A chance to be themselves

Pride in the Park offers fun and freedom for local transgender people - even if only for a day

FERNDALE - It was an overcast day and chilly for August, but spirits were sunny and hearts were warm at Transgender Michigan's Pride in the Park picnic on Aug. 22 in Ferndale.

This year's turnout, compared to last year's crowd of almost 100, was a bit smaller for the Pride celebration's third year in Ferndale's Geary Park.

"We're worried that the weather may have turned people off," Executive Director Rachel Crandall said at the event.

But despite the threat of rain and slow trickle of picnickers, Crandall said early in the afternoon that they'd be there until 6 p.m. …