Affirmations Showcases Variety of LGBTQ+ Support Groups and Programs
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 8, 2026)
Ferndale, MI – Affirmations is known as a safe space for all – with people of different ages, backgrounds, and personalities finding common ground in the walls of Michigan’s largest LGBTQ+ community center. But just as the patrons are so varied, so too are the groups and services the center has to offer. On Jan 29 they took the time to showcase some of these opportunities at the Wigtacular Open House, with a wig-wearing theme.
There are a variety of groups and programs at Affirmations, including Senior Koffee Klatch, Disability and Discussion Group, BOLD (Black, Open, Loving, & Defiant): Black Queer Support Network, Queer Yoga, Bixexual + Communtiy Support, Narcotics Anonymous, Coming Out Group, Yallah Talk, Brownbaggers AA and more.
One key component of the work Affirmations does is supporting queer youth.
There’s a Teen Drop-In Center on Fridays from 4-7 pm where teens can play games, make art, watch something, or just hang out in a casual, supportive environment. There’s also a 10 week youth leadership and job readiness program called Lavender Leadership Academy for those aged 12-22 where participants learn about topics like resume writing, interview skills, teamwork, financial education, identity, and more to prepare them for future success.
Programs like this are created with input from the Youth Advisory Council. Emi and Shae from the Youth Council were at the Jan 29 event. Emi shared that Affirmations created the council to be more youth led, and so youth could have a voice.
“I give input behind the scenes,” Emi said. “I even helped conduct interviews for staff members.”
In addition to giving input, Youth Council members serve as mentors to younger visitors. “I like being there, helping people be comfortable,” Shae said. “We look at how to prioritize this space as a place to be safe.”
For Emi Affirmations has led to more confidence and friendships. “I started coming three years ago, just before I turned 18,” Emi said. Growing up the only openly queer person they knew was once teacher. “That was my gateway to this. I was kind of a hermit. I had anxieties. Then I was given a link to youth prom and it jump-started this journey of community building and confidence building. It’s been a chance to create my own community.”
Transgender and non-binary people also have a home at Affirmations, with a number of support services including mental healthcare, as well as support and social groups like TeaEnby which is a group for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals to find and be in community. Trans Men’s/Masc Lounge is a partnership between Affirmations and Stand with Trans to create a safe space for trans men and trans masc folk to build community. And the center also regularly holds name change and gender marker change clinics to help people through those processes.
There’s even a group for parents of transgender children. TransParent is a national organization dedicated to supporting parents and caregivers of gender-expansive children through community, education, and resources. Christina West started the SE Michigan Chapter last year, and Affirmations was the perfect place for the group to meet.
Whether someone is an eager advocate, or simply has a lot of questions, TransParent provides a welcoming space for conversation, resources, and support.
West shared that the most common challenges for parents of transgender or non-binary youth are finding access to healthcare, and making sure that their child is respected and protected in school.
In August the University of Michigan stopped providing gender-affirming hormonal therapies to patients under 19 years old in response to Federal Government pressures. “When U of M stopped having care for minors that hit our community hard,” West said. “There were so many families who suddenly didn’t know how they were going to get the hormones they needed.”
West and other parents worked together along with organizations like Affirmations and Equality Michigan to identify providers and compile those resources.
Acceptance in school is another challenge, because districts have varying approaches to inclusivity. Some districts refuse to use preferred names and pronouns, and even look the other way when bullying happens. While others welcome transgender and non-binary kids with open arms.
“When a child who is transgender is not being recognized as who they are, it is detrimental to their health. They are more susceptible to bullying, missing out on learning, and feelings of isolation and rejection,” West said. “To me it’s a form of bullying, and I don’t think schools should do anything that is deliberately harmful to their students.”
It was actually a student’s suicide that prompted West to launch a TransParent chapter. “I didn’t know the student personally, but it hit hard,” West said. “My son supported me in doing this, and my family has been supportive in helping make this happen.”
Blake Harvey was excited to learn about the TransParent group. Harvey is a transgender man with a transgender child, and he’s a social work student who recently started interning with Affirmation’s mental health services program.
At the time of the event he’d only been with Affirmations for three weeks. “I’m still learning all the things they do here. Some of their clinics are really cool. The unhoused clinic is such an important need right now. And the food pantry bridges the gap for people who are struggling. Food access is a core component of health.”
“I’m personally becoming a social worker because I want to work with LGBTQ+ youth in Macomb County,” Harvey said. “What would I want people to know about transgender people? That they’re human being. They’re just human beings. It doesn’t matter what my genitals are or who I sleep with. People deserve to be treated like human beings.”
While he’s not experienced violence or discrimination, the fear is part of his life. “I definitely try to fit in. I try not to make moves that draw attention to myself, or dress how I probably would if I were super open,” West said. “The best way I can describe it, is I have this pride lanyard for my keys,” Harvey said. “I walk around here at Affirmations and I have not problem having my lanyard hanging out. It’s no big deal. But if I’m out shopping or something, I make sure to tuck it into my pocket because I just don’t feel safe.”
While meeting basic needs like shelter, food, safety, mental health, and community are core components of Affirmations, there are also groups that help people to forget about those challenges and have moments of freedom, creativity, and joy.
Bella Borruso is a dance teacher who started what was originally called Rooted in Rhythm, a group for music and dancing. Now that group is branching out into tow: Rooted in Movement, and Rooted in Music. “The reason we started these groups to begin with was to use music for community and self-care,” Borruso said. “We have impromptu ways to connect the mind and body. We have somatic movements to help you unplug and reflect.”
Many styles of movement and music are explored in the groups, and people of all skill levels are welcome to participate.
Affirmations is located at 290 W. 9 Mile in Downtown Ferndale. Learn more about their various programs, services, and groups at www.goaffirmations.org.
Save this post to PDF
Print this post