Celebrating Pride Month 2024!

Celebrating the diverse LGBTQ+ optiMize community

At optiMize, Pride Month is a cherished time to celebrate and honor our vibrant LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every member feels empowered to create meaningful change. The diverse identities and experiences within our community are what make us strong and innovative.

Celebrating LGBTQ+ identities is at the heart of our mission. We believe that when people are free to express their true selves, their creativity and passion shine through, leading to groundbreaking projects that reflect their deepest values and experiences. This spirit of authenticity fuels collaboration and strengthens our community bonds, driving us all toward greater social impact.The contributions of our LGBTQ+ members are immeasurable. Their creativity, insight, and empathy have been essential to our efforts in driving social change.

In celebration of Pride Month, we want to spotlight some of the remarkable projects from our cohorts that uplift and support the LGBTQ+ community. These teams have impressed us with their dedication and have played a vital role in advancing diversity and acceptance. Discover the amazing work they are doing:

 

Runway Rumble 

An event competition series in Ann Arbor highlighting underutilized queer spaces.

Cohort 12:  Jacob Lydick

Runway Rumble aims to strengthen LGBTQIA+ connections both within the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor by uplifting queer spaces that are often overlooked by on-campus events. For Jacob Lydick, a queer individual, it is crucial that his community knows where they can find like-minded individuals and feel safe expressing themselves. Noticing that many at the University of Michigan and in Ann Arbor were unaware of local queer events, Jacob created a guide to these events to engage and educate people about accessible queer spaces. Over the summer, Runway Rumble will cast talent and crew, create promotional materials, and collaborate with various Pride events to promote the series. Jacob envisions this project becoming self-sustaining, with the winner of the series taking on hosting and directing the drag competition. This initiative also aims to provide better-paying opportunities for queer performance artists and increase the visibility of queer spaces, helping them thrive. Thanks to OptiMize, Jacob was able to turn his idea into a full-fledged vision, connecting with supportive individuals and organizations like the Spectrum Center and Necto to bring his prototype show to life.


The Michigan Gayly

A monthly newspaper published by students at the University of Michigan within the LGBTQ+ community

Cohort 8 : Grey Weinstein

"The Michigan Gayly: LGBTQ+ Issues" serves as a monthly periodical offering insightful articles on LGBTQ+ current events, politics, culture, and entertainment within the University of Michigan campus and the broader world. Its primary objective is to provide a platform for self-expression for LGBTQ+ students from diverse backgrounds while also educating both queer and straight readers about LGBTQ+ issues. 

With aspirations to broaden its impact, the publication aims to extend its distribution to local businesses, fostering partnerships with various student organizations and faculty members, and exploring advertisement opportunities. These endeavors are pivotal steps towards establishing a sustainable, self-funded model for the future. 

Ultimately, "The Michigan Gayly" envisions expanding its readership and solidifying its position as an integral component of the literary landscape at the University of Michigan. Through its comprehensive coverage and community engagement, it seeks to foster understanding, inclusivity, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals on campus and beyond.


Tans*formative Arts Curriculum

A project empowering queer youth through meaningful artmaking opportunities.

Cohort 12 : Day Parker

The Trans*Formative Arts Curriculum addresses the mental health crisis among youth with two main goals: increasing trauma-informed art activities and empowering queer and trans students through expressive arts. Through evidence-based practices, the curriculum evolves to maximize healing. Originally conceived to respond to the mental health challenges faced by young queer individuals, it aims to collaborate with organizations like the Neutral Zone to implement its curriculum and resources. By directly serving youth and providing educators with open educational resources, the project strives to make a meaningful impact. The founder credits support received, stating, "It made it possible! I learned that I can do it!" This initiative highlights the transformative power of art in healing and empowering marginalized communities.


While this organization is so proud of the inclusive community we are fortunate to have, we have a responsibility that extends beyond supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurial efforts. We hold ourselves accountable for being knowledgeable and inclusive members of society through our unLearn/Learn initiative. We would love to share with you an ever-growing list of resources that have helped us become more understanding and hope they will aid you in the journey of self-education as well. Check them out below!

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