IV 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 455 
Recognizing and supporting the continued efforts and contributions of the 
City of Ferndale to the LGBTQIA+ community of the State of Michigan. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 29, 2025 
Ms. STEVENS submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing and supporting the continued efforts and con-
tributions of the City of Ferndale to the LGBTQIA+ 
community of the State of Michigan. 
Whereas Ferndale is a city in Oakland County in the State 
of Michigan; 
Whereas Ferndale has been one of the most significant queer 
hubs in Michigan for decades, seeing growth from the 
1980s and 1990s of the LGBTQIA+ population, coin-
ciding with a migration from neighborhoods in Detroit to 
communities north along Woodward Avenue; 
Whereas, in 1988, the Michigan Organization for Human 
Rights worked to secure funding for a local LGBTQIA+ 
community center that would eventually evolve into Affir-
mations of Ferndale; 
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•HRES 455 IH 
Whereas the Pittman-Puckett Gallery, located in Affirma-
tions, was established in 1992 to honor Susan Pittman 
and Christine Puckett, two co-founders of Affirmations 
who were killed by their next-door neighbor in front of 
their home; 
Whereas their deaths became a rallying point for the local 
LGBTQIA+ community and brought attention to 
LGBTQIA+ discrimination; 
Whereas support groups and queer advocacy groups like the 
Midwest AIDS Prevention Project and Ferndale Pride 
were also formed with the purpose of providing accessible 
resources and development of community; 
Whereas Affirmations opened its new, expanded LGBTQIA+ 
community center building in downtown Ferndale on 
June 3, 2007; 
Whereas Affirmations serves as a hub for services to address 
disparities related, but not limited to, physical and men-
tal health, community building, and economic challenges; 
Whereas Affirmations has demonstrated its commitment to 
strengthening community health, employing seven li-
censed therapists, providing youth support services to ad-
dress suicide rates in adolescence, providing vaccinations, 
STI/HIV testing and informational resources, and health 
care referrals; 
Whereas Affirmations strengthens the sense of community in 
Ferndale, operated since its founding with volunteers, en-
gaging over 150 LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies regu-
larly; 
Whereas Affirmations fosters economic growth and develop-
ment by administering job readiness programs and fos-
tering partnerships with businesses; 
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•HRES 455 IH 
Whereas economic support is further displayed by Affirma-
tions by responding to economic disparity through its 
provision of a public food pantry, serving hundreds of 
people in the city and surrounding area, and also by pro-
viding community members with assistance accessing 
SNAP and other government assistance programs, along 
with free legal and housing clinics; 
Whereas Ferndale has been home to some of the largest 
Pride celebrations in Michigan, serving as home to Motor 
City Pride after moving from Royal Oak in 2003 until its 
relocation to Detroit’s Hart Plaza in 2011, and now 
hosts Ferndale Pride, the second largest event in the 
State since 2011; 
Whereas Ferndale hosted its 14th Annual Ferndale Pride fes-
tival last year, furthering community development, eco-
nomic development, and public health; 
Whereas the 14th Annual Ferndale Pride festival brought in 
an estimated 30,000 people to its annual festival down-
town on Nine Mile Road, working with local businesses, 
health resource providers, and groups advocating for so-
cial justice to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community; 
Whereas the 15th Annual Ferndale Pride festival will take 
place on May 31, 2025; 
Whereas, in 1999, Ferndale elected its first gay city official, 
Craig Covey, who eventually became Ferndale’s first gay 
mayor; 
Whereas Craig Covey was one of the first gay mayors in 
Michigan; 
Whereas David Coulter immediately succeeded Craig Covey 
as Ferndale’s second gay mayor and subsequently served 
as the first gay Oakland County Executive; 
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•HRES 455 IH 
Whereas, in 2006, the city passed an anti-discrimination ordi-
nance protecting LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination 
in public accommodations, housing, and business fol-
lowing earlier attempts; 
Whereas, in 2017, Ferndale became one of the first munici-
palities in the Nation to permanently display the rainbow 
Pride flag in City Council Chambers; 
Whereas Ferndale has taken steps to protect city employees 
from discrimination by instituting ungendered parental 
leave and other measures; 
Whereas the city has dedicated itself to equality and inclusion 
of all residents, providing additional public safety re-
sources, as needed, and civil rights trainings along with 
working with community organizations and leaders to in-
crease access and equity in services; 
Whereas Ferndale has received a perfect score from the 
Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Index for six con-
secutive years, ranking among the most recognized in the 
State, demonstrating its commitment to inclusion and 
support of the LGBTQIA+ community; 
Whereas the City of Ferndale has grown and evolved through 
its commitment to creating a better home for its resi-
dents, bringing together lifelong Ferndale natives and 
new neighbors to make meaningful changes; 
Whereas the cultural and institutional shift toward a more di-
verse, LGBTQIA+ supportive environment in Ferndale 
has coincided with measurable positive socioeconomic 
growth in the city and expanded attention toward social 
justice across all marginalized communities; and 
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•HRES 455 IH 
Whereas Ferndale serves as an example for other commu-
nities who strive to create a more welcoming and equi-
table society: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recog-
nizes the City of Ferndale, its residents, businesses, and 
community support organizations for their significance in 
the LGBTQIA+ movement and for its continued dedica-
tion to creating a more equitable society. 
Æ 
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