July 21, 2022- Grand Rapids City Manager’s Office Update
Dr. Surfus received a call at The Surfus Foundation from the City Manager’s office of the City of Grand Rapids. We will be working with the department that focuses on Diversity and Inclusion for the City of Grand Rapids implement the goals of The Surfus Foundation’s Grand 100 campaign.
July 12, 2022- Surfus Foundation President Dr. Chris Surfus addresses Grand Rapids City Commission.
July 6, 2022 Update
Pride Month Update
Grand Rapids, today we celebrate Pride. Tomorrow, we get to work.
The Surfus Foundation will be asking the City of Grand Rapids to adopt LGBTQ+ protections that will make Grand Rapids the 5th Michigan city (after Ann Arbor, Detroit, East Lansing, and Ferndale) to achieve a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.
The Surfus Foundation will specifically ask the City of Grand Rapids to adopt the following changes to policy:
- Adopt Transgender-Inclusive Healthcare Benefits for City of Grand Rapids employees.
- Protect youth from harmful Conversion Therapy.
- Issue a Proclamation condemning the practice of conversion therapy
- Develop policies that are against the use of conversion therapy
- Issue a Proclamation urging State of Michigan legislative policy changes to protect the LGBTQ+ community.
- Create a network of LGBTQ+ services for youth, those experiencing homelessness, older adults, those living with HIV/AIDS, and the transgender community that links government resources with nonprofit sector resources.
The Surfus Foundation will be asking Kent County, MI Board of Commissioners to adopt a county-wide Nondiscrimination Policy to protect the LGBTQ+ community in housing, employment, and public accommodations. This includes amending the Human Resources policies of Kent County to protect the LGBTQ+ community.