Dear Jody: Unexpected birthday gift basket deserved thank you note
Q: I live with a group of women, all lesbians. When we first moved in together, about six months ago, it seemed like a great idea. There are five of us and we all got [...]
Parting Glances: BAA, BAA Pink sheep
I received a letter from a conservative group calling itself Balaam's Ass of America (after the Old Testament story of the fabled talking mule), asking for a five-buck, tax-deductible contribution "on behalf of gender confused [...]
All Politics is Loco: Gay, straight … I’m taken
By Sean Kosofsky Anyone who knows me knows that I have an aversion to television. From 1994 until last year I probably watched a combined total of 30 hours of TV, and that was usually [...]
South of the border
By Gwendolyn Ann Smith It was recently announced that David Sanchez Camacho, a congressperson in Mexico, intends to submit a bill allowing for constitutional protections for transgender people. His bill would add gender identity and [...]
Creep of the Week: Cardinal Adam Maida
What's popular isn't always right, and what's right isn't always popular. Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton, however, is both. Which is why the Catholic Church had to get rid of him. You see, Gumbleton is [...]
General Gayety: Our royally gay history
By Leslie Robinson I stumbled across quite the juicy tidbit the other day. Well, juicy if you like your gossip 200 years old. A "Today in History" item on 365Gay.com noted that a very young [...]
Going Out On A Limb: Isaiah Washington vs. T.R. Knight
By Billy Masters In the heat of an argument on the set of "Grey's Anatomy," Isaiah Washington allegedly told Patrick Dempsey, "I'm not your little faggot like T.R. [Knight]" - a statement that was overheard [...]
Local sci-fi series character goes lesbian in film
Consider it a blessing that director Mike Madigan's hard-edged lesbian in "Demeter" isn't based on pals of his own. "I don't know if I have any gun-wielding friends like that," laughs Madigan, a Troy resident [...]
Singer speaks on judged jazz artist
By Peter Galvin If jazz legend Billy Strayhorn were straight, his work may have not been underrecognized. A companion soundtrack to the 90-minute documentary film about the pioneering composer, arranger and pianist, "Billy Strayhorn: Lush [...]
Gay TV drama to grace silver screen
Logo's hit flagship series about four black gay friends in Los Angeles, "Noah's Arc," will hit silver screens in 2008 as the TV station's first original theatrical film. "Noah's Arc" will join "Sex and the [...]
Exclusive: Coming out of the dark
Patty Griffin sees sunshine now. "No one's getting out of here alive," Griffin says. "But there must be something we're doing here. I have no idea what it is. But I'd rather see beauty in [...]
New hardcover art book explores handsome men in all their glory
'ChaosMen' is a fine addition to gay men's library It's probably a safe bet that most gay guys enjoy looking at classically handsome men - either clothed or unclothed. Although we'd probably prefer to see [...]
Q Scopes: “Roll up your sleeves, Capricorn!”
by Jack Fertig January 29, 2007 We still have that Jupiter-Uranus square shaking things up. Mars and the Sun are helping us to see ways to turn surprises into opportunities. Hard work, foresight, and cooperation [...]
Q Puzzle: “Mixed-up Couple”
January 29, 2007 Across 1 Cockeyed 6 Use your lips unfaithfully 10 Killed, to King James 14 Second and third words in fairy tales 15 Larry Kramer's alma mater 16 Give a hang 17 Scrub [...]
Pet of the Week: Emerald
Meet Emerald, an amazing three-year-old kitty, with the sweetest face you've ever seen. She's a social kitty, making friends with all she meets! Emerald loves attention and affection and will be sure to cuddle up [...]
Black History Month: Then and Now
By Kimya Afi Ayodele Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who was the son of former enslaved Africans, originated Negro History Week in 1926. He was also one of only a few African-Americans during that time to [...]
Club events Feb. 1
THURSDAY Body Zone Health Club: Free tanning Club Flamingo: Happy Hour, 4-8 p.m. Diamond Jim's Saloon: Cadillac Squares Square Dancing and Bit T.W.A.T. Karaoke. Diversions: Karaoke. $3.00 16 oz beer. $1.50 Schnapps. $5.00 Jager Bombs [...]
