The Gay Moralist: The ‘Brokeback’ buzz
By John Corvino It was the kind of film that changes lives. And it changed mine--seeing a true gay love story, playing in major theaters, with a passionate performance by a talented young actor in [...]
In A Family Way: Trans-Racial Queer Families
By (Ari) Istar Lev Since many LGBT families are choosing trans-racial adoption, the faces of our community are increasingly filled with multi-racial families. This is yet one more way that gay and lesbian families represent [...]
Parting Glances: Sniff it. (With passion)
The December Psychology Today has a brief seven-question interview with in-your-face, Korean-American, straight, standup comic Margeret Cho. One of the questions asked her concerns lesbian comedians -- a delightful breed of ribsters. Psychology Today: "According [...]
American Catholics: Time for a Stonewall Moment
By Mary E. Hunt The Vatican has released a document banning priests "who are actively homosexual, have deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called 'gay culture.'" Rome has been floating trial balloons for some time [...]
Art & Around for the period Dec. 22-Jan. 7, 2006
Architecture/Gardens/Tours: Holiday Magic at the Ford House Explore and enjoy the interior beauty of the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House as it offers the sights, sounds and tastes of the holiday season. Edsel & Eleanor [...]
Concert Connections
This Week: Matisyahu Thurs. 12/29/05 Saint Andrews Hall, Detroit Chenille Sisters Sat. 12/31/05 The Ark, Ann Arbor Upcoming: Imogen Heap Wed. 1/18/06 The Magic Bag, Ferndale Ann Arbor Folk Festival With Catie Curtis, Blanche, more [...]
Theater Events for the period Dec. 22-Jan. 7, 2006
Professional Theater/Opera: The Bannisters' Wholesome Family Fun Hour Local folky-rockers The Bannisters present an eclectic mix of music, comedy and fun in live and taped segments in an old-time variety show format. Planet Ant Theatre, [...]
WDET brings back popular radio programs
DETROIT - WDET - Detroit Public Radio began a new program schedule Dec. 13 that brings back public radio listener favorites like Car Talk, Fresh Air, This American Life, Afropop Worldwide and The Tavis Smiley [...]
New store unites living art with contemporary home decor
FERNDALE - In a world of clutter and chaos one's home should function as a personal oasis. That's the philosophy and need recognized and met by Keith Priemer and Dave Sutton, co-owners of Ferndale's newest [...]
AFA aren’t Christian
Dear BTL, While I deplore the American Family Association, and the usage of "family" in their name, I realize that they are entitled by our Constitution to do so. However, they do not have the [...]
‘Brokeback’ insults
Dear BTL, "Brokeback Mountain" is a depressing, self-loathing, you're-gay-and-doomed with no other possibility story. I like the two stars and wanted to like this movie, but it plays like a film from the collaboration of [...]
Fighting fat-phobia
Dear BTL, I was horrified to read Dr. Wang's "Obesity: America's Raging Epidemic" (in the Dec. 15, 2005 issue of BTL). The last thing this world needs is more reasons to hate our bodies and [...]
Book Marks
By Richard Labonte Throughout 2005, I reviewed 100 books in this column, and read as many more, and there are dozens of potentially good reads I haven't gotten to yet. This offering of 10 fiction [...]
Curtain Calls
Review: 'Side by Side by Sondheim' Something erratic on stage at JET Something familiar, yet something peculiar hit the stage of the Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company this past Saturday night. What was familiar was the [...]
Curtain Calls ONLINE
TIDBITS: Professional Theater News from Around Town Performance Network's annual campaign appeals to community ANN ARBOR - Performance Network, Ann Arbor's professional theatre and community arts organization, announced earlier this season its most ambitious annual [...]
Now Playing
Just Out Brokeback Mountain Cowboys Ennis (Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) fall into a passionate affair on Wyoming's Brokeback Mountain in 1963, retreating back into straight lives at summer's end. Finding that wives and [...]
Meet Bruiser the BTL pet of the week
Bruiser is a fuzzy two-year-old Jack Russell terrier mix. He is very energetic and he would do best in a family that will teach him and keep his mind busy. Also, because he is so [...]
