The Community Correspondent role provides readers with on-the-ground and inclusive stories about the Port Huron area. This is made possible through funding provided by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

Colorfully dressed people holding tasseled parasols strolled around McMorran Community Center, chatting and laughing. Children stripped in rainbows ran through the bubbling water pad, and smiling participants lounged next to the crystal pond dotted with statues.

The Pride festival in Port Huron on June 29, hosted by the Blue Water Allies, an organization serving as a resource for the LGBTQ+ community in St. Clair County, was dotted with allied vendors and a queue of characters.

Barbara Payton.

Barbara Payton, the executive director of Blue Water Allies, says she felt the community needed a pride festival to uplift members who reside within a predominantly conservative region.

“Sadly, some of our greatest challenges for the LGBTQ+ people come from within our own community. Many have been disowned by family, experienced homelessness, been bullied at school, or forced to live in secrecy—especially among our seniors. We've also faced religious persecution,” Payton says.
Drag performer Supa Salad welcomes Pride festival attendees.
The festival began in 2022 with local drag performer Supa Salad, who hosted a small but powerful event at Kiefer Park and led a pride march through Port Huron as an act of resistance and queer celebration.

“I’ve heard from reliable sources that a Pride Fest was planned here in the 1980s but was shut down before it could happen. We've come a long way—and we will continue to stand proud,” she says.

The Pride Festival is just one of the many events and programs that Blue Water Allies hosts. Others include the Banned Book Club, the Chess Club, a creative writing group, the Queer Cupboard, a food pantry, Religion to Healing, and mental health resources. 

“Success, to me, means having the resources to care for our LGBTQ+ community—and knowing we’ve made a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most,” she says.

One of the biggest challenges Blue Water Allies’ programs face is funding to support LGBTQ+ initiatives.

“Over 270 grants totaling at least $125 million have been eliminated, and the actual loss is likely even greater,” she says. She adds, research into sexuality and gender is vital for the health of the LGBTQ+ community.

Mental health funding and other essential services for Blue Water Allies have also been drastically reduced. The organization makes up the shortfall through fundraising, partnerships with values-aligned corporations and allies, and local support. Payton holds regular meetings and speaks at local events to ensure greater visibility and community engagement.

Payton does not dwell on the current political climate and feels that this is not the first battle of the LGBTQ+ community, nor will it be its last.







“We are resilient. Though we see resistance to DEI efforts growing in some circles, our resolve and unity have only strengthened. We won’t waste time on fear, we choose action,” says Barbara.

Blue Water Allies appreciates local support through event attendance, program participation, and allyship through advocacy and a willingness to listen. They are also looking for volunteers at the center.

“If you had told my high school self that Port Huron would one day have an LGBTQ+ center, I wouldn’t have believed you. I grew up during a time when it was unsafe to be out—when holding hands at school could have serious consequences, and there was no one to talk to.To the younger generation: despite the obstacles we continue to face, we have always risen again. Don’t lose hope. One person—just one—can make a vast difference,” Payton concludes.