With National LGBTQ Pride Month just around the corner, cities across of the state of Michigan are gearing up to serve as homes for festivals, dance parties, and many other events to celebrate the community. Marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, this year’s Michigan pride gatherings are sure to be impactful and well worth the drive.
Ferndale Pride
Kicking off Pride Month, Ferndale is throwing its eighth annual Pride Celebration on June 1. The Motorcity Casino Hotel will host this year’s event with features like a dance stage, sober space, a rock-climbing wall, and Pride Prom for LBGTQ youths. Ferndale Pride begins at 1 pm. June 1. No cost. Nine Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, Ferndale; ferndalepride.com
Motorball
In an event benefitting World AIDS Day Detroit — a nonprofit that raises awareness for HIV and AIDS in Southeast Michigan — Motorball is the largest LGBTQ-focused dance party in Michigan. Nina West, a current contestant on Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race will be performing, and DJ Cindel and DJ Jesus Montanez will be spinning. June 8. +$25. St. Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St. Detroit; 313-757-2840; worldaidsdayus.org
Motor City Pride
In an event that draws in over 40,000 attendees each year, Motor City Pride is run entirely by volunteers. Located in Hart Plaza, the celebration will include a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting as well as other victims of hate crimes, all-day musical entertainment, free hugs, and more. June 8 and 9. No cost. Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit; motorcitypride.org
Motor City Pride After Party
Performances by artists Caleb Joel and Alexyn Wundrland will wrap up the first day of Motor City Pride. This after party will be hosted at El Club in Detroit. DJ Tone will also be spinning. Tickets are available at the door. June 8. $5. El Club, 4114 Vernor Hwy, Detroit; elclubdetroit.com
Michigan Pride March, Rally, and Festival
As one of the largest LGBTQ marches in the state, Michigan Price March, Rally, and Festival centers around the Capitol building in Lansing. The weekend begins with a white party. The following day’s events include a march to the Capitol and a rally on the lawn. June 14 and 15. No cost. Michigan State Capitol, 100 Capitol Ave., Lansing. 888-252-6746; michiganpride.org
PRISM Men’s Chorus
The Detroit-based nonprofit chorus, which supports the LGBTQ community through outreach programs, will perform twice on June 15. The show, titled Destination Detroit – Music That Puts Us On The Map!, will feature covers of local legends like Bob Seger, Arthea Franklin, and Madona. June 15. $27.50+. Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-399-2980; royaloakmusictheatre.com
Grand Rapids Pride
singer-songwriter Sizzy Rocket and R&B-pop vocalist Mýa will be performing at this year’s Grand Rapids Pride. The event encourages LGBTQ community members, businesses, allies, and organizations to come together to celebrate diversity and inclusion. June 15. No cost. Calder Plaza, 343 Atlas Ave SE. Grand Rapids; 616-458-3511; grpride.org
Pride Block Party at Apartment Lounge
Hosted at one of the oldest iconic LGBTQ establishments in Grand Rapids, Pride Block Party is free to the public. Beginning at 2:00 p.m., the event will include games, dancing, and more. Donations from the event will be used to help support local organizations that aid displaced youth and adults who have been alienated from their homes due to their sexual orientation. June 16. No cost. Apartment Lounge, 33 Sheldon Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; 616-451-0815; apartmentloungegr.com
Traverse City Pride
Also known as “Up North Pride,” this celebration runs for a full week. Up North Pride partnered with Here: Say Storytelling to present its live storytelling event on June 17. Other events include a short film festival, bike rides, Drag Night, and a Pride Picnic. June 17-23. No cost. Visibility parade held at F&M Park, 716 E. State St., Traverse City; visit upnorthpride.com for more event locations
LGBTQ Older Adult Summit
Hosted at Wayne State University, this summit is the only event in the entire state that focuses on the needs of LGBTQ older adults. The speakers for this event haven’t been announced yet, but the theme is “Building and Sustaining Connections” and it promises to be a day of inclusion and important conversations. June 22. No cost. Wayne State University, Education Building, 5425 Gullen Mall, Detroit; sagemetrodetroit.org
Grosse Pointe Pride March
The third annual Grosse Pointe Pride March will kick off at 10 a.m. This family-friendly event includes face painting, a brief rally, and food trucks. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Ruth Ellis Center. June 22. No cost. Grosse Pointe South High School, 11 Grosse Point Blvd., Grosse Pointe Farms; we-pg.org
Great Lakes Bay PRIDE Festival
This festival will be held in Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City. It is a free, family-friendly event and will feature a series of performances by local acts as well as a performance by Harmony Diversity Choir. The event will close with a Drag Show After Party at the Dow Event Center. June 29. No cost. Wenonah Park, 111 Center Ave., Bay City; greatlakesbaypride.org
From The Archive: Getting Ready with Emma Sapphire
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