Cocktail Chatter: Water of Life
by Ed Sikov I once found myself at a meeting of urine drinkers. No, under no circumstances - including Chinese water torture and being strapped to a chair and forced to listen to Ke$ha - [...]
Old and new friends at 35th annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival
The annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival, organized yearly by The Ark, recently announced the lineup for the two-day event at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 and 28. Highlighting a selection of the world's finest traditional and [...]
Cuckoo for Coco Peru
By Samantha White December in Detroit is going to heat up this holiday season with a shot of hot Coco. Coco Peru, that is. The beautiful and talented drag queen - with a capital Q [...]
Transgender character grounds The New Theatre Project’s ‘Fugue’
By Bridgette M. Redman YPSILANTI - In Audra Lord's play about memory and identity, only one character is fully comfortable with herself and who she is: Princess Stephanie, a transgendered rock singer who doesn't need [...]
Aging and gay?
ROYAL OAK - What would you do if you were old, disabled or ill and the person feeding you put down the spoon and said that you are going to hell unless you change your [...]
Michelle Williams shines in ‘My Week With Marilyn’
Some like it hot, and some like it with a little more oomph. "My Week With Marilyn," an Oscar shoo-in for the ever-fabulous Michelle Williams, is remarkably made to appeal to whatever Marilyn you adore. [...]
Focus on elegance, Leo!
By Jack Fertig Q Scopes Sun in Sagittarius square to Mars in Virgo cranks up mental energy but easily yields to dithering frenzies. Both move into semi-square to Saturn, a rude wake-up call! The right [...]
John Cryer’s Cry
Across 1 Nuts 5 "West ___ Story" 9 Little fairies 13 Where you can eat a hero 14 Bipedal dino 15 Egypt's lifeline 16 Distribute sparingly 17 Garb for Mychal Judge 18 Secluded valley 19 [...]
Have yourself a swingin’ little Christmas
By John Quinn The store displays have been up since Halloween, but I'm just now getting into the holiday spirit. "The All Night Strut Holiday Show," now on stage at The Gem Theatre, is partially [...]
You better watch out for Santa Lecter!
By Bridgette M. Redman The Santa stalking the Who Wants Cake? stage in Ferndale is far creepier than just a brightly dressed home invader who spies on children throughout the year to gauge their naughtiness [...]
‘A Jazzy Christmas’ makes the season bright
By John Quinn Have you ever received a gift that was more than you could have ever wished for? I hope so. I still remember the joy of seeing that Lionel train set under our [...]
Play packs a punch at Planet Ant
One aspect of Michigan's professional theater community that makes it stand out from others around the country is this: the willingness to take risks. In particular, I'm referring to the fact that many of our [...]
Anniversary production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ filled with spirit
By Bridgette M. Redman Thirty is a good age for Meadow Brook Theatre's "A Christmas Carol." The grand old lady of Christmas plays has aged well upon their stage, and the production is more alluringly [...]
New play recalls some odd Detroit history
By John Quinn Asses and theater critics have less in common than artistic directors would have you believe, but if you want our cooperation, first you have to get our attention. So when guitarists Casey [...]
Three stars, one small theater: Williamston scores again
By Michael H. Margolin "This Wonderful Life", a revival of Williamston Theatre's 2009 production, is propelled into captivating theater by three men: actor John Lepard, director Tony Caselli and playwright Steve Murray. Although some credit, [...]
HIV at 30: Epidemic continues to try resources and government policy
LANSING - The HIV epidemic reached its 30th anniversary earlier this year, but in Michigan the battle against the crisis continues to be hampered by misguided and out of date policies and funding cuts. BY [...]
The Fire This Time
It is a global pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 33 million men, women and children since 1981. It is an indiscriminate, insidious killer. But here in the States, AIDS is beginning [...]
Max Fisher to speak at free luncheon for MAC
FERNDALE - How did Michigan AIDS Coalition swing getting Max Fisher, son of Mary Fisher, to come for a free luncheon and talk on Dec. 15, and how will this vibrant second-generation AIDS activist help [...]
BTL contributor named to POZ Magazine top 100 list
by BTL Staff Todd A. Heywood, a Between The Lines contributor and senior reporter for the American Independent News Network, has been named to POZ magazine's POZ 100 list for 2011. Heywood lives in Lansing [...]
KICK Tackles Tough Issues in Weekly Discussion Series
DETROIT - Transgender sex workers and Detroit's Red Light District was the topic of discussion at Live and Learn, a weekly discussion group hosted by KICK. Members of KICK, mainly black gays and lesbians of [...]
Senate passes ‘weak’ anti-bullying bill
LANSING - The Michigan Senate Tuesday morning approved what advocates call a "weak" anti-bullying bill. The Michigan House passed the bill two weeks ago. The legislation does not include the so-called "license to bully" provision [...]
OBITUARY: Rev. Darren McCarroll
DETROIT - Rev. Darren McCarroll, a champion for social justice and longtime minister with the Unity Fellowship Church Movement, succumbed to a year-long battle with colon cancer Nov. 27. He was 48. Born and raised [...]
UofM Dearborn appoints new coordinator
By BTL Staff Richard "Rick" Robinson, Ph.D., has been appointed LGBTQ Coordinator at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Robinson, a well-known anthropologist, lecturer, political consultant, Chief of Staff to Detroit City Council Member Mel Ravitz for [...]
Salvation Army anti-gay policy protested by locals
FARMINGTON HILLS - Like most of us at the holidays, Susie Symons and John Glick have passed lots of Salvation Army bell ringers. But instead of feeling compelled to donate, they have wanted to confront [...]
BTL EDITORIAL: 30 years, Still a crisis
Thirty years into the HIV epidemic, it is easy to pretend the crisis is over. After all, fewer people are dying. There are miracle drugs that breath new life into those who are desperately ill. [...]
Last week in Abby Dees’ Editorial, she wrote “I don’t believe there will be a better time than now to make our next bold move toward equality.” BTL Asks: Do you agree?”
Heard on Facebook We agree. But the Roberts-Scalia court is not where the next blow to end marriage discrimination will be struck. It will be at the ballot box. Join the fight at http://www.lovehonorcherish.org. -@Lesteraponte [...]
My Argentinean Knees
Parting Glances I've a friend, Wardell, who shamelessly flatters new acquaintances in oddball ways. "You've got exciting toes," he'll tell a guy wearing sandals. "Your earlobes indicate you're well endowed," he'll remark to a party [...]
LGBT in Major League Baseball
Compiled By Howard Israel S/he Said "I ask as an LGBT fan and on behalf of the center that you both please add sexual orientation provisions to the MLB's new collective bargaining agreement, and encourage [...]
Kiss and sell
by Leslie Robinson General Gayety Diplomacy suddenly got a whole lot friendlier. Leaders of nations and leaders of faiths, instead of shaking hands, are kissing each other on the lips. Global warming, indeed. All this [...]
Troy Mayor Daniels draws protests, rally for anti-gay slur
BTL Staff report and wire reports TROY - A rally calling for the resignation of Tea Party activist and Troy, Michigan's new mayor Janice Daniels is gaining traction today after the revelation of an anti-gay [...]
Denis the Menace
Meeting Denis O'Hare should be scary as hell. But today, in the back of homo-hotspot Saint Felix in West Hollywood on his day off, O'Hare doesn't project the eeriness he does as a horny "True [...]
Troy mayor’s gay slur brings protest
TROY - The energy of youth and hope for a better future could be felt along Big Beaver Road in [...]