Message from the Executive Director: June

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Community Is Our Power

Joe Halsch, Executive Director

Every year during Pride season, I find myself returning to a theme. Something that helps me make sense of the moment we're in and reminds me why this work matters.

One of the things I've noticed during the first few weeks of Pride season is how often I've seen people showing up for one another. The more I see it, the more convinced I am that my theme for this year is the right one:

Community is our power.

A few weeks ago, the City of Chelsea hosted its Pride celebration. What stood out to me wasn't just the event itself, but the people who made it possible. Volunteers, organizers, families, friends, neighbors, and allies came together to create a welcoming and affirming space for LGBTQ+ people in their community.

I saw parents walking alongside their children. I saw allies proudly supporting their LGBTQ+ friends and family members. I saw a community demonstrating not only its love, but its willingness to protect and advocate for one another.

Communities don't become welcoming by accident. They become welcoming because people make that choice over and over again.

I saw another example of that when our board member and local drag artist, Jadein Black, was invited to participate in Drag Story Time at the Madison Heights Pride and Art Festival.

Just before the event, city officials moved to cancel the program. Within hours, community members, advocates, attorneys, and organizations began speaking up. Jay Kaplan and the ACLU helped make clear the legal and discriminatory concerns surrounding the decision. People made calls, sent emails, and showed up.

After an emergency city council meeting and vote, the decision was reversed.

What stands out to me most isn't the vote itself. It's the response.

People refused to let someone stand alone. Community members rallied around Jadein and the festival organizers. Supporters showed up. We helped coordinate additional security. People attended not because they had to, but because they wanted LGBTQ+ people to know they were supported, valued, and welcome.

At first glance, these stories seem very different. One was a celebration. The other was a challenge.

But what struck me is that both were powered by the same thing: people showing up for one another.

That's what community looks like.

Most of the time, it's built through conversations, relationships, volunteer hours, and small acts of care. But when challenges arise, those same connections become a source of strength.

Every right we've won, every challenge we've overcome, and every future we're working toward has been built through community.

Community carried us through the past. Community will carry us into the future.

And that's why, this year, my Pride theme is simple:

Community is our power.

Joe Halsch

Executive Director

Jim Toy Community Center