Gay Pride in Metro Detroit Succeeds Beyond Hopes

By all accounts, GLBT in our region was very successful, despite some who feared division between Equaliy Michigan's Motor City Pride in Detroit and Ferndale Pride.

Motor City Pride states that 44,000 people attended their events in Hart Plaza.
Ferndale Pride reports a total of 10,000 people at the multiple Ferndale weekend events.

Comments from most people who attended either or both events were very favorable.
Both groups have each stated they would plan similar events again next year.

Some facts from the Ferndale Pride 2011:
We had 40 volunteers who created and implemented the events in less than 4 months.
usinesses in Downtown Ferndale reported excellent weekend traffic and sales.

We helped provide two days of shuttle service from Downtown Ferndale to Hart Plaza with more than two dozen busloads of revelers saving parking money and ensuring safety.

The Southeast Michigan Dyke March doubled in size over last year's inaugural event.

Our We are Family Pride rally included our Mayor, Royal Oak City Commissioner Jim Rasor, and myself as your Oakland County Commissioner representing Hazel Park, Ferndale and Royal Oak.

We raised a total of $15,000 from donations and sponsors, with only $5,000 in total costs. We are now distributing nearly $10,000 in proceeds to four charities, including Affirmations, Southeast Mi. Dyke March, Michigan AIDS Coalition, and the Ferndale Community Foundation.

We distributed 5,000 sets of rainbow beads, got more than 30 rainbow flags flying all across downtown, and recieved more than two dozen radio, tv, and print media stories about pride and the GLBT community.

Fifteen not for profit gay and community organizations got free publicity and raised awareness and money through our table outreach program downtown.

Special thanks to our top sponsor MotorCity Casino Hotel for their generosity, as well as the more than 15 additional business sponsors.