Taste of tolerance

Cookies, cakes, pies … and rock ‘n’ roll?

Susie Gray — with help from the Spectrum Clubs from Eastern High School, Lansing Community College and Michigan State University — is holding a rock ‘n’ roll bake sale Saturday in front of The Chrome Cat in Old Town.

Gray hopes to find out who is willing to offer help to the Spectrum clubs of the Lansing community.

“It feels really good getting involved, and actually making a change,” said Gray. “It’s what everyone wants to do, but not everyone does.”

Gray wants to get all Spectrum clubs and local businesses that are willing to help all under one banner. She points out that there are not a lot of resources for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth in the community, and she wants to be a force in changing that.

While attending LCC, Gray was helping a friend with a project that required her to theoretically set up a shelter for the LGBT community to turn to in the case of a crisis. Gray realized the lack of LGBT resources in the Lansing community. She also discovered that Spectrum clubs like those at LCC, MSU, and Eastern High School never had the funding to hold events and activities.

Proceeds from the bake sale will go to Eastern High School’s Spectrum Club to help fund a Spectrum Pride Ball.

The bake sale features desserts ranging from traditional favorites to gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan and even pet-friendly treats.

Gray wanted to offer some healthy alternatives, like chocolate chip cookies made with brown rice syrup and soy milk. But for the less health-conscious, Gray is excited to debut her double chocolate cheesecake, a chocolate cake with cheesecake in the middle.

Besides the desserts, there will be activities like face-painting, ring toss, and other games for younger attendees.

This is is not Gray’s first go at fund-raising. In April, she held a Day of Silence event that was mainly geared toward Eastern High School students. The event raised money for the Spectrum Club at Eastern High School and attracted donors such as Spiral Dance Bar and Gone Wired Café.

Rock ’N’ Roll Bake Sale

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 In front of The Chrome Cat, 226 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing Email OutOnTheTown517@ gmail.com or call (517) 285-0685