LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Forum

One Buchanan and OutCenter Southwest Michigan are presenting a forum on the state of LGBTQ+ civil rights in Michigan on Saturday, April 6, 11-12:30 at the Buchanan Area Senior Center, 810 Rynearson Street, Buchanan Michigan. Registration is required and admission is free.

Featured speakers for this forum are Jay Kaplan, LGBTQ+ Rights Project Staff Attorney with ACLU of Michigan, and Emme Zanotti, Director of Advocacy & Civic Engagement with Equality Michigan. Together, Jay and Emme possess more than 40 years of experience working on behalf of and advocating for LGBTQ+ people. Joining the conversation is MaryJo Schnell, Executive Director of OutCenter Southwest Michigan, who will provide local insights and perspectives from her 10 year tenure at OutCenter.

This forum will be a conversation with Ms. Zanotti, Mr. Kaplan, and Ms. Schnell, and Adam Burck, One Buchanan’s representative, will be the morning’s moderator.

Recent advances of LGBTQ+ rights in Michigan will be discussed along with an overview of what is at stake in the 2024 elections. In addition, the panel will discuss the importance of local elections including public school boards, county commissions, public libraries and appointments to governmental agencies such as public health departments, etc.

“We are thrilled to present this forum highlighting recent advances in LGBTQ+ civil rights protections in Michigan and how we can all help ensure continued progress towards full equity for the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan. We, the people living in Southwest Michigan, can play an important role through advocacy and elections,” says Adam Burck of One Buchanan.

The forum will conclude with an update on significant voting rights advancements in Michigan, where to get information about elections, how to contact and engage with local candidates and elected officials, how to make your voice known, and a call out about voting down ballot. Questions and comments from the audience are encouraged.

The facility is accessible to people of all abilities. Registration is required and admission is free.

This forum has been generously supported by the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation.