Equality Michigan Action Network Launches “Reclaiming MI Pride” 2026 Statewide Movement Building Campaign

LANSING, MI – Equality Michigan Action Network (EMAN) today announced the launch of its 2026 statewide movement building and voter engagement campaign: Reclaiming MI Pride, a bold and proactive response to the escalating hostility against LGBTQ+ people in Michigan and across the country.

In a year that will define the future of our state, Reclaiming MI Pride centers collective civic engagement. It is a call to be unapologetically and loudly queer, and to celebrate and show up for one another so we can go on offense and take back what’s ours.

“In a moment when anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is intensifying and well-funded opposition is trying to divide our communities, we are choosing visibility and power,” said Erin Knott, Executive Director of Equality Michigan Action Network. “Reclaiming MI Pride is about turning our pride into political action.” 

The 2026 campaign builds on EMAN’s successful #HateWontWin voter engagement efforts in 2022 and 2024, which brought more than $5 million combined into Michigan to defend equality up and down the ballot and mobilize voters. In 2024 alone, EMAN knocked on over 95,000 doors, completed more than 191,000 phone conversations, sent more than 51,000 text messages, and engaged equality voters in key districts across the state. In recent years, EMAN has helped secure historic wins for LGBTQ+ Michiganders, including:

• -Adding sexual orientation and gender identity/expression protections to Michigan’s Civil Rights Act
• -Protecting minors from the harmful practice of conversion “therapy”
• -Ensuring access to accurate birth certificates and removing barriers to legal name changes
• -Defeating 18 anti-trans provisions in the 2025/26 Michigan State Budget
• -Hosting the largest LGBTQ+ Capitol Day in Michigan history

To officially kick off Reclaiming MI Pride, EMAN will host three launch events across Michigan, bringing together community members, volunteers, and leaders to activate this next phase of movement building.

Reclaiming MI Pride – Lansing
Thursday, March 26, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
https://www.mobilize.us/equalitymi/event/911039

Reclaiming MI Pride – Traverse City
Thursday, March 26, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
https://www.mobilize.us/equalitymi/event/906635

Reclaiming MI Pride – Grand Rapids
Sunday, April 12, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
https://www.mobilize.us/equalitymi/event/912524/

Additionally, EMAN will engage with LGBTQ+ Michiganders and allies throughout June at Pride events across the state to connect community celebration with meaningful civic action.

Building Power for 2026

Research continues to show that equality is a winning message and that anti-LGBTQ+ attacks lose their impact when directly challenged. EMAN’s 2026 work will focus on:

• -Recruiting and mobilizing volunteers
• -Holding lawmakers accountable
• -Educating and turning out equality voters

Equality Michigan Action Network is the non-partisan political advocacy voice for Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community, working to achieve full equality and respect for all Michiganders. For more information, visit: https://equalitymiaction.org/

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