 Dear Friend, After a month off to focus on hosting our annual Macomb County Pride festival, we're back with another newsletter! We hope you'll spend the afternoon with us at Frontier's Farm Market in Armada this Saturday, September 12th for our next event--a family-friendly day at the farm (more details below). We're also sharing a recap of the pride festival, new sponsorship opportunities, an updated list of local and national resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, and more. Keep reading, and write back to us if there are things you'd like to get on our radar. Whether it's additional resources county-wide residents should know about, queer-friendly businesses to uplift in our features section, or questions about getting involved--we'd love to hear from you.   LOCAL ARTIST FEATURE Known as the Detroit King of sultry dancing and drag, Kingston Blue brings a blend of charisma, confidence, and unforgettable stage presence everywhere he goes. Bringing nearly four years of performance mastery, and his legacy as Mr. Trans Indiana 2025, he commands the spotlight with a mix of talent, humor, and high energy showmanship. Beyond his appearance on our main stage at the Macomb County Pride Festival in 2026, Kingston continues to support our local performance community, most recently hosting our A Queen Is Born amateur drag contest. We sat down with Kingston to talk about his artistry and what makes performing in Macomb County so special. ---------- How did your journey into drag begin, and where did the name Kingston Blue come from? KB: I've always been a performer/entertainer at heart and have always wanted to do something to show my talent. Almost four years ago, a friend reached out to me—I was dancing and lip-syncing to a song I enjoyed, and they asked if I wanted to perform for an organization fundraiser. At first I was hesitant, but I agreed. Honestly, if I didn’t do it, there wouldn’t be a "Kingston Blue." When choosing my name, it came to mind quickly: Kingston, Jamaica is where my dad was born, and I wanted to add my heritage to my name. "Blue" was because the water there is beautiful, and I wanted to remind myself that I am beautiful too. What was your favorite moment performing on the main stage at our Macomb County Pride Festival on August 8th? KB: My favorite moment would have to be seeing the joy on everyone’s faces. How did performing at the festival compare to other venues you’ve played? KB: It was different—I’m not used to performing in Macomb County! Everyone was welcoming, but also a bit reserved. Hopefully I get to perform more in my community! You recently hosted our A Queen Is Born amateur drag contest. What was running through your mind watching the contestants take the stage? KB: I was so proud of everyone, and I just can’t wait to see what they have in store for their future performances! What advice or encouragement do you offer to new performers stepping into the spotlight for the first time? KB: If you’re nervous, that’s a good thing—it’s your body being excited. Sometimes people are scared (I definitely was the first few times), but do it scared! You have the idea in your head, so sign up for that open stage you’ve been watching. You got this!! I encourage everyone to try something they’ve been thinking about. Just know that you’re not too old, too big, or too short—you can do anything!! I believe in you! Why are amateur contests and open stages so vital for building local drag? KB: Everyone starts somewhere! It’s great to see all the different types of performers, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to support the artists who are right here in your community. What does the art of being a drag king mean to you personally? KB: Being a drag king as a trans man has helped me be more confident and comfortable in my skin. My art is not only in my performance—it’s showing the beauty in being me. How would you describe your signature style and performance energy? KB: My signature style is "draglesque"—a combination of drag and burlesque. I also love crowd work; the look on everyone’s faces when I walk into the crowd and interact with them is priceless. I take pride in being bold and showing that men can be sexy in both feminine and masculine ways. What do you hope audience members take away when they see you perform? KB: I hope I can continue to open minds to diverse bodies. I’m a Black, chubby, a little bit hairy, trans man, and I continue to have a seat at the table. What makes performing in Macomb County special to you? KB: I’ve always been a bit hesitant about performing here in the county I live in. Learning how the community is a bit conservative was always a reason I felt I wouldn’t be accepted. I’ve recently learned that I cannot continue that state of mind, and that there are those in this community who fully support all forms of drag. Where can our community follow your journey and catch your upcoming shows? KB: Everyone can follow me on Instagram @moon_martian1. I perform for 18+ and 21+ shows, but I also perform for family-friendly events! LOCAL BUSINESS FEATURE We’re incredibly proud to feature Clementine's Pastries as our local business of the month. Located at 57 Macomb Place in Downtown Mount Clemens, Clementine’s is a women-owned local bakery and coffee shop, proudly displaying safe space stickers at their entryway, explicitly identifying as a 2SLGBTQ+-friendly business, and making it clear that everyone is welcome as soon as they walk through the door. They also make an effort to include everyone through their menu, regularly stocking vegan and gluten free pastries. During our annual festival, Clementine’s opens their doors to attendees, always has a pride-themed pastry, and serves as a reliable place to grab a treat, sit down, and connect during the event. Stop by Clementine’s Pastries and thank them for supporting our community!   🦋FUN AT FRONTIER'S FARM MARKET September 12 from 11am-1pm at Frontiers (69475 Romeo Plank Rd., Armada) Come spend the day at the farm and enjoy a little bit of everything!
Want to stay for lunch? Bring your own picnic food and enjoy lunch at the picnic area! Join us for a day in the sun with community. RSVPs are encouraged but not required to save your spot.  2026 PRIDE FESTIVAL RECAP Last month, we hosted our 6th annual Macomb County Pride Festival: Colors of Courage! Our deepest thanks to all of the volunteers, vendors, sponsors, performers, and attendees who came together and made it one of the most memorable festivals yet. It was great to see some familiar faces as well as some new ones. Local staples in the drag and music communities Jadein Black and DJ Myint held it down once again as our gracious hosts, while we welcomed new entertainment including the Imaginarium Circus and Pole Starz. The Anton Art Center continues to be a crucial partner for our youth zone. Meanwhile, adult attendees got to enjoy an intimate book talk with acclaimed gay author Curtis Chin--a new addition to the festival line-up. Over 70 vendors came together for our vendor market, offering everything from tasty treats, customized fragrances, resources around health, parenting, and death-planning, jewelry and clothing produced by queer-owned businesses, and more. We also heard from local politicians, like Joanna Whaley (the first transgender woman nominated for the Michigan legislature) about what it means to show up for 2SLGBTQ+ people. Have tips on how we can improve next year's pride fest? Or want to be involved when planning starts? Reach out to dave@macombcountypride.com!  SPONSORS CORNERWe're seeking sponsors for our fall/winter programming, and we would be honored to have your support! Sponsors are individuals or businesses who are committed to helping us create safe spaces in Macomb County for 2SLGBTQ+ people by offsetting the cost of programming. There are a few programs still in need of sponsorship support this year, including a volunteer appreciation outing, Friendsgiving luncheon, and a holiday gathering/trivia night. Please reach out to jim@macombcountypride.com to learn how you can support us. We also want to extend our gratitude to our running list of 2026 sponsors. We couldn't do this work without you!
 RESOURCES LISTSafety is something we build through the choices we every day in our businesses and neighborhoods. Please share these resources with those in your networks and let us know who is missing from this list. Local Resources:
National Resources:
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