Detroit gay pride
Fifty Years Later, Free Comic Book Tells Story of Michigan’s First LGBTQ+ Pride
The story of Christopher Street Detroit ’72, the first-ever Gay pride celebration in Michigan held 50 years ago this June 1972, has been brought to life through a full-color, 32-page nonfiction comic book for free distribution. Freelance illustrator Isabel Clare Paul and historian Tim Retzloff teamed up to build “Come Out! In Detroit” based on eyewitness primary sources, oral histories, and a cache of largely unseen photographs. The comic book’s release was accompanied by exhibits and public programs in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and East Lansing to mark the 50th anniversary of the event.
One June 24, 1972, Detroiters and other Michiganders gathered to publicly parade down Woodward Avenue, rally to speeches in Kennedy Square, dance the night away at the Unitarian Church on Cass, and picnic the next day in Palmer Park. It capped a week of celebrations at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne Express University. In Ann Arbor, the municipality council declared Homosexual Pride Week, the first known official recognition of LGBTQ pride by a governmental body in the United States.
The 1972 a
It’s been 53 years since Michigan’s first Pride celebration took place in Detroit. For Pride Month this year, One Detroit’s Bill Kubota, Zosette Guir and Chris Jordan accept an in-depth observe at the state’s contributions to Diverse history and divide the story behind that first celebration.
It included a march on Woodward and was called Christopher Street Detroit ‘72. The label came from Christopher Avenue in Manhattan, where the Stonewall Inn, a gay block, is located. That’s where demonstrators clashed with police after a raid in June 1969. A year later, in 1970, New York had its first Pride march called Christopher Street Lgbtq+ Liberation Day. Detroit’s march followed two years later.
Tim Retzloff, who teaches history and Diverse studies at Michigan State University, collaborated with artist Isabel Clare Paul to create a comic book dedicated to telling the story of the Christopher Street Detroit ‘72 celebration. It’s titled “Come Out! In Detroit.”
“It’s the start story,” Retzloff said. “That’s what comic books are recognizable for … the origin stories. We know where Bruce Wayne and Superman and Spiderman show up from.”
An exhibit about the comic novel is on demonstrate at the Detroit
Motor City Pride celebrates 53 years of uplifting LGBTQ+ community
- Detroit's Motor City Pride celebrated 53 years with A. Nzere Kwabena, founder of LGBT Detroit, and thespian Jai Rodriguez as grand marshals.
- Attendees expressed joy and appreciation for the sense of community and belonging at the festival.
- Rocket Mortgage offered free "chosen family" portraits, emphasizing the importance of inclusive definitions of family.
Motor City Movement celebrated 53 years of Homosexual community and revelry this weekend in downtown Detroit’s Hart Plaza, bringing together people of every ethnicity and type from close and far to live their truths and honor those who made it possible.
Jai Rodriguez, an Emmy-winning original cast member of reality show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” served as celebrity grand marshal during the annual parade along Griswold on Sunday afternoon. The parade attracted thousands of participants and spectators.
Rodriguez, who spent 10 days in Detroit in 2011 for a guest role on ABC’s “Detroit 1-8-7,” spoke fondly of the Motor City and the importance of Pride.
“I grew up very Evangelical,” he said. “No TV, no secular music. I didn’t have any access or information o
During the first week of June, the official Motor City Pride festivities will be held downtown. However, pride is an crucial community event that is celebrated all across the city. Make your attend a long weekend and explore all the LGBTQ offerings across Detroit.
Image courtesy of Jan Stevens.
Motor Metropolis Pride: Detroit Hotels
Detroit is home to a variety of LGBTQ-friendly hotels, including many unique boutique accommodations.
Trumbull & Porter
Trumbull & Porteris a boutique and artisan hotel located in the trendy Corktown neighborhood, which is home to a thriving LGBTQ society. The hotel is decorated in murals, artwork, and furniture all sourced from local Detroit and Michigan artists. Extend your stop by to a Wednesday so you can experience the weekly Pride Night at Trumbull & Porter, featuring drink specials, late-night diet, and outdoor dancing on the patio.
Photo courtesy of Trumbull & Porter.
The Hotel David Whitney, Autograph Collection
Enjoy a luxury stand in downtown Detroit at The Hotel David Whitney. Located in the renovated David Whitney building, this hotel is the matchless starting point to examine Detroit. It’s close to do