MUSKEGON, MI – As the Muskegon Pride Parade filled the streets this year, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel took to the stage to deliver a powerful message on the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community and the necessity of civic engagement.

In a keynote address that touched on both personal history and the broader fight for equality, Nessel reminded attendees that the progress seen over the last decade is a direct result of collective action. Reflecting on her own journey as the first openly gay person to serve in statewide office in Michigan, she highlighted the transformation of the state’s legal landscape—from the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling in 2015 to recent state-level protections in housing, employment, and education.

"The moral arc of justice is long, but it bends towards justice," Nessel told the cheering crowd, referencing the historical struggles for marriage equality and legal family recognition. "And today, that arc looks like a rainbow."

However, Nessel cautioned against complacency. Pointing to the recent backlash against the LGBTQ+ community, she emphasized that rights are not guaranteed and must be defended by every new generation. She urged those in attendance to remain vigilant, stay informed about which candidates support their rights, and, most importantly, show up to the polls in August and November.

"The fight for equal justice is never really over," Nessel concluded. "Remember what it was like not to have any of these rights and to know how easily we could go back to those times if we aren't watchful."

Programming courtesy of Loring Video Productions.