Over the past ten years, MOASH has watched with pride as the BAMM Pride Summit has grown into the event it is today.
What started as a small, day-long workshop in 2015 with around 40 attendees has grown into a beloved event that over 400 youth and school staff across Michigan attend each year.
The BAMM Pride Youth Summit is a space where LGBTQIA+ youth can be themselves, make connections, and learn new things.
We strive each year to provide attendees with an impactful, free experience that will positively affect the young people, their GSAs or other clubs, and their schools - but to do that, we need your support!
The history of this event and its funding is below, but currently, the BAMM Pride Summit does not have any dedicated grant funding. MOASH is committed to keeping BAMM a free event for all attendees, but rising costs have made the summit increasingly expensive to host each year. 100% of the donations made to the BAMM Pride Summit donation form on this page will go directly to supporting the costs surrounding the BAMM Pride Summit, including the cost of food, free busing for attendees, event t-shirts, and speaker fees.
Supporting this event means supporting the hundreds of youth who look forward to attending the BAMM Pride Summit each year. Youth thrive when they have the support of their community, so please help us provide community to hundreds of youth in Michigan.
Donations can be made in honor or memory of someone. Donors can also choose to have their name printed in the summit program of the next BAMM Pride Summit as a supporter.
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When?
May 2026
Location
Audience
This summit is for LGBTQIA+ youth residing anywhere in Michigan.
There will be some sessions available for supportive adults and advisors who are accompanying youth.
Grand Valley State University
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The BAMM Pride Summit is a free event for LGBTQIA+ middle and high school youth to spend a day learning, connecting, and building community! With nearly 400 youth, parents, and advisors attending, the BAMM Pride Summit is one of the largest events specifically for LGBTQIA+ youth in Michigan. While this is a youth-focused event, supportive adults and school staff who are bringing youth to the summit are also welcome to attend - consider making the BAMM Pride Summit a field trip for your GSA! We ask that adults who are not bringing youth do not attend the in-person portions of the summit.
Are you interested in attending or presenting at BAMM? Sign up for our email newsletter and follow our social media accounts (Instagram & Facebook) to receive up-to-date emails about BAMM, including registration announcements and general updates.
If you'd like to support the BAMM Pride Summit, please check out our fundraising efforts. All money donated to this fundraiser will be used entirely for the BAMM Pride Summit. Anyone who donates any amount can have their name (or a name of their choice) included in the printed and virtual summit program. If you'd like to directly sponsor the event, reach out to MOASH through our contact page or directly at info@moash.org.
Interested in volunteering? Reach out to sarah.yoakum@moash.org for more information.
For more info about the summit, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.
Building a Movement for Michigan (BAMM) Pride
An LGBTQIA+ Youth Summit
Photo Gallery
Additional LGBTQ+ Resources
Sample Schedule
The outline of the 2023 BAMM Pride Summit is below. Schedules may vary slightly year to year.
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9-9:30am: In-person arrival and check-in
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9:30-10:15am: Welcome and community building
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10:30-11:30am: Breakout session 1
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11:30am-1:00pm: Lunch and activities
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1:00-2:00pm: BAMM Slam (Youth Poetry Keynote)
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2:15pm-3:15pm: Breakout session 2
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3:15pm-3:45pm: Closing
School Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) clubs can be a haven of safety and support for LGBTQ+ young people and their allies. In 2014, MOASH was awarded a 3-year grant from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) to build the capacity of GSA clubs in schools across Michigan. MOASH conducted assessments of GSA functioning, developed a model program for GSA organizational development, provided in-person and technical assistance, and created an annual statewide summit for LGBTQIA+ youth. While the grant term has ended, MOASH continues to host the annual summit with the generous sponsorship of Grand Valley State University, and provides assistance to GSA clubs and adult allies of LGBTQ+ students where possible.
BAMM's History
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Is there any cost to attend the summit?The summit is completely free for all attendees! Additionally, we will provide free breakfast and lunch to all participants joining us in-person. MOASH and GVSU also cover the cost of some buses that attendees can take, free of charge. There is not cost to parking.
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What information do I need to register for the event? Can I register multiple students at once?Advisors or parents are welcome to register themselves and their students or children in one order. However, you will need the information below for EACH adult and young person you are registering: 1) Name (this will be used during the check in process) 2) Email 3) School or organization 4) Your 'role' (student, parent, teacher, etc) 4) Breakout session choices 5) Photo Waiver 6) Emergency Contact info (for solo youth) 7) Allergen and Accommodation information 8) T-shirt size (optional) 9) Transportation needs
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Can I attend this summit as an adult who is not bringing youth?Because this is a youth event with limited space, we ask that adults do not attend the in-person summit unless they are bringing a young person. We reserve the right to cancel the registration of any adult attending in-person without a youth.
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Can I attend this event as a young person not attending with a school or community organization?Young people do not have to attend with a school or community organization. However, young people should obtain parent permission and an excused absence at school when possible. We will also collect emergency contact information from any young people attending alone. Parents and supportive adults are welcome to attend sessions, wait at the event location, or drop off then pick up their young people.
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What are transportation options to and from the summit?MOASH and GVSU typically provide free bus transportation for groups that need it in the following areas: 1) Flint/Lansing and 2) Detroit/Garden City. Seats on these buses are first come, first serve. There is also free parking available.