For many in the LGBTQ community the holidays are a time to spend with chosen family rather than biological relatives. For this reason, the holidays can be a difficult period for many, but Transgender Michigan and Affirmations are teaming up on Dec. 21 to host an LGBTQ-inclusive holiday party for anyone in the LGBTQ community.
"We don't do it right on the holiday because there are lots of people who can't be themselves right on Christmas. They have other obligations, and we want to attract those people," said Transgender Michigan Founder Rachel Crandall-Crocker.
This event is a potluck where guests are invited to bring food, games and more to share and enjoy with other community members. At the event there will also be a DJ. It's free, but donations to Transgender Michigan are welcome and encouraged. Crandall-Crocker said that she's excited for another year of this annual tradition because the holiday season really can be "the most difficult time of the year."
"I had someone who told me that Christmas was always the highlight of the year and now they no longer had that; Christmas was the defining moment of every year and all of a sudden they no longer had that moment and it ruined them," she said. "People are social animals, and they need that socialization. And they need to know it might be a different family, but that they still have a family. That's one of the reasons why I created Transgender Michigan, it was because I was without a family."
To register ahead of time visit transgendermichigan.org. Affirmations is located 290 W Nine Mile Road in Ferndale.