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Kerrie Clark

Kerrie Clark obtained her Master’s in Community Counseling with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Michigan University. She is also certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

Contact information

(616) 279-3869
kclark@pivotalgr.com

December 7, 2020/by Kerrie Clark

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The Grand Rapids Pride Center aims to be at the center of a vibrant and inclusive community that supports all LGBTQ individuals.

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Mar 5

Discrimination is still commonplace for LGBTQ+ people. Opponents of LGBTQ+ equality continue to file discriminatory bills in states across the country in an attempt to undermine existing protections in adoption, marriage and access to basic public services and businesses. The Equality Act would ensure that all LGBTQ+ Americans can live, work, and access public spaces free from discrimination, no matter what state they call home.

We know that 83 percent of Americans want LGBTQ people protected from discrimination, including 68 percent of Republicans. But right now, that message is being drowned out by a small—but *very* vocal—number of opponents.

According to Capitol intel, they’ve logged hundreds of calls to Senate offices over the last three days, filling Senators’ voicemails with fearmongering about transgender people, in an effort to drive down support for this broadly popular bill.

We've spent months building strong support for the Equality Act in the Senate. We can’t let calls from the opposition stop our progress when we’re this close to winning.

Call both your Senators with just a few clicks. Follow this link: https://lgbtactionlink.org/equality-act to decide which action(s) to take. Tell them LGBTQ people face discrimination daily and desperately need federal nondiscrimination protections like the Equality Act.

Clearly, opponents know we can win—that's why they’re slamming the Senate right now. Let’s make sure we win, by ensuring they can’t drown us out.

Image: A black background with a picture of a capitol building lit in rainbow colors with the words "The Equality Act provides nondiscrimination protections for everyone" #equalityact, underneath the building.

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Feb 23

Join us to recognize past icons, current change-makers, and ways to mobilize for the future. This event is hosted by a caring community collaboration of LGBTQ Organizations across America.

Streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/609845512488545/posts/2003173396489076/ or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm0O0kQX-3g

Image: A flyer with 4 sections: 1st section is red background and 2nd section has a gold background both with the words: Honoring Black History Month - Amplifying LGBTQ Voices. Friday, February 26, 7pm est/4pm pst/live on FB. The 3rd section on the bottom left is a green background with the words "Join us to recognize past icons, current change-makers, and ways to mobilize for the future. Hosted by a caring community collaboration of LGBTQ organizations across America. The 4th section is the Progress Pride Flag with the white, pink, blue, brown, and black in a right-facing arrow to the rainbow colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

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Feb 22

Day 8: Infant Mortality

Did you know that even though America’s infant mortality rate has gone way down in the last 50 years, Black babies are still almost 2.5 times more likely to die before reaching their 1st birthday? Did you know that Black mothers are 3 three times as likely to die during childbirth, that Black and Hispanic mothers are more than twice as likely not to receive proper prenatal care and Native American mothers are more than 3 times less likely to receive proper care?

https://youtu.be/ZjM4v5jKMcI

Image: A light-skinned Black man, Jay Smooth, in a blue shirt and dark blue jeans sitting on concrete steps with the words: Systemic Racism in bold white to the left.

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Feb 21

Day 7: Immigration Policy

Have you ever wondered why, even though undocumented people come to the US from all over the world, the face of undocumented persons is always assumed to be from Central America or South America? And our heavy-handed enforcement policies, that ruin lives and tear families apart every day, are focused almost entirely on the Southern US border, and the Hispanic people of color who cross that border?

https://youtu.be/2PeXNJYBM2s

Image: A light-skinned Black man, Jay Smooth, in a blue shirt and dark blue jeans sitting on concrete steps with the words: Systemic Racism in bold white to the left.

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Feb 20

Day 6: Drug Arrests

Did you know that over 40% of drug arrests are not for selling any drugs but just for possession of marijuana? And that White and Black Americans are about equally likely to use marijuana, but Blacks are 3.7 more likely to be arrested for it? And that even if they don't get convicted of a crime that arrest can stay on their record and affect their chances at good jobs, housing and bank loans for the rest of their lives?

https://youtu.be/2UQfbAZfG_8

Image: A light-skinned Black man, Jay Smooth, in a blue shirt and dark blue jeans sitting on concrete steps with the words: Systemic Racism in bold white to the left.

