LGBT Detroit

LGBT Detroit

LGBT Detroit's logo
Founded 1994 (1994)[1]
Founder Curtis Lipscomb[2]
Type 501(c)(3)
56-2393981
Focus LGBT communities
Location
Coordinates 42°21′54″N 83°04′15″W / 42.36511°N 83.07089°W / 42.36511; -83.07089Coordinates: 42°21′54″N 83°04′15″W / 42.36511°N 83.07089°W / 42.36511; -83.07089
Area served
Detroit, Michigan
Key people

Curtis Lipscomb (executive director)[1][3]

Antonio L. Johnson-Seals (board president)[1]
Employees
6[1]
Website www.lgbtdetroit.org
Formerly called
 Kick Publishing Company (a for-profit business) and KICK – The Agency for LGBT African Americans

LGBT Detroit is a Michigan nonprofit organization serving the African American lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population of Detroit, and nearby communities.[2][3][4]

LGBT Detroit's mission is "to increase awareness of and support to Detroit's dynamic LGBT community through education and advocacy with integrity and pride." Their aim is to implement LGBT affirming programs, services, projects and special events; and to partner with other social justice organizations and allies with similar beliefs.[2][4]

The organization is a member of CenterLink,[5] Midtown Detroit, Inc., the National Black Justice Coalition, Center for Black Equality, and the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.[1]

History

LGBT Detroit began as Kick Publishing Company (a for-profit business) in 1994[2][5] by Curtis Lipscomb.[6] The publication was created to inform the LGBT community of issues relative to LGBT African Americans. Kick Publishing Company was the third black LGBT media company created in America. The publication and various other publications were distributed to national gay and straight retailers. The publishers of magazine soon got involved in sponsoring many LGBT events, and ultimately in 1996 members of the staff of KICK! Magazine created and formed the non-profit Detroit Black Gay Pride, Inc., the organizers of Hotter Than July!,[2] which is Detroit’s black LGBT weekend pride celebration.[1]

The organization was founded as a nonprofit organization, known as KICK – The Agency for LGBT African Americans, in 2003 with the help of Detroit LGBT residents. The organization moved into an office in Midtown Detroit in 2007.[1]

In 2011, The Center in Detroit opened to provide the LGBT and allied community a safe meeting space in Detroit.[1]

The organization began discussing its name and brand in June 2013, and in May 2015 changed its name from KICK to LGBT Detroit.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Who We Are". lgbtdetroit.org. LGBT Detroit. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Abbey-Lambertz, Kate (June 1, 2012). "Curtis Lipscomb, Kick Founder, Dedicates Time To Serving LGBT Black Community In Detroit". The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Proxmire, Crystal A. (January 24, 2013). "Movement Building: Community Center Network Connects Across Michigan". Between The Lines. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "What We Do". lgbtdetroit.org. LGBT Detroit. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  5. 1 2 Michael, Jason A. (May 7, 2014). "KICK Changes Name To LGBT Detroit". Between The Lines. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
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