For Grand Valley students, next is opportunity and innovation. Next is global, connecting and uniting us. It’s local, shaping the spaces in which we work and live. It’s a commitment to progress. Next is where minds are free to imagine what could be. At GVSU, next is now. And whatever’s next for you, we will help you get there.
GVSU is proud to support the 2024 Holland Pride celebration and the LGBTQ+ community.
gvsu.edu/lgbtr
Hello, and welcome to Holland PRIDE 2024 – Where Everyone Belongs!
Thank you for joining Out On The Lakeshore for another fun-filled Holland PRIDE season! It brings us immense joy and excitement to see so many people from all across Michigan come out to celebrate with us.
As you explore the array of activities, performances, and events we have curated for you, we invite you to immerse yourself fully in the spirit of community, diversity, and commemoration that defines this season. Whether you’re here to enjoy the entertainment, delve into educational opportunities, discover new art forms, or simply bask in the atmosphere of affirming community, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors, partners, volunteers, and contributors whose generous support and dedication have made this event possible. Your belief in our vision and commitment to fostering LGBTQ+ awareness, equity, and inclusivity in our community is truly inspiring.
To our talented performers, artists, vendors, and exhibitors, thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us. Your creativity adds depth and diversity to our PRIDE events, enriching the experience for all who attend.
And to each and every one of you, our cherished attendees, thank you for being here. Your presence infuses PRIDE season with energy and enthusiasm, creating memories that will linger long after the festivities have ended.
We hope you have memorable and enriching experiences at Out On The Lakeshore’s 2024 Holland PRIDE events. Let’s celebrate together and make this year’s PRIDE season one to remember!
Happy Pride!
Penny Jansen (she/they) Out On The Lakeshore Board Chair
Out On The Lakeshore’s Mission is to be a leading organization along the Lakeshore providing expansive education, programming, partnerships, safe spaces, and advocacy to LGBTQ+ members and their allies to create a more inclusive and welcoming community that is filled with pride.
Out On The Lakeshore’s Vision is to foster a Lakeshore community where all LGBTQ+ members are welcomed, supported, and celebrated for who they are. By empowering and uplifting those who have been historically marginalized, we ensure a bright and more equitable future for all.
One Out
by Oscar BerryJustice out of my reach
Freedom a glimpse
Here I find
Im the odd one out
Amongst “my own kind”
Ablack sheep
As one may say
Never fitting in
Into the mold presented
Since our young souls were unbound
To the structure of Earth
And its repercussions in realities
Keeping imagination uncontained
Until is broken
By expectations
Weighed on us
Weighed over youth
To continue spinning the world round
Waiting for it to stop
After it’s unrestful span
The sore thumb
Within the contents
Of shackling oppression
Ready to spring
From my place
Because not every soul
Can fit within
The same box
Only to have
A foot out the door
Glancing at the openness
Left baren
By people who are scared
To rebel against ideas
That keep the most powerful of minds
In a cycle
Of work
To be told
What to do
What to be
What to want
When your mouth
Becomes numb
To the lies uttered
In defense
Against being
The odd one out
When I look
I see So many Differences
Why should we all conform And hide our talents
Live inside the box
We are forced into
“Keep to yourself
The world doesn’t like
Anything different It will take what it finds And destroy it”
Well,
Here I am I’m
In my full glory
Bathing in my own individuality
To be human
To be me
Is to be the odd one out
Unless we change
And instead we realize
There’s no cloud in the sky
That’s the same
Pride Poem by Terry OverbeekShe lay dying, inside.
No one understood it was her son.
The town’s last paperboy; the basketball team’s guard; the stray dog rescuer.
He loved him, and she loved he. Neither could turn it off and live authentically.
While pretending. Lots of hugs now, lots of hug in the beginning, of his life.
For a broken heart, for a scraped knee.
For his healing, and hers, too.
A solid history in this town: first female lifeguard, and hospital volunteer for 16 years.
But, for supporting her son, that appeared to be too much. Then, the wind direction changed, and her next door neighbor’s Newly hung Pride flag blew in the direction of her house.
The neighbor’s face and words changed and in blew love and understanding. Like that wind.
Words she would always remember: I’m standing with you; one parent to another, one human being to another.
Emiliah’s Eyes
by Emiliah Tanya Jo OdinsdottirThere I am! Now, I see!
