The Lakeshore LGBTQ Faith Initiative

01/17/2024

We are so thankful to have these local resources and supports! Please join founder Jessica Robinson, event coordinator for GH PRIDE, for this informative event!

Join us next week, January 24 from
6:30pm to 8:30pm for Unity in Wellness: an LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Awareness Event! It will be held in the Woodbine room at Central Park Place in Grand Haven.

We will be joined by Amy Ver Wey of River City Psychological Services, Connor Maliesky of The Epicenter, and Allison Paradise of The Epicenter.
The first hour of this two-hour event will be led by Amy. Amy identifies as a q***r therapist, practices a gender affirmative therapeutic approach and focuses on working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community. She has worked with gender diverse, the Transgender community and the q***r community for her whole career. Amy has held full membership with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health since 2017 and is a WPATH Certified Transgender Health Provider and Mentor. Amy works to support the transgender community through mental health support, educational advocacy, affirmative letter writing, resource connections, working events, running support groups, working with legislative groups and being an activist.

The second hour will be led by Connor who will help show us how art can be used as a therapeutic outlet. Connor Maliesky graduated from the University of San Diego in 2018 with a BA/BS in mechanical engineering. He worked in the engineering field by day while aiding in the formation of an online spiritual community with a former religious studies professor by night. He wrote daily reflections, led meditation groups, and aided in guiding participants through retreats online and at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA. He then decided to honor his creativity by becoming the community director at an art-centered makerspace. During this time, he realized the value of combining self-reflective practices with the creative process of an artist. He is happiest creating community spaces that feel like home to all who inhabit them.

We hope you will join us!🌈🫶🏻

12/08/2023

Happy first night of Hanukkah!

11/16/2023

There has never been a time in history where transgendered folks didn’t exist. We celebrate you and all your beauty! Happy Transgender Awareness Week!!!

07/27/2023

Something to celebrate today!!! Hate and fear will not overcome! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️✊🏽

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has just signed House Bills 4616 and 4617, introduced by State Representative Felicia Brabec and State Representative Jason Hoskins, into law, officially prohibiting state-licensed providers from engaging in conversion “therapy” with minors. Michigan is now the 22nd state to enact a ban against the practice of conversion therapy on minors.

05/16/2023

West Michigan citizens, Grand Haven’s city counsel meeting last night was sneak attacked by a group of conservative, white, Christian, MEN. They gay bashed “with love”, of course, 🙄. They spread outright lies about the LGBTQ+ community and our “agenda”. It was tough to hear despite having heard this rhetoric in conservative Christian communities many times before. If you want to see what was said, please click on the link in the comment section. If you want to help support the Grand Haven Pride Festival, please go to our website to find a way that best fits you and our needs. Money talks and it is helping us to prove that not only is Grand Haven ready but a PRIDE festival is needed!

Join us to celebrate Grand Haven's Q***r Community June 10th, 2023.

04/28/2023

Hi, all! Things are movin' and a groovin' in our community! Grand Haven's PRIDE Fest will have its historic first on June 10th this year! There will be a worship service at 10am officiated by St. John's Episcopal Church, Grand Haven, MI, to celebrate how we have been created in God's image. Please checkout ghpride.org for more info!

04/15/2023

Great q***r things are afoot in our area! Grand Haven is having a historic 1st PRIDE Festival this year! Our new website is live and we are thrilled to share it with you all!!! Please take a moment and check-out https://ghpride.org/ . If you are interested in becoming involved, donating or sponsoring, becoming a part of our entertainment line-up or just scoping out what we have planned, you can find all info on our page. Things are progressing friends!

Grand Haven Pride Festival Can you believe it?! Grand Haven is having it's first ever Pride Festival, and you're invited. Whether you identify as a member of th

03/10/2023

As members of the LGBTQ+ community, we are at an increased risk of su***de. Sometimes we need added support and that is okay. Please share this with your friends and family and help save lives.

The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ pilot program is now offering text and chat services 24/7

11/23/2022

This week has been difficult for many. It’s common for many of us to identify gay bars as our sanctuaries. They provide us refuge from judgment and space for us to be free in ways that we might not be able to elsewhere. Hate hurts. We’re reminded that in some cases we’re never totally safe. That is scary. Allow yourself to feel the full range of grief, anger, hurt, and fear. Talk to trusted loved ones. Reach out. We are a community and as a community we will hold firm and fight this evil.

Please reach out to us if you need someone to listen and a safe place to unpack all the things that the Club Q shooting brings up.

May the Lord of peace and comfort that surpasses all understanding wrap their arms around each and every one of you. Amen.

.


Image Description: A screenshot of a tweet by Jeramey Kraatz at JerameyKraatz. Tweet text says: If you can't wrap your head around a bar or club as a sanctuary, you've probably never been afraid to hold someone's hand in public. End ID.