[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 56 (Monday, April 7, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


THE OCCASION OF AFFIRMATIONS TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF SERVICE TO THE 
                   LGBT COMMUNITY OF GREATER DETROIT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 7, 2014

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
staff and supporters of Affirmations on reaching a great milestone in 
their organization's history--twenty-five years of service to the 
Greater Detroit LGBT community.
  Created in 1989, Affirmations began as the LGBT community's answer 
for a need to have a safe haven, with a mission to provide a welcoming 
space where individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities 
and expressions, and cultures would be able to find support and 
acceptance. Operated entirely by volunteers during its first 2 years, 
Affirmations' first service was a toll-free phone line, where community 
members could call for information and assistance. Under the leadership 
of Affirmations' first executive director, Jan Stevenson, programs 
quickly expanded to include several support groups, where community 
members could find reassurance and acceptance among their peers.
  From its humble beginnings, Affirmations quickly grew to address the 
evolving needs of Greater Detroit's LGBT community. At the center of 
its operating philosophy is the goal of empowering and educating 
volunteers to effect positive change in their own lives and in the 
broader community. Early on in its existence tragedy struck. In 1992 as 
Susan Pittmann and Christine Puckett, two of Affirmations founding 
members and leaders in Michigan's LGBT community, were murdered. 
Affirmations worked with other LGBT advocacy organizations in Michigan 
to rally the community and engage the public in a discussion on the 
need to protect all individuals from hate crimes.
  The mission of advocacy has not waned in the years that have followed 
as Affirmations has held countless community forums and created many 
programs to assist its community members. Among these programs are 
health services geared toward practices that are sensitive to an 
individual's sexual orientation and gender identity. In a state and a 
country where it is still unfortunately legal for companies to fire 
someone based on their perceived orientation or gender identity, 
Affirmations provides LGBT youth with an internship program where they 
can gain valuable workplace skills in a supportive environment, and 
works with other local organizations to assist community members that 
have been the victims of discrimination in the workplace.
  Over my many years in public service, as a proud ally of the LGBT 
community in Michigan, it has been a pleasure to support Affirmations' 
endeavors. Whether it is marriage equality, health services funding, or 
protecting LGBT people in the workplace and at school, Affirmations has 
been at the forefront of advocating for a more just, informed, and 
tolerant discussion of these important issues. Just two weekends ago, I 
was gratified to see that Affirmations rallied the community following 
Judge Friedman's historical ruling on marriage equality in Michigan to 
ensure that so many loving LGBT couples were able to finally have all 
of the same protections under the law that other loving couples enjoy. 
I was proud to work with my fellow Democratic members of Michigan's 
Congressional delegation to successfully push for Federal recognition 
of those marriages.
  Mr. Speaker, as a long time friend, supporter and ally of 
Affirmations and Michigan's LGBT community, I am proud to recognize the 
profound impact this organization has made in Michigan over the last 25 
years. The staff, supporters and volunteers of Affirmations have 
touched so many lives through their years of dedication and advocacy--
fostering a dialogue and taking actions that have seen great steps 
forward in the ongoing endeavor to obtain full equality for the LGBT 
community. In its first 25 years, Affirmations has worked hard to 
fulfill its mission and I look forward to continuing to partner with 
its staff, supporters and volunteers as we make more progress to ensure 
that our entire state is safe and supportive for Michigan's LGBT 
residents.

                          ____________________