'Our Community Is Resilient’: Facing Some Challenges, Michigan Leans into Grassroots Support for Pride 2025
Organizers from across the state on how they are responding to political and economic challenges
As Pride season approaches across Michigan, organizers are demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of mounting challenges. From funding concerns to political headwinds, Pride festivals throughout the state — from small rural celebrations to major urban events — are navigating a complex landscape while staying true to their core missions of celebration, community and visibility.
"We're dealing with the real, daily impacts of these anti-LGBTQ+ efforts coming from Washington and Michigan's conservative leadership," explains Jazz McKinney, executive director of Grand Rapids Pride Center. "Whether it's people worried about their rights, mental health concerns or just trying to feel safe in their own communities, that takes priority."
This sentiment echoes across the state as Pride organizers balance practical planning with responding to a charged political climate. Facing reduced corporate support for DEI initiatives and intensifying backlash against transgender community members, festival planners acknowledge these realities while refusing to be deterred.
Julia Music, executive director of Ferndale Pride, strikes a defiant tone: "I don't want the state of the world to take away from what people gain out of the day. People who come to visit Pride need to have the celebration and the feeling that they're supposed to get from Pride, no matter what is happening in the world."
Experiences with fundraising vary across the state. Dave Wait, executive director of Motor City Pride, reports more stability: "We've been pretty fortunate. I've been in touch with half of our sponsors and everybody is planning the same types of things as last year. Our two biggest sponsors have renewed."
Wait even noted that "there's actually been a couple of other new sponsors who have reached out."
Other organizers face more difficulty. Abigail Rowe, executive director of Abigail's Pride in Ortonville, notes, "A lot of people are worried about supporting Pride in that way and what it might mean for their business down the line."
Lansing Pride Treasurer Brad Johnson shares a mixed experience: "Some of our longtime local sponsors have lowered their sponsorship levels, but I wouldn't necessarily attribute that to the political climate — it's tough out there for everyone."
The much-publicized Corewell Health controversy highlighted these tensions earlier this year. After Corewell paused gender-affirming care in response to a Trump executive order threatening federal funding cuts for providers offering such care to youth, Ferndale Pride refused their sponsorship. Corewell later reversed course on their care policy after pressure from employees and a petition created by Equality Michigan that was signed by dozens of LGBTQ-affirming organizations across Michigan.
Music explained Ferndale Pride's stance: "The reinstatement of care was the number one thing for us... we only really will reject funds if the organization is doing something specifically to harm LGBT people," she says.
Despite these challenges, there are bright spots. Johnson highlights that University of Michigan - Sparrow Health has increased their sponsorship each year, including a “big tier jump for 2025."
Apart from sponsorships, Pride fests require a great deal of manpower, and so far, organizers report an encouraging groundswell of community support. Wait says he’s noticing a sentiment among the community centered on, “We’ve got to take action. We need to participate more this year than any other years.”
Many festivals are seeing enthusiasm reflected in vendor applications. Music shares that Ferndale Pride received "about double the amount of submissions than we have space for," while small individual donations are helping fill gaps left by some corporate sponsors.
What's new for 2025
Michigan's Pride landscape is diverse and expansive, with dozens of celebrations held annually from the Upper Peninsula to the state's southern border, in rural communities, suburban towns and major cities. Each festival brings its own local flavor while sharing in the broader mission of visibility and celebration.
Pride organizers are expanding their events despite the challenges. Grand Rapids Pride Center is extending to a two-day festival for 2025, responding to growing attendance numbers. "With the extra day, we'll be able to bring in more entertainment, offer more activities and create even more opportunities for people to engage with local 2-SLGBTQ+ artists, businesses and organizations," McKinney explains.
Motor City Pride is enhancing Michigan’s largest Pride fest with an expanded Pride history area to “educate folks and keep it front of mind that we've had struggles in the past.” He emphasizes the importance of understanding history: "We believe that history is really important to understand sacrifices in the past and fighting for rights."
Ferndale Pride will feature "three stages plus aerial acrobatics" along with all-day "Reading with Royalty" storytimes for children, which will be sign language interpreted.
As most Pride celebrations across Michigan traditionally take place in June, with some extending into July and August, organizers recommend checking festival websites and social media for confirmed 2025 dates — many will be finalized in the coming weeks.
How you can help
Volunteer opportunities abound at Pride events throughout Michigan, from helping with setup and logistics to assisting with programming. "Volunteers are a huge part of making Pride Fest happen," McKinney notes. To get involved with Grand Rapids Pride as a volunteer, register at grpride.org/pride-festival/pride-fest-volunteer-registration.
The need for volunteers remains critical across all events. Music notes, "It takes over a hundred volunteers to run Pride on the day of. We could use more volunteers than the number of people who sign up." Wait says popular volunteer roles include working the parade route and serving in the high-energy beverage area. To volunteer for Ferndale Pride, visit ferndalepride.com/get-involved and for Motor City Pride, go to motorcitypride.org.
Rowe reinforces the importance of volunteers. "We always have a need,” she stresses. “Events like this aren't possible without volunteers, vendors and sponsors. We have a wonderful group running the show, but we can always use a helping hand." Volunteers and sponsors can sign up to help with Abigail's Pride at abigailspride.godaddysites.com.
Financial support remains crucial. As Johnson from Lansing Pride notes, "One of our biggest goals is keeping Pride accessible for everyone, and part of that means ensuring there's no admission fee." This commitment to accessibility makes community and corporate donations all the more essential. To make a donation, visit lansingpride.org/donate.
For those looking to get involved in other fests, check the websites and social media pages of Pride organizations in your area, and keep an eye out for the upcoming Pride Source Pride Calendar. Most Pride festivals offer volunteer sign-up forms, donation portals and information about sponsorship opportunities online. Whether you can give your time, money or simply your presence, Michigan's Pride celebrations are counting on community support to thrive in 2025.
As political headwinds continue, McKinney's words capture the spirit driving these celebrations forward: "Our community is resilient. We've had incredible individual donors and local businesses step up in meaningful ways, showing that no matter what's happening politically, there are still people who believe in and want to support this work."
Read More
‘Her Light Will Shine On’: Michigan Trans Performer Golden O'Hara-Polo Dies at 29
Trans woman and drag artist Golden O'Hara-Polo, whose performances brought joy and inspiration to Southeast Michigan's LGBTQ+ community, died April 4. She was [...]
Dolls Night Detroit, a Nonprofit Led by Three Michigan Trans Women, Is More Than Just a Party — It's a Movement
There’s something magical and — in this current political climate where queerness is being threatened — crucial about stepping into [...]
'Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero' Set to Premiere at Lansing's Capital City Film Fest
"Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero," the world's first animated feature centered on a drag queen superhero, will make its Michigan premiere April 9 at the Capital [...]
Affirmations Executive Director Cheryl Czach Announces Departure
Executive Director Cheryl Czach has announced her departure from Affirmations, Michigan's largest LGBTQ+ community center. In a statement to the community, [...]
Adodi Detroit Spring Retreat Celebrates Resilience and Brotherhood in the Face of Adversity
In the heart of the renaissance city, a unique brotherhood is reclaiming its space. Adodi, an intergenerational organization supporting Black Same Gender Loving [...]
Pistons Pride Night Lights Up Detroit — See the Photos!
The Detroit Pistons' 2025 Pride Night electrified Little Caesars Arena with a vibrant fusion of community pride, inclusive celebration and high-energy [...]
