A proud weekend for West Michigan Pride Festival

Bigger crowds, more vendors, exciting performers and a beautiful summer day made this year’s West Michigan Pride Festival, celebrating the LGBT community, one to remember. The festival started silently 23 years ago by the owners of The Apartment Lounge, Milt and Ed. The LGBT Network of Grand Rapids put on the festival until West Michigan Pride became a non-profit organization in June 2008 and grew into what it is today.

“This was the largest festival we have ever had,” said Amy Tabor-Stuba, one of PRIDE’s organizers. “It was amazing how many friends, family, and allies came out to celebrate with the community.”

With a record number of vendors (110) and sponsors, the 23rd Annual West Michigan Pride Festival surely showed its pride. Logistically, the festival was run without a hitch; parking was managed well and there were trash cans and recyclable bins all over. Elephant ears, ice cream sandwiches, brats and beer were plentiful and handcrafted jewelry and other local products were available around every corner. It was also pet and bike friendly. PRIDE provided an alternative, positive atmosphere in light of the recent Holland City Council’s vote not to add sexual orientation and gender identity to its laws against discrimination.

“The PRIDE celebration is for everyone to come out and be yourself, have fun and meet new people,” said Tabor-Stuba. “It's a time to leave the politics and world problems on the back burner for a day. It is a day to feel safe and know you won't be judged by anyone. We are all human and have a right to be treated equal.”

And that is just what Saturday was, a big celebration. With live performances by Equality Band of Michigan, Nervous but Excited, West Michigan Gay Men’s Chorus, Ben Walter, LVNMUZIQ, Alexis, Potatoe Babies, and, of course, a couple drag shows, there was something for everyone. With hundreds of very young attendees, it was a truly family friendly event.

“I think it is very important to bring kids and teens to show them that the LGBT community is just like everyone else,” said Tabor-Stuba. “They get such negative pictures from news and peers, and it's great for them to see first hand. Also, more and more gay couples have children; the family dynamic is changing, and I think for the better.”

Despite the great strides that have been made in the LGBT community, West Michigan Pride knows there is still a need to help their voices be heard. Michael Woerner, fellow PRIDE organizer and facilitator of a coming out group for men in Grand Rapids remembers the challenges he faced when coming out nearly 30 years ago and is proud to celebrate who he is and West Michigan's LGBT pride.

“Kids I went to school with in the '70s bullied, spit, and beat up on me,” said fellow organizer Michael Woerner. “Even some teachers bullied me because I was perceived as gay. PRIDE is a way to stand up and take back the power. And honestly, PRIDE is a HUGE party just celebrating how freaking fabulous we are!”