Celebrate your PRIDE in the Motor City this Weekend

June was officially recognized as Pride Month in 1999, but the celebration of of the LBGT community and the fight for their rights began long before it became a recognized holiday. Pride Month was a reaction to the hate and prejudice that the LBGT community has been experiencing ever since they decided that it was time to start living their lives the way that they wanted to. Something that, as we all know, the religious right that exists in this country is clearly not comfortable with. But, did you know that PRIDE was not started as a celebration, instead it was started as a tribute or memorial to the Stonewall Riots that took place in NYC in June of 1969? The multi day riots were the result of another unlawful police raid on an already marginalized group of people who were sick and tired of taking it. They fought back for multiple nights and this resistance is credited as the beginning if the LBGTQ movement. Today's Pride gatherings are celebrations that often include music, dancing, food, and community building. They are an opportunity for the LBGTQ community to be visible and to build community.

This year's Motor City Pride celebration will once again take place in Hart Plaza this weekend, June 9th and 10th. The two day event will feature performances by Little Animal, Haute to Death, Ladysse, Matt Wixson's Flying Circus, and LVRS. There will be a parade that takes pace at noon on Sunday and tons of vendors and food stations to check out as you walk through the festival.  There is a  $5 entrance fee to get in each day.  If you would like to learn more about Detroit Pride visit their website here.

If you are looking for a way to connect to the LBGTQ community of Metro Detroit, check out Affirmations, they are here to help! 

~S