The Great Lakes Bay Pride planning team is proud to announce Celebrating Pride at Home, a reimagined Pride Month celebration where the community can fully learn, celebrate, and advocate in a safe and healthy way. In lieu of its traditional LGBTQ festival and after party, the team has developed a series of activities, displays, community service opportunities, and exciting competitions. Great Lakes Bay Pride joins others throughout the world in the annual June Pride Month festivities, especially in this time of COVID-19 and local flooding. This reimagined Pride celebration unites us all to build a community that inspires engagement, equality and respect for all.

The team invites all in the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond to join in Celebrating Pride at Home. Activities and events in June will include: 

Yard Sign Campaign: Great Lakes Bay Pride will offer free yard signs sharing the Celebrating Pride at Home message to households throughout the region. There will be scheduled pick-up times at locations in Bay, Midland, Saginaw, and Isabella counties in early June. Check out the Great Lakes Bay Pride Facebook page and website for updates.

Food Collection Drive: Great Lakes Bay Pride will hold a food collection drive in partnership with Hidden Harvest and St. John’s Episcopal Church, Midland, on Saturday, June 20th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the church’s parking lot (405 N Saginaw Rd, Midland). Drop off your nonperishable food donations and collect your Celebrating Pride at Home yard sign.

*In order to ensure social distancing, you will not need to exit your vehicle for either of the above events.

Indoor/Outdoor Decorating: The team invites the community to Celebrate Pride at Home by decorating a window, porch, entryway or other area with a Pride theme. Participants should post their photos on Facebook with #GreatLakesBayPride2020, which enters them into a random drawing at the end of June. The winner will receive a Great Lakes Bay Pride gift bag. The team is developing and collaborating with partners on additional activities and virtual events. Visit www.greatlakesbaypride.org to stay up-to-date and to learn more about

Celebrating Pride at Home!

“At all times of the year, the LGBT+ population faces a higher risk of social isolation, limited access to resources, and disparities when accessing healthcare. Connecting with fellow community members and allies is vital as we navigate our daily lives through this historic time. It is our duty to actively protect our vulnerable communities by limiting the spread of COVID-19 and helping our communities recover and rebuild,” said Scott Ellis, Executive Director of Perceptions, the parent organization of Great Lakes Bay Pride.

Celebrating Pride at Home initiatives are presented by Dow and EY with additional support from Greater Michigan Construction Academy, St. John’s Episcopal Church of Midland, Warner Norcross + Judd, Central Michigan University, Pride Source Media Group, and Ieuter Insurance Group + Auto Owners.