The stunning woman that is me. She is smart, talented, beautiful and brave
But she’s been through shit; She’s had some rough days. And sometimes, she cries because old wounds still hurt,
But she always gets up and makes it work. So, don’t judge this girl; she’s stronger than you know. She’s the nicest girl you’ll meet; Don’t cross her, though.
It took her a while to get where she is now. She was determined to make it, Someway, somehow.
Though they called her a man And kicked her while she was down She rose to her feet and fought back her ccrown
Now, Of my reflection, I have no fear For I learned to be louder than their lies
Because now, a woman stands in the mirror And now, I see through Emiliah’s eyes.
An individual’s experience navigating the world with a service animal as a gender queer individual living with an invisible disability
STORY AND PHOTO BY AJ
Hi, I’m AJ. I was raised as female. I identify as Gender Queer. I am an invisibly disabled Queer veteran, who uses a service dog.
I like to travel to find myself in the days since my PTSD diagnosis. It seems the desperate need to get away claws at me more frequently and with more intensity. I travel with my service dog cross country almost every year. The road, the adventure, the excitement–there’s truly nothing more bonding and healing to do with my companion.
With every trip, I face numerous challenges. One example is being misgendered by others and facing their gender ‘norm’ focused questions like “Are you really traveling ALONE?” and “be careful!“ whenever I share my excitement about an upcoming adventure. These statements can overwhelm me with self doubt and fear, and usually prompt extreme, and often unnecessary hypervigilance.
I also struggle with access to public places, being allowed to stay at rental properties, being seated in restaurants, and joyfully experiencing the towns and cities I visit when I’m on these adventures. Having an invisible disability like PTSD means that you can’t tell
that I’m disabled just by looking at me. As a result, people frequently doubt my abilities and inabilities – including my need for a service animal. I knew that deciding to use a service dog as a tool to mitigate my symptoms would be a worthwhile challenge, but I did not realize how extensive that challenge would be until I actually started going into public with them.
What many people fail to realize is that a service animal is an extension of the human who is using it -similar to a wheelchair, prosthetic, or cane. However, because my disability is invisible, I frequently encounter establishments requesting a detailed health history or an explanation for my companion for someone who “doesn’t look disabled”. Furthermore, on more occasions than I can count, my civil rights have been violated to a severe degree by refusing me entry or segregating me from others in public establishments. The benefits I receive from my service animal are certainly profound, but I was not prepared for the consistent self-advocacy work I would have to endure just to go out for dinner with my friends, participate in a veterans retreat, or go out on a date with my partner.
I wish people could see that the ignorance of business owners, hotels, restaurants, theaters, and people, create an unkind world that is difficult to navigate. Federal Law allows me and my service dog access to every building and event that’s offered to the general public. You cannot tell us to sit at a special table in the back of the room or ask us to wear an identifying piece of clothing. You can’t deny us a place in the world because you have
allergies, don’t like dogs or don’t want hair on your clothing. If you see a service dog team in public don’t ask to pet the dog, make kissy noises at the dog, talk to the dog or try in any other way to get the dogs attention. This can alter their attention, causing it to miss (sometimes) life saving cues.
If I could ask one thing of the general public it would be to please, just keep walking. Ignore the dog, smile at the person and leave us be. We are all just trying to navigate the world as best we can with the tools we have available to us. If you are a business owner, a landlord or an event planner I encourage you to do your homework. Know the laws. The information is available on every state government website as well as Ada.gov.
I am a Woman
by Emoliah T. J. OdinsdottirI am a woman; beautiful and serene. I carry myself with grace and lofty esteem. Slender and submissive though, weak, I may seem. There’s a fierce dragon beneath this sexy sheen. And though I am a strong, smart, and talented Queen… …I still want a man upon whom I can lean. Because, like any woman, I still need to love and be loved
I long to be noticed, needed, kissed and hugged. Just because my body came in the shape of a man… …Does not necessarily mean that a man is who I am. Because, sometimes, the body does not match the soul My Transgender identity is not who I am as a whole. So look past my cover; I promise, I’m a good read. And choose love over hate for love is all you need.
