PRIDE EVENTS in MICHIGAN

Pride is back in Lansing. After two years of pandemic-induced absence, the area is bursting with Pride related events. Here’s a rundown of some events happening in Lansing, and across the state. 

Pride Month Open House 

June 11, The Salus Center, which serves Lansing’s LGBTQIA+ communities as a gathering space and information hub, hosts a Pride Month open house from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 408 S. Washington Sq., Lansing. saluscenter.org 

LanSINGout Chorus 
June 10-11: The Greater Lansing Gay Men’s Chorus, LanSING Out, presents Music From the Marquee at 7:30 p.m. The performances will be at the Unitarian Universalist Church located at 5509 S. Pennsylvania. Organizers ask attendees to wear a mask. Tickets are $15.  LanSINGout is a non-profit community chorus organized to “provide the opportunity for LGBTQ+ persons and their allies to sing and display their talents together.” lansingout.com. 

‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ film screening  

June 12: Salus Center and the Capital Area District Library hosts a showing of the cult hit “But I’m a Cheerleader” at the downtown library, 401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing. Doors open at 2 p.m., film kicks off at 2:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/butimacheerleaderscreening 
 
Cooley Law School: LGBTQ+ Law: Outrageous Laws & Everyday Rebellions 

June 14: From noon-1p.m., in honor of Pride month, Cooley Law School invites you to join Christine A. Yared — an attorney, educator and activist. Yared is also the author of “Private Love, Public School: Gay Teacher Under Fire,” which was named as a 2022 Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. The event is a WMU-Cooley’s Community Conversations event called LGBTQ+ Law: Outrageous Laws & Everyday Rebellions. Sign up at: info.cooley.edu/community-conversations. 

 
St. Johns Pride Fest 

June 18: Pride hits downtown St. Johns from noon-4 p.m. The free event will be blocking off part of Higham Street between Brush and Clinton Ave. It features live entertainment, food trucks and community partners with tables set up and sidewalk chalk art. tinyurl.com/stjohnspridefest. 

Come Out! In Detroit 

June 21: A conversation with Tim Retzloff, historian, and Isabel Clare Paul about the inception and creation of the new comic: Come Out! In Detroit. This historic comic explores Michigan’s first gay pride festival, then known as the Christopher St. Freedom Day. The event will be both live, from the MSU Library Green Room 4 West, and broadcast online at 4 p.m. Registration for the online event is here: bit.ly/ComeOutDetroit. 

 The Equity Taskforce drag show and picnic 

June 25 and 26: Mason Equity Force hosts a pride weekend. On June 25, the celebration kicks off from 6 to 9 p.m. with a drag show fundraiser at BAD Brewing. June 26, a picnic kicks off in Hayes Park in Mason featuring food trucks and informational tables on LGBTQ community issues, needs and organizations. facebook.com/theequitytaskforce and badbrewing.com/pride.

Tease A Gogo & House of Manifestation Presents: EVOLVE! An All-Inclusive, All Ages Block Party 

June 25: Drag show followed by Tease A Gogo event and a block party. Event runs from 2-6 p.m. for the block party. Drag show is at 6 p.m. The Burlesque show starts at 8:30 p.m. Event happens at 117 S. Street. Bar offered by Sleepwalker Spirits and Ale. Tickets are $30, $25 in advance. Performers include: V. Soul, Miguel the Shaman, Rebecca Brunner, Ballet de Maria Luz, various guest speakers and more. facebook.com/teaseagogo.  

 
Michigan Pride Rally at the Capitol 

June 26: This outdoor rally happens noon to 2 p.m. at the Michigan State Capitol Building (100 N. Capital Ave., Lansing) on the anniversary of the Marriage Equality Act. This event, featuring speakers on the Capitol lawn, celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community, including self-acceptance, achievements, legal rights and Pride. According to its organizers, “the rally seeks to create community and honor the history of the movement.” They ask attendees to please use COVID-safe practices. Mask wearing is not required but welcomed. facebook.com/MichiganPride. 

PRIDE ACROSS THE STATE 

Motor City Pride & Festival  
Saturday, June 11 (1 p.m.- 9 p.m.) & Sunday, June 12 (Noon- 7 p.m.) 
Hart Plaza 
1 W. Jefferson, Detroit 
$5, 12 and under free 
motorcitypride.org 
 
Pride Fest 2022 
Saturday, June 11, 1 p.m.- 11 p.m.  
Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park 
200 N. Lakeshore Blvd., Marquette 
FREE 
uprainbowpride.org 

Grand Rapids Pride Festival 
Saturday, June 18, Noon- 10 p.m.  
Calder Plaza  
300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids 
FREE 
grpride.org/festival  

Flint Pride Festival 

 Macomb County Pride Picnic 
Sunday, June 26, Noon - 4 p.m.  
Dodge Park, Picnic Pavillion #2 
40620 Utica Rd., Sterling Heights  
FREE, bring own food 
macombcountypride.com  

Berkley Pride Block Party  
Saturday, June 26, noon - 4 p.m.  
Robina North at 12 Mile 
FREE 
downtownberkley.com/berkleypride 

Battle Creek Pride 
Thursday-Sunday, July 14- 17 
Various locations and times, check website.  
FREE 
battlecreekpride.org/pride-weekend 

ROAD TRIP 
Chicago Pride Fest 
June 18-19 & June 26
Feeling like a quick road trip? This is worth the gas money. The weekend before the 2022 Chicago Pride Parade (June 26), the Chicago Pride Fest returns for two days (June 18-19). The colossal festival features live music by headline artists and local favorites, three stages, food and drink, over 150 arts and crafts vendors, DJs, dancing, drag shows, a pet parade, games, giveaways and more. This annual event is a legendary street festival, with upwards of 60,000 expected to attend. chicagopride.gopride.com