Detroit LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce to Hold Dec. 10 Virtual Wine Tasting
The Detroit Regional LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and Wines for Humanity is calling all wine lovers for a tasting event. On Thursday, Dec. 10, everyone from fully fledged sommeliers and wine aficionados to the casual [...]
First-Annual LGBTQ Pop-Up Shop to Debut Dec. 19 in Detroit
While the holiday season brings with it an air of wintertime cheer for most, many in the LGBTQ community know that the holidays can sometimes be associated with strained familial relationships. However, on Saturday, Dec. [...]
BTL Publishers Urge Republican Sen. Mike Shirkey and Rep. Lee Chatfield not to Attend the White House
As national election results continue to come in President-Elect Joe Biden's favor, Republicans across the U.S. have continued to dispute electoral votes in Biden's favor. Recently in Michigan, Republican leaders of Michigan's House and Senate [...]
SAGE Hosts Coming Out Culture Virtual Event Nov. 21
On Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. SAGE Metro Detroit — a nonprofit focusing on LGBTQ elder care and issues — will be hosting its Coming Out Culture Then and Now event. [...]
Michigan Data Shows 22 Percent Increase in Gonorrhea Cases, Limited Testing Capacity
LANSING — Recent analyses of new reports of sexually transmitted diseases by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services STD Epidemiology program has detected a significant increase in the number of reported gonorrhea infections [...]
Supreme Court Hears Case that Could Undermine Protections for LGBTQ, Minority Faith Communities
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court today held arguments in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, a case involving a taxpayer-funded agency seeking a ruling that could allow private agencies that receive taxpayer-funding to provide government services — [...]
Question for a Dear
Across 1 Drivers get off on it 5 Guitarist Eddie Van ___ 10 Like sex with protection 14 Nevada neighbor 15 Manhandle 16 Opposed to, to Jethrene Bodine 17 Walk-way connector 18 Flashy Chevy, for [...]
GLAAD, Victory Fund Condemn False, Transphobic Ads Against Biden in Swing States
LGBTQ advocacy organizations GLAAD and Victory Fund, have jointly condemned false, homophobic and transphobic campaign text messages and ads against Vice President Joe Biden's presidential campaign. The messages themselves are on behalf of the American [...]
Equality Michigan Reaches Over 500,000 Pro-Equality Voters Across Michigan
Together in partnership, Equality Michigan Education Fund and Equality Michigan Action Network, the two organizations that comprise Equality Michigan, have reached over 500,000 voters across Michigan. In the next week, Equality Michigan plans on reaching [...]
LGBT Detroit to Host GOTV Voter’s Ball, Deadline for Submissions Closes Oct. 26
LGBT Detroit, the city’s premier black LGBTQ service provider is hosting a series of events in the week leading up to Election Day to help increase voter turnout and educate voters on the candidates running [...]
Oakland County Launches At-Home Flu Shots for Older Adults
Oakland County Health Division is launching a new program to vaccinate homebound residents 65 years and older for influenza in their homes beginning Tuesday, Oct. 27. Appointments are required. The Health Division’s Nurse on Call [...]
Pope Francis’ Support of Civil Unions Makes LGBTQ Catholics ‘Cautiously Optimistic’
This morning, a number of media outlets reported that during a documentary interview Pope Francis expressed support for civil union laws for same-sex couples to ensure that they are “legally covered.” DignityUSA, the organization of [...]
I Am Nobody!
Across 1 "Come Back, Little ___ " 6 Enchanted Disney character 10 Sherman Hemsley religious sitcom 14 Try to bite, doggy-style 15 Electronic synthesizer 16 "Rag and Bone" author 17 "Sands ___ Jima" 18 Lambda [...]
Fair and Equal Michigan Collects Signatures, Submits Petitions to Move LGBTQ Equality Law Forward
LANSING – Fair and Equal Michigan announced today that it has submitted nearly 500,000 petition signatures for its initiative to amend the state Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals. The [...]
Gay Men Take Over #ProudBoys on Twitter
A hashtag used by the far-right fascist group, Proud Boys has been hijacked by gay men to the delight of thousands of people on social media. The male-only organization, which is affiliated with white supremacists, [...]
Rom-com, All Ye Faithful
Across 1 "I've never done this before," et al. 5 Lorca's room 9 "The Great Masturbator" painter 13 "Be that ___ may..." 14 Small songbird 15 Hot to trot 16 Uncommon, to Nero 17 Melissa [...]
For Joe Biden, Push Relentlessly Until Nov. 3
By The National LGBT Newspaper Guild, BTL Member Among the many compelling reasons to make sure that Donald Trump and Mike Pence are not reelected on Nov. 3, perhaps the 26 most compelling are the [...]
LGBT Detroit to Co-Host Virtual Voting Event Sept. 24 With Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, BTL Publisher Jan Stevenson
Voting in any election is an important display of civic duty, but in regard to LGBTQ equality, the upcoming presidential election in November could have farther-reaching consequences than most. To help educate voters on the [...]
Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown to Register Voters to Celebrate National Voter Registration Day
On Sept. 22, 2020, Americans will celebrate National Voter Registration Day with a massive cross-country effort to register voters well in advance of Election Day this November. With a historic presidential election approaching, every eligible [...]
A Head of the Game
Across 1 Climax, e.g. 6 Antigay prejudice, e.g. 10 Queens stadium name 14 Pound poem part 15 Fairy tale start 16 David Hyde Pierce and peers 17 Place to become wife and wife 18 Star [...]
We Condemn Upton’s Homophobic Attacks on Hoadley
Jon Hoadley is the first openly LGBTQ person to run for Congress in Michigan, challenging incumbent Republican Fred Upton in Michigan's 6th district. Hoadley is running a great campaign - so much so that he [...]
Affirmations LGBTQ Center Expands COVID-19 Food Help Program
Affirmations has announced the expansion of its ‘Lettuce Help’ Food Program and will be offering a second pickup date in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesdays, from 4 to 7 p.m., those in [...]
Unhung Heroes of the Metropolitan Art Zoom Tour