Blue Water Ally Center continues to provide safe environment for local LGBTQ+ community

McKenna Golat, Port Huron Times Herald
·4 min read
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A Blue Water Allies sign is shown at the Blue Water Ally Center on Oct. 9, 2023.
A Blue Water Allies sign is shown at the Blue Water Ally Center on Oct. 9, 2023.

Community, home and inclusion are just a few of the words used to describe the Blue Water Ally Center.

The Blue Water Ally Center, 1519 Military St., has only been open a few months but is making strong headway as a community center for the LGBTQ+ community of Port Huron and its allies. It is one of four physical LGBTQ+ centers in Michigan and the only center of its kind within a 50-mile radius of St. Clair County.

Since opening in July, some of its board members have said the reaction and engagement from the community has been fantastic. Blue Water Allies President Amanda Hurtubise said the center fills a great need for the local LGBTQ+ community.

"To be here fills a massive hole, and honestly that's just a drop in the bucket as to what is needed," she said. "That's truly what we're talking about as to why is this important to have here. There's just no other resource like it."

Hurtubise said the center has received little pushback from the community. Board member Alexa Little said the biggest challenge the center has actually faced so far is getting events and programs organized.

People hang out at the Queer Hangout Night at the Blue Water Ally Center on Oct. 9, 2023.
People hang out at the Queer Hangout Night at the Blue Water Ally Center on Oct. 9, 2023.

In addition to engagement from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, the Blue Water Ally Center has seen support from the general community. Murray said there is a woman who drops off snack items for the center. Additionally, some people have donated books with LGBTQ+ topics. The center is working to create a small library.

The center is currently only open for its program schedule. The board hopes to eventually buy the building the center is located in, acquire staff and set regular hours. Blue Water Allies felt it was important to be centrally located in Port Huron.

"This is the most walkable part of town," Little said.

On Oct. 9, the Blue Water Ally center hosted a Queer Hangout night, a social event for LGBTQ+ young adults. Arin Valentine said the center means a place for community.

"It's a place where you don't necessarily have to be a part of the (LGBTQ+) community, and there's a sense of knowing that everyone is safe and you can be yourself," Valentine said.

Laurallya Raynard, who goes by she/him, said when she was in school the class sizes were small, so there wasn't a lot of diversity. At the time, she was the only person she knew from the LGBTQ+ community. Raynard said the Blue Water Ally Center means a lot to him, because it means she can go out and see other people like himself.

Board secretary Cathy Murray said the board has worked hard to make the center a safe space for everyone who comes inside. She said the center has seen a lot of success in its programming.

"We believe that our purpose is to provide safety for all individuals who enter our doors," Murray said. "It doesn't matter if they are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community or if they are an ally. We want people to hear (that) we want them to feel safe."

Murray said she is happy to see how much the programming has evolved since the center's opening.

The Blue Water Ally Center has many events and programs coming in the future. Two for October include an 18+ homecoming at CityFlats and a Queer Teen Halloween party. Other future events include a toy drive, a holiday craft fair and a sober New Years Eve event. More information on these events can be found on the center's website.

People hanging out at the Queer Hangout Night at the Blue Water Ally Center on Oct. 9, 2023
People hanging out at the Queer Hangout Night at the Blue Water Ally Center on Oct. 9, 2023

Some recent opposition came from the September Board of Commissioners meeting, in which Commissioner Lisa Beedon requested under $10,000 of ARPA funding for the center's behalf. Hurtubise said the request was unanimously passed out of committee, but the center then received word 24 hours before the meeting that there may be opposition to the funding.

After sending a call to the community, Blue Water Allies saw an outpouring of support at the meeting. The funding passed with a 4-3 vote.

"We just had a massive outpour of people who came from all areas of the community," Hurtubise said. "It was just wonderful, beautiful and heartwarming and the outcome was that we did get the grant."

The funding will be used for a security system, furnishing, lighting, bathroom signage, and to make the front door handicap accessible.

McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.

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This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Blue Water Allies impact on community