The LGBT Network of Western Michigan 343 Atlas Avenue SE (behind Spirit Dreams in Eastown) Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Ph 616.458.3511
Fax 616.458.4294
General: thenetwork@grlgbt.org Newsletter: networknews@grlgbt.org
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Letters to the Editor are encouraged and appreciated. Comments on any subject are welcome. Please send letters to: The LGBT Network of Western Michigan 345 Atlas Avenue SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616.458.3511 Fax: 616.458.4294 OR Verceile Landsburg, - Editor, Network News networknews@grlgbt.org
8:23 p.m. EDT, May 9, 2012
On Wednesday, President Barack Obama announced to the world his stance on same sex marriage.
“At a certain point I've just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.” The President told ABC News.
“I was sensitive to the fact that for a lot of people, you know the word marriage was something that evokes very powerful traditions, religious beliefs and so forth.” He added.
His announcement comes one day after North Carolina voters put an amendment in place banning gay marriage.
“I do actually strangely enough have a lot of rather conservative friends who were worried about the way that might go and are happy with the way it did go and I am not.” Gay marriage supporter Christina Wyatt of Grand Rapids said.
After showing her approval for Obama’s decision, Kay Wyatt said, “If you’re not treading on my toes I shouldn’t tread on yours.”
Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney took a different stance saying, “States are able to make decisions with regards to domestic partnership benefits such as hospital visitation rights, benefits and so forth of various kinds can be determined state by state. My view is that marriage itself is a relationship between a man and a woman and that's my own preference. I know other people have differing views.”
Pat Ward is the Executive Director for the Lesbian and Gay Community Network of Western Michigan, better known as “The Network”, and said this is the best news her group could get.
“We’re just absolutely delighted; it’s a very history making day in the LGBT community, we have worked long and hard to get equal rights.” She said.
FOX 17 received a mix of comments on our Facebook page, some denouncing Obama’s stance. But with nearly 30,000 gays and lesbians in the Grand Rapids area, according to Ward, this really is a milestone.
Critics claim Obama did this before November’s election, to get support of the gay and lesbian community and to get the support of young voters who support gay marriage.
Copyright © 2012, WXMI-TV
The LGBT Network would like to remind all its members that 2012's Dining Out For Life, which benefits the Grand Rapids Red Project (http://www.redprojectgr.org/), is next week and all are encouraged to get involved in the occasion. Details of the event are as follows:
The LGBT Network of Western Michigan is pleased to be home to a fantastic resource and safe space for gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning men. A weekly support group, which is private, non-judgmental and confidential, happens every week Wednesday at the community center in the Eastown Neighborhood of SE Grand Rapids from 7p.m. until 9:00p.m. Meetings are casual, cover a wide array of topics of importance to the group, and open to all men looking for support and socializing. Future social events are planned for the group and additional ideas are encouraged. For more details and information on this exciting group - please contact The Network at 616-458-3511 or else email thenetwork@grlgbt.org.
Local Organizations and Performers Come
Mission StatementServing the LGBT communities of Western Michigan through networking, referrals, and resources . Statement of Guiding PrinciplesWe seek to improve the lives of all people in the greater community so that each, with no discrimination, may live in an environment that is welcoming, healthy, safe, and respectful of the differences that are present in a diverse society. Every person is called individually to develop these qualities, even when opposed by the majority, in the continuing work of finding our commonalities while celebrating our diversities.
As a community who knows the harm that prejudice and hatred can cause, we support efforts aimed at ending abusive and unjust treatment based on differences and availability of resources.
We recognize that support is not only spoken but also involves action. Therefore, each person, according to their individual gifts and talents, is encouraged and asked to become involved and involve others in the issues that affect our LGBT community, including the realities of oppression that face other minority or marginalized groups of people. Become a member of The Network today! Click HERE to download a membership application
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