I’m Man Too
by Mahalabelle S. GigousRemember when you swore you’d love me even as we’d both change that you, now a man, would remember I am far from a woman. Society classifies gender as skin-deep— at least your skin reflects who you are. But you’ve forgotten I’m man too. That when I am slimy from my organs I too can battle wits and strength, devise million-dollar ideas and solve crises and it still comes down to the shape of my organs. How I dress.
The features I want to accentuate.
Who I fuck and how.
What I believe in.
If there’s ever a moment I listen to you that is the moment I am silenced. But I’m not some pretty little wife existing only for you and your attention when I’m man too.
OUR BOOK NERDS HAVE ASSEMBLED A LIST OF NEW RELEASE AND CLASSIC LGBTQIA+ READS FOR ALL AGES TO HELP YOUR BOOKSHELF TELL THE STORIES WE ALL NEED. SCAN THE QR CODE TO READ THE RAINBOW THIS YEAR!
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ACLU - Michigan 2966 Woodward Ave Detroit, MI 48201 www.aclumich.org
Advanced Counseling and Therapy Services
2020 Raybrook St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 advancedcounselingandtherapyservices.com
All Saints’ Episcopal Church 252 Grand Street Saugatuct, MI 49453 www.allsaintssaugatuck.org
Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH) www.harmonyalliance.org
Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Michigan Chapter 4081 Cascade Rd. SE, Suite 400 Grand Rapids, MI 49506 www.alz.org/gmc
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 199 Water St 11th floor New York, NY 10038 www.afsp.org
Arbor Circle 1115 Ball Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 www.arborcircle.org
Art Coast Properties www.artcoastproperties.com
Back To Health Chiropractic 10990 Chicago Dr Zeeland, MI 49464 www.bthclinics.com
Big Lake Brewing 13 W. 7th Street Holland, MI 49423 biglakebrewing.com
BizStream 11480 53rd Ave Allendale, MI 49401 www.bizstream.com
Black Tulip Salon & Spa
12330 James St Suite B60 Holland, MI 49424 www.blacktulipsalonspa.com
Boys & Girls Club Holland 435 VanRaalte Ave Holland, MI 49423 www.bgca.org
Holland Board of Public Works 625 Hastings Ave Holland, MI 49423 www.hollandbpw.com
Break Room Therapy
7988 Clyde Park Ave SW Byron Center, MI 49315 www.breakroomtherapy.com
Brew Merchant
442 Washington Ave. Holland, MI 49423 www.brewmerchant.com
Brewery 4 Two 4 321 Douglas Ave #120 Holland, MI 49424 www.brewery424.com
Carolyn Stich
29 West 8th Street Suite 100 Holland, MI 49423 www.carolynstich.com
Corewell Health 8333 Felch St. Zeeland, MI 49464 www.corewellhealth.org
Douglas Congregational UCC 56 W Wall Street Douglas, MI 49406 www.douglasucc.org
Douglas Zylstra - Ottawa County Commissioner www.facebook.com/zylstraforcommissioner
Downtown Holland 150 West 8th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.downtownholland.com
Evolve by Design 148 S River Ave Holland, MI 49423 www.downtownholland.com
Downtown Holland 150 West 8th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.evolvebydesign.com
Fair Housing Center of West Michigan 20 Hall St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 www.fhcwm.org
First Presbyterian Church of Holland 659 State Street Holland, MI 49423 www.fpcholland.org
First United Methodist Church of Holland 57 West 10th Street Holland, MI 49423 fumcholland.churchcenter.com
Frances Jaye 50 E 8th St. Holland, MI 49423 www.francesjaye.com
Funky Buddha Yoga Hothouse 12330 James Street Holland, MI 49424 www.yogahothouse.com
Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars 24 E. 8th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.fustinis.com
Garsnett Beacon Candle Co. 154 W 14th St. Holland, MI 49423 www.garsnettbeacon.com
Gazelle Sports of Holland 24 W 8th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.gazellesports.com
Gentex Corporation 600 North Centennial Street Zeeland, MI 49464 www.gentex.com
Globe Design & Vision 49 East 8th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.globe-vision.com
