Pride in Michigan 2025: Voices from Our Community
What Pride means to LGBTQ+ leaders across the state in a year of renewed challenges
In an era when our humanity faces renewed attacks, we asked community leaders across Michigan what Pride means to them in 2025. Their responses reveal both vulnerability and fierce determination — voices that span generations, geographies and experiences but unite around common themes of resistance, visibility and hope.
In our June 5 Motor City Pride edition of Between The Lines and at pridesource.com, we hear from longtime activists who lived through the AIDS crisis and from younger organizers who are building tomorrow's movements. While their experiences have been shaped through different lenses, one unifying message is clear: Pride 2025 is about more than celebration. It's about showing up when the stakes are highest.
"Pride 2025 means that everyone has a seat at the table and is welcome... We need to come together and just know that if we all love each other, love wins." — Jadein Black, entertainment director, Ann Arbor Pride
ACLU of Michigan's Jay Kaplan emphasizes the political urgency of this moment: "I think being prideful is being willing to stand up for our rights and for all members of our community. This year, yes, we should celebrate who we are and our ability to be our authentic selves and all the progress we've made, but we have to be reminded of the sobering thought that there are some very strong attacks against that progress."
Martin Contreras and Keith Orr, owners of the storied Aut Bar in Ann Arbor, spoke about the importance of finding affirming spaces. “I remember many, many years ago, during one of the Marches on Washington, Barney Frank [the first openly gay member of Congress] was discouraging people from doing this March on Washington,” Orr said. “He felt it was a waste of resources, like there isn't a single senator that's going to change his vote. And my view on it is, maybe not, but you know what happens? After people come back to their hometowns after that, suddenly community centers have more volunteers, political groups have more volunteers, more organizing takes place. So it's really important that we have these moments in places that affirm who we are because they empower who we are, and we can't give in now. Now more than ever, it's important that we are empowered and out working to make change.”
Trans Sistas of Color Project founder Jeynce Poindexter speaks to the ongoing struggle for recognition: "Pride 2025, more than ever, means visibility. It means being outspoken. It means networking... This world has never fully affirmed, appreciated and recognized our humanity. Our humanity, liberties and rights are always up for scrutiny."
"Our collective power is tangible. When we work together and stay on message, we can have a direct impact on decision-making that impacts our community." — Michelle Fox-Phillips, Michigan trans advocate
The voices in our feature span the spectrum of Michigan's LGBTQ+ landscape — from Ferndale Pride's Julia Music celebrating 15 years of the state's queerest city to LGBT Detroit's A. Nzere Kwabena marking 30 years of Hotter Than July. Ruth Ellis Center's Mark Erwin reminds us that "Pride is more important than ever" as we navigate an uncertain political landscape.
Equality Michigan's Emme Zanotti captures the generational significance: "I don't think my expectations have ever been higher for Pride Month than June 2025." Her words echo throughout our coverage — this isn't just another Pride season. It's a moment of reckoning, resistance and renewal.
Get Your Copy: This issue of Between The Lines hits stands across Michigan on Thursday, June 5. Find distribution locations in Southeast Michigan and throughout lower Michigan here or subscribe to get BTL delivered to your door. Download this issue here.
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