We’re glad you’re here. Find our group on Facebook or contact us at benziepride@gmail.com
The Benzie Area Pride Network was founded in early 2023. We are friends, families, partners, and allies opening our hearts to all LGBTQIA+ people in and around Benzie County, ensuring their safety and wellbeing, and giving them the love, support, compassion, and acceptance they deserve in order to be their authentic selves. More than 50 people attended our founding meeting and collaboratively identified our three focus areas: Visibility, Education, and Community.
While the Pride Network is a mission of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Beulah, we recognize that many in the LGBTQIA+ community have been hurt and rejected by churches. The Network itself is not a religious organization and our events are not typically faith-oriented. Our activities are in support of all of Benzie County’s LGBTQIA+ community, friends, and allies, regardless of faith.
Events: 2024
Please join us at one of our events! Details are posted in our Facebook group.
- June 9: Betsie Bay Furniture house concert fundraiser for the Pride Network
- June 15: Polestar resource fair event
- June 19: Celebrate Pride! dinner
- July 4: Parades in Beulah & Frankfort, picnic lunch in between
- July 21: Canoe/kayak trip
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July 28: Canoe/kayak trip (rain date if needed)
- August 18: Beach day
- August 24: Queer “Clothing Swap” – 10 am – 2pm
- August 25: Beach day (rain date if needed)
- September 15: League of Women Voters and potluck: issues of concern to LGBTQIA+ voters, voter registration, absentee ballot how-to
- October, date TBD: Planning for Festival of Trees
- October 13: Fall hike
- Nov. 5: Rides to polling places
- Nov., date TBD: Ornament making for Festival of Trees
- Dec. 8: No-stress holiday party
You can read the first edition of the Benzie Pride Zine right here! Please support all of our sponsors!
Donate to the Benzie Area Pride Network
Use the form below to donate to Benzie Pride. Select “Benzie Area Pride Network” from the dropdown to donate to our fund managed by our friends at St. Philip’s of Beulah.
Resources
Advocacy, equity, and education organizations:
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Call 988 or text 741741 if you are in a crisis
- Asexual Visibility and Education Network
- Books Unbanned – people aged 13-21 can apply for a free library e-card through Brooklyn Public Library
- Equality Michigan
- Human Rights Campaign
- Up North Pride
- Manistee Area Racial Justice & Diversity Initiative (MARJDI)
- National Center for Transgender Equality
- PFLAG (Manistee)
- PFLAG (national group)
- PFLAG National’s glossary
- Polestar (Traverse City)
- Pride in the Stee (Manistee)
- Stand with Trans – Support for Trans Youth & their Families
- Transgender Michigan
Safety, guidance, and more:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline –
- The Trevor Project – information, support, and crisis prevention for LGBTQ+ young people
- Thomas Judd Care Center – Munson Hospital’s HIV/AIDS prevention, wellness, and care facility.
- Lambda – Legal guidance
- Women’s Resource Center (Traverse City) – The WRC serves people of all genders who are experiencing domestic or sexual violence.
For allies, families & churches:
- TransFamilies
- Reformation Project: advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Church
- Resource Guide for Churches for LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Connect with Us
We’re glad you’re here. Find our group on Facebook or contact us at benziepride@gmail.com.
