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We Are Great Lakes Bay Pride

We are the Great Lakes Bay Region’s LGBTQ+ Resource Group

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide inclusive sexual orientation and gender identity/expression (SOGIE) education, advocacy, networking, and resources to individuals and organizations in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Our Vision

Great Lakes Bay Pride envisions and strives for an inclusive and supportive community that inspires engagement, equality, and respect for all.

Community Code of Conduct

Great Lakes Bay Pride has established the following Community Code of Conduct to create safe, welcoming, and affirming spaces for the LGBTQ2S+ and ally community across our programs, services, activities, and events. Each participant/visitor/attendee/guest/etc. is expected to abide by this policy at all Great Lakes Bay Pride functions. Participation in any Great Lakes Bay Pride function is voluntary and shall constitute notice and acceptance of this policy.

Safety
Discrimination and/or violence in any capacity will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to physical, mental, emotional, sexual, and/or spiritual. If you see something, say something!

Confidentiality
What you see here, who you see here, what is shared here, when you leave here, let it stay here! Please respect everyone’s right to confidentiality.

Healthy Boundaries
We encourage all participants of Great Lakes Bay Pride functions to establish appropriate boundaries. Unwanted advancements, whether of a sexual nature or not, will not be tolerated.

Respect
Respect different points of view. Challenge stereotypes and check your bias/assumptions. It is okay to disagree without attacking, judging, or discounting someone’s experience. There is enough room for all ideas and points of view.

Active Listening
Encourage full participation. If you tend to speak a lot, step back. If you tend to sit back and listen, speak up! Listen to hear and not to respond.

Self-Care
Most importantly, please take care of yourself in whatever form that may take (take breaks, stretch, get a snack/drink, step away).

Consequences
Failing to abide by this Community Code of Conduct may result in suspension, removal, or termination from one or more Great Lakes Bay Pride programs, services, activities, or events. Great Lakes Bay Pride staff reserve the right to enforce this policy in the best interest of the community and the organization.

Reporting
Contact a member of Great Lakes Bay Pride staff with any comments, questions, or concerns related to violations of this policy. 

Non-Discrimination Statement

We respect the diversity of our community and we strive to create an inclusive organization where everyone can freely be themselves.

We provide services to all people regardless of age, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, religion or any other factor protected by law.

  • We strive to create an environment of mutual respect, free from harassment and unprofessional behavior.
 
  • Sexual harassment is a particularly harmful form of inappropriate conduct. It can include unwelcome flirtations or sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, unsolicited physical contact, and offensive verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It can also include inappropriate pictures, posters, screensavers, videos or e-mail messages.
  • Bullying and mobbing are unacceptable. This includes any aggressive, intimidating or violent behavior that may create a hostile environment.
 
  • We seek to avoid conduct and statements that are degrading, offensive, humiliating or intimidating to others. Seemingly innocent actions can create an environment that may be offensive, and we should be alert to our own behavior and the effect it may have on others.

 

  • We expect the same behavior of our volunteers, vendors, and sponsors.

What We Do

  • We offer discussion groups, such as our Transgender Support Group, which address the special needs that are found within our LGBT community and provide a safe place to do so.

 

  • We host speakers on topics of particular interest to the LGBT community in order to enrich and empower them.

 

  • We organize and host social gatherings to provide opportunities for people to network, develop friendships, and nurture support of one another.

 

  • We advocate at a grassroots level to influence officials with our public service campaigns, media exposure, educational programs, and letter writing.

 

  • We welcome and appreciate the hard work and talents of all those that offer their help. Volunteers are needed in a range of involvement from specific tasks to leading committees. Just let us know your interests!
  • Through our charitable work, we help eliminate negative stereotypes by offering opportunities to support our local community, which helps them and builds strong allies.

 

  • We communicate, on a personal level, the struggles that LGBT individuals often face. By putting a human face on our issues, we make it more difficult to discriminate against us.

 

  • We work closely with Equality Michigan to advance our mission at a statewide level. If you are interested in training for your business or organization, please let us know.

 

  • We update our community on events and news that affects their lives.

 

  • Through education, we strive to promote understanding and increase tolerance in society.