BAY CITY, MI – The City of Bay City took a step during its first in-person meeting of 2021 to celebrate the area LGBT community.
Mayor Kathleen Newsham made a proclamation on Monday, June 7 declaring June as ‘LGBT Pride Month’ in Bay City.
Under the proclamation, Newsham is encouraging residents to celebrate with members of the local LGBT community.
Scott Ellis, executive director of the Great Lakes Bay Pride organization was in attendance to accept the proclamation.
“I want to thank the city commission, you mayor Newsham, the city manager’s office for all of the support and we’re excited to be celebrating pride here in Bay City and across the Great Lakes Bay Region all month and all year,” Ellis said.
Newsham’s proclamation referenced historical events in 1969 relating to the LGBT movement and how they have led to pride celebrations taking place around the country every June.
The proclamation states that a historic turning point occurred on June 28, 1969 with the onset of the Stonewall Riots, during which LGBT citizens fought against discriminatory laws that have since been declared unconstitutional.
“Our nation was founded on the principle of equal rights for all people, but the fulfillment of this promise has been long in coming for many Americans,” said Newsham, as she read from her proclamation.
Great Lakes Bay Pride is hosting its ‘Celebrate Pride at Home’ festival this month for the second year in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In previous years, the event has been held in person in Bay City and has included activities and elements in the past such as art, retail shopping, food, and resource vendors, and an after party drag show.
As a part of the at home event, the organization distributed yard signs earlier in June to the community for a donation to place in their yard. Pride nights were also hosted on June 4 at Larkin Beer Garden and at a Great Lakes Loon game in the Dow Diamond in Midland as a part of the event.
The event also involves a decorating contest where those who decorate a window, porch, entryway or other area in their home with a pride theme are able to post their photos on Facebook with #GreatLakesBayPride2021 to be entered into a random drawing at the end of June, according to Great Lakes Bay Pride.
The winner will receive a gift bag from the organization.
Click here for more information about the Celebrating Pride at Home event.
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