Living in Michigan

K.I.C.K.—The Agency for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender African-Americans, provides advocacy, fosters and encourages self-expression, identification, validation, empowerment and liberation for all members of a diverse and inclusive community. Our goal is to promote personal and communal growth, improve quality of life, provide support and address the needs of this unique population. We aim to empower ourselves and our community through making positive choices and proactive decisions.

Ruth Ellis Center—The Ruth Ellis Center is one of only 4 youth social service agencies in the nation dedicated to helping LGBTQ teens and young adults who are experiencing homelessness. No one else, no other agency, no place or shelter in the entire Midwest is specifically designed to help our community’s youth who have been discarded or unable to be cared for by their families. Ruth Ellis Center does not reject youth because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression or for simply being who they are. We house them, feed them, clothe them, care for them and love them. We will help them get on their feet, find homes, jobs, a sense of pride and self-esteem, and eventually become self sufficient and independent young people.

Camp Trans—Camp Trans is an annual gathering of trans people and their allies in Michigan with the intent of:Protesting the exclusion of trans women from women-only spaces, most notably the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival;Building a trans-inclusive community that is welcoming and safe for all. Empowering the next generation of activists to fight for trans issues locally through organizer trainings, workshops, and leadership development; Advocating for the inclusion of trans issues in progressive, queer, and feminist movements by building coalitions with supportive organizations and bringing attention to local campaigns.

CARE— In Michigan some children have one parent that is not legally recongnized. Children need the legal recognition of parent-child relationships regardless of their parents’ marital status or sexual orientation. Second parent adoption secures this legal recognition. It guarantees the children a host of legal and financial benefits that most families take for granted such as: Full health insurance benefits; Full pension or social security benefits; Medical authorization for routine or emergency care; Permission to attend school functions; Permanence of extended familial relationships; Continuity of a parent-child relationship in the event of separation or death

Hotter Than July—This event is a grass-roots social project founded in the core principles of Kwanza. It serves as a year round effort promoting collective works to nurture a healthy community through economics, spirituality, networking, education and culture.We are proud stewards of the Midwest’s oldest black lesbian, gay, bi-affectionate and transgender pride celebration. We are also proud to have our efforts serve as a model for other prides across the United States.

Pride Source—This publishing group is committed to providing excellent news coverage, analysis, entertainment coverage, event listings, and opinions. We publish Between The Lines weekly newspaper and Michigan Pride Source Directory, and we have expanded our media products to include this website and a weekly online newsletter, the BTL Digest.

Michigan Equality—Michigan Equality is a statewide organization dedicated to building and using political power to promote equality and eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Triangle Foundation—Triangle Foundation is Michigan’s leading organization serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) and allied communities. We have become the dominant force for advocacy and change regarding GLBT issues in Michigan public policy, religion, business, education, and bias-crime victim assistance. It is the mission of Triangle Foundation to promote equality and to secure freedom from violence, intimidation and discrimination for GLBT persons throughout Michigan. Today, Triangle Foundation is widely and regularly quoted by national and local media—gay and mainstream, alike—and is used as a source by journalists and researchers all over the world.

Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival—For over 30 years, our ever-changing intergenerational tribe of womyn has come together to make music, art, performance and community in a swirling mix of personality, culture, age and experience. They travel to northern Michigan to enjoy this year’s unique and diverse performances from a wide range of artists, and to sink into the familiar comfort of a time and space where we celebrate all things female. Make it to Michigan one time and it will call to you each and every August.

HRC Steering Committee—The steering committee’s mission is to:

The steering committee’s goals are to:

Pride at Work—The purpose of Pride At Work is to mobilize mutual support between the organized Labor Movement and the LGBT Community around organizing for social and economic justice. We see full equality for LGBT Workers in their workplaces and unions. We work towards creating a Labor Movement that cherishes diversity, encourages openness, and ensures safety and dignity. We aim to educate the LBGT Community about the benefits of union membership for LGBT working people, and to build support and solidarity for the union movement in the LGBT community.

Saugatuck/Douglas—There is something about Saugatuck & Douglas Michigan that makes it one of the most popular destinations for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender tourists, something difficult to define but easy to recognize, like magic. Best of all, it is everywhere you look. It’s in the world-renowned beaches. Nestled between the refreshing waters of Lake Michigan and our gorgeous sand dune forest, our pristine beaches provide days of sun and sport, breathtaking sunsets, and evenings of delight and wonder. It’s in the shops and restaurants. With over 120 gay owned and gay friendly unique shops, restaurants, galleries and lodging options to choose from, you can find just about anything your heart desires, and some things you can’t find anywhere else.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF)—The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the grassroots power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. We do this by training activists, equipping state and local organizations with the skills needed to organize broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement’s premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (NGLTF, Inc.), founded in 1973 and incorporated in 1974, works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community.

Faith Action Network—aith Action Network (FAN) members work to increase public understanding of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender people and issues by conducting dialogues among local groups of differing opinions, offering skill-building workshops to small groups with similar goals, and publicly advocating for equal rights, respect and recognition for LGBT people. FANs goal is to create a bold and imaginative movement by training, organizing, and mobilizing progressive Michigan People of Faith/Spirit/Conscience to lift up a powerful and prophetic justice-seeking voice for LGBT liberation.We are a program of the American Friends Service Committee. Faith Action Network is a Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender and Ally program. We focus on bringing together community resources to serve the LGBT populations in Michigan.