Vermontville Youth Pride

07/27/2025

RELEASE THE PUPPETS!!!!
Join us at Vermontville Youth Pride
And Follow I'll Be Your Rock

07/27/2025

GET READY TO READ WITH BITTA SWEET!!!
All at Vermontville Youth Pride
Full event is Noon-7pm
Drag Queen Story Time @1:30pm
The Muppets Take Vermontville

01/26/2024

I’ll Be Your Rock turned 2 years old at our January meeting. We had a room full of the most thoughtful, kind, funny, smart and creative kids I’ve ever had the pleasure to hang with. What does IBYR mean to kids? One of our own wanted to celebrate their own birthday with us so you bet we made it happen. Thank you to my Mom, Judy Gardner, who made the beautiful scarf for that wonderful kiddo. It touches my heart daily the good that Rocks are doing for our LGBTQ+ youth. Along with many Rocks, volunteers and donors, Cassey Tien, Kallie Strouse, and Ethan Oslund are making it happen—rural LGBTQ+ kids are being celebrated, advocated for, loved and supported. In two year we have accomplished—

* 25 safe, fun, heartfelt meetings in Vermontville
* Opened multiple chapters to support rural kids
* Approaching our 3rd annual Vermontville Youth Pride
* Gathered countless Rocks to spread the word and support our mission while supporting individual kids
* Advocated in multiple school districts for LGBTQ+ students rights and in multiple communities for rural inclusion
* Attended events such as musicals, sporting events, horse shows, dog shows, (tomorrow) hog shows, and soon graduations, etc etc to support our wonderful kids.
* Sat with crying/hurting kids
* Provided groceries for the food insecure
* Taken young adults to dr appointments
* Mentored young adults on taking care of their mental and physical health
* Helped kids find the words to come out to their loved ones
* Provide a private page for kids/teens and their loved ones supported by Rocks
* Provide social engagement where they are free to be themselves
* Check in routinely with those who have reached out to us
* Help create strong bonds with family, chosen family and community that are imperative for happy childhoods
* …and so much more that I’ll remember after I post.

If you’ve “liked” our message or shared it, donated financially to our cause, made gifts, donated books, held me up when I needed it with kind words, told a kid about IBYR, showed up to school board meetings in support, hugged a gay/trans kid, blew up balloons or sat in a lawn chair at our youth Pride then YOU are a Rock. Every contribution has led to this magnificent movement. We love you ALL! 🏳️‍🌈♥️🏳️‍⚧️

Shout out to the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Charlotte, Michigan who supports our mission and is a working example of God’s love for LGBTQ+ youth.

08/27/2023

07/14/2023

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE! Vermontville Youth Pride —All LGBTQ+ youth, allies, inclusive dignitaries and kind community welcome!!! No fuddy duddies allowed! Come have a great time and show our q***r kids that they are loved! 🏳️‍🌈♥️🏳️‍⚧️
www.illbeyourrock.org

04/01/2023

It’s going to be HOT HOT HOT at Vermontville Youth Pride! Don’t miss out on Nikki Holland and the Dirty Elizabeths! August 19th will be smoking HOT!!! 🏳️‍🌈♥️🏳️‍⚧️

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nikki Holland a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below. Nikki, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career? My mom was big on "The Golden Rule"....

02/17/2023

VERMONTVILLE YOUTH PRIDE IS BACK!!!
Michigan’s only Pride dedicated to youth, their families & allies! Kind community welcome! VENDOR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!!! Who’s excited??? We’re excited!!!
🏳️‍🌈♥️🏳️‍⚧️♥️🏳️‍🌈♥️🏳️‍⚧️♥️🏳️‍🌈♥️🏳️‍⚧️♥️🏳️‍🌈♥️🏳️‍⚧️

All photos and copy are owned exclusively by I'll Be Your Rock and may not be shared without express written consent of the IBYR board of directors.