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6.12.09
COME DOWN AND TRY A PEACH WAVE FOR $3!!!
6.04.09
For Immediate Release June 1, 2009
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.
LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.
Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.
The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.
My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.
These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA
6.02.09
40 Years ago this month, the New York City tactical police force raided a popular Greenwich Village gay bar, the Stonewall Inn. In the past such raids were almost common place; resulting in the removal and jailing of many gay and lesbian patrons. But the night the Stonewall patrons, who had been mourning the recent death of Judy Garland, decided that enough was enough. They began to resist arrest and turned the tables by physically confronting the police. In short order the whole street within the predominately gay neighborhood erupted into a melee of resistance. Protests continued on for several days and in the course of history has been known as the Stonewall Riots.
Stonewall became a true turning point for the GLBT community. It marks the beginning of the modern day, multi-national, Gay Pride movement. In fact the movement has honored "Stonewall" by claiming June as Pride Month.
In this 40th Anniversary of Stonewall it's important to remember the sacrifices that such original protestors had to make to develop the level of respect that the GLBT community now enjoys in society overall.
5.22.09
"I can't forget the faces of people who've lost hope. Be they gay, be they seniors, be they blacks looking for an almost impossible job, be they Latin's trying to explain their problems and aspirations in a tongue that's foreign to them. I personally will never forget that people are more important than buildings. I use the word "I" because I'm proud. I stand here tonight in front of my gay sisters, brothers and friends because I'm proud of you. I think it's time that we have many legislators who are gay and proud of that fact and do not have to remain in the closet. I think that a gay person, up-front, will not walk away from a responsibility and be afraid of being tossed out of office. ...I walked among the angry and the frustrated night after night and I looked at their faces. And in San Francisco, three days before Gay Pride Day, a person was killed just because he was gay. And that night, I walked among the sad and the frustrated at City Hall in San Francisco and later that night as they lit candles on Castro Street and stood in silence, reaching out for some symbolic thing that would give them hope. These were the strong people, whose faces I knew from the shop, the streets, meetings and people who I never saw before but I knew. They were strong, but even they needed hope. ...So if there is a message I have to give, it is that I've found one overriding thing about my personal election, it's the fact that if a gay person can be elected, it's a green light. And you and you and you, you have to give people hope!"
- Harvey Milk
1930- 1978
Happy Birthday to a legend who opened the eyes of millions in the pursuit of equality for all.
5.13.09
Stop down next week Wednesday, May 20th for the AMERICAN IDOL SEASON FINALE PARTY!! SIZZLING DRINK SPECIALS.
4.28.09
"DARE TO DREAM"
A Spring Concert
West Michigan Gay Men's Chorus
With Special Guest:
Kelly Carey
Venue: WEALTHY THEATRE
1130 Wealthy Street SE
8pm Saturday, May 30, 2009
Tickets: $15.00
**Tickets are available though Chorus members, Wealthy Theatre's Box Office or online at www.grcmc.org/theatre/boxoffice
***Any further questions visit www.wmgmc.org
4.25.09
Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner. Stop down for snacks and awesome festive drink specials. Party like a pinata, and get smashed!!!!
Don't forget to sign up for our mailing list located under "Contact"
Also, we starting raising monies for PRIDE 2009 by creating an "Apartment Lounge Patron Triangles" in hopes to raise money ahead of schedule, ask your bartender how you can make a contribution.
Olivia Michaels will be hosting:
"WEST MICHIGAN PRIDE EXTRAVAGANZA"
Friday, May 1ST
11PM - 2AM
Venue: Mo'z
80 S Seaway Dr
Muskegon, MI
Performances by:
Nikki Chaunte
Jasinya Sanchez
Natsha Dior
April Evangalista
Asio Aviance
4.14.09
The annual SPRING GAYLA, a benifit for West Michigan Pride will be hosted at McFADDEN'S Restaurant and Saloon on Saturday April 18th. McFADDEN'S is located on 58 Ionia SW. Tickets are $10.00. Check with your bartender about available tickets.
**MEMORIAL DAY**
Monday May 25th
Please take the time to remember the true meaning of this important date. On this day, we honor those brave men and women in the military both past and present; who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. It is by such sacrifice that we continue to enjoy the freedoms that this great country offers.