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Feb 19

Day 5: Incarceration

Did you know that back in the 80s there were less than half a million people in the US prison system, but now, thanks to the war on drugs, there are more than 2 million? That out of every 100,000 Americans about 700 are incarcerated, but out of every 100,000 Black men over 4,000 are incarcerated? And one of the many effects of that trend is that combined with felony disenfranchisement laws, it means 13% of Black American men are denied their right to vote?

https://youtu.be/-0B2LUGByb8

Image: A light-skinned Black man, Jay Smooth, in a blue shirt and dark blue jeans sitting on concrete steps with the words: Systemic Racism in bold white to the left.

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Feb 18

Day 4: Government Surveillance

You probably know that today's technology lets the government watch what we do and track where we go more than ever before, so much that privacy's almost a thing of the past. But did you know the government watches some of us a lot more than others depending on where we come from? That as recently as 2011 the NYPD was exposed for targeting their surveillance specifically at what they called "ancestries of interest" (Indian, Bangladesh, Pakistani, Guyanese, Egyptian, Lebanese). Using our tax dollars to spy on these people's everyday lives just going to the barbershop and the bookstore, and singling them out for this constant invasion of privacy based on nothing but where their ancestors were born?

https://youtu.be/CjI59-h6ZHE

Image: A light-skinned Black man, Jay Smooth, in a blue shirt and dark blue jeans sitting on concrete steps with the words: Systemic Racism in bold white to the left.

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Feb 17

Day 3: Housing Discrimination

What would you call it if lifetimes of legal segregation followed by decades of pervasive racist housing policies still, to this day, disadvantage Black people in almost every aspect of life, because where you live can decide everything from how safe you are, to what food you eat, to the quality of your health care to the quality of your job, to the quality of your children's education?

https://youtu.be/7WlVnFPVvsY

Image: A light-skinned Black man, Jay Smooth, in a blue shirt and dark blue jeans sitting on concrete steps with the words: Systemic Racism in bold white to the left.

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Feb 16

Day 2: Employment
Did you know that no matter what else is going on in America, year in and year out for the last 60 years, Black unemployment is always about twice as high as white unemployment? And even if you just look at Black college graduates, they're still almost twice as likely to be unemployed as white college graduates? And if you just apply for a job with a white sounding name, you're 50% more likely to get a callback than with a Black sounding name?

https://youtu.be/fM07um4L_-Y

Image: A light-skinned male in a blue shirt and dark blue jeans sitting on concrete steps with words: Systemic Racism to his left.

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Feb 15

The theme of Black History Month 2021 is "The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity," Experts say understanding Black history and learning more about systemic racism is essential as our country faces backlash to civil rights activism and it’s important to recognize the many ways racism is baked into America’s foundational systems.

Failing to understand the history of race and racism and a strong desire to overlook the worst aspects of racist violence in the United States has fueled resentment toward civil rights activism, said Dan Hirschman, an assistant professor of sociology at Brown University in Rhode Island.

As we look to educate ourselves and our community, we will be taking a look at an 8-part series on systemic racism. "What Is Systemic Racism?" is an 8-part video series that shows how racism shows up in our lives across institutions and society: Wealth Gap, Employment, Housing Discrimination, Government Surveillance, Incarceration, Drug Arrests, Immigration Arrests, Infant Mortality. Here is the 1st video: Wealth Gap https://youtu.be/GPVXdjJCkCA

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Feb 3

While February was declared Black History Month to recognize the many accomplishments and contributions of African Americans, the lives of Black LGBTQ+ people are often left out of the picture. From civil rights leader Bayard Rustin to community advocate Mandy Carter to well-renowned inventor George Washington Carver, Black LGBTQ+ people have enriched our nation and our lives.

While these are some nationally known Black LGBTQ+, we know that we don't have to look far to find some amazing people in our own community! If you would like, please comment below (with their permission of course) some our local Black LGBTQ+ trailblazers so we can celebrate our own. Also, remember that while this month is the 'recognized' holiday, Black History should be celebrated all year round.

http://ow.ly/Rkvu50DqhSr

Image: The words Celebrate Black History Month on a black background with a red, yellow, and green border.

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Jan 22

We are looking to hire a marketing team!

