For Great Lakes Bay Pride board member Andrea Foster, Pride Month is time to remember the hardships faced by the LGBTQ+ community and to celebrate the accomplishments achieved on the road to inclusivity.
Foster identifies as queer or bisexual. She said she was raised when her identity was not accepted, and that’s why it’s important for her to create a safe space for the community to thrive.
“A lot of it is about recognizing that it wasn’t always open and that the people who came before us suffered and struggled,” Foster said. “Today we still struggle; it’s not like it’s all solved. We’re seeing legislation on a routine basis enacted ... (that tries to) limit the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, because there’s so much fear and so much hatred in our world.”
Great Lakes Bay Pride executive director Scott Ellis said the LGBTQ+ community has already overcome many challenges throughout history, demanding equal rights. For example, he said, Michigan amended Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect sexual orientation and gender expressions from discrimination.
“We really are, as a state, becoming a beacon for the LGBTQ community,” Ellis said. “I believe we have to continue making our state as welcoming and inclusive as possible so that we can attract and retain the talent that we have we.”
However, there is still work to be done, Ellis said. The biggest challenge the community is facing right now is the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric present in social and news media.
“The amount of negative, often downright hate-filled comments and accusations ... (is) the worst that I’ve seen in the past years that I have been producing the Pride Month events,” he said.
Foster said that has been snowballing for several years.
“People are polarized and angry,” Foster said. “(They) believe their way being the only way… Lights that are being shed on all the wrong parts of society — people who are perpetuating that harm — are being highlighted.”
For instance, according to American Civil Liberties Union data, there are 515 bills that are attacking LGBTQ+ rights as of May 31. Nine of them are in Michigan.
Additionally, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a warning of terrorist organizations targeting LGBTQ+ community at this Pride Month events around the world.
Ellis said that even though he doesn’t recall any similar situations, the Great Lakes Bay Pride is in touch with law enforcement and makes sure that everyone is safe at their events.
Foster feels safe during Pride Month because she doesn’t “look like your typical member of the LGBTQ community,” she said. But she still worries about others.
“I worry about my kid being out in this world,” Foster said. “I have the privilege of feeling safe, but of us don’t. Trans individuals especially are harmed and are the victims of assault and violence.”
According to Human Rights Campaign website, 15 transgender people were killed in attacks in 2024.
For allies to support the community, Foster advises to learn about who you vote for, study their policies and stances and donate to organizations that help LGBTQ+ community.
To participate in Great Lakes Bay Pride events, learn more here. Some scheduled events are:
- Loons Pride Night takes place at 7:05 p.m. on June 7 at Dow Diamond, Midland.
- Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 22 at Wenonah Park, Bay City.
- After Party Drag Show starts at 7 p.m. June 29 at Dow Event Center, Saginaw.