GR LGBTQ Healthcare Consortium www.grlgbtqhealthcareconsortium.org
Grace Episcopal Church 555 Michigan Ave Holland, MI 49423 www.graceepiscopalholland.org
Grand Rapids Community CollegeLakeshore Campus 12335 James St. Holland, MI 49424 www.grcc.edu
Grand Valley State University 1 Campus Dr Allendale, MI 49401 www.gvsu.edu
Gun Lake Casino 1123 129th Ave Wayland, MI 49348 www.gunlakecasino.com
Harbor Health & Massage 444 Washington Ave. Holland, MI 49423 www.harborhealthandmassage.com
Haworth
One Haworth Center Holland, MI 49423 www.haworth.com
Healthy Holland
702 Michigan Ave Holland, MI 49423 healthyholland.wixsite.com/ healthyholland
Herrick District Library
300 S River Ave Holland, MI 49423 www.herrickdl.org
Hoegen Electric, LLC 6706 144th Avenue Holland, MI 49424 www.hoegenelectricllc.com
Holland Carpet Care www.hollandcarpetcare.com
Holland Human Relations Commission 270 S. River Ave Holland, MI 49423 cityofholland.com/325/Human-RelationsCommission
Holland Museum 31 W. 10th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.hollandmuseum.org
Holland UCC www.hollanducc.org
Hope Church 77 West 11th St Holland, MI 49423 www.hopechurchrca.org
Hops at 84 East
84 E. 8th St. Holland, MI 49423 www.hopsat84east.com
Hudsonville UCC
4950 32nd Ave. Hudsonville, MI 49426 www.hudsonvilleucc.org
Huntington Bank www.huntington.com
Inclusive Ottawa County 4950 32nd Avenue Hudsonville, MI 49426 www.inclusiveottawacounty.org
Jhomary’s Paradise 441 Washington Avenue Holland, MI 49423 www.consolepsp.com/jhomary-sparadise#google_vignette
Jonker’s Garden 897 Lincoln Ave Holland, MI 49423 www.jonkersgarden.com
Lake Michigan Dermatology: Anthony Berger, MP MPH FAAD 1148 Washington Ave. Suite 20 Holland, MI 49423 www.lakemichiganderm.com
Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP)
238 W 15th St., Suite #12 Holland, MI 49423 www.laup.org
League of Women Voters www.lwv.org
Lemonjello’s Coffee 61 E 9th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.lemonjellos.com
Life Circles - PACE 12330 James St., Suite H-10 Holland, MI 49424 www.lifecircles-pace.org
Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates 735 Paw Paw Dr. Holland, MI 49423 www.lia-michigan.org
Living Lark www.livinglark.com
Magna Donnelly 3401 128th Street Holland, MI 49424 www.magna.com
MillerKnoll www.millerknoll.com
Momentum Center of Holland 345 W. 14th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.momentumcentergh.org
Mother Moon 127 Hoffman Street Saugatuct, MI 49453 www.facebook.com/p/MotherMoon-100057363823389/
New Holland Brewing Company 66 E. 8th St. Holland, MI 49423 www.newhollandbrew.com
New Standard - Saugatuck 6406 Blue Star Highway Saugatuck, MI 49453 www.anewstandard.com/locations/ saugatuck
Noodles & Company 12371 James Street, Unit 10 Holland, MI 49424 www.noodles.com
Oasis Hot Tub Gardens - GR 5041 Alpine Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49321 www.oasishottubs.com
Orangetheory Fitness of Holland 12365 James St #20 Holland, MI 49424 www.orangetheory.com
Ottawa Area Center for Pride 4950 32nd Ave, Suite B Hudsonville, MI 49426 www.ottawaareacenterforpride.org
Ottawa County Democrats 400 136th Ave Holland, MI 49424 www.ottawadems.com
Our Brewing Company 76 E. 8th St. Holland, MI 49423 ourbrewingcompany.com
Our LGBTQ Fund 185 Oakes St. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 www.grfoundation.org
PADNOS
185 W. 8th St. Holland, MI 49423 www.padnos.com
Peachwave of Holland 6 W 8th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.peachwaveyogurt.com
Pine Rest Counseling Services Holland Clinic
926 S. Washington Ave Suite 210 Holland, MI 49423 www.pinerest.org
Planned Parenthood of MI 425 Cherry Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 www.plannedparenthood.org
PNC Bank www.pnc.com
PRISM at Hope College Keppel House, 129 E 10th St Holland, MI 49423 www.hope.edu/offices/center-diversityinclusion/student-organizations.html
