BTL EDITORIAL: Car show amps up queer factor, Detroit pride

The GM Style event last Saturday night was not to be missed, with hot cars, hotter models, rocking and grooving musical acts and – surprise! – a shockingly large turnout from gay media all over the nation.
Between The Lines was there, of course, representing not only the LGBT community, but the Detroit LGBT community. As some of the only natives at the event, we at BTL saw a swell of pride for our struggling-yet-fighting city – a change from the usual gay pride we're always flashing.
Of course, when you combine fashion and music, the queer factor escalates – from the models and designers to the press and recent Advocate cover-girl and R&B superstar Mary J. Blige.
But it's even more apparent when the company presenting the event – in this case, General Motors Corp. – are known for being supportive of diversity, especially in their inclusiveness of the LGBT community.
In 1993 and 1994, GM showed up on the gay radar as one of the first major corporations to advertise to the gay market. Not only did they prove to be a hip company, but also an accepting one. They've proven that once again.
More recently, GM agreed to be the 15th anniversary sponsor for BTL, giving us more leeway in how we are celebrating this milestone for the Michigan gay community.
As for GM Style, the gay-friendly company showed their (rainbow) stripes when they made it a point to involve local and national gay press in the evening, as well as the press days leading up to it.
In fact, not only were the likes of BTL, The Advocate, Genre and gaywheels.com present that night, but our own Entertainment Editor Chris Azzopardi was on the front lines for the press preview, which preceded the main gala. There, he talked with Blige, inquiring about her recent cover story in The Advocate – and, of course, getting the lowdown on how she shakes it in those high-heeled boots.
Out GM spokesman Travis Parman was there the whole way, making sure gay press got the same opportunities as People Magazine and Entertainment Tonight. It brought on a convergence in LGBT media not seen in years in Michigan. After GM Style, there was a diversity reception party, along with other events sprinkled through the beginning of this week.
Moreover, the marriage of auto, fashion and music last Saturday was upbeat, adding a much-needed boost to an economically downtrodden area. There, everyone was accepted and celebrated, be they black or white, gay or straight. It showed that Detroit isn't all-bad; it's a progressive city worth taking another look at.