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As Livonia becomes more racially and ethnically diverse, and as we grapple with how to build a hometown that reflects these changing demographics, Livonians have a complicated set of views about the impact of diversity and the best way to achieve it. Most say it’s good that our hometown has a diverse population, but many also say this introduces its own challenges. And while a majority values community diversity, few understand just how to take race, ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation into consideration in moving Livonia forward in accepting the changes that need to be considered.
(pictured above: Kate Shishkovsky, Pres. Livonia Democratic Club, Former State Rep. Lyn Bankes (R-Livonia), Mayor Brosnan)
Canton, a growing community, hosts an annual Pride Day Celebration and has for several years. They have had an ethnic festival to embrace the multitude of ethnic cultures of new residents and this year hosted a Juneteenth day as a part of their Liberty Fest.
Elected officials in this Livonia neighbor embrace and stay ahead of the changes taking place. A template that Livonia needs to follow. Just as other towns modeled themselves after the progressive ideas of Livonia in the 70's, 80's and 90's, like a library, open spaces and recreational programs we now should look to other models for community diversity.
One part of the template is a Non-Discrimination Ordinance. Nearly 60 other communities in Michigan including Canton already have an NDO. Livonia introduced an NDO over a year ago but it was not able to generate votes on the City Council, with only Councilmen Jim Jolly and Brandon McCullough offering their support.
The Pride Day Celebration offered an opportunity for our elected officials and candidates to meet and have discussions with those attending who want to be a part of the change taking place in Livonia. A sense of welcoming and belonging.
Livonia officials/candidates attending Pride Day
Elected officials and candidates taking advantage of meeting, talking, and learning included Mayor Brosnan, Clerk Nash, Councilmen Jolly and McCullough, and council candidates Drzewicki, and Budzinski, along with Clerk candidate Lori Miller.
One candidate, Jim Baringhaus, notified folks that he and his family had a Baptism scheduled at the same time. Understood.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, State Representatives Laurie Pohutsky, and Matt Koleszar circulated, meeting dozens of residents, answering and asking questions.
Candidates missing Pride Day
This would have been a perfect time for Councilman Scott Morgan and Councilwoman Kathleen McIntyre to engage people and learn about folks, many of whom support an NDO, to get to understand their perspective.
A learning experience for Scott Morgan who during the 2022 campaign endorsed Tudor Dixon suggesting that she is what Michigan needed. Dixon, was described in 2022 publications as identifying with those who believe that LGBTQ+ are by definition sexual predators or that providing compassion to trans children is morally depraved.
Morgan could have sat and talked, learned from parents, straight and gay, and started understanding the issues that are at the forefront of making and keeping Livonia a welcoming community, as one older gentleman said to the bodyguard, "I have lived in Livonia for 30 years and have never felt as welcomed as today."
Dialogue and discussion between people on opposite sides of an issue are good for the soul of the community.
Kathleen McIntyre who opposed an NDO when it was brought up by Mayor Brosnan, would have found a wealth of knowledge in talking with many of those attending. She could have set and talked, learning about the strong belief of many in support of the NDO. Or in fully explaining her perspective so that others understand how she arrived at her position.
Dialogue and discussion between people on opposite sides of an issue are good for the soul of the community.
There were three churches setting up booths, and talking with participants. Scott Bahr who is a man with strong faith beliefs and who is comfortable in his own skin would have, as a hometown leader, shared his faith with those churches participating. They would have learned and hopefully, he would have benefited from understanding why some are in support of LBGTQ+ and they would have benefited from understanding his perspective.
Dialogue and discussion between people on opposite
sides of an issue are good for the soul of the community.
Martha Ptashnik who lost a race for State Representative against Laurie Pohutsky was aligned during that campaign with organizations fighting to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Her position was it to be adopted would have left Michiganders with pre-existing conditions at risk of losing coverage, and would have left at the time 1.2 million without coverage.
She would have found any number of people in attendance to discuss her position on healthcare, a significant issue within the LBGTQ+ community.
Dialogue and discussion between people on opposite
sides of an issue are good for the soul of the community.
Lynda Scheel running for City Clerk would have benefited from talking to two of our State Representatives, Koleszar and Pohutsky regarding the new bills on election legislation, sharing her view, and gathering information about the changes coming down the road for the job she is seeking.
Dialogue and discussion between people on opposite
sides of an issue are good for the soul of the community.
Pride Day brought people together in a loving, respectful way. Think what it would have been had we had a full house of hometown leaders sharing ideas and opening up discussion between disparate ideas and people.
We all understand the busy schedules that our elected officials have but in the case of this Pride event, there have been several months since it was first announced leaving plenty of time to arrange schedules or help promote the gathering. I am sorry that not all attended this historic event in Livonia and that not all helped promote the first ever Livonia Pride Day.
I am happy that those who did attend were able to have dialogue and discussion showcasing Livonia as a welcoming hometown..
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