: "From Here To Eternity," in conjunction with the International AIDS Convention. Visit http://www.torontoblackpride.com.
August 1-6
Cleveland, OH: Black Gay & Proud Celebration. Visit http://www.blackgayandproud-cleveland.com.
August 11-13
Indianapolis, IN: Indy Black Pride. "Diversity and Soul." Visit http://www.indianablackpride.com.
Minneapolis, MN: GLBT Soul Essence Pride. Visit http://www.soulessenceminnesota.org.
