Getting Ready for the 2010 Gay Pride Season

It is that time of year; one that I anticipate with a high level of excitement every year. Not only is this the beginning of summer, but this is also the start of the Gay Pride season. Yes, you heard it right! It is time to dust off your rainbow t-shirt, bring out the rainbow hats, and show the world how proud you are to be a member of such a warm and loving community.

Personally, I look forward to spending the entire day in Ferndale, Michigan, a small city located one mile north of Detroit. The pride festival that’s held in Ferndale is called Motor City Pride, and this year, the festivities are taking place on Sunday, June 6, 2010. What I love most about Motor City Pride is the diversity and transparency that is exposed throughout the event. It’s a welcoming environment where people of all races, ages, and sexual orientations (including heterosexuals) can enjoy great food, live entertainment, browse and purchase beautiful items from the street vendors, and be in the company of other like-minded individuals and families.

I enjoy walking throughout the festival and watching patrons strolling along with their children, walking hand-in-hand with their partner, and many even bring their pets along. Within the LGBT community, there are a lot of subcultures that many were not aware of. If you’re looking to find your niche community where you’re surrounded by people that share the same interests as you, your local pride event is definitely the place to be. There are many organizations on hand, promoting their purpose, as well as looking for new recruits. There are also many businesses on location not only to promote their products and services, but to support the local LGBT community. With the level of discrimination our community regularly endures, it is extremely refreshing to learn of businesses that are gay-friendly and sees the LGBT community as an affluent market that should not be ignored.

Prior to the festival, it has been a tradition for one of Michigan’s gay-friendly church, Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit, and The Triangle Foundation to conduct a mass commitment ceremony on the steps of the Ferndale City Hall. Same gender couples are encouraged to come out and make both a political statement and a commitment by celebrating their love. Not only is this tradition an act of love, but it is also a demonstration of activism; encouraging others to accept same-sex couples and legally recognizing same-sex unions. With the recent legalization of gay marriage in Washington, DC, I can only imagine the excitement surrounding DC’s pride events. 

So ladies and gentleman, dust off your summer attire, wear your most comfortable shoes, and get ready to celebrate your pride with your fellow LGBT family.

What events are going on in your area this summer that you are looking forward to attending?