Teen Actors Are Totally Convincing In ‘BFs!’
Maxim Vinogradov (Brad) and Jackson Abohasira (Jack) star in the coming-of age tale "BFs!" at Slipstream Theatre Initiative in Hazel Park. Photo: STI I have to hand it to the young actors who are [...]
The Frivolist: Put These 17 Shows on Your Fall Premiere Calendar
Pop the corn, grab a blanket, and cozy into your favorite couch cushion for this selection of new-season shows featuring LGBT characters we can root for. 'The Real O'Neals,' CBS The O'Neals have a secret; [...]
First Nude Scene
Across 1 "I ___ Andy Warhol" 5 Singer k.d. 9 Cartoon skunk Le Pew 13 Sounds of approval from Oz? 14 Reed in a Ned Rorem work 15 "June Is Bustin' Out All ___" 16 [...]
Michigan Native Premieres Play About Gay Teens
Maxim Vinogradov as Brad (left) and Jackson Abohasira as Jack (right). Photo courtesy of Slipstream Theatre Initiative. picture on server: S2_For2338_SlipstreamCC.jpg Photo Caption: Maxim Vinogradov as Brad (left) and Jackson Abohasira as Jack (right). [...]
Carpe Diem: Saving Chase
BY AJ TRAGER Andrea Pociask and her partner Amber Wickett are proud parents to Chase, a white mastiff/pit bull terrier mix with subaortic stenosis, a terminal genetic heart condition that affects the left side of [...]
U.S. Air Force Retirees Finally Tie The Knot
BY AJ TRAGER Photo: S2_WeddingStoryBartawayWilliams_2338 Caption: Vanessa Williams and Rebecca Bartaway tie the knot July 7 before their friend Charlene. Rev. Deb Dysert officiated the ceremony at Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit. DETROIT - Marriages [...]
Detroit Zoo, Michigan Humane Society Host Semi-Annual Adoption Event
BY BTL STAFF The Detroit Zoo and Michigan Humane Society, in collaboration with more than 30 local animal welfare organizations, will host the semi-annual event "Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo." Hundreds of dogs, [...]
Abandoned Garden City Dog Finds Loving Home
BY AJ TRAGER Most of Lazlo's body was covered in mange, a skin disease that causes hair loss and the formation of scabs, when he found his way to his new home in Canton after [...]
Last Gas Chamber For Pets Still Remains In Michigan
BY AJ TRAGER BRANCH COUNTY - There is only one remaining county in Michigan still using gas chambers to euthanize unwanted animals at local shelters. Four of Michigan's 83 counties were still utilizing a gas [...]
Nonprofit Group Links LGBT, Vegan Activism
BY BTL STAFF Mariann Sullivan and Jasmin Singer. Photo by Derek Goodwin. In a new short film from the multimedia nonprofit Our Hen House (http://www.ourhenhouse.org) - whose mission is to change the world for [...]
March To Help Homeless Pets With Michigan Humane Society
BY BTL STAFF The Michigan Humane Society will be hosting four different walks as part of the larger event, "Mega March for Animals." Participating will help rescue, shelter and care for animals in need while [...]
Wedding Announcements
Photo: S2M10_BugajskiEster_Announcement_2338_Marriage.jpg Caption: Mark Bugajski and his partner, Chuck Ester of Dearborn Heights, finally tied the knot July 18 on the sky deck at Affirmations after spending 18 years together. The ceremony was conducted by [...]
AIDS Walk Detroit Participants Reflect On The Disease, Then And Now
The AIDS Memorial Quilt always produces an emotional response in those who view it. ROYAL OAK - The 25th annual AIDS Walk Detroit took place Sunday. Organizers estimated over 1,000 people were in attendance [...]
Backlash Fought With Power And Love At Religious Symposium
Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Rev. Roland Stringfellow, senior pastor at Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit, encouraged people to celebrate victories but stay vigilant in fighting the backlash. [...]
Federal Court Rules Michigan HIV Confidentiality Law Doesn’t Apply To Governments
In June, the Federal District Court in Detroit ruled that Michigan's confidentiality law, which subjects those who reveal HIV testing information and medical files to potential criminal and civil actions, does not apply to "government [...]
House Bills Introduced By Gamrat Before Expulsion Remain
BTL STAFF LANSING - Shortly before she was expelled from the state House, Cindy Gamrat, former representative from Plainwell, introduced bills to add restrictions on abortions and add protections for religious leaders who refuse to [...]
Creep of the Week: Steve Deace
Ah, rainbows. Kids wear them on their clothing. They're slathered in sprinkle form onto ice cream cones, are the namesake of a favorite "My Little Pony" character, and even form in the sky because science. [...]
PARTING GLANCES: Is Mary’s Little Lamb Gay?
Every family has at least one stray sheep contentedly nibbling forbidden pasture under the shade of the mythic forbidden-apple tree. Ours was my 80-year-old Aunt Tootsie. She had a habit of muttering in her cups, [...]
What New Federal Rules On Trans Care Might Mean For Michigan
BY JAY KAPLAN On Sept. 3, 2015 the United States Department of Health and Human Services issued its proposed rules on anti-discrimination protections under the Affordable Care Act. These proposed rules have been long and [...]
Rocky Road
By Gwendolyn Ann Smith Sometimes I am reminded that I'm not a spring chicken. Indeed, I've been public as a transwoman for 22 years now, and that is still less than half my life. I've [...]
U.S. Air Force Retirees Finally Tie The Knot
BY AJ TRAGER Vanessa Williams and Rebecca Bartaway tie the knot July 7 before their friend Charlene. Rev. Deb Dysert officiated the ceremony at Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit. DETROIT - Marriages have been [...]
Wedding Announcements
Mark Bugajski and his partner, Chuck Ester of Dearborn Heights, finally tied the knot July 18 on the sky deck at Affirmations after spending 18 years together. The ceremony was conducted by Rev. Roland Stringfellow. [...]