Voices of Flat River Pride

Whether you’re LGBTQIA+ yourself or an ally, you belong here. Voices of Flat River Pride is building safe, supportive, and joyful spaces across our community — and we’d love for you to be part of it.

Voices of Flat River Pride (VFRP) is a grassroots nonprofit based in Michigan, dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and empowering the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies. We believe in creating a safe and inclusive space where everyone can show up as their authentic selves.

Through community events, education, advocacy, and outreach, we work to strengthen connections, promote mental health and wellness, and provide resources for youth, families, and individuals across our rural communities. From Pride celebrations to allyship training, support programs, and volunteer opportunities, VFRP strives to uplift voices, foster acceptance, and build a brighter future for all.

Together, we are more than a community — we are a movement for love, equity, and belonging right here along the Flat River.

Who we are

A group of people gathered around a long table in a restaurant, posing for a photo. The table has various drinks and condiments. There are two large screens on the wall behind them showing a colorful wheel with the word 'Clutch' in the center, and a sign with the word 'Hood' beside it. The text overlay on the image reads 'The Gay Agenda 1st place'.

Man wearing glasses, a black cap, a green shirt with the text 'Voices of Flat River VOLUNTEER,' and a pink safety vest, standing outdoors in front of trees, holding a rainbow-colored fan and smiling.

Group of eleven people standing together in an indoor room, smiling at the camera, with framed artwork on the wall behind them.

Four smiling people sitting at a picnic table outdoors at an event with rainbow decorations, trees, tents, and other people in the background.

Group of people gathered inside a coffee shop, some holding cups, seated around tables, with large windows allowing outside sunlight to enter.

Group of people in colorful outfits and rainbow flags gathered in a parking lot for a pride event.

Group of people at an outdoor Pride event with rainbow decorations, including a woman wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt and cap holding a rainbow fan, others wearing colorful outfits, and various Pride-themed items on a table.

Group of five friends smiling and standing under a large rainbow pride flag in a park with trees and picnic tables in the background.

How we got started

Voices of Flat River Pride began with a simple idea: connection. Sometime in 2021, two of our co-founders Zach and Lee created a small online LGBTQIA+ group to bring together people in our rural community who might otherwise feel alone. Zach’s vision was to provide a safe space to connect, while Lee dreamed of creating a Pride celebration that our area had never seen before.

For a while, it was just that—an online group. Then, last October, everything changed. Our now-Chair, Joslyn, organized the very first Coffee Meetup. It was a small gathering of 8–10 people, but it was powerful: a chance to meet others who shared similar life experiences, right here at home.

The following month, 35 people showed up. That’s when we knew this was bigger than a Facebook group—it was the start of something real. The organization now hosts monthly coffee meetups, craft club, book club and a color guard team. You can join the Voices of Flat River Pride Facebook group by clicking the photo.

Today, Voices of Flat River Pride is guided by our mission: Building a welcoming Flat River community where everyone can live openly and authentically with the support they deserve.

From those first conversations between friends to a nonprofit hosting large-scale events, we’ve come a long way—and we’re just getting started.

Group of nine people sitting around a wooden table in a coffee shop, smiling at the camera. There are Starbucks cups and beverages on the table, with a mural of tropical flowers on the wall behind them.

Get Connected

Facebook Group

Facebook Chats