Our Mission: Empowering our LGBTQ+ community through supportive services and Awareness Our Vision: Grand Rapids Pride Center aims to be the center of a vibrant and inclusive community that supports all LGBTQ individuals. Our Story Returning from The March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on October 11, 1987, a small group from West Michigan set course to make a change. This trip provided them the experience of being a part of something bigger. They had the opportunity to promote a sense of pride, of security, of belonging. At that time, this was something new for the LGBTQ community. The group returned with energy, passion, determination, and ambition to achieve equality. They started with a series of casual meetings originally hosted in homes and welcoming businesses, and then the group ultimately formed a new LGBTQ community center to bring West Michigan together. The Network grew organizationally, moving into its current space on Atlas Ave in the Eastown neighborhood of Grand Rapids in the 1990s. In 2014, we launched a comprehensive, strategic restructuring to modernize the Network's activities. Throughout 2015 we added new social and support groups, increased the size of each of our existing groups by more than 100% and conducted educational outreach initiatives to hundreds of students, teachers, caseworkers and mental health professionals, culminating in a stronger organization with a true stake in improving the lives of the local LGBTQ community. On February 22nd, 2016 The Network took its boldest step yet: The Lesbian Gay Community Network became Grand Rapids Pride Center! Our new name better aligns with and represents our mission to "Empowering our LGBTQ+ Community through supportive services and awareness."
