Why MIchigan?
Michigan is fortunate to have Governor [Gretchen] Whitmer, [Secretary of State Jocelyn] Benson and [Michigan Attorney General Dana] Nessel as staunch advocates of gay riights. In fact, one the governor's two daughter came out as being a lesbian recently. Further it has a higher than average senior population, two ways in which we can benefit from situation. First, because seniors moving to other warm states will free up houses and their rental units for us to purchase. Second, along with no taxes on social security, there will soon be no taxes on pensions. Furthermore, the state is focused on providing more funding for senior housing. and aging in place services.. Local community grant funds are available to help seniors with upgrades to their homes insure they are able to age at home.
Why southeast Michigan?
Madison Heights and neighboring cities in southeast Michigan like Ferndale, Hazel Park, Royal Oak, Berkley, Warren, and Sterling Heights all have ordinances prohibiting discrimination against lesbians and have yearly pride festivals. Numerous lesbian friendly restaurants are readily available in this area. Easy access to several hospitals, senior centers, community center, transportation and freeways.
Madison Heights, Michigan ? Yes, Madison Heights!
Plenty of cities in southeast Michigan like Ferndale have a great gay life and an almost non-existent lesbian life, what about lesbians? Or mature lesbians over 50? Our goal at Lez-B-Neighbors is to take neighborhoods within Madison Heights and build a mature lesbian community block by block.
Lesbians are being priced out nearby communities like Royal Oak, Ferndale, and Berkley. While Madison Heights has both affordable housing and rental options including single story ranch homes which are perfect for senior shared housing and aging in place.
The city of Madison Heights Human Rights Commission sponsored last years pride festival and Mayor herself attended the event. They even provided a city park for the event and our congresswoman for Madison Heights Haley Stevens also attended. It's worth noting that Madison Heights goes from 10 mile road north to 14 Mile road and homes south of Eleven Mile road are the least expensive.
Madison Heights has a golf coarse, water park, shopping, restaurants, fitness options, senior center, movie theater, dog and neighborhood parks. Close to metro beaches and Lake St.Clair for boating, swimming, kayaking, camping and RV park. The nearby freeways make it easy to explore ski resorts, lesbian campgrounds, and other statewide events.
Cities around Madison Heights which have held pride festivals:
Royal Oak
Berkley
Ferndale/Pleasant Ridge
Hazel Park
Sterling Heights
LGBTQ friendly cities in Michigan the (MEI) Municipal Equality Index score examines how inclusive municipals laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ people who live and work there. Not all cities were given a score. (The pf is cities that had pride festivals in 2022.)
Ferndale, Detroit, Ann Arbor 100
Grand Rapids 94
Sterling Heights 91
Lansing 87
East Lansing 85
Traverse City 84
Kalamazoo 74
Pleasant Ridge 69
Warren 44
Re-imagine our lives with lesbian neighbors
Target a specific neighborhood, town, apartment building, condo or townhouse to serve as your age friendly lesbian haven. Which is exactly what we are doing with marvelous Madison Heights and the surrounding area. Presently, Madison Heights like any town you'll find today, isn't perfect. After all heterosexuals make their communities in their own image. Its no wonder we don't feel like we fit in, but, we can make a conscious effort to remake our lives and communities with lesbians in mind. Contribute your time to making those lasting changes that will bring us closer and enhances our lives!