Community & support / Ferndale
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center
Michigan's largest LGBTQ+ community center, open since 1989: support groups, free testing, and youth and senior programs in downtown Ferndale.
01 / The story of this place
Make time for these
Affirmations has served the community since 1989 and today occupies a purpose-built home in downtown Ferndale. It runs support groups, affordable queer-affirming therapy, youth and senior programming, arts events and social clubs. The building also houses the Pittman-Puckett Gallery, a MiGen senior-center office and The Ringwald Theatre, and the center is a Ferndale Pride partner. Its Sports & Movement program covers queer yoga, a run club, tango and self-defense.
- Free HIV/STI testing clinics with health partners
- Teen Drop-In on Fridays for ages 14–18
- Monthly name and gender-marker change clinic
A closer look
Photos were taken at different times; images are resized and cropped on cards.
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Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-09-25
An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.
03 / Events
Events at this place
Published events automatically linked from our event guide. Times are local to the venue.
Oct 14, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts a group run on Wednesday, October 14, at 6:30 p.m. starting at Affirmations in Ferndale. Choose 5K or 10K; finishes alternate between Soho (even weeks) and Sidecar Slider Bar (odd weeks).
Oct 15, 2026, 6:45 PMWriting Group
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts a virtual writing group on Thursday, October 15, at 6:45 p.m., online via Affirmations in Ferndale. Connect with fellow writers and share works-in-progress. Free with registration.
Oct 20, 2026, 6:00 PMVogue Class
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts a beginner-friendly vogue class on Tuesday, October 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Affirmations in Ferndale. You'll learn the basics, from hands to catwalk, and it's free.
Oct 21, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Stonewall Run Club sets off Wednesday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m. from Affirmations in Ferndale; this odd week finishes at Sidecar Slider Bar. Choose a 5K or 10K route, and note the 11 a.m. Wednesday weather call.
Oct 22, 2026, 6:30 PMFilm: Paris Is Burning
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center screens Paris Is Burning on Thursday, October 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Affirmations in Ferndale, hosted by Jey’nce. Jennie Livingston's landmark documentary dives into 1980s New York drag ball culture.
Oct 28, 2026, 6:00 PMMonthly Midweek Meetup
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Monthly Midweek Meetup is Wednesday, October 28, at 6 p.m. at Como’s Restaurant in Ferndale. Expect queer nostalgia, chats, and games; episodes/shows/games start at 6:30 p.m., and food is provided.
Oct 28, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Stonewall Run Club heads out Wednesday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m. from Affirmations in Ferndale. It’s a community 5K/10K, finishing at Soho this week.
Nov 4, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Stonewall Run Club hosts a 5K/10K community run on Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m., starting outside Affirmations in Ferndale. LGBTQ+ friendly run with two route options; this 1st-week meetup finishes at Sidecar Slider Bar.
Nov 5, 2026, 6:45 PMWriting Group (Online)
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts an online Writing Group on Thursday, November 5, at 6:45 p.m., organized from Ferndale. Trade ideas with fellow writers or share works-in-progress—free with registration.
Nov 11, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Stonewall Run Club meets on Wednesday, November 11, at 6:30 p.m., starting outside Affirmations in Ferndale. Choose a 5K or 10K route; this week’s finish is behind Soho.
Nov 18, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Stonewall Run Club’s community run is Wednesday, November 18, at 6:30 p.m., starting outside Affirmations in Ferndale. Choose 5K or 10K; this week finishes at Sidecar Slider Bar.
Nov 19, 2026, 6:45 PMWriting Group
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts a virtual Writing Group on Thursday, November 19, at 6:45 p.m., from Affirmations in Ferndale. Share works-in-progress, swap ideas, and get inspired — free to join with registration.
Nov 25, 2026, 6:00 PMMonthly Midweek Meetup
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts its Monthly Midweek Meetup on Wednesday, November 25, at 6 p.m. at Como’s Restaurant in Ferndale. Food is provided, and episodes/shows/games start at 6:30.
Nov 25, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts the Stonewall Run Club on Wednesday, November 25, at 6:30 p.m., starting at Affirmations in Ferndale. Choose a 5K or 10K; this even week finishes at Soho.
