Health Equity Program

Aimed to decrease the disparities associated with LGBTQ+ individuals accessing quality services.

Barrier + Stigma free

In 2018, the Grand Rapids Pride Center launched its Proud To Be Healthy health services program aimed at decreasing the disparities associated with LGBTQ+ individuals accessing quality services needed in order to lead healthy lives.

In 2022, we are re-envisioning this as the Health Equity Program as we understand that for many in our community, a “healthy life” is not the goal. We honor the realities of disability, chronic illness, the impacts of aging, trauma and its coping methods, and mental health issues. Many in our community will never be healthy, and they still deserve access to healthcare that supports them and affirms them as whole people, including respecting them and meeting their unique needs as LGBTQ+ individuals.

This includes access to quality health services, mental health services, safe and affordable housing, adequate food and nutrition information if wanted, wellness and harm reduction programs. The Health Equity Program works to strengthen, support and reduce health disparities of LGBTQ+ individuals through strategic partnerships with affirming and non-discriminatory community organizations.

Grand Rapids Pride Center | Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community

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Make a Health Equity Program appointment

To access safe and confidential HIV and Hepatitis C testing, please contact the Grand Rapids Red Project at 616-456-9063.

Need help accessing resources?

Contact our Health Equity team!

health@grpride.org
(616) 458-3511 x104

Get Involved

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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Sep 20

Our next Health Equity in Action event is coming up next week Thursday, September 28 from 5:30-7:30pm. As usual, it will dovetail with KCHD being with us to provide STI testing 4:30-6:30pm also (you can call to get an appt & walk-ins are also accepted.)

This month's event focuses on disability services, and our partners are @artsinmotionwm and @disabadvocates and representatives will be on hand to discuss their services and the support they offer. Dinner will be served, and Fern the Pug will be on hand for anyone needing some support/cuddles. Please join us, especially if you are looking for ways to meet more 2-SLGBTQ+ folks in the community and connect with others. We'd love to have you.

If you have any questions, please call us at (616) 458-3511 or email the Health Equity team at health@grpride.org.

Image description: A pink background with yellow & blue fireworks in the upper corners. Text overlays a centered yellow, pink, and blue disco ball or ornament. The text says, "Join us for a fun evening of community connection." Below that additional text says, "Learn about some local disability resources! Partner agencies will Arts in Motion (AIM) & Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC) to talk about the services they offer & how they can support you." Below this on what looks like a tiled dance floor of pink and blue is text that says, "Thursday, September 28 5:30-7:30 pm @ GRPC 343 Atlas SE - Dinner provided

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Sep 18

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Sep 17

Grand Rapids Pride Center will remain closed on Monday, September 18, to allow several sick staff some more recovery time. We really need some volunteers to help us put away items & clean up from our QTPOC da Block this past weekend so that the office and community center can be functional again. If you can help, please come out to GRPC at 343 Atlas Ave SE 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Pizza will be provided at lunchtime for volunteers also, and we are very grateful for your help. If you have questions, please email info@grpride.org.

Also, a reminder for folks needing services: You may still reach out via info@grpride.org or reach our Health Equity Program for the TAP program or other resources at health@grpride.org while the physical office is closed. Thank you for your patience.

Image description: Text inside a bright pink tilted text box says, "GRPC is closed Monday but needs volunteers to help clean up". The pink text box is layered over a larger turquoise background, & below the pink text box is text that says, "If you can help clean up from QTPOC da Block, please show up 10am-3pm. Pizza will be provided. THANK YOU" & below that is a small cream colored text box & text that says "343 Atlas Ave SE". To the left is a small pastel rainbow, & to the right is a pink star with a smiley face and legs with big high-top sneakers. There are also three stylized stars at the bottom left & top right corners of the larger pink text box. The entire turquoise background is framed in a narrow, cream-colored frame.

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Sep 16

QTPOC DA BLOCK HAS STARTED! COME OUT!

