KALAMAZOO, Mich. — As Pride Month officially began on June 1, organizers across West Michigan are preparing for a series of events to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. OutFront Kalamazoo, a nonprofit dedicated to providing resources and support to the community, has scheduled several Pride events for this weekend.
Christopher Terkos, Executive Director of OutFront Kalamazoo, explained that this year’s Pride feels different but still centers on community and joy. “I have been involved in Kalamazoo Pride since about 2009, and it does have a different feel this year,” he said. “But that again is that community peace and queer joy. The community is a happy community; we take care of one another, and we take care of other communities.”
While the events remain a celebration of identity and togetherness, Terkos emphasized that Pride also continues to serve as a protest against the hardships faced by LGBTQ+ individuals over the years. He noted that this year’s events occur amid heightened rhetoric and threats directed toward the community.
“The community has a lot of fear,” Terkos said. “We have had a funding loss, which has been difficult to manage, and along with that, Pride sponsorships are down. We have hired a queer security firm that is owned and operated by queer people to make sure that we provide the level of protection that is necessary.”
Michael Cleggs-Arnott, director of programs and outreach at OutFront Kalamazoo and the organization’s longest-serving staff member, echoed Terkos’ sentiments. Having worked with OutFront for 10 years, Cleggs-Arnott shared how his own journey to self-acceptance has been deeply connected to his role at the nonprofit.
“I come from a community where I did not really connect with the LGBTQ+ community because I have a religious background and things like that, so we didn’t talk a lot about that stuff back in the day,” he said. “So being able to work at a place like this has helped me become more like myself.”
Despite the challenges and the more serious tone this year, both leaders stress that Pride remains a time to celebrate identity, resilience, and joy.
“Even in difficult times, we come together and celebrate and have a good time for who we are,” Terkos said. “Pride is a protest, but more importantly queer joy is a protest. It shows that we’re here and that we won’t let times like this make us shrink back or go back in the closet. Those are things that are not happening. We will make sure that we have a presence and that we are seen and that we are visible and that we celebrate who we are.”
