June 19, 2020
How are you celebrating Pride this month (and year-round)?! Is your workplace hosting an event? Are you attending a virtual event hosted by one of our region’s amazing LGBTQ nonprofits and advocacy orgs? Check out the following resources if you’re looking for ways to get involved!
LGBT Detroit
Since 1994, LGBT Detroit has been committed to growing awareness of LBGT culture in Detroit through education and advocacy. LGBT Detroit is hosting the 25th Annual Hotter than July, the second largest Black Pride celebration in the world focused on social justice, virtually this year July 24-26, 2020. Check out all of their virtual programming on Facebook!
The Ruth Ellis Center
Ruth Ellis was a well-known activist for LGBT youth in Detroit. She founded the Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park to help house LGBT youth facing homelessness due to their sexual orientation. Ruth was known to be the oldest “out” African-American lesbian, who lived to be 101 years old when she died in 2000. A documentary about her life depicts 100 years of history through her eyes, “Living with Pride: Ruth C. Ellis at 100.”
The Ruth Ellis Center has a “national reputation for providing innovative and quality trauma-informed services for lesbian, gay, bi-attractional, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth, and young adults, with an emphasis on young people of color.” Learn more about their Health & Wellness Center, Drop-in Center, Ruth’s House, Kofi House and the Ruth Ellis Institute on their website, as well as listen to their podcast! Visit the online exhibition through Library Street Collective called, SITE: Art and Architecture in the Digital Space, to view works by artists Daniel Arsham, Kadar Brock, Greg Fadell, Simphiwe Ndzube, José Parlá, Rachel Rossin, Phillip K. Smith III and Kennedy Yanko at the State Savings Bank. 100% of proceeds from this exhibition will go to the Ruth Ellis Center.
Equality Michigan
Equality Michigan (EQMI) is Michigan’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) political advocacy and anti-violence advocacy organization. EQMI strategically partners with local, state, and national organizations on many critical issues impacting Michigan’s LGBTQ and same gender loving (SGL) communities. The policy changes of priority this year include: Build public awareness and the political will needed to amend the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) to include LGBTQ inclusive protections in housing, education, employment, and public accommodations; Work toward the passage of pro-LGBTQ human rights ordinances in targeted cities, townships, and jurisdictions across Michigan; Defend against religious exemption bills that legally sanction discrimination against LGBTQ individuals; and increase transgender health and safety.
Watch their conversation with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrest III, and LGBT Detroit’s Curtis Lipscomb kicking off Pride Month 2020.
Between the Lines Newspaper
Between the Lines Newspaper is the largest and longest-running weekly LGBTQ publication in Michigan, focused on news and entertainment, with an emphasis on developments impacting LGBTQ and allied citizens across Michigan and beyond. The Pride Source Yellow Pages is home to over 1,000 listings of businesses and nonprofits, a community guide and directory for the state of Michigan and a resource for people looking for products and services.
On Thursday, June 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. a virtual rally, called Decision Day 2020 will be held to celebrate and explain Monday’s Supreme Court decision that workplace sex discrimination extends to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center in Ferndale provides “a welcoming space where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and cultures can find support and unconditional acceptance, and where they can learn, grow, socialize and feel safe.” Learn more about their events and programming, including scheduling a virtual LGBTQ+ 101 training for your workplace with the Center for Inclusion Training.
Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index 2020
The Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index 2020 rates workplaces on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality based on three pillars: non-discrimination policies across business entities, equitable benefits for LGBTQ workers and their families, and supporting an inclusive culture and corporate social responsibility. Let’s Detroit partners, Ally Financial and Kelly Services, Inc. both earned a 100 Percent ranking in 2020!
How does your company rank? What are the other LBGT-friendly companies in the Detroit region? Is your workplace LBGT-friendly?