The Grand Rapids Pride Center is taking on a grant to explore the relationship between a person’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, and the increased rates of tobacco and ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery systems) usage in the LGBTQ+ community.

GRPC seeks to expand upon this work through strategic partnerships, community-based date collection, and capacity building. We are pursuing to expand the development of data regarding the Michigan LGBTQ+ community and the use of tobacco and ENDS products to further develop services and programs for the 2021-2022 year.

In preparation for our grant research we are looking to hire a marketing team to design and implement our communications plan with regards to distribution of the survey and data collection within the community. This marketing campaign will be taking place for the duration of about three months (ASAP-April 2021).

If you are interested please reach out to Jazz McKinney at jazz.mckinney@grpride.org

Preference will be given to LGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC-led marketing teams.

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Dec 15

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Dec 15

While for some 2-SLGBTQ+ people seasonal celebrations mean joy, family, and togetherness, for many others it can mean a time of stress, difficulty, and even sadness, anxiety, and/or depression...especially if one feels that they have to hide who they are for their psychological and physical safety.
This year due to the pandemic, it is even more important to work to combat these stressors and isolation from not being able to be with friends or family. Here at GRPC, we know how important having support, even virtually, can be to help relieve some of the isolation and loneliness.
Because of this we are offering again, on Friday, December 25, 2020, we will be offering an “Open” Support Group for anyone that is 18+ years old. We will open up our zoom so that anyone who wants to connect with people can just hop on zoom anytime from 5p – 8p. You are allowed to eat, drink (21+), play card games, make jokes, or just hop on for 5 minutes to say hi and meet new people.
This group will be open to all 2-SLGBTQ+ folks and allies so please come join us on Friday!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2595694373

[Image: A very light blue and yellow background of a sky with the words "Open Support Group, December 25, 2020, 5:00 - 8:00pm"]

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Dec 14

Check out what programs and services we are offering this week, week of 12/14!

Email info@grpride.org for access to groups.

[Image: Blue banner with black letters that reads "What's Happening This Week!" List of events: LGBTQ+ Youth Group - Wednesday, Dec. 16th 7-9pm, Women's Social Group - Thursday, Dec. 17th 7:30-8:30pm, En Femme Social Group - Friday, Dec. 18th 7-9pm, Honoring and Flowing with Grief (only for TGNC folks at this time) Saturday, Dec. 19th 5-8pm]

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Dec 11

This year has proved to be a challenging one for all in our community. As the Board of Directors and Pride Center began the work to make the Center the most welcoming place for all in our community we knew this would mean major changes from how we have historically functioned.

Over the past 8 months we have taken an inventory of what is important to the Center and what our community needs. This has translated to change of staff, departure of board members, and the onboarding of new board members ready to do the work our Center is here to do for the community. You can find the list of current board and staff members at grpride.org/about.

As we continue to grow and improve we know we cannot do everything right, that is why we rely on members of our community to help us progress forward. If you are interested in the work we are doing please visit our website at grpride.org, check out our Community Accountability Plan, or reach out to info@grpride.org.

We know the work we have begun will never be complete, but ever growing, and that is why we ask all in our community to work with us as we go on this journey. We believe that when we are able to center and meet the needs of the most marginalized and/or the most vulnerable people we ultimately serve the needs of everyone in our community. This means that everyone will benefit when the most harmed are no longer being harmed and are instead being cared for.

Even with some recent push back, we will continue to work to uplift those around us who have historically been silenced and left invisible. We celebrate the accomplishments of all in the community who have forced change, especially the 2-SLGBTQ+ folk whose work has historically gone without proper celebration and acknowledgement.

Sincerely,

Devin Rittenhouse, President
Anne M. Hertl, Vice President
Charissa Huang, Treasurer
Lucy Dyer-Joswick, Secretary
Chief Ewing
Regina Salmi
Cat Thornton
Eric Zuniga
Jazz McKinney, Interim Center Director

[Image: a black and white picture featuring a darker skinned man with the words "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr."]

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Dec 8

A friendly reminder to apply for or renew your health insurance by December 15th!

[image: Gray background with white, pink, and blue snowflakes. Text reads; ACA Deadline December 15th! Make sure you have health insurance in 2021! Apply or renew at healthcare.gov or access free help with Cherry Health's Enrollment Department 866-299-1339.]