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Sep 15

TOMORROW! QTPOC Da Block is almost here! Mark the end of summer together from 2PM - 6PM at the Grand Rapids Pride Center. We'll have food from @el_granjero_gr, @daddysdough, @adoboboygr, @applausecateringgr and more! You can snag some fresh produce courtesy of @southeastmarketgr as well. Games provided by @houseruleslounge will be available for anyone who's feeling strongly inclined to start an uno tournament 😜

@auntiechanel will be playing tunes for us all day long alongside some incredible performers! Join Minnie V Laurier, Nickoberappin, Jeena Doucure, Luz De La Rica, and Darius Colquitt of BAM Talent as they keep the party going. Set 1 is at 3 PM, with the 2nd set following at 4 PM. Swipe through to take a glimpse at the stars dazzling our stage ➡️

QTPOC Da Block is a family friendly event. We ask that allies of the BIPOC, 2S-LGBTQ+ communities find other ways to support and allow this community to hold space with one another intentionally.

While you're here, ask staff or volunteers about GRPC resources and programs so we can connect you!

Due to the large number of events across Grand Rapids, please prepare for parking to be limited and/or a few blocks of a walk. There will be no parking available at our office, so we encourage carpooling and getting dropped off as closely as possible to our street.

See you tomorrow!🤎🖤🏳️‍🌈343 Atlas Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

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Sep 14

Due to staff illness, we must close the office until at least Monday. We are still available virtually and can be reached at info@grpride.org for general inquiries or you can reach out to our Health Equity team at health@grpride.org for any Healthcare/Resources related inquiries.

Please stay safe and take care of yourselves and each other!

Image Description: Text on a pink background says, "GRPC is closed until Monday due to staff illness. We apologize for the inconvenience. Groups are still meeting afterhours. QTPOC da Block is still happening on Saturday!" The text is framed by green vines & leaves on which there are yellow and blue flowers with small smiling faces.

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Sep 11

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Sep 7

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Aug 22

We’re partying until the very end of summer! Mark your calendars; Grand Rapids Pride Center’s QTPOC da Block event is coming up on September 16th at our home base from 2 PM - 6 PM. We’re so excited to host our first Pride event for our BIPOC queer and trans community members to come together for a function full of music, games, joy, and chosen family. This is a closed event, meaning that we ask allies to find other ways to support at this time to allow BIPOC to hold space with each other intentionally.

We’ll have food and resources, so feel free to drop in anytime during the event, get what you need, and make some new connections! We hope to see you there, and can’t wait to share a few hours of love and unity with you all. This event is FREE, so stop by and bring a friend!

Image Description: A blurred photo of a group of brown-skinned friends from the Grand Rapids Pride Festival is the background of this graphic. The acronym “QTPOC” is in a bright pink and glowing font, with “da Block” following after in a neon yellow text. The bottom left corner also reads the event details in neon pink lettering: "September 16th, drop in between 2 PM - 6 PM @ the Grand Rapids Pride Center. 323 Atlas Ave SE.” In the center of a graphic is an image mimicking a text from GRPC saying, “Come through for a community function full of music, joy, games and chosen family! We’ll have food and resources too ;).”

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Aug 22

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Aug 19

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Aug 18

The rainbow text is right; getting tested is necessary for your (and any potential partners') safety! It is also a profound act of self-care and community care!

In case you haven't yet, you can get your STI and HIV test for FREE, next Thursday here at the Pride Center!

Both walk-ins and appointment slots are available from 4:30pm to 6:30pm, but only appointments can be guaranteed.

To book your appointment, you can:

- Book directly online at https://bit.ly/grpc-sti-testing
- Call the Pride Center at (616) 458-3511
- Email the Health Equity Team at health@grpride.org
- Or, stop by in-person and tour our space while you're here!

[Image Description: The phrase "getting tested is necessary" repeats 13 times in a vertical stack, with each line of text in a different color. The colors form a rainbow, fading from light blue at the top to mid-blue, pink, purple, and red by the mid-image. Then, the colors progress from red to orange, yellow, light green, and mid-green before returning to blue again. The background is plain black.]

