Plenty of Pride

Friday, June 15

9 p.m. WHITE PARTY — Kick off Michigan Pride weekend at Michigan’s largest white-apparel-themed event, which begins at the Michigan Pride Festival Tent located at the corner of Grand River Avenue and Turner Street in Old Town. A $10 ticket grants access to the Grand Café, Esquire Bar, Spiral Dance Bar and the Festival Tent. Beginning in the late 1970s, the white party theme was used as a symbolic approach to unify members of the LGBTQ community. “Everybody wearing white means we’re all the same; we’re all equal,” said Spiral Dance Bar general manager Daniel Young. White Party-themed food and drink specials will be offered at participating venues, as well as music from DJ Sammy, DJ Element and other live performances. Portions of the proceeds benefit Michigan Pride. 

Saturday, June 16

10 a.m. MICHIGAN PRIDE CAPITOL MARCH AND RALLY — The march begins at 11 a.m. at Adado Riverfront Park, with grand marshal Dan Campbell. Campbell is an instructor at Lansing Community College and has been a LGBTQ activist for 49 years. Coming out at Antioch College in 1963 and again at the University of Connecticut in 1967, Campbell says he is the first out male student on a college campus in the nation (see story on page 16). Several Michigan groups will be in attendance, including the Lansing Derby Vixens, Dykes on Bikes and the Michigan Equality Band. 

Noon

CAPITOL COMMITMENT CEREMONY AND RALLY — The Rev. Kent Lederer of Unity of Greater Lansing leads a commitment ceremony atop the Capitol steps. Couples can register at 11:30 a.m. Michigan Pride co-chairwoman Emily Horvath said the commitment ceremony’s purpose is to “bring light to the fact (LGBTQ couples) do not enjoy marriage equality in this state.” Following the ceremony, Mayor Virg Bernero initiates the rally at 12:20 p.m. with East Lansing Mayor Diane Goddeeris; Kevin Epling, national co-director of Bully Police USA; Cole Bouck of the Michigan Gay Officers Action League; and Emily Dievendorf of Equality Michigan. 

1 to 4 p.m.

MICHIGAN PRIDE FAMILY ZONE — Join LGBTQ families at the south end of Burchard Park in Old Town for an afternoon of activities, including an inflatable bounce house, face painting with clowns Frolic and Mee-Mee, Pride-themed arts and crafts, bean-bag toss, football and Frisbee throw, a lollipop tree and resource information for LGBTQ family networking and advocacy. Families both inside and outside the LGBTQ community are invited to attend. 

2 to 11 p.m.

MICHIGAN PRIDE FESTIVAL — Michigan Pride swings into high gear in Old Town; featured entertainment on the main stage includes hip-hop and soul duo God-des & She at 2 p.m. and electro-pop artist Chris Willis at 5 p.m. There will be a variety of vendor and nonprofit booths, along with food selections from Lansing area restaurants. The festival continues until 11 p.m. with DJs mixing up the mood, and drink specials available at the Michigan Pride festival tent. Admission is $5. 

11 p.m. to 2 a.m.

PRIDE 2012: THE AFTER PARTY — Spiral Dance Bar hosts an after-party featuring Top 40 and dance music and videos with DJ John Cruz indoors and hip-hop and electronic mixes with DJ Element outdoors. Drink specials and live performances are featured all night long. The event is 18 and over.