Zettelmaier bears fruit at the Network
At first blush, most theatergoers will assume that the title of Joseph Zettelmaier's latest play at Performance Network Theatre, "Language Lessons," refers to the struggles and eventual triumph of human nature over the barriers of [...]
AARGH! Cheap fun and laughs at Starbrite
What's the hardest part of being a pirate? "The eye liner," says Cap'n Jack Swallow - a great porn name if I ever heard one - in "Parrot Heads of the Caribbean," the latest offering [...]
Soft and sweet don’t always work
By Robert W. Bethune, guest critic The Jewish Ensemble Theatre opens 2007 with the world premiere of "It Should Be" by Ted Herstand, in a production directed by the playwright. A nostalgic portrayal of Jewish [...]
Erotic festival celebrates 20 years
Stephanie Loveless wasn't pleased with her performance at last year's Erotic Poetry & Music Festival. At 8 p.m. Feb. 3 at Northern Lights Lounge she'll have another chance to shine. The trans rocker will perform [...]
Girl Bar to heat up Chicago
Sandy Sachs thought she left the cold weather behind. "Here I am in sunny California," said Sachs, co-founder of Girl Bar. "What was I thinking?" Sachs and company, which includes co-founder Robin Gans and former [...]
Iraqi women introduced in original play
The Peppermint Creek Theatre Company trumpets in 2007 with its third show of their season "Exquisite Contradictions" with "9 Parts of Desire" by Okemos-native Heather Raffo. In this daring and original play, we are introduced [...]
Now Playing at Movies: ‘Catch and Release’ reviewed
February 5, 2007 NEW THIS WEEK: Blood and Chocolate By day, Vivian (Agnes Bruckner) works in a chocolate shop in Bucharest, but by night she runs through the woods, howling at the moon. That's because [...]
Mix it up
The snow and ice didn't prevent anyone from mixing it up at Stilettos last weekend. BTL photos: Danielle
Benefit to raise funds for symphony
LANSING - Under Music Director Timothy Muffitt, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra makes art out of sheet music, bringing emotion, intensity and passion to the concert hall. On Feb. 9, when the Symphony presents Tables of [...]
Art & Around for the period Feb. 1-10
ARCHITECTURE/GARDEN TOURS: Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Discover the Ford House with all-new tours that go behind the scenes, examine special subjects and provide a new perspective on the family that left an indelible mark [...]
Theater Events for the period Feb. 1-10
PROFESSIONAL THEATER/OPERA: Amadeus The story of two brilliant composers, Mozart and Salieri: one humbly gifted and the other viciously envious. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in repertory through March 3. $15-$28. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com Between Men and [...]
Blues Festival coverage hit the right note
I can hardly put into words my overwhelming pleasure at reading your editorial, seeing your cover, and reading the story you did for us on the Ferndale Blues Festival. Your writer is amazing...and whoever wrote [...]
Article highlighted progressive gay marriage in Canada
Thank you so much for the lead article in Between the Lines concerning the work of MCC Windsor and how progressive Canada is in comparison to the USA. It was exciting to see my adopted [...]
Michigan Equality announces new goals, programs
I am excited to announce some of our goals and programs for Michigan Equality. The purpose of a statewide LGBT centered political and legislative organization is simple: Equality for all Michigan Citizens. During the 2006 [...]
Affirmations: Never judge a book by its cover
The cover is often a distortion of assumptions, misinformation and prejudice. We know that the truth, what's inside the book, is what really counts. This old adage has served many people well. In fact, I [...]
Celebrities should be held accountable for name calling
Now Isaiah Washington is in rehab. He wants to build a bridge between gay and straight. Glad he is able to learn from this and is willing to change. Isaiah opened up the doors for [...]
Reader values Paramount Bank advertising
I am an avid consumer of your weekly paper and I would like to offer my thanks for your choice of advertising within your paper. More specifically, I would like to mention the advertisements that [...]
