Port Huron Blue Water Pride Festival 2025: A Community Celebration Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Event Overview

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, Port Huron, Michigan, hosted the Blue Water Pride Festival and March, attracting hundreds of attendees in support of the LGBTQ+ community. The event, held at McMorran Plaza, featured a variety of activities including a march, vendors, food trucks, musical performances, and a drag show.

Event Details and Activities

1. Festival Kickoff: The celebration began at 1 p.m. with community organizations and vendors setting up tents and booths.
2. Pride March: At 1:30 p.m., participants marched from McMorran Plaza to the St. Clair River and back, carrying flags and messages promoting LGBTQ+ visibility.
3. Performances: The event featured performances by drag queen Amanda Collins, local musicians Drew Porrett, Natalie & Noel, Breakfast at 2 p.m., and the Quelle Drag Troupe.
4. Vendors and Community Outreach: More than 50 vendors sold rainbow-themed items and community organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, engaged with attendees.

Community and Leadership

• Organizers: The festival was organized by Blue Water Allies, led by Barbara Payton, a Port Huron city council member, with event direction by Lisa Naveen.
• Religious Support: St. Paul Lutheran Church, represented by Nancy Canon, participated as a sponsor, emphasizing inclusivity and acceptance.
• Attendee Perspectives: Shane Reid, a local resident, highlighted the importance of community and visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Blue Water Pride Festival aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, promoting inclusivity, equality, and community well-being:

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: The festival raised awareness about health issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals, such as Alzheimer’s disease, through participation by organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association.
• SDG 5 – Gender Equality: By celebrating LGBTQ+ identities and advocating for equal rights, the event supports gender equality and combats discrimination.
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: The event fosters social inclusion and visibility for marginalized groups, promoting equality within the community.
• SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The festival commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision, highlighting the importance of legal protections and human rights.
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Collaboration among community organizations, local government, religious groups, and vendors exemplifies multi-stakeholder partnerships advancing social goals.

Significance and Future Outlook

• The event marked a significant increase in participation compared to previous years, reflecting growing community support.
• Organizers expressed optimism about progress made in LGBTQ+ rights over the past decade but also voiced concerns regarding potential legal challenges to same-sex marriage.
• The festival reinforced the resilience and solidarity of the LGBTQ+ community in Port Huron and beyond.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses health issues specific to the LGBTQ+ community, including Alzheimer’s disease awareness and caregiving challenges.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The Pride Festival promotes visibility, acceptance, and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, addressing gender equality and social inclusion.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The event highlights the importance of community support and visibility for marginalized groups such as LGBTQ+ people, aiming to reduce social inequalities.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article references legal rights such as same-sex marriage legalization and concerns about judicial decisions impacting these rights.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The collaboration among community organizations, religious groups, and health associations at the festival demonstrates partnerships supporting social goals.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere, extended here to include LGBTQ+ individuals.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels, including marginalized groups.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other non-communicable diseases among LGBTQ+ populations (implied by Alzheimer’s Association involvement).
   • Access to health care and support services for LGBTQ+ individuals and caregivers.
2. SDG 5 Indicators
   • Measures of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in social and legal contexts.
   • Participation rates of LGBTQ+ individuals in community leadership and events.
3. SDG 10 Indicators
   • Social inclusion indices measuring visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ communities.
   • Legal protections and equality measures, such as recognition of same-sex marriage.
4. SDG 16 Indicators
   • Number and impact of laws protecting LGBTQ+ rights.
   • Judicial decisions affecting equality and non-discrimination.
5. SDG 17 Indicators
   • Number and effectiveness of partnerships between community organizations, health associations, and religious groups supporting LGBTQ+ rights and health.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thetimesherald.com