KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — After 18 months, OutFront Kalamazoo held it’s first in-person event during the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday.
Organizers say the rally was about raising awareness for LGBTQ+ equity in education, employment, housing and more.
“Over the past eighteen months, the health and economic crisis has raised awareness about existing inequalities and disparities experienced by the LGBTQ+ community in all areas of
life: health, employment, education, housing and more,” said Amy Hunter, Executive Director of OutFront Kalamazoo. “It is time to gather together, to re-energize, reunite and raise our voices to demand change.”
The event, which took place at Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park, featured several speakers to include Michigan State Senator Sean McCann, Michigan State Representatives Julie Rogers, Kalamazoo County Commissioner Monteze Morales, Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson, YWCA Kalamazoo CEO Dr. Grace Lubwama, Kalamazoo Community Foundation CEO Carrie Pickett-Erway, C.A.R.E.S. Executive Director Kelly Doyle, KVCC Director of Diversity and Inclusion Trice Batson, and Western Michigan University’s LBGT Student Services Director Nate Nguyen.
Local organizations, churches, and businesses such as CARES, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan, YWCA and others, joined OutFront Kalamazoo in support of the event.
