Editor's note: This story is part of Southwest Michigan Second Wave's On the Ground Battle Creek series.
BATTLE CREEK, MI — A Buddhist monk in Battle Creek bested the city’s Police Chief, a Program Director with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and yours truly, among others to win the LGBT Q & A Trivia Game during Pride Week in July.
The Trivia event was symbolic of the open, inclusive, and diverse flavor that Battle Creek Pride is always striving for.
“In selecting our contestants, we try for an eclectic mix of community members and allies that represent a broad demographic,” says Kim Langridge, former Co-President of BC Pride. “This year, we had everyone from the Chief of Police, to local business owners, to non-profit leaders, to local clergy, to (gasp!) a news reporter (that would be me). And our two finalists were a Buddhist monk and a Punk Rock entrepreneur. And they were all absolutely fantastic.”
If the contestants thought they’d be getting softball question, they were sadly mistaken.
Through the creative genius of Langridge, participants were left scratching their heads about questions dealing with the legal rights of the LGBTQIA + community, the inventor of a microchip for IBM, and the identity of a statue on the grounds of Oxford University in England.
CourtesyLGBTQ&A helped kick off the Battle Creek Pride festivities with a few Battle Creek notables.“I spent most of the last 12 months searching the Internet for LGBTQ sources of information, and then writing the questions and answers. Some questions are just goofy like, "What animal was recently photographed for the first time having gay sex?" (It was humpback whales), while other questions are intentionally serious about issues concerning politics, violence, and even a few legislative victories that affect our queer community.”
Langridge, An independent contractor with SMZ Advertising based in Troy, says the trivia contest is meant to educate people about the important role that the LGBTQ + community plays on a national and international level while also drawing attention to the persecution they continue to endure.
“LGBTQ&A is a fun way for us to kick off the four days of Battle Creek Pride Week,” Langridge says. “It started back in 2020 during Covid, when we were looking for ways to celebrate virtually. Since then, it has become a live event that now attracts an audience of nearly 50 visitors. Another positive aspect of LGBTQ&A is that it helps to educate both our contestants and our audience on queer history, culture, politics, and current events.”
A float in the Battle Creek Pride ParadeAs an ally and a friend to members of the LGBTQ + community, I thought I understood a lot. I was wrong.
Trivia questions aside, I am learning that being understanding and supportive has to be an ongoing and intentional effort, one that requires me to be humble and own my missteps along the way.
There is a certain level of mistrust among some in the LGBTQ + space and I have to abandon the notion that my acceptance alone will be enough. Many in this space have faced abandonment and betrayal after coming out to their families and friends and have yet to get beyond that.
Battle Creek Pride Festival QueensSo who am I as a straight person to think that the simple act of not turning away will be enough?
Even in a modern and more accepting society, antigay hate crimes remain common. A 2017 poll reported that many LGBTQ+ people in the United States experience some form of discrimination, says an article on the Medical News Today website. In the poll, 51% said that they or a family member from the LGBTQIA+ community had experienced violence because of their sexual orientation.
“Many people grow up exposed to antigay bias. As a result, they may fear the consequences of being gay or others viewing them as gay. They may unconsciously accept antigay bias or fear that acting in a “nonheterosexual way” might lead to rejection at work or school or in their family,” the article says. “Given the high rates of violence and harassment affecting people among LGBTQ+ communities, it is understandable that some people may turn these ideas inward to protect themselves.”
The annual Battle Creek Pride candlelight vigil honors and remembers those in the LGBTQ+ Community we have lost in the last year due to violence.“It’s hard,” Deana Spencer, President of BC Pride, says of being gay or trans. “I wouldn’t wish that on anybody and we don’t advocate for kids to be gay or transgender. That is a choice they have to make for themselves. It’s really hard when we can’t be our authentic selves. There are difficulties just by default that will follow these kids. Employers will look at them differently, and their families will be divided in many cases. It’s hard and I don’t wish that on anyone.”
This is why the trivia contest, followed by a parade, a festival, and a candlelight vigil was so important, giving the LGBTQ community an opportunity to gather and celebrate who they are and how far they’ve come.
Langridge says the comments BC Pride has received from Festival attendees have been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. She says people loved the diversity of entertainment options that were offered.
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Scenes from the AfterGlow Dance at Battle Creek PrideWe had great food trucks, awesome bands, amazing drag shows, a cool late-night dance party, and a children's play area and petting zoo that Over The Rainbow Zootopia turned into an oasis for kids and parents. And there was no admission charge and everything was family-friendly. Happily, that's what Battle Creek Pride has become known for. Also, our visitors really appreciated the venue at Leila Arboretum, which was lovely and gave folks an opportunity to spread out and find their own spaces.”
Pam McCoy, BC Pride Volunteer Coordinator, says, "When people you've watched all day, smiling, laughing, and enjoying volunteering come to you days later and say it was their first pride event and that they never experienced a moment of "not fitting in" and they thank you for the experience... yeah, that's what pride is all about. Feeling completely comfortable and accepted being yourself. I love being a part of something so welcoming, accepting, and full of truly happy people."
CourtesyA birdseye image of Battle Creek Pride at Leila ArboretumWhile Pride Week is an annual event with a definite start and finish. The work of BC Pride, however, is year-round.
Spencer encourages everyone, no matter how they identify from a gender perspective, to visit the Pride Resource Center at 104 Calhoun Street to gain a better understanding of the city’s gay and trans community.
“We are your friends, neighbors and colleagues,” she says. “We contribute to our community in many positive and impactful ways and we are here to stay.”
Thinking of my own family, friends, neighbors and colleagues, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Battle Creek Pride Parade is always a big hit.
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