Pure Barre 90 Douglas Ave Holland, MI 49424 www.purebarre.com
Rainbow Love www.rainbowloveshop.com
Reach for Recovery
483 Century Lane Holland, MI 49423 www.reachforrecovery.org
Reader’s World
194 S River Ave Holland, MI 49423 www.readersworldbookstore.com
Reset Effect
345 West 14th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.resetmichigan.com
Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence 411 Butternut Drive Holland, MI 49424 www.resiliencemi.org
River City Psychological Services 1000 Monroe Avenue, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 www.rivercitypsychological.com
Samaritas
2080 Union Ave SE, Suite A Grand Rapids, MI 49507 www.samaritas.org
Saugatuck Center for the Arts 400 Culver Street
Saugatuck, MI 49453 www.sc4a.org
Scrapyard Climbing Collective 76 S River Ave Holland, MI 49423 www.scrapyardclimbing.com
Sperry’s Moviehouse - Holland 84 W 8th St Holland, MI 49423 www.sperrysmoviehouse.com
The 205 Coffee Bar 205 Columbia Ave Holland, MI 49423 www.205coffee.com
The Biscuit 450 Washington Ave Holland, MI 49423 thebiscuitcafe.com
The Bluestocking Bookshop 501 Butternut Dr #3b Holland, MI 49424 www.bluestockingbookshop.com
The Dunes Resort 333 Blue Star Hwy Douglas, MI 49406 www.dunesresort.com
The Farmhouse Deli & Pantry 100 Blue Star Hwy Douglas, MI 49406 www.thefarmhousedeli.com
The Grand Rapids Red Project 401 Hall St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 www.redproject.org
The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan - be nice. 160 68th St. SW Suite 120 Grand Rapids, MI 49548 www.benice.org
The Poppy Peach 21 E. 8th St., Suite 100 Holland, MI 49423 thepoppypeach.com
The Southerner 880 Holland Street Saugatuck, MI 49453 www.thesouthernermi.com
The Unicorn Tavern 415 S Beechtree Street Grand Haven, MI 49417 www.theunicorntavern.com
The Vinyl Kountdown www.etsy.com/shop/VinylKountdown
Thrive Center for Wholeness 2215 29th Street Southeast Suite B8A Grand Rapids, MI 49508 www.thrivecenterforwholeness.com
Twirlytoes Wearable Art www.etsy.com/shop/twirlytoes
Unicorn Whisperer Boutique www.etsy.com/shop/TheUnicornWhisperer Unpossible Art www.unpossibleart.com
Urban Air Adventure Park - Holland 12331 James Street Holland, MI 49424 www.urbanair.com
Virtue Cider 2170 62nd St Fennville, MI 49408 www.virtuecider.com
Warner Vineyards 26 E. 8th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.warnerwines.com
West Michigan Psychological Services 890 Washington Ave Suite 150 Holland, MI 49423 www.wmps.net
West Shore Aware www.westshoreaware.org
Whirlpool www.whirlpool.com
Wine & Canvas - Grand Rapids 675 E Paris Ave SE, Suite E Grand Rapids, MI 49546 www.wineandcanvas.com
Woosah Outfitters + Outside Coffee (Douglas location) 450 W Center St Douglas, MI 49406 www.spreadingthewoosah.com
Yellow Lime Creative 675 E 16th St Holland, MI 49423 yellowlimecreative.com
It chooses to ignore, displace and label people as human
Pass new legislation
For rehabilitation
So society can face less devastation
Allow Freedom to cause a manifestation Of liberation
Because everyone deserves to be heard regardless of their situation
Without facing judgment and isolation
Only then will we truly be a free nation.
Wait, I was different? by Thea
I don’t remember a time that I was interested in marrying boys
All of my dreams were to have a big house
A good job
Maybe some kids
The husband part was never appealing It seemed more like a chore than a joy
I always thought girls were more pretty Everyone thought that A fact
Everyone has that one actor
That one character
People made up their crushes on boys
Like I did
Now I’m learning that that wasn’t considered normal That people had crushes on boys for more reasons than “he seems cool” or “we both like the same movies”
I knew that girls could like girls
But, I never thought of that in the context of me
Something unreachable, unattainable
Some luxury I could never had
Now I know that I can like girls And that makes me so happy It makes so much more sense
