KZOO PRIDE 09: Brook & Jeff La Rai!

KZOO PRIDE 09: Princess Dijon: Do-Gooder Diva!

MI. drag legend and Hollywood makeup artist Princess Dijon volunteered at PRIDE and visited with Brook La Rai and JS!

Amber & Jeff Foxx: PRIDE Party!

KZOO PRIDE 09: Amber Foxx!

KZOO PRIDE 09: Drag Divas! Monet St Croix, LaDonna Divine, Madison St Claire, Roshelle Rocket, Claire Voyant, Amber Foxx & GQ Joe!

KZOO PRIDE 09: Monet St. Croix!

Kalamazoo PRIDE 2009 Guide!

Partners of Kalamazoo

 Partners Bar would like to officially announce the acquisition of Tradewinds Lounge, 562 Portage Ave in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

 Effective on or about May 19th RYR Partners, Inc will take over operations at the above location. Tradewinds will immediately become Partners Kalamazoo, and Partners Bar in Battle Creek Michigan will be re-branded to become Partners Battle Creek. Upon approval of the MLCC Tradewinds Lounge / Partners Kalamazoo will officially change ownership.

Partners Bar would like to thank our very loyal patrons that have enabled, and afforded us the ability to purchase this Kalamazoo location.

We feel that the Kalamazoo market can support another location that caters to the entertainment needs of the GLBT community. The closing of Tradewinds and the Zoo left the market with limited options. While we hope to work closely with community members to create a environment that welcome's anyone who wishes to patronize our business. It is not our goal to become a full fledged nightclub or to transform our facility into a dance club (METRO), we feel that this need has already been met by other venues. Kalamazoo can be proud to have 2 different and exciting entertainment options that should more than adequately please most!

Our goal is to be a safe, fun and great place to hang out, sing, dance, or be entertained by any of our future shows that have been planned. While we cannot be everything for everyone we hope to create a weekly line-up that will appeal to as many people as possible. From our theme Friday nights, to drag shows, country night, and a special night for our leather daddies! and even male review. By owning two operations it will enable us to book events and performers that otherwise would not be within budgets. We hope to bring live act such as our recent show in Battle Creek with Goddess & She.

We hope you will all come out and play soon!

Partners Bar

"Be Yourself"

Presidential PRIDE!

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release June 1, 2009

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country’s response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration — in both the White House and the Federal agencies — openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

Happy PRIDE 09!

PRIDE MONTH 2009: Recommended Reading

Holidays and Observances
Pride Month is the most widely known glbtq observance, but events such as the Transgender Day of Rememberance and New Orleans' Southern Decadence are important to specific glbtq communities.
http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/holidays_observances.html     

Parades and Marches
Both parades and marches have served to render the glbtq community visible; whereas marches typically attempt to effect political change, parades and pride events affirm identity and community.
http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/parades_marches.html     

Stonewall Riots
Forty years ago, on the weekend of June 27-29, 1969, confrontations between police and demonstrators at the Stonewall Inn in New York City marked the beginning of the modern glbtq movement for civil rights, an event commemorated each June during Pride Month.
http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/stonewall_riots.html     

Slideshow: Symbols
The symbols of glbtq pride are diverse in origin and meaning, but they serve the crucial purpose of rendering visible communities that have been erased or marginalized.
http://www.glbtq.com/slideshows/symbols.html