Local Area

Affirmations—Centrally located in vibrant downtown Ferndale, just a mile from the Detroit City border, Affirmations is the center for LGBT activities throughout the community. In keeping with its vision, Affirmations is the hub of the community, celebrating wellness, personal growth and development, centered in a state-of-the-art, multi-use facility that is financially secure. Because of its ability to change and meet community needs, Affirmations, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, has become not only the largest LGBT organization in Michigan, but also one of the ten largest in the United States.

Transgender Michigan—TransGender Michigan is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of transgender individuals in Michigan. Through education, support, and advocacy, TransGender Michigan strives to transform Michigan into a state where transgender individuals, and their significant others, friends, and families, can live free of hate, violence and discrimination.

U of M Gay and Lesbian Alumni Society (UMGALAS)—UMGALAS is comprised of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender alumni of the University of Michigan who network nationally, sponsor social events, perform community service, and provide support to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students at the University of Michigan.

Lesbian-Gay-Queer Research Initiative (LGQRI)—In Fall 2001, LGQRI became a program of the Institute for Research on Women and Gender. Since then, LGQRI has pursued its strategy of developing a more formal identity for the abundant resources that already exist on campus. UM has not lacked breadth or depth of resources, student interest, or faculty expertise in this area, only connections. The field of LGQ studies is still evolving, and existing resources have developed in separate disciplinary domains. LGQRI aims to foster interdisciplinary scholarship and conversation, and to provide a locus from which to facilitate the consolidation and dissemination of information and the development of new collaborative ventures.

LGBT & Friends Faculty/Staff Social Hour—Once a month, the staff of the Spectrum Center hosts the LGBT and Friends Faculty/Staff Social Hour. The group meets at local restaurants from 5:15 to 6:30 pm for food, drinks and socializing. This is a great way to meet your colleagues, network, and stay connected to the U-M LGBT community.

\aut\ BAR—From the beginning the \aut\ BAR has had a mission of providing support to the GLBT community. Out entire opening week was a fundraiser for the HIV/AIDS Resource Center (HARC). Within a few months Martin had joined the HARC Board, and Keith had joined the Performance Network Board. Fundraising became a passion. Vendors quickly learned that they couldn’t do a promotion at the \aut\ BAR if the promotion didn’t benefit a community organization. Over the years the \aut\ BAR has raised money and awareness for HARC, Performance Netrwork, the Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project, the University of Michigan Office of GLBT Affairs, Eastern Michigan University LGBT Resource Center, Ann Arbor Civic Theater, Triangle Foundation, Midwest AIDS Prevention Project, SAFE House, Ozone House, the ACLU, and the list goes on. The the \aut\ BAR's design and philanthropy led to local, regional, and national recognition.

Common Language Bookstore—This Ann Arbor bookstore located in Braun Court contains many books and volumes on the LGBT community. The bookstore also sponsors a book club. The Ann Arbor Rainbow Book Club meets the Second Sunday of every month at the Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project. Generally alternates women’s books and men’s books.

Pride Picnic—A time for the LGBTQ community to get together in a casual environment to acknowledge Pride. Bring your grills, charcoal, food and drink of choice, tents for shade and join us as we celebrate Pride with friends and community members. It’s at the New Shelter in Island Park, accessed off Island Drive from Maiden Lane. Island Park is a river park containing two picnic shelters, a Greek Revival shelter, play area, picnic tables and grills, benches, paths through the Island, and a connection to Fuller Park.