By Jeremy Martin
From the Medical Mile to Art Prize, Grand Rapids certainly has a lot to be proud of. But on Saturday, June 18, it will be West Michigan's LGBT community who will take center stage during the 2011 West Michigan Pride Festival.
The festival will bring messages of tolerance, caring and acceptance to Grand Rapid's River Side Park. Despite the notion of West Michigan as a conservative enclave, West Michigan Pride President Linda Stuba sees the festival as a day of celebration and joy as opposed to activism and education.
"I think it's more of a day of celebrating for us. We don't get very many protesters. We had none last year and the year before that we only had one. It's really positive, a lot of fun energy," Stuba said.
Part of this fun energy stems from the festival grounds itself. Located on the banks of the Grand River, the festival exudes a more laid back, casual vibe than many of its younger counterparts.
"Hayworth's (a local furniture store) comes in they pick this area off the beaten path a little bit, and people can come sit in their chairs and just kind of hang out," Stuba said. "It's an atmosphere where people bring blankets and watch the show. It's really kind of cool there."
This year's festival includes plenty to watch. A wide range of musical styles will be represented, including folk band Nervous But Excited, vocal performances by the West Michigan Gay Men's Chorus, rock music by The Potatoe Babies and more.
"One of the things that I really like (is that) The Potatoe Babies draw a very straight crowd and they come to our festival and it's just really nice how we all work together. We have a lot of allies and it's getting much, much better," Stuba said.
Besides enjoying music on the lawn, festival goers can shop for food and goods from a number of local vendors and artisans. And of course it wouldn't be the West Michigan Pride Festival without a drag show or two.
But just because the majority of attendees are looking for fun doesn't mean there isn't some serious work to do in the area, and that's why West Michigan Pride exists.
"It's still a little struggle," Stuba said. "We don't have out and out aggression towards us, tolerance is the word. They (the straight community) tolerate us. But a full embrace? No, we still have issues."
West Michigan Pride is working hard to achieve that full embrace, partially through celebrations like its pride festival, and partially through year round activities and activism. Events like the Diesel fashion show, the gay movie, and the alternative prom all gradually raise awareness of LGBT issues in the mainstream media and in the minds of community members.
Stuba and company aren't alone. West Michigan Pride will be joined by Equality Michigan, The Center for Inquiry, Bridge Evidence Group, GR Red Project, PFLAG of Holland and several other local and regional advocacy groups who are banding together to raise LGBT awareness in the West Michigan area.
"Has there been any progression in Grand Rapids towards the LGBT community?" Stuba asks. "My partner of twelve years and now wife of nine months and I feel very comfortable walking hand and hand down the Grand Rapids streets without harassment, along with many of our gay friends."
In fact, Stuba and her wife Amy were recently featured in The Grand Rapids Press wearing their West Michigan Pride t-shirts, a photo that was taken the couple attended a downtown event.
"This is big because even as of last year that would have never happened. I am excited about this and hopefully this is a sign of the times," Stuba said.
Every victory, big and small, is a reason to celebrate, which is why Stuba hopes for a record turnout at this year's festival, an event that is entirely volunteer driven, and created through donations both private and corporate.
Fifth Third Bank, Barefoot Winery, Steelcase, Herman Miller and many others local and national sponsors make the event possible.
For more information on the festival or to volunteer, visit http://www.westmipride.org.
The 23rd annual West Michigan Pride Festival
Where: Riverside Park, Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
When: Saturday, June 18
Cost: Free to enter
More information: http://www.westmipride.org/
Entertainment schedule
1:00 Opening & Ace Award
1:00 Equality Band of Michigan
2:00 Drag Show
3:00 Nervous but Excited
4:00 West Michigan Gay Men's Chorus
4:30 Ben Walter
5:00 LVNMUZIQ
6:00 Drag Show
7:00 Alexis
8:00 Potatoe Babies