4.02.09
We want to take time to wish one of our bartender's Matt, a very Happy Birthday. Happy 26th!!!
PRIDE 2009 is just around the corner. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for information on PRIDE 2009, donations, or simply how to get involved.
Some new additions to our excessive liquor selection:
Introducing APPLETON'S ESTATE Jamaican Rum. Great in a Pina colada, Strawberry Daiquiri or coke!
Also welcome back the taste of summer!
OBERON is BACK!!!
An American wheat ale brewed with Saaz hops. Spicy and fruity, Oberon is the color and scent of a sunny afternoon.
3.19.08
Thanks to everyone for another successful St. Patrick's Day. Again, we ask for you to join us in Celebrating Ed and Milt's anniversary tomorrow night at 8pm.
NEW NEW NEW!!!
Come on down and try the newest additions to our liquor line.
Introducing SMIRNOFF MELON, a melon flavored vodka made with the essence of melon flavors and vodka distilled and filtered in a unique process. Try one with pineapple juice.
3.10.09
Join us March 20th in Celebration of Ed & Milt's Anniversary. We will be having Happy Hour prices all night and offering a light buffet.
Mondays and Thursdays, we will be having 22ozers of Bud, Bud Light and Miller Lt for $2.25. Can't beat that anywhere!
Also, try our Chicken and Tuna Salad Sandwiches for only $3.25.
3.07.09
*Congratulations to Milt and Ed on their 45 years together. Thanks for serving the community of West Michigan for 37 of those years!
2.28.09
*West Michigan Pride is currently looking for board members and volunteers. Contact them at: pride@lgcnetwork.org
PRIDE 2009 will be held on June 20th at John Ball Park. Opens at 1:30pm. Make sure you have proper I. D. in order to purchase drinks under the beer tent.
*Grand Rapids Front Runners & Walkers will be staging their fourteenth Pride 5K Race & Fitness Walk on May 31, 2009. Grand Rapids Front Runners & Walkers promote health and fitness in the
West Michigan LGBT community since 1993.
2.17.09
JOIN US FOR "MARDI GRAS" TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24TH.
AS OF MARCH 1ST, WE WILL BE OPEN ON SUNDAYS AT 12:00PM. CHECK OUT OUR AWESOME MARTINI SPECIALS EVERY SUNDAY WITH JAMES!
2.05.09
We've got what your man wants...
......No, not that!
Stop in Saturday FEB 14TH for Valentine's Day!!
Check with your bartender on drink specials!
2.03.09
From everyone here at the Apartment Lounge, we would like to thank each and everyone for their support and patronage. Welcome to the brand new web site for the Apartment Lounge. Sign up for our mailing-list to receive updates and information on events approaching. Again we thank you all! We wouldn't be here with out your help.
1.27.09
I'm sure everyone looks forward to a fun-filled weekend. So......to help you jump start the the weekend, we are offering a POWER HOURS special on friday nights and saturday nights. From midnight to close, take advantage of our POWER HOURS SPECIAL!! Stop in and ask your bartender about POWER HOURS!
Also, check us out online @ www.yourareacode.com
12.19.08
WE ARE OPEN DURING THE WINTER STORMS.
BUNDLE UP AND STOP DOWN AND WARM UP WITH US. NOT SURE IF WE'RE OPEN, YOU CAN GIVE US A CALL AT 616-451-0815
**NEW PRODUCTS**
FIREFLY SWEET TEA VODKA The product is an infusion of American Tea and Firefly Vodka. Firefly Distillery is proud to bring true southern products to the marketplace. (70 proof)
RYE ONE Check out this new “ultra-premium” whiskey being offered by Beam Global Spirits & Wine, “Rye One”.
KNOB CREEK The flavor is fairly distinct due to its light sweetness. According to the Small Batch company, this is due to the long aging process, during which it absorbs more sugar than usual. It is aged near the center of the rackhouse due to the warmer temperatures there, which are claimed to produce a higher quality bourbon
COINTREAU NOIR is a blend of Cointreau liqueur and Remy Martin cognac. A very special liqueur. Can be enjoyed neat over ice or straight.
