MARQUETTE — For the first time, a large contingent of LGBTQIA+ youth and chaperones were organized to attend the BAMM Pride Summit in Grand Rapids at Grand Valley State University.

This group was organized by one individual at the onset but with the help of multiple organizations and stakeholders, $12,000 and 12 different school represented by their youth the trip was set.

Last Thursday, the first group (in Menominee) was picked up at 7 a.m. and 12 hours later and 4 stops (Baraga, Marquette, Eben Junction and St. Ignace) to pick up more youth and chaperones they arrived at their hotel via Elite Limousines Charter bus.

The next day, they attended the summit which included keynote speakers, a panel of youth and 2 breakout sessions that youth could choose. Four of the 40 youth acted as presenters, three on the difference between rural and urban lg tqia experiences, the one other sat on a panel of 4 youth.