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Dec 7

Check out what programs and services we are offering this week, week of 12/7!

Email info@grpride.org for access to groups.

[Image: Blue banner with black letters that reads "What's Happening This Week!" List of events: LGBTQ+ Young Adult Group - Tuesday, Dec. 8th 6-8pm, LGBTQ+ Youth Group - Wednesday, Dec. 9th 7-9pm, Men's Social Group - Thursday, Dec. 10th 7-8:30pm, Women's Social Group - Thursday, Dec. 10th 7:30-8:30pm, Close Knit! Queers, Conversations & Crochet - Friday, Dec. 11th 6-7:30pm, En Femme Social Group - Friday, Dec. 11th 7-9pm, Own Your Gender/TGNC Social/Support Group - Saturday, Dec. 12th 7-9pm, Stand w/ Trans Youth Group - Sunday, Dec. 13th 4-5:30pm]

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Dec 4

Although grief is a universal human experience, our walks with grief are unique and informed by our identities. The seasonal celebrations and/or holiday season can be a particularly difficult time for anyone in the 2-SLGBTQ+ population, but especially so for our TGNC family.

While we were planning and organizing for this event, we received the news of the death of one of our trans community members. This news adds an additional layer to our individual and collective grief right now, and we want to honor and respect that and the memory of our beloved community member. Many of us have also been touched by COVID, lost other loved ones this year due to non-COVID illness and accidents, and we want to acknowledge that this has been an especially violent year for our trans siblings, particularly trans BIPOC. This event will support participants through whatever, and whoever, you may be grieving.

Please join us on Sat. Dec. 19th from 5 - 8pm as we are led by Rachael from @midwifeforcollectiveliberation in a supported experience specifically for TGNC folks.

To learn more about Rachael and what this event entails please visit http://ow.ly/Ieg450CCkiZ

**This event is free to attend, but is only for TGNC folks at this time**

Please email info@grpride.org to get the link to the event.

[Image: White background over a picture of mountains with the words "Saturday December 19th 5 - 8pm. Honoring and Flowing with Grief: A supported somatic experience for transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) folks"]

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Nov 30

Check out what programs and services we are offering this week, week of 11/30!

Email info@grpride.org for access to groups.

[Image: Teal banner with black letters that reads "What's Happening This Week!" List of events: LGBTQ+ Youth Group - Wednesday, Dec. 2nd 7-9pm, Womyn's Social Group - Thursday, Dec. 3rd 7-8:30pm, En Femme Social Group - Friday, Dec. 4th 7-9pm]

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Nov 26

As you start your day today, let us remember the history behind the creation of what we now call the “Thanksgiving holiday”. While many people will gather, whether virtually or in person, to have a day of celebration and joy, the reality is that this is truly a day of mourning and sadness for many Indigenous people. We want to challenge everyone to take some time today and everyday moving forward, to push boundaries for social justice and take positive steps towards learning more about our local Indigenous people and cultures.

We also understand that this day has evolved into a holiday that revolves around spending quality time with family, and we want to acknowledge and hold space for our 2-SLGBTQ family, especially our Native and Two-Spirit siblings, that will have a hard time with those family gatherings or even those facing isolation from supportive friends and family due to the current pandemic.

To learn more here are some links to start your research:

http://ow.ly/NSux50CvjLa

http://ow.ly/d8IZ50CvjLb

http://ow.ly/JZhd50CvjL8

Grand Rapids Pride Center | Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community

The Grand Rapids Pride Center aims to be at the center of a vibrant and inclusive community that supports all LGBTQ individuals.

Education & Training

Sensitivity Training
LGBTQ Glossary
Parent Resources
Request Training

Programs & Services

Support Groups
Victim Services
Calendar
View All >

EMAIL
info@grpride.org

REACH OUT
(616) 458-3511

LOCATION
343 Atlas Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

CENTER HOURS
MON – FRI 10A-4P
SAT & SUN CLOSED

EMAIL
info@grpride.org

REACH OUT
(616) 458-3511

LOCATION
343 Atlas Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

CENTER HOURS
MON – FRI 10A-4P

Education & Training

Sensitivity Training
LGBTQ Glossary
Parent Resources
Request Training

Programs & Services

Support Groups
Victim Services
Calendar
View All >