Speak Equal, Local Human Rights Organization, Hosts Benefit Concert

GRAND RAPIDS — The Speak Equal Foundation, a local and newly-formed human rights organization has announced their inaugural benefit concert series.

The concert will be hosted by Rumors Nightclub, Grand Rapids largest gay night club, on Saturday, January 16, 2010. Performances kick off at 6:30 p.m. with Whitney Dawn, and continue through the evening with performances by Nervous But Excited, a nationally-known folk band based out of Ann Arbor, MI.

As the concert is a benefit concert, a $10 minimum donation is asked at the door. Patrons must be 18 years old to attend, and cocktails will be served by the Rumors Nightclub staff.

“This is an amazing opportunity for us. We’re very grateful for the support of such a well-known band. We’re a small and newly-formed organization, and the funds raised from this concert will go toward our programming for the rest of the year.” stated Brooke Murphy, Speak Equal’s Founder and current Board Chair.

Although the organization is small and currently has no operating budget, they have an aggressive events schedule planned for the year.

“Well, our next event is a fundraiser as well, it’s a Valentine’s Day skate party in February. Our first social action program will be in April in support of the National Day of Silence. After that, we’ve got an amazing program in store for Pride month. It’s a secret, but stay tuned. We’ll be organizing the Great Nationwide Kiss-In again, Rock Out 2 Come Out, The OutLOUD Project, as well as continuing our support for Transgender Day of Remembrance and World AIDS Day.” Murphy stated.