City of Detroit Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Pride Celebrations with Detroit Pride Flag Raising in Spirit Plaza

City of Detroit Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Pride Celebrations with Detroit Pride Flag Raising in Spirit Plaza

DETROIT – The City of Detroit Department of Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity (CRIO) along with Deputy Mayor, Todd Bettison and Detroit LGBTQ+ leaders kicks off Pride Month with a Pride Flag Raising and news conference in Spirit Plaza today. Pride Month commemorates the struggles and celebrates the progress of the LGBTQ+ community. The City of Detroit is raising the Pride Flag to show unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in Detroit. Joining the Flag Raising event is Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison, and from Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Office, Kimberly Woolridge, Deputy Executive Director.

"In Detroit, we don't just welcome people of all colors, backgrounds, faiths, and sexual orientations, we celebrate them. This week, we are excited to mark the 50th Anniversary of Pride celebrations in the City of Detroit. As we do every year, we raise our Pride flag to show our city's strong support for our LGBTQ+ friends and allies. Thanks to our LGBTQ+ and Friends Employee Resource Group, their hard work, and partnerships, we look forward to a month full of exciting opportunities for everyone to celebrate," said Deputy Mayor Bettison.

For the first time ever, the City launched the LGBTQ+ and Friends Employee Resource Group (ERG) to provide employees an outlet to voice ideas and organize educational opportunities. Sponsored by Brad Dick, Group Executive of Services & Infrastructure, and Chaired by Kevin Bain, Associate Debt Manager, the ERG launched in February 2022 with the mission: To create an inclusive and welcoming workplace for LGBTQ+ employees and allies in the City of Detroit by increasing awareness and promoting equity.

"I’m grateful to the City for giving LGBTQ+ employees and allies a platform and a voice. We have already instituted meaningful change, and we will keep working until every person feels safe and encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work," said Kevin Bain.

Also attending the Flag Raising are local LGBTQ+ leaders, Corporal Dani Woods, LGBT Liaison, Detroit Police Department, Jey’nce Poindexter, Case Manager at the Ruth Ellis Center, and Vice President of Trans Sistas of Color Project, and Dave Wait, Chair of Motor City Pride.

"The Detroit Police Department is proud to be an inclusive department with every letter of LGBTQ+ represented within our ranks. It is because of the support of our Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and the Chief that visibility and understanding of the community is paramount and we have a productive yet mutual respect in continuously building a relationship between our department and the LGBTQ+ community. I am both humbled and grateful to be the face and representative of my community in rainbow and blue," adds Cpl. Dani Wood.

The Pride Flag will wave in Detroit’s Spirit Plaza during the month of June as a testament to how Detroit and Southeast Michigan is a welcoming place for LGBTQ individuals to live, work and raise families.

"The Pride Flag raising ceremony is symbolic of how the City of Detroit supports the LGBTQ community throughout the year as well as during Pride Month," said Dave Wait, Chairperson of Motor City Pride.

About Motor City Pride: Motor City Pride is a two-day festival that runs Saturday, June 11, from 1 to 9 pm and Sunday, June 12, from Noon to 7 pm. One of the festival’s highlights is the annual parade that steps off at Noon from the corner of Griswold and Fort Streets. In addition to the parade, the festival will have a family area with youth activities and four stages of entertainment, featuring over 150 performers. The festival will also have over 140 vendors and exhibitors to connect the community to LGBTQ welcoming companies and organizations.

Motor City Pride draws more than 30,000 people downtown to celebrate the advancements and encourage unity in support of full equality for all members of the LGBTQ community. Festival schedules and information can be found at motorcitypride.org.