GVSU Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center

We remember, and our hearts are with you.

As of 2022, the UNAIDS and World Health Organization estimate that there are about 39 million people living with HIV globally. On June 5, we raise awareness of those who have been living with HIV the longest, and we continue advocating for their quality of life.

Anyone need a buddy for GR Pride? 🙋🏾🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏿‍♂️Check out this awesome "T time" opportunity through the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation!

Wish you had a really neat group of Trans folks to go to pride with?

Find our "T time" Trans social group at Grand Rapids Pride for a group meetup! Come by from 2:15-4 pm at Calder Plaza on June 22nd.

Check out the event here: https://tinyurl.com/TtimePride or on our page!

[Image description: On a notebook paper background is a collection of pride themed doodle stickers. The text reads: "T time at Pride. Join us for a Trans pride meetup! More info in description! Saturday, June 22nd at Calder Plaza, 2:15 pm-4 pm."]

Shout out to our aro folks! Aromantic simply means experiencing little or no romantic attraction. We acknowledge the importance of aro people in the LGBTQIA+ community (and beyond) today!

June is Pride Month! The month was chosen due to the Stonewall riots as a key event in the gay rights struggle that took place in June of 1969. The following year on June 28, 1970, in New York City, was the first Pride march of thousands commemorating the Stonewall uprising. June was officially recognized in 1999 by President Bill Clinton as "Gay and Le***an Pride Month", was expanded in 2009 by President Barack Obama to "Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month", and further expanded in 2021 by President Joe Biden as "Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Q***r (LGBTQ+) Pride Month." We are so excited to celebrate Pride with you all in 2024!

Our center is commissioning a mural! Could you be the artist we're looking for? Enter your submission here (due by July 1): https://forms.gle/cJGDgdMnP5QPuHE96 and direct questions to [email protected]. 🖌🎨

Happy Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness Day! On this day we raise awareness about these identities and celebrate our pan friends, family, and folks. We see you, and we love you!

We're a day late, but happy Agender Pride! Started in 2017, this day recognizes and celebrates our agender friends, family, and folks. Have you heard about these other terms for agender identity? Genderblank, genderfree, genderless, gendervoid, non-gendered, ungendered, or null gender! Take some time to learn more at www.believeoutloud.com/voices/article/agender-pride-day/

Today we recognize the ongoing efforts to combat homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia worldwide. This day's purpose is to globally educate people on LGBTQ rights violations and encourage involvement in LGBTQ rights efforts.

Started in 1990, today we recognize Le***an Visibility Day, a special part of Le***an Visibility week! You can learn more at le***anvisibilityweek.com. To all our le***an friends and family: we see you, we love you, we're grateful for you!

Today is the Day of (No) Silence to highlight the silencing effect of anti-LGBTQIA+ bias in our society and to redouble our efforts to end this silence! You can learn more at glsen.org/dayofnosilence

Today is International Day of Pink! Join us in wearing or displaying pink as an act of solidarity to end bullying and homophobia. 💖🏳️‍🌈💖

Happy International Asexuality Day! Founded in 2010, IAD has become a worldwide campaign promoting the Asexual (Ace) Umbrella. We celebrate all ace identities including demisexual and gray-asexual, just to name two! To all our ace folks out there, we see you, we support you, and we love you. 🖤🩶🤍💜

We're one week away from our pride prom this year, with a Midsummer Night Disco theme! A students only (and guests) event, prepare to dance the night away! 💃🏾🪩🕺🏻

Good Afternoon Good People! In case you missed it we have some stellar offerings for Trans Week of Visibility (TWOV) that we encourage all community members to attend on our events tab!

If you love good sports, inspiring stories of ambition, and social justice, check out our feature film Changing the Game screening as well as the TWOV 2024: Keynote with Chris Mosier, six-time Team USA member and advocate for trans inclusion in athletics.

Aficionado of diverse media, pop culture, performing arts, and mythbusting? Our TWOV 2024: Disclosure screening and panel is for you! We'll be joined by Dr. Krista Benson, and actor Francis Keahna in a rousing dialogue about trans visibility and the power of positive representation.

Be sure to check out the incredible events in Downtown GR offered by our friends at Grand Rapids Trans Foundation & Grand Rapids Pride Center as well! We can't wait to see y'all next week.

