| Type | 501c3 |
|---|---|
| Tax ID No. | 38-2556668 |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Location | Detroit, Michigan |
| Key people | Denise Brogan-Kator (Executive Director) |
| Area served | Michigan |
| Mission | Equality Michigan works to achieve full equality and respect for all people in Michigan, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. |
| Revenue | $940,200 (2009)[1] |
| Employees | 7 |
| Formerly called | Triangle Foundation and Michigan Equality |
| Website | www.equalitymi.org |
Equality Michigan is an American civil rights, advocacy and anti-violence organization serving Michigan's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Equality Michigan serves Michigan's LGBT community through victims services, lobbying on behalf of the LGBT community, public education on LGBT issues, and organizing Michigan's largest LGBT events such as Motor City Pride.
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Founded in 1991 as the Triangle Foundation, the organization was merged with Michigan Equality to create Equality Michigan in 2010[2].
Equality Michigan's Victim Services Program documents and addresses the pervasive problem of violence committed against the actual or perceived LGBT and HIV-affected communities. Victim Services offers free and confidential support to victims of bias crimes, domestic violence, pick-up crimes, police misconduct, HIV-related violence, rape, and sexual assault. In addition, Equality Michigan provides accompaniments and advocacy for clients with the police, the courts, medical, and social service agencies. The organization works to get legal services offered at a reduced fee for low-income clients and help clients tell their story in order to raise awareness about the incidents that occurred to them. Data collected through this program is published annually through the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs[3] - which Triangle Foundation co-founded[4].
Equality Michigan works to enact policy and legislative changes in Michigan to promote equality for LGBT people in such areas as housing and employment, prevent hate crimes, and to stop anti-LGBT legislation and similar measures from being introduced.
Equality Michigan's community events are intended to bring together and build the Michigan LGBT community.
An annual Pride street festival held in Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan the first Sunday of every June to celebrate the LGBT community. Previously held in Ferndale, Michigan, the festival was recently moved to Detroit and will be expanded to two days in 2011[5]. It is the largest LGBT event held in Michigan. The event showcases both local and national performers including Nickki Stevens, The Fundamentals, and Eric Lehr.
ComedyFest is an annual comedy festival featuring national comedians held in Dearborn, Michigan for the LGBT community.[6]
Equality Michigan's Annual Dinner Event begins with a cocktail reception with a silent auction. The dinner features a keynote speaker and the presentation of five Catalyst Awards recognizing individuals and organizations for excellence in service to Michigan's LGBT community. The event is attended by several community leaders and elected officials[7].
Equality Michigan provides diversity trainings on social and political LGBT issues. This program also educates politicians, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and law enforcement professionals about issues related to the LGBT community.