About This Site
The University of Michigan is home to the first office of support for TBLG individuals and their allies in higher education in the nation. It also has an academic LGBT Studies program through Women’s Studies, and many faculty and staff have identified themselves as trained Allies or as graduate student mentors through the Rackham LGBT Mentoring Guide.
Ann Arbor and many surrounding communities are comfortable places for TBLG individuals, families, and friends to live, and nearby Ferndale, Michigan has been identified by the national Advocate magazine as a thriving “Gayborhood” and home to the Affirmations community center. The resort town of Saugatuck/Douglas on Lake Michigan is well known throughout the Midwest and beyond for its gay-friendly history, and every year the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival draws folks from around the world. Hotter Than July is an annual Detroit event for same-gender-loving people of color, and also the largest of its kind in the nation.
In addition to many university events and organizations, the local Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project hosts an annual Outfest and Pride Picnic in Ann Arbor, and serves as a resource to a wide range of social groups around varied interests and activities. Other nearby organizations include the Triangle Foundation and Michigan Equality, and there are local chapters of many national organizations such as Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Pride at Work and our trades unions are also very supportive and defend workplace benefits.
The University is known for its programs through Comprehensive Gender Services and offers a preferred name program through the official directory along with safe and readily available restrooms, locker rooms, and accommodations for transgendered individuals.
Many local faith communities are welcoming and are united under the umbrella of the Washtenaw Faith Action Network and an annual conference called Together in Faith.
Family support and advocacy are provided by groups like the Lesbian Moms Network and the Committee for Adoption Rights Equality. Our schools, towns, religious institutions, social networks, civic organizations, social services providers, and government representatives are used to having and welcome a thriving TBLG presence.
When bigotry rears its ugly head, the University of Michigan responds to ensure a safe and welcoming academic and workplace environment. Recently the University has acted to ensure that benefits are continued to be provided for all of our employees’ families. We have also led, supported, and encouraged other public employers within the area and the state to make Michigan a place of respect, tolerance, and safety for the many talented TBLG individuals who enrich all of our lives by providing a visible presence.
We are delighted to have you join this community!