Proclamations, events celebrate Pride in Royal Oak, Clawson

ROYAL OAK/CLAWSON — The cities of Royal Oak and Clawson recently proclaimed the month of June 2022 as Pride Month — a time to reflect on the 53rd anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City on June 28, 1969, which sparked the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

June is also the nationwide month to recognize, raise awareness for, and provide support and advocacy for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, and plus community.

According to the Library of Congress, June 28, 1969, marked the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising, a series of events between police and LGBTQ+ protesters that lasted over six days, ultimately leading to a change in the discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ activism in the U.S. In 1969, the Stonewall Inn was “one of the most popular gay bars in New York City,” according to the Library of Congress.

The Royal Oak proclamation, passed unanimously on May 23, references the city’s Human Rights Ordinance, which voters passed in November 2013 and “supports the rights of every citizen to experience equality and freedom from discrimination.” It also states Royal Oak City Hall will display the rainbow flag, “representing light, healing, sun, calmness, art, and spirit” for the month of June.

The Clawson proclamation, passed unanimously on June 7, states that “while there has been remarkable progress towards acceptance and equality, members of the LGBTQ+ community continue to face discrimination, intolerance, and hate” and “we must commit to supporting and accepting LGBTQ+ individuals, in particular our youth, who compared to their peers are far more likely to experience violence and bullying at school; to suffer from depression; to struggle with substance use; and to have attempted suicide.”

On June 8, the city of Royal Oak held its Family Pride event at the Royal Oak Farmers Market. The inaugural Royal Oak Family Pride took place in 2019; the 2020 and 2021 Family Pride events were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event included a food truck rally, drag queen story time, COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5 and older, games and crafts, live music, and family activities.

Becca Russell, teen librarian for the Royal Oak Public Library, helped organize the event.

“In a time when the freedom to read is being challenged across the country, I’m glad that I am able and encouraged to support my patrons in Royal Oak with books that reflect who they are and even more importantly show them that they are not alone,” Russell said. “(The event) was so cool with the representation of queer families.”

Carl Wylie, show director and general manager at Five15 Media, Mojo And More and bar manager at Pronto! Restaurant & Showbar, performed as his drag queen alter ego, Victoria Sanchez, with Chad Hall, of Ohio, as his drag queen alter ego, Emma Sapphire, during Family Pride.

Wylie and Hall read “The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish,” by Lil Miss Hot Mess, and taught children a coordinating dance to the tune of the song “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round.”

“It was my first time (performing drag queen story time). I was a nervous wreck,” Wylie said. “But I think it went really, really well. The kids were engaged.”

He said many children returned for the second reading, which was encouraging because it signaled to him that it was an enjoyable experience for them.

“It really makes it all worth it. We really enjoyed it,” he said. “It was a great honor. I’m so ecstatic about a lot of small cities recognizing Pride. It used to only be celebrated in big cities like Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit. It means that times are changing and moving forward, with public acceptance of people for who they are and allowing everyone to celebrate who they truly are on the inside.”

Wylie is also involved in organizing Royal Oak Pride, a street festival to celebrate diversity and inclusion in downtown Royal Oak Aug. 12-13, presented by 360 Event Productions.

From 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, and from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, Royal Oak Pride will take place along Washington Avenue. It will include a live music stage featuring national and local acts, artists, vendors, food trucks, and more.

For more information about Royal Oak Pride and the full lineup of performers, visit www.360eventproductions.com/events/royal-oak-pride.