Painting by Jasper Sowle, part of the “Art Speaks Pride” exhibition through July 6 at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee.
From staff reports
MANISTEE – Beginning today, the public is invited to attend Pride Month celebrations hosted by various community organizations, including PLAG Manistee (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays ), MARJDI (the Manistee Area Racial Justice and Diversity Initiative), Pride in the ’Stee (a LGBTQ+ organization offering a “safe space” in the community), and the Great Start Collaborative of Manistee County.
In a description of Pride Month on the History.com website , it is stated that the observance runs from June 1 through June 30 and was founded in reaction to the Stonewall (New York) uprising, a six-day clash between the NYPD and protesters in June 1969. The traumatic incident brought awareness to the gay rights movement and sparked the first-ever gay pride parade one year later.
“Pride Month is an annual celebration of the many contributions made by the LGBTQ+ community to history, society and cultures worldwide,” reads a statement on the History.com website.
Blessing of the Billboards
Activities commence with a Blessing of the Billboards ceremony at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 29, at the Welcome to Manistee billboard located on M-55, 2.7 miles east of US-31.
The ceremony, including a brief program that will include music and a time for reflection, will be led by clergy, including The Revs. Liz Hoy, Sharon Van Dam, Chris Lane and Phil Van Dam. A 6 p.m. gathering will follow at the Outsider, 457 River St. Those interested in attending the blessing are encouraged to visit the MARJDI Facebook page for event updates. In case of inclement weather, the blessing will move to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 31.
Two other “welcome” billboards will be displayed along U.S. 31. One is located south of the city, and the other is in northern Manistee County, south of the Manistee-Benzie county line.
Supporting the project are the Manistee County Community Foundation, United Way of Manistee County, the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, Dwelling Realty, Manistee PFLAG, Motel Bear Lake, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Manistee County Men Who Care and individual donors.
‘Art Meets Pride’ exhibition
An ”Art Meets Pride” exhibition of artworks created by people in the LGBTQ+ community will on display Friday, May 30, through Sunday, July 6, in the Hardy Hall Gallery of the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. Gallery hours are noon to 3 p.m., daily.
The exhibition, co-sponsored by PFLAG Manistee and MARJDI, includes drawings, prints, paintings, sculptures, assemblages and felt works – many in bright colors – with a large assortment of abstract work.
A public reception for the artists will be held 5-7 p.m., Saturday, May 31, and will include music by songwriter/pianist Kit Holmes. More information is available at: https://ramsdelltheatre.org/art.
Picnic and drag show
A family picnic with activities called Pride in the Park ’25, hosted by Pride in the ’Stee, will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on June 7, at the Lions Pavilion at First Street Beach. This is the group’s 5th annual event. Pride in the ’Stee
The same day, beginning at 7 p.m., a “Moxie’s Pride Celebration Drag Show” will take place at the Ramsdell. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance HERE. Donations are encouraged. This event is co-sponsored by PFLAG-Manistee and MARJDI.
Diverse Families Day
Storytelling, an art activity and a book giveaway are included in this free Diverse Families Day event from noon to 3 p.m., June 22, at the Ramsdell. Co-sponsors are the Great Start Collaborative of Manistee County, PLAG-Manistee and MARJDI.
All Pride programs taking place at the Ramsdell are made possible in part by a grant from the Manistee Community Foundation’s Limitless Fund.
More information about LGBTQ+ education and advocacy efforts nationwide is available on the Human Rights Campaign website: https://hrc.org
