As the world continues to learn more about coronavirus and its spread, it's vital to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. However, it's also important to make sure that the information being distributed is from credible sources. To that end, Between The Lines has compiled, [...]
Not-So-Confidential HIV Testing
Cropped image of a Michigan Department of Community Health brochure on HIV testing. Since 2003, the Michigan Department of Community Health has been secretly collecting the names, dates of birth, risk categories, and other [...]
Sequester Could Lead To Massive Cuts In HIV Testing, Treatment
The AIDS Drug Assistance Program is among the many federal programs that will take a hit if $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts go through March 1, and those cuts could potentially lead to an [...]
The Six Funniest Pet Videos of All Time!
By Dawn Wolfe When you search the Internet for funny pet videos, what do you find? Cats. And more cats. Seriously - there's even an Internet Cat Video Film Festival. Do videos of dogs get [...]
Above and Beyond
By Ed Sikov Cocktail Chatter My brother-in-law introduced me to a new liqueur last week - well, new to me, anyway. It's an Italian aperitif called Aperol, and it's quite delicious. Think Campari, but with [...]
The Laughing Stock
By Samantha White Clockwise from left; Bridget McManus, Ted Morris, Gloria Bigelow and Jackie Monahan Some of the country's funniest comedians are coming to Michigan's LGBT ComedyFest at 8 p.m. March 9. Bridget McManus, [...]
Hear Me Out: Tim McGraw, Jewel
Tim McGraw, 'Two Lanes of Freedom' "Two Lanes of Freedom" is a significant departure for the country-music stud who's so brand new, his wardrobe now includes butt-hugging white pants. He takes advantage of this newfound [...]
In All the Right Circles
Across 1 Strip in the locker room 5 Weight unit for your stones 10 Cry out for 14 Oodles 15 Emanation from Feniger's kitchen 16 " ___ Betty" 17 Women's suffrage leader Carrie 18 Toxic [...]
Sometimes You Just Grin And Bare It
By John Quinn Lisa Melinn and Brenton Herwat star in Ronnie Larsen's "Making Porn" at Ferndale's Ringwald Theatre through March 18. Photo: Joe Plambeck Hard core pornography! Now that I have your attention, consider [...]
‘State of Emergency’ In Need Of Acute Care
By Bridgette M. Redman Shop Floor Theatre Company will present "State of Emergency" at various locations throughout Flint through March 9. Photo: SFTC People can disagree on what elements are necessary for theater. Some [...]
Lies Beget Laughs In Broadway Onstage Farce
Krista Schafer and Charles Davis in Broadway Onstage Live Theatre's "How The Other Half Loves." Photo: Broadway Onstage One of my mother's favorite quotes was "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first [...]
Happily never after
By John Quinn Brent Griffith (Podkoliosin) and Ty Mitchell (Kochkariev) in "Marriage" at the Hilberry Theatre. Photo: Kevin Replinger My mother's first response upon hearing that I was seeing a Russian comedy was, "There [...]
In Music, What A Do Reveals The Pain Of Mental Illness
By Bridgette M. Redman What A Do Theatre concludes its run of "Next to Normal" on March 2. Photo: What A Do The victims of mental illness spread far beyond just the person with [...]
Troupe Delves Into British Gay History
By Bridgette M. Redman The New Theatre Project presents "Edward the Second," an original adaptation or Marlowe's "Edward II" by Jason Sebacher beginning March 1. Photo: Courtesy of TNTP ANN ARBOR - "Edward the [...]
Tail Waggers And Bissell Chip In To Get Animals Into Digital Database
Animals of Inkster and Garden City have a golden opportunity, thanks to Tail Waggers in Livonia and the Bissell Technology Foundation who are partnering on an animal microchipping program. Tail Waggers offers low cost microchipping [...]
Michigan Animal Lover Making International Waves
By Dawn Wolfe Out in "the boonies" between Flint and Lansing, a new animal rights and shelter organization headed by a gay mid-Michigan man is attracting international attention. "Our first donation, $150, came from Belgium," [...]
Reasons to Get Your Poop Scoop On
Bill Field has been poop scooping for 13 years. And while the ins and outs of the animal waste removal business may not make for a glamorous story, the reasons behind it are worth understanding. [...]
Wag’n Tails Pet Resort Knows the Importance of Good Grooming
Wag'n Tails employee Claire. Photo courtesy of Wag'n Tails. LANSING - Grooming one's four-legged companion is not a luxury, but a part of care that every pet owner should take seriously. Not only does [...]
AIDS Partnership Michigan: ‘Best Job – Hardest Job – I Ever Had’
Barbara Murray with Associate Executive Director, Director of Prevention Services, Hank Milbourne; incoming Executive Director Bill VanHemert and Angelique Tomsic, Case Management Director. Murray says she could never have done it without her stellar team. [...]
Look Out, Boys! Mae West Is Back In Town!
DETROIT - Mae West is back, and Detroit has her! In conjunction with the retirement reception for Barbara Murray from AIDS Partnership Michigan, "Dirty Blonde" will be presented as a very special one-time event on [...]
Democratic Party Leadership Changes At State And LGBT Caucus Level
From left to right, 2nd Vice Chair Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter, 1st Vice Chair Jan Stevenson, 3rd Vice Chair Garnet Lewis and newly elected LGBT Caucus Chair Mark LaChey. BTL photos: Crystal Proxmire DETROIT [...]
Equality In The Jury Box
Among the lesser-known places discrimination takes place is inside the courtroom, particularly in states where it is not illegal to dismiss jurors because of their sexual orientation or gender expression. Michigan is one of those [...]
Gathering Aims To Promote Inclusion In Educational, Other Settings
ROCHESTER - With a goal to create more supportive and inclusive educational environments for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and intersex people, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Initiative of Oakland University's School [...]
Prominent GOPs Sign Brief Against Prop 8
By Lisa Keen The talk of many political pundits this week is a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court filed by a group of prominent Republicans that argues that California's Proposition 8, banning marriage for [...]
Matt Barber
Creep of the Week If any of my readers have daddy issues and get off on being told "you're a bad bad boy," you'll love Matt Barber's new slash fiction open letter to the gays. [...]
Polly, Pegs, Salads Tossed
Parting Glances A New York madam by the name of Polly Adler wrote a tell-all best seller about her 30 years in the brothel business. "A House is Not a Home" created a media sensation [...]
HIV Is Not A Distant Threat – It Is A Matter Of Equality
BTL Editorial The numbers are staggering. The numbers are terrifying. The numbers represent a threat to the health and safety of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. And the silence around [...]
Dream Duo: Paul Rudd & Tina Fey Talk ‘Admission’ Shower Scene, First Jobs
They say dreams come true, and that one where Tina Fey and Paul Rudd act (and shower) together on the big screen - it's really happening. Two of the most charismatic, gay-loved actors team up [...]
Inclusive Violence Against Women Act Passes House
By Lisa Keen In a major victory for Democrats, the U.S. House voted Thursday (Feb. 28) to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act with a bill that includes language to ensure that victims of domestic [...]
President Obama Posthumously Honors PFLAG Founder, Jeanne Manford
By National PFLAG and Leo Romo On Feb. 15, President Obama awarded the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal to PFLAG founder Jeanne Manford. PFLAG is the acronym for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, [...]