Out On The Lakeshore
About Out On The Lakeshore
Founded in 2015 through the collaboration of Holland Is Ready's board and Pride's officers, Out On The Lakeshore emerged from a community vision to create a dedicated center for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies in Holland, Michigan. This nonprofit organization was born from a commitment to ensuring that nobody needs to navigate their identity alone, grounding its work in the belief that relationships are the heart of community building. Out On The Lakeshore's mission centers on being a leading organization along the Lakeshore providing safe spaces, support, and celebration for all LGBTQ+ members while fostering an environment where individuals are welcomed, supported, and celebrated for who they are. The organization's vision extends beyond Holland to create an equitable future by empowering and uplifting those who have been historically marginalized. Since its introduction at Holland PRIDE in June 2015, Out On The Lakeshore has grown into a vital community resource, now serving more than 6,000 individuals over eight years of operation. The organization's work spans four core pillars: relating through support and social programming, celebrating through the Holland PRIDE Festival, educating the community about LGBTQ+ identities and experiences, and advocating for safety, human rights, and inclusion. Recognized with the City of Holland's Social Justice Award in 2020, Out On The Lakeshore demonstrates how collaborative, respectful engagement between community members, local government, and organizations can advance meaningful change and create lasting positive impact in West Michigan.