LGBT Detroit facts for kids
LGBT Detroit's logo
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| Founded | 1994 |
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| Founder | A. Nzere Kwabena (formerly known as Curtis Lipscomb) |
| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| Focus | LGBTQ communities |
| Location | |
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Area served
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Detroit, Michigan |
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Key people
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A. Nzere Kwabena (formerly known as Curtis Lipscomb) (executive director) Antonio L. Johnson-Seals (board president) |
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Employees
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6 |
| Website | www.lgbtdetroit.org |
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Formerly called
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Kick Publishing Company (a for-profit business) and KICK – The Agency for LGBT African Americans |
LGBT Detroit is a special group in Michigan that helps people in the LGBTQ community, especially African Americans, in Detroit and nearby areas. It is a nonprofit organization, which means it works to help people rather than make money.
The main goal of LGBT Detroit is to help the diverse LGBT community in Detroit. They do this by teaching people and speaking up for the community. They want to make sure everyone feels respected and proud.
This group creates programs, services, and events that support LGBT people. They also work with other groups that believe in fairness for everyone. LGBT Detroit is part of several important organizations. These include CenterLink and the National Black Justice Coalition.
Contents
History of LGBT Detroit
Starting as a Publishing Company
LGBT Detroit began in 1994 as a business called Kick Publishing Company. Curtis Lipscomb started it. The company created a magazine to share news and information with the LGBT African American community. This magazine was one of the first of its kind in America.
The magazine and other publications were sold in stores across the country. The people who ran the magazine also started helping with LGBT events. In 1996, staff members from KICK! Magazine created a new nonprofit group. This group was called Detroit Black Gay Pride, Inc. They organized a special weekend celebration called Hotter Than July!. This event is Detroit's black LGBT pride celebration.
Becoming a Nonprofit Organization
In 2003, the organization officially became a nonprofit group. It was known as KICK – The Agency for LGBT African Americans. Many LGBT residents in Detroit helped make this happen. In 2007, the group moved into its own office in Midtown Detroit.
Opening The Center in Detroit
In 2011, a place called The Center in Detroit opened. It gave LGBT people and their friends a safe place to meet in Detroit. This was an important step for the community.
Changing the Name to LGBT Detroit
The organization started talking about changing its name in June 2013. In May 2015, they officially changed their name from KICK to LGBT Detroit. This new name clearly shows who they are and what they do.
See also
- List of LGBT community centers in the United States
- LGBT culture in Metro Detroit
- History of the African Americans in Metro Detroit