Dec 2, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Stonewall Run Club heads out for a 5K or 10K on Wednesday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m., starting outside Affirmations in Ferndale. LGBTQ+-friendly crew, with finishes at Soho or Sidecar Slider Bar depending on the week.
Dec 3, 2026, 6:45 PMWriting Group
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts an online writing group on Thursday, December 3, at 6:45 p.m., organized from Ferndale. Swap ideas, share works-in-progress, and get inspired. It’s free with registration.
Dec 5, 2026, 12:00 PMMOVE Series: Self-Defense
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts a self-defense session on Saturday, December 5, at 12 p.m. at Affirmations in Ferndale. It’s part of the MOVE Series.
Dec 9, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts a community run on Wednesday, December 9, at 6:30 p.m., starting at Affirmations in Ferndale. Choose 5K or 10K; on even weeks the finish is at Soho — easy miles with a queer‑friendly crew.
Dec 16, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Stonewall Run Club heads out Wednesday, December 16, at 6:30 p.m. from Affirmations in Ferndale. Choose 5K or 10K; this week finishes at Sidecar Slider Bar.
Dec 17, 2026, 6:00 PMBridging Generations: Open Mic Night (All Ages)
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts an all-ages open mic on Thursday, December 17, at 6 p.m. at Affirmations Gallery in Ferndale, in partnership with MiGen. Sign-ups happen on site, first come first served.
Dec 17, 2026, 6:45 PMWriting Group (virtual)
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts a virtual Writing Group on Thursday, December 17, 2026, at 6:45 p.m., organized from Ferndale. Connect with fellow writers, share works-in-progress, and spark ideas. It’s free; submit the registration form to join.
Dec 23, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Stonewall Run Club’s group run is Wednesday, December 23, at 6:30 p.m., starting outside Affirmations in Ferndale. Choose 5K or 10K; even weeks finish at Soho, odd weeks at Sidecar Slider Bar; weather call goes out at 11 a.m.
Dec 30, 2026, 6:00 PMMonthly Midweek Meetup
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Monthly Midweek Meetup is Wednesday, December 30, at 6 p.m. at Como’s Restaurant in Ferndale. Food is provided, and episodes/shows/games kick off at 6:30.
Dec 30, 2026, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center’s run club heads out Wednesday, December 30, at 6:30 p.m. from Affirmations in Ferndale. Choose a 5K or 10K route, with a finish at Soho or Sidecar Slider Bar depending on the week—friendly vibes on familiar streets.
Jan 6, 2027, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center's run club sets off on Wednesday, January 6, at 6:30 p.m. from Affirmations on Nine Mile Road in Ferndale. Pick a 5k or 10k route and finish at a local bar.
Jan 7, 2027, 6:45 PMWriting Group
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center in Ferndale hosts a virtual writing group on Thursday, January 7, at 6:45 p.m. Swap ideas with fellow writers; it's free, and you register to join.
Jan 13, 2027, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center's Stonewall Run Club sets off Wednesday, January 13, at 6:30 p.m. from Affirmations in Ferndale. Pick a 5K or 10K route and finish with a drink.
Jan 20, 2027, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts its Stonewall Run Club on Wednesday, January 20, at 6:30 p.m., starting outside Affirmations in Ferndale. Pick the 5K or the 10K route, then finish at Soho or Sidecar Slider Bar.
Jan 21, 2027, 6:45 PMWriting Group
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center in Ferndale hosts a virtual writing group on Thursday, January 21, at 6:45 p.m. It's free, and you join by filling out a registration form.
Jan 27, 2027, 6:00 PMMonthly Midweek Meetup
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts its monthly midweek meetup on Wednesday, January 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Como's Restaurant in Ferndale, a hangout for LGBTQ+ folks and allies.
Jan 27, 2027, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center's run club sets off Wednesday, January 27, at 6:30 p.m. outside Affirmations in Ferndale. Pick a 5K or 10K, then finish at Soho or Sidecar Slider Bar.
Feb 3, 2027, 6:30 PMStonewall Run Club
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center's run club sets off from Affirmations in Ferndale on Wednesday, February 3, at 6:30 p.m. Pick the 5K or the 10K, then finish up with a drink.
Feb 4, 2027, 6:45 PMWriting Group
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center in Ferndale hosts a virtual writing group on Thursday, February 4, at 6:45 p.m. Swap ideas with fellow writers; it's free, with registration required.
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