Great Lakes Bay Pride

Programs: Great lakes bay pride festival and pride banquet: these events represent the organization's largest public education opportunities and provide a way to introduce our other educational programs to potential participants. The objective of the pride festival is to educate the public, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (lgbt) individuals, straight allies, and the general public on lgbt issues, rights, service providers, cultural sensitivities, and connections to relevant resources. The pride festival also promoted unity and visibility among lgbt, corporate and individual allies, and the community. It celebrated pride, freedom and equality for all in the great lakes bay region. The organization gathered several public and government service providers, businesses, and individuals to be onsite to educate attendees individually and make connections to needed services, which is vital to our community's health and welfare. Invited community speakers addressed attendees to educate on current legislative issue, local rights movements, and community welcoming. A particular emphasis was placed on families and children; the organization developed a family fun educational area. This area held active, hands-on activities to educate children on lgbt people, biases, and how to live in harmony in our community. This area also contained an educational area devoted to science, technology, education, and mathematics (stem), which is an important message in our rural region. This educational event was attended by approximately 1,000 people, including many families and children. The organization developed on-going relationships with attendees who began to participate in other educational programs offered throughout the year. The long-term objective is to grow this education opportunity to to reach more of the community. Of those informally surveyed, 83% rated their experience as excellent or very good and nearly 75% indicated they would attend again. The pride banquet is a smaller event, which educates attendees in two ways. It includes a presentation of current lgbt issues and needs in the region. Attendees also learn through the recipients of the pride awards as the selected individuals, organizations, and businesses are recognized. They "real life" examples bring needs and opportunities to the attendees. This event results in many of the outcomes list approve. In addition, inspires attendees to increase their participation to reach similar levels of community support. Over 100 people attend this event.

tobacco cessation program: the organization offers a tobacco cessation program to regional residence with emphasis to reach the lgbt and hiv+ individuals as well as aids service organizations. Of course, anyone who uses tobacco this program is administered in partnership with the michigan department of health and human services. This educational program objectives are to educate individuals who use tobacco on the dangers and long-term health effects of this use, advise aids service organizations on sharing the smoking cessation information with clients, and provide processes and course to start the journey to tobacco-free living. The organization has provided general educational presentations and individual discussions at various support groups throughout the region. It also has maintained representation at regional events through educational booths, sharing information and cessation programs to individuals. In addition, the organization offers pre-contemplation courses for those considering ending their tobacco use. The organization uses social media and organization communications to educate the general public and encourage use of individual programs to end tobacco use.

the harmony diversity choir: started in 2016, harmony is the great lakes bay region's first-ever inclusive and diverse choir, open to all (lgbt and straight allies). It visually and musically offers, projects, and promotes the education of the importance of unity and inclusion and "puts a face" on the importance of respect, cooperation, and achievement. Its message of unity transcends cultures, races, genders, and orientations. The educational objective of this program is two-fold: education for the participants and education for the audiences. The organization's board members and the artistic director educate members on the meaning of inclusion and diversity as well as prepare them technically to perform. The audience learns through the choir, both visually and musically, the importance of unity, inclusion, and respect for all. Audiences are made up of employers, legislators, business owners, religious leaders, and multi-generational families. Through this continuing education, harmony can influence their actions and decisions to make our region a better place. As of december 31, 2016, the choir maintained 35 members, held regular rehearsals, and performed at the great lakes bay pride festival and the perceptions holiday gala. These events bring approximately 1,000 people together. Harmony has quickly built a foundation from which to launch a successful educational season. Plans for the future year include several public performances at regional festivals, a special national anthem appears at the regional baseball stadium, and charity events as well as hold its first full concert.