June 16, 2023
Detroit Free Press
Nour Rahal
June 12, 2023
Thousands gathered in their rainbow colors this weekend, waving flags and banners to express their pride and support during Michigan’s largest Pride celebration — the annual Motor City Pride festival and parade.
Kickstarting the parade at the intersection of Griswold and Fort streets on Sunday was Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, announcing the establishment of an LGBTQ+ Commission in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
Joined by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with some members of the state House of Representatives and the Senate, the governor addressed the crowd before signing the executive order and marching toward the Hart Plaza, alongside attendees.
“This council will be tasked with improving and protecting the health, safety and well-being of Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community — promoting LGBTQ+ culture, history, economic contributions, coordinated efforts and advocacy across state government, and attracting potential future residents of Michigan and letting the LGBTQ+ community across this country know, in Michigan, you are respected and protected under the law,” Whitmer said.
“Michigan is different,” Gilchrist said. “We know that the LGBTQ+ community makes us stronger, makes us better.”
Detroit resident, Yelena Aguilar, 19, said attending Motor City Pride holds great significance for her, especially as a person of color who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community. She showed up to the celebration with her friends and roommates on Sunday, the second and last day of the annual festival.
“Just being here, being able to be surrounded by people who are just like us and are able to relate to us is important, as well as understanding the history that brought us here today,” Aguilar said. “Not a lot of people wish to be very accepting of it.”
Aguilar said she hopes Whitmer’s new LGBTQ+ Commission will encourage more LGBTQ+ leadership.
Amnesty International Detroit chapter coordinators Ken and Geraldine Grunow have been attending Motor City Pride for more than a decade. The couple stood at the corner of Fort Street, getting petitions signed to protect LGBTQ+ refugee rights during the parade.
