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Kalamazoo is known for being a friendly and accepting place, which makes it a prime location for the LGBTQ community to live, visit and host welcoming community events. Downtown Kalamazoo boasts many restaurants, nightclubs, microbreweries and specialty shops. Five live-stage theatres – which draw more than 150,000 people each year, as well as the Epic Center, a performing arts collaborative center – are in the heart of downtown. Kalamazoo’s renowned Bell’s craft beer company is a major sponsor of Kalamazoo Pride, which brings in thousands from the community to Arcadia Creek Festival Site downtown around the middle of June. Bell’s, a big supporter of the LGBTQ community, regularly hosts live music and LGBTQ-related events. Members of the community find support services, groups and engagement with the LGBTQ and ally community in the greater Kalamazoo area at OutFront Kalamazoo. This LBGTQ resource center is for youth looking for other LGBTQ friendships or a transgender individual seeking community, for example. Jay Maddock, executive director of the center, said, “The ‘T’ has been a silent part of the LGBT community. For a long time, it was just a letter to round it out. The trans community “is finally coming into its own.”
LGBTQ students have the chance to socialize and build connections with their peers at Western Michigan University. On campus is where OUTspoken, a registered student organization promotes a relaxed, inclusive, and safe space for all participants.
Kalamazoo is conveniently located on Interstate 94 between Detroit and Chicago and is served by two airlines through the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, a 15-minute drive from downtown Kalamazoo. Five major routes carry traffic into downtown, along with train and bus service from downtown to all major midwestern destinations and beyond.
CARES provides community education to prevent HIV, free HIV testing and assistance for people living with HIV. Offices are located in Kalamazoo and Benton Harbor.
We offer: LGBT Youth Group, Transgender Support Group, Resource library of over 3,000 lgbt items, LGBT friendly health provider and other professional referrals. Workplace diversity training, Speaker Panels, Community activities and events.
We offer: LGBT Youth Group, Transgender Support Group, Resource library of over 3,000 lgbt items, LGBT friendly health provider and other professional referrals. Workplace diversity training, Speaker Panels, Community activities and events.
Offering education and advocacy to the campus community.
Kalamazoo Pride, a two-day festival celebrating southwest Michigan’s LGBTQ community, was at Arcadia Creek Festival Place June 7 to 8. Between The Lines spent the second day at the park, and spoke with individuals while they staffed vendor tables, enjoyed the entertainment, perused the merchandise or simply chilled out in the shade on that very sunny day. Here are just four of those stories.