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Aug 14

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Aug 7

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Aug 4

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Aug 1

If you're unsure, or it's been more than a year since your last HIV test, it's time to book an appointment!

The Grand Rapids Pride Center staff is happy to get you up-to-date in a safe, confidential, and affirming space for your FREE HIV and Hep. C test.

To book an appointment:
- Schedule directly at https://bit.ly/grpc-hiv-testing
- Call the Health Equity Program at (616) 458-3511 ext. 104
- Email the Health Equity team at health@grpride.org

[Image Description: The image's wavy maroon and deep gray background serves as a dark contrast to the lighter red and coral spark-shaped accents on the bottom left and top right corners and a coral text box in the middle of the image. In all-caps black text, the text box reads, "When's the last time you were tested for HIV?" and is adorned with a red HIV ribbon on the right-hand side. ]

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Jul 31

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Jul 27

Join us tomorrow for the first Queer Literary Society book discussion, where we will be discussing "Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, & Lipstick Lesbians" by Lillian Faderman & Stuart Timmons. Don't worry if you haven't read the book or aren't familiar - copies of passages will be available. Tea and snacks will also be provided. 12 noon, Friday, July 28th in the Grand Rapids Pride Center's library (343 Atlas SE).

Image description: Text says "Book of the Month" above the cover of a book. The book cover has two men holding hands with the word "Gay" overlayed and then a woman in military uniform with the word "L.A." overlayed. Between these images & words is the subtitle "A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, & Lipstick Lesbians" and at the bottom of the cover are the author names Lillian Faderman and Stuart Timmons. Just behind the bottom left corner is a small white cloud & layered over the right side is a white cloud with text that says "Join us July 28th 12 pm". The book cover is laid over an orchid background with a blue-to-purple ombre frame on the left side & an orange-to-yellow-to-pink ombre frame on the right side.

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Jul 24

Join us at the Grand Rapids Pride Center (343 Atlas SE) on Friday, July 28th at Noon for the first gathering of the new Queer Literary Society! There will be snacks and books and community... The Queer Literary Society will meet on the last Friday of the month and explore books from GRPC's extensive lending library. Join us for conversations.

Image descriptions: All three images are on pastel multi-color ombre backgrounds. The first has a circle in the center with text that says, "Queer Literary Society - Grand Rapids Pride Center". The second image begins with a text header that says, "What is the Queer Literary Society?" & then text that says, "The Queer Literary Society was created as a way to highlight GRPC's extensive library. We're inviting everyone to the Pride Center noon on the last Fridays of the month to enjoy tea, snacks, & conversation. July 28, Aug 25, Sept 29, Oct 27, & Nov 17." The third image has a header in the top left corner that says "What are we reading?" & then there are thumbnail images of the five books that will be read this year - "Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, & Lipstick Lesbians" (July 28); "Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" (Aug 25); "Chicana Lesbians: The Girls Our Mothers Warned Us About" (Sept 29); "Gender Outlaw" (Oct 27); & "Zami/Sister Outsider/Undersong" (Nov 17).

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Jul 24

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Jul 21

Come join us next Thursday for a disability-justice centered event that's all about moving, protecting, and caring for our bodies!

[Image Description: Four text box ovals intersect to form a square in the center of the image, over a dreamy light pink and lavender gradient background. There are two small four-pointed stars at the bottom left of the image, and two additional four-pointed stars in the top left. The title at the top of the image reads: "Health Equity in Action Presents" and then "Mindful Bodies" in a soft script font. Oval #1 reads: "Midwest Movement Collective Demonstration: Dance for All Bodies". Oval #2 reads: "Corewell Health Discussion: Cancer Screening and Prevention." Oval #3 reads: "Free Dinner and Open Space." Lastly, Oval #4 reads: "Thursday, July 27. 5:30pm - 6:30pm at the Pride Center." All of the text is a mid-toned purple, as are all of the shapes throughout the image.]

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 >