Revel in Royalty, Build BIPOC Bonds, Stargaze with Fellow Nerds, Picnic With Purpose
You've had several weeks post-June to recover with AC Pride (chant it with me: "hey hey ho ho, being covered in sweat has got to go") and, hopefully, you're feeling ready to head out into the Big Queer World again.
We've got you covered with a picnic that proves trans joy is real, a meetup for queer BIPOC folks, a celestial nerd-out at the Cranbrook Observatory and a Pride event so full of queens' energy, "royal" is its first name.
1. Revel in Royalty
Royal Oak’s Pride celebration is serving up a full day of festivities on July 26 and fabulous doesn't even begin to describe it. Expect drag, dancing, DJs and the kind of community love that makes your heart (and your eyeliner) stay put all day long.
Entertainment includes “RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars” superstar Ginger Minj (also amazing in the 2018 Netflix movie “Dumplin'”) and Midwestern drag megastar and Queen of Kindness Nina West bringing glitter, glamour and more than a few wig changes. Since both Ginger and Nina are authors (queens who write!) Sidetrack Bookshop is curating a Queer Lit Panel, also featuring Lisa Peers, Sarah Miller and Monique Madison.
Daniel Solomon, downtown manager for the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority and Member of the PRIDE Royal Oak planning committee, said, “This event is a testament to the strength and resilience of our community, and we invite everyone to join us for a packed day of joy, love, Pride and some seriously sickening entertainment!”
July 26, 12–11 p.m., Centennial Commons (221 East 3rd St.), prideroyaloak.com.
2. Picnic with Purpose
Stand with Trans is celebrating a full decade of community joy with their annual family picnic, which is every bit as wholesome and affirming as it sounds. This gathering has been the heart of their work for 10 years, offering a space for trans youth, families and allies from all across Metro Detroit to connect, eat free snacks and remember that joy is a form of resistance, especially when served with popsicles and bingo.
Expect food, games, giveaways, laughter and maybe even a little glitter in the grass. All ages welcome but please leave dogs and booze at home (park rules) and register in advance.
Aug. 10, 12–4 p.m., Royal Oak Memorial Park (13 Mile and Coolidge), bit.ly/swtpicnic.
3. Build BIPOC Bonds
The Queer BIPOC Meetup in Ypsilanti is a chill, monthly gathering for connection, conversation and friend-making among BIPOC folks. No awkward icebreakers required — just low-key, affirming vibes in a space surrounded by books while plotting collective liberation.
The Whittaker Road branch of the Ypsilanti District Library offers a welcoming community space where you can settle in, get comfortable and focus on what matters most: building genuine connections. Come masked (free masks available), come as you are and come ready to find your people.
July 27, 2:30–4:30 p.m. and the last Sunday of each month, Ypsilanti District Library-Whittaker (5577 Whittaker Road), bit.ly/bipocqueeraa.
4. Stargaze with Your People
Finally: a queer night out where you won’t be asked to name a single Ariana Grande song but will get bonus points for knowing which planet has the most moons. The Nerdy Queer Club of Metro Detroit is heading to Cranbrook Observatory for a night of museum wandering, planetarium gazing and (weather permitting) real-life stargazing through the observatory telescope.
Organizer Finn Gauthier told Pride Source, "I created the group simply because I realized it would be really fun to just hangout at a museum with a bunch of queer folks once in a while!" Mission accomplished. When you get there, look for Gauthier, who will be near the T. rex statue holding a closed (because being courteous inside) rainbow umbrella.
Can't make it this time? Keep your eye on the Nerdy Queer Club Meetup listing for more all-nerd, all-queer fun.
July 25, 7 p.m., Cranbrook Institute of Science (39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills). bit.ly/nerdyqueerdetroit.
5. Bolster Back-to-School Support
Look, we all know it's not "too early" to talk about back-to-school. Target has had their bland, greyscale "abandon-the-queers-as-soon-as-it's-no-longer-profitable" notebooks on display since late June. Some of us remember what it felt like to be a baby queer staring down a new school year, hoping for at least one safe grown-up.
Take 20 minutes this week to help queer and trans students feel supported. Donate to local LGBTQ+ orgs serving youth like Affirmations, Ruth Ellis Center or Stand with Trans. Ask a local queer teacher what their classroom actually needs (it's not another apple mug). Check what books are being banned in your district, then donate one to a classroom. Feeling particularly feisty and fed-up? Run for your local school board.
School board information and support: schoolboardintegrityproject.org and HRC's School Boards Matter handbook at bit.ly/guidetoschoolboard.
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