Up North Pride Week kicks off Mon., June 22, at The Parlor with Coming Out Over Coffee at 5:30pm and Here:Say storytelling event – "Come Out, Come Out, Whoever You Are" – at 7pm. Events the rest of the week – including a Pride Ride, Karaoke at SideTraxx and a special screening of MILK – lead up to the Official Pride Visability Stroll on Sat., June 27, led by grand marshals Chef Mario Batali and wife Susi Cahn, alongside Michael Chetcuti and partner Kyle Evans. Both Batali and Cahn are outspoken LBGT allies as well as lovers of northern Michigan. Chetcuti is CEO of Quality Metalcraft in Detroit and Evans is an industrial designer. They also spend time in Leelanau County.

“This coming June brings high expectations for our state and our northern Michigan community as the highest court deliberates the monumental decision of marriage equality,” says Up North Pride co-chair Marta Turnbull. “Our grand marshals demonstrate Up North Pride and LGBT advocacy on different stages, and their commitment to enriching culture and community in northern Michigan inspires us.”

For a detailed list of events, click here.