Pride goes big, bold and beautiful in June when Gay Pride Month kicks off, bringing together members of the LGBTQ community and allies to not only celebrate love for all people but to continue the push for equality and acceptance.
Yet, despite gains over the years, the community remains on guard. At a time when gender fluidity is garnering more discussion in mainstream media than ever before, gains the LGBTQ community has achieved are still under risk.
Sow seeds of greater acceptance in your kids — who already are in the most accepting generation of LGBTQ issues to date — by supporting businesses and organizations that support the LGBTQ community, enjoying crafts and media that showcase LGBTQ people and by flying that rainbow flag high.
Events
Motor City Pride Fest
June 10-11, 2023
- Address: Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit
- Cost: $5/admission, free/12 and under
Motor City Pride is known as Michigan’s largest pride celebration with over 50,000 participants in their pride events. Festival-goers gather here yearly to celebrate the LGBTQIA community. The parade portion will take place on Sunday.
Looking for info on Pride events in 2023? Check out our roundup of Pride events, or browse our online calendar for the latest.
Pride Picnic
June 25, 2023
- Address: Dodge Park, 40620 Utica Road, Sterling Heights
- Cost: Free; $5/suggested donation
Join in on the fun celebrating Pride Month with Macomb County Pride. Make sure to bring your picnic lunch and blanket with you. They will offer yard games and music.
Ferndale Pride
June 3, 2023
- Address: Downtown Ferndale area
- Cost: Free
This festival celebrates the progress made by the LGBTQIA community through music, stage performances, vendors, a kids area, food trucks and more.
Boylesque PRIDE Drag Brunch
June 4, 2023
- Address: Sidetrack Bar and Grill, 56 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti
- Cost: $12/person
All ages are welcome to enjoy a drag show brunch which will be hosted by Jadein Black and performances by special guests including multi-national title holder, Erika Norell.
Crafts
DIY Pride Flags
Make your own Pride flags at home with Queer Kid Stuff and Drag Queen Story Hour. Your kids can also learn about different pride flags as well. Save your flags for a future Pride parade near you.
Get the tutorial at Queer Kid Stuff.
Rainbow Bracelet Craft
Kids will love to assemble these easy rainbow bracelets. They can wear it all month long to celebrate Pride.
Get the tutorial at A Crafty Life.
All you need is construction paper and some string to recreate this rainbow heart mobile. Maybe you can even hang a few by your window for neighbors to see! The kids can even make small signs like “Love is Love” and “Happy Pride Month” to encourage positive messages.
Get the tutorial at Twitchetts.
Books
My Two Moms and Me by Michael Joosten
Some families have two moms and two dads. This board book celebrates loving families by showing two busy moms doing everyday activities like eating breakfast, going on a playdate and reading a book before bedtime.
Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
When Julián sees women dressed up in mermaid costumes, he wants to recreate the costume at home with a curtain and potted fern. But what will his Abuela think of him? This book encourages kids to love themselves.
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders
Your whole family can learn more about LGBTQ history starting with this picture book. Pride takes you back to 1978 where you see how the Gay Pride Flag began with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker, and how the flag impacts the world today.
Looking for more books that center the queer community? Check out our round up of LGBTQ+ books that kids of all ages can read.
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