Ferndale michigan gay

And so he turned to Ferndale, where the event was held for the first time in By that point, Ferndale was garnering a reputation as a queer-friendly environment on a number of fronts. In , Ferndale elected its first gay city official in Craig Covey, who eventually became Ferndale’s mayor in — as well as Michigan’s first.

Ferndale is mainly a residential area, but it does feature several different bars, dance clubs, and other stores. The city is known for its progressive policies which have attracted a large LGBTQ population. In fact, in , the first openly gay mayor in the state of Michigan was elected in Ferndale.

Ferndale has been known as one of Michigan’s biggest queer hubs for decades. With many of the hallmarks that distinguish a Greenwich Village, a Castro, an Andersonville — traits like a walkable downtown, a diverse array of restaurants, bars and cafes, and housing stock that’s long proven catnip to renovators — it fits the mold of many.

Affirmations is your home for making connections and accessing resources. Our center was built by and for queer folks, ensuring that every aspect of Affirmations — from our empathetic staff to our responsive programming — reflects and affirms your unique identity. We strive to create a positive, welcoming environment for people of diverse identities.

And so he turned to Ferndale, where the event was held for the first time in By that point, Ferndale was garnering a reputation as a queer-friendly environment on a number of fronts. In , Ferndale elected its first gay city official in Craig Covey, who eventually became Ferndale’s mayor in — as well as Michigan’s first.

But it presented them with an unglamorous history to push back against as well. Less tony than Royal Oak, less intellectual than Ann Arbor — and cheaper than them both — the Ferndale that queer people have made a home of since the s became a kind of safe space from fears both real and imagined, building its identity — whether successfully or not — on notions of inclusion. At the same time, its story intersects with histories of white flight and segregation which affected and divided the queer community then — and in so many instances, still do.

Ferndale has been known as one of Michigan’s biggest queer hubs for decades. With many of the hallmarks that distinguish a Greenwich Village, a Castro, an Andersonville — traits like a walkable downtown, a diverse array of restaurants, bars and cafes, and housing stock that’s long proven catnip to renovators — it fits the mold of many.

Keep it queer all year by joining us at events that benefit Ferndale Pride. Fear of missing out? Subscribe to our newsletter where you will get updates about upcoming Pride events.