TWOV is coming right up! Check out these awesome events happening in and around Grand Rapids 👀

Are you ready for Trans Week of Visibility 2024? Join us for a TRANSformative week of celebration and community March 24th - March 31st! Here is our official poster and event list: tinyurl.com/TWOV2024

Hope to see you there!

GVSU students, we want you!!

Calling all Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive artists in West Michigan!

Would you like to participate in this year's Virtual Trans Art Showcase? This is hosted on the Instagram page , and is a collaborative event brought to you by Grand Rapids Trans Foundation, Grand Rapids Pride Center, and the GVSU Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center!

If interested, please submit your application and artwork here: https://forms.gle/XranQ6fR1k83UhRh6

[Image Description: set against a blue background with pink and white splatters on in, bubble text reads "Trans Week of Visibility: Virtual Trans Art Showcase. Call for Artists. West MI Trans Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive artists can submit work through March 21st. "]

Another reminder that our Trans Academic Scholarship for the 2024-2025 cycle is live now! ✨

To be eligible, you 1) must be Trans / Nonbinary, and 2) need to be attending a college, school, or vocational training in Kent County, MI. (Satellite campuses like GVSU and Ferris are fair game!) More information at the link below.

If this information could benefit YOU, please apply! If you have a Trans student in your life, please spread the word! Let's support and invest in Trans Futures. ✨


grtransfoundation.org/academic-scholarship/

[Image Description: On a fun background of pink, purple and blue triangles, white text reads: "$20,000 in academic scholarships for transgender and nonbinary students. Applications open for 2024-2025. Open until May 1st, 2024. No residency requirements, but only colleges/vocational programs located in Kent County, MI, accepted. Scan the QR code for more info! Questions? Contact us at [email protected]." At the top of the image is a range of square headshots of our wonderful scholarship recipients. Among the recipient headshots is the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation's logo.]

Today is the start of Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week! Started in 2014, this week was designated to raise awareness about folks who experience little to no romantic attraction (aromantic!), and the unique challenges they may face. To all our aro folks out there, we love you and support you! 💚🤍🩶🖤

What are your thoughts about freedom of speech? Bring them to Action without Reaction, a workshop series intended to educate students about GVSU's policy. It is a space to learn, challenge, and potentially change. Join us!

Spread the word about the LGBTQ+ Mental Wellness group with University Counseling Center this semester! If you're interested in joining, just call 616-331-3266 to set up an intake appointment (can be virtual!). You can reach out to us or the UCC with any questions you have!

Take care of yourselves, see you in January!!!
💖🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈💖

Our 2024-2025 Academic Scholarship cycle opens officially on December 15 this year! This scholarship is for Trans & Nonbinary students and trainees that are pursuing a degree or certificate from a college, university, or technical/vocational program with a permanent presence in Kent County, MI. This includes satellite campuses like GVSU and Ferris; local coding camps; yoga, massage, and doula programs; and other trainings. There is no residency requirement. Questions can be sent to .

Official poster, scholarship amounts, and application webpage will be announced on December 15!

[Image Description: a graphic with a black background, with muted rainbow waves at the top and bottom. White blocky text reads "Trans Academic Scholarship Cycle opens December 15! Trans & Nonbinary Students / Trainees in Kent County, MI." GR Trans Foundation logo.]

Take care of yourselves, be back soon, y'all!
💖🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈💖

Today is Trans Day of Remembrance. Join us downtown at DCIH for a vigil this evening from 6-8pm. More information for this event is available here: https://www.gvsu.edu/lgbtrc/programs-and-events-146.htm

In partnership with the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation and Grand Rapids Pride Center

AN FYI! For all folks attending Wear the Rainbow today:

Headed to the Wear The Rainbow event today?

The Santa Claus Parade goes until 1pm- so please give yourself plenty of time to get there and park!

Thanks to these incredible volunteers who are sorting through TONS of clothing, shoes, and accessories!

👚👗👔👞🥾👜🧤

Ace Week 2023 is October 22-28! To all our ace folks out there: you are loved and valued, and we support you! Did you know that our LGBTRC has an evening club for asexual students? Check out Ace of Clubs every Thursday at 7pm! (Except this week for fall break). 🖤🩶🤍💜

To all the genderfluid folks out there: we see you, we love you, and we support you! You're amazing, and the world is better because you're in it. 🩷🤍💜🖤💙