Gay flix top picks of movie crix
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas for movies with LGBT themes and characters, as film critics across the country are already showering them with prestigious awards and nominations. And which movie of 2005 [...]
The gay behind ‘Geisha’
By Christopher Wallenberg "Brokeback Mountain," the gay cowpoke flick that has the queer community's knickers all in a twist, isn't the only Hollywood film this season that thoughtfully and sensitively depicts characters who are forced [...]
Two of a kind
By John Polly What's the secret to maintaining a successful long-term relationship? Some couples may base their bond on honesty. Others credit common interests, mutual respect, or a shared past and sense of history. But, [...]
Creep of the Week: Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Virginia)
Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Virginia) We are living in a time of war. The carnage is brutal and the headlines grim. I'm talking, of course, about the War on Christmas. But fear not, our trusty [...]
SHe Said Dec. 22, 2005
"We're talking real gay marriage, not your namby-pamby 'let's call it a civil union and hope Jesus doesn't notice.' Just to reiterate: America is now less progressive than South Africa." - Jon Stewart on the [...]
Elections board fails to put anti-affirmative action measure on ballot
By The Associated Press LANSING - The Board of State Canvassers ended a rowdy and controversial meeting Dec. 14 by failing to comply with a court order to put a proposal to ban some affirmative [...]
Lansing LGBT community to protest Penn State game
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman LANSING - Lansing-area activists will have a chance to voice their opinion about Penn State women's basketball coach Renee Portland on Jan. 5 when the now-infamous anti-lesbian coach will bring her [...]
Affirmations seeks help for grand opening
FERNDALE - Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center needs volunteers to help plan the grand opening of the new center. The second meeting of the new committee is scheduled for Dec. 27; the committee will [...]
Ferndale Metro Blues Festival grows for Super Bowl
FERNDALE - The 5th Annual Ferndale Metro Blues Festival, which is a sanctioned event this year of the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee, will feature more than 20 venues over a nine day period. [...]
LGBT organizations awarded $89,000 in HOPE Fund grants
DETROIT - The Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan has announced grants totaling $89,000 from The Hope Fund to assist agencies and organizations that support the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and communities. [...]
Community Foundation adds $1 million to endowment campaign
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman DETROIT - The Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan has announced the availability of $1 million in matching funds for gifts to agency endowments. The $1 million is in addition to a [...]
Ford back in gear with LGBTs
WASHINGTON - A tense two weeks came to a happy resolution when Ford unequivocally stated its support for the LGBT community in words and actions, distancing themselves from the extremist right-wing group that had threatened [...]
Torn between two countries
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman Amy met the love of her life when she was nineteen, during a semester abroad in England. Friends at first, the two fell deeply in love despite the difficulties of a [...]
Ford meets with local LGBT leaders
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman DEARBORN - On Dec. 20, local LGBT community leaders met with representatives of Ford Motor Company and the Ford Motor Company Fund in attempt to heal any leftover damage resulting from [...]
Divine Peace finds potential new home
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman WATERFORD - A Dec. 12 vote of the Waterford City Council has cleared the way for Divine Peace Metropolitan Community Church to begin final negotiations with the council to purchase their [...]
Mid-Michigan dons its gay apparel
SAGINAW - Holiday cheer and active bidding mixed to make a beautiful event to benefit Perceptions, the mid-Michigan LGBT community group. About 130 people joined the festivities at the Montague B&B near downtown Saginaw Dec. [...]
Same-sex partner immigration legislation pending
The Uniting American Families Act (formerly the Permanent Partners Immigration Act) would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow Americans to sponsor their same-sex foreign partners for immigration benefits. The UAFA was introduced in [...]
Theres no place like home – countries with welcoming immigration laws
According to Immigration Equality, an organization that advocates for LGBT immigrants, the following countries have welcoming immigration laws for same-sex couples: Australia Belgium Brazil Canada Denmark Finland France Germany Iceland Israel The Netherlands New Zealand [...]
Naughty and nice
On behalf of everyone at Pridesource Media Group, the editors of Between The Lines wish our readers the happiest of holidays. And no, we don't do it just to upset the religious right, who believe [...]