Black History/Herstory Month Series: Month allows time for recognition, reflection
By Imani Williams Rec.og.nit.on (rekeg-nishen) An acceptance as true or valid, as of a claim: recognition of their civil rights. In "Black Butterfly," songstress Denise Williams tells of a bird that learns to see its [...]
Granholm names Compensation Board of Magistrates
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently announced the appointments and reappointments of several people to the Worker's Compensation Board of Magistrates. William A. Baillargeon of Saugatuck succeeds John M. Wierzbicki whose term has expired. [...]
NGLTF director to address InterPride Conference in Dearborn
DEARBORN - National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman will give the keynote speech at the InterPride Regional Conference taking place from March 9-11 at the Doubletree Hotel in Dearborn. Foreman's address [...]
Twice Blessed bridged lesbian, Jewish identities
WEST BLOOMFIELD - "You cant' be a lesbian; you're Jewish!" was a lifetime mantra heard by many of the participants of the Twice Blessed Speakers Series kickoff event Jan. 23. Chuckles and knowing sighs bubbled [...]
Portland protesters return at MSU game
After 300 protesters revolted against Penn State University's anti-gay coach last month, protest organizer Penny Gardener expects a large turnout for the 8 p.m. Feb. 1 game against Michigan State University. "MSU was the first [...]
LGBT issues ignored in Bush State of the Union address
By Bob Roehr President George W. Bush's sixth State of the Union address was a subdued affair, and one of his most effectively delivered speeches. But on the central issue of Iraq, it appears to [...]
She/He Said: Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Musto …
"It made all the difference in the world [when you came out]. It's just very moving and it just meant so much." - Openly gay Grey's Anatomy actor T.R. Knight to Ellen DeGeneres on her [...]
More lesbians than gay men marry in British Columbia
There were more lesbian weddings than gay-male weddings the first year the Canadian province of British Columbia allowed same-sex marriage, Statistics Canada reported Jan. 17. In 2003, the first year for which statistics have become [...]
Canadian Supremes refuse to help gay bookstore
The Canadian Supreme Court on Jan. 19 refused to help the Vancouver gay bookstore Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium with its long-running fight against Canada Customs, which routinely seizes material shipped to the store [...]
English Catholic leader threatens to close adoption agencies
The Roman Catholic Church is threatening to close its seven adoption agencies in England and Wales if the government doesn't exempt it from upcoming laws banning antigay discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and [...]
LGBT issues lost in State of Union shuffle
Last week, President George Bush offered the nation his State of the Union address. Not surprisingly, he made little-to-no mention of LGBT issues. The closest Bush came was noting the toll HIV-AIDS is taking on [...]
Housing study finds statewide bias against gays and lesbians
BY Sharon Gittleman SOUTHFIELD - When LGBT couples go house hunting they may face more problems then finding the perfect home. In the first study of its kind in the state, Michigan Fair Housing Centers [...]
Zettelmaier bears fruit at the Network
At first blush, most theatergoers will assume that the title of Joseph Zettelmaier's latest play at Performance Network Theatre, "Language Lessons," refers to the struggles and eventual triumph of human nature over the barriers of [...]
Soft and sweet don’t always work
By Robert W. Bethune, guest critic The Jewish Ensemble Theatre opens 2007 with the world premiere of "It Should Be" by Ted Herstand, in a production directed by the playwright. A nostalgic portrayal of Jewish [...]
Mosaic Singers celebrate troupe’s 10th anniversary
DETROIT - Something magnificent is coming to the Max M. Fisher Music Center next week when Detroit's music ambassadors, The Mosaic Singers, hit the stage with "Magnificat," their 10th anniversary concert celebration. "I wanted to [...]
Court rules gay partners can’t get benefits from public universities, government agencies
By Jillian A. Bogater Public universities and local governments cannot provide health insurance to the partners of lesbian and gay employees without violating the state constitution, according to a ruling announced Friday by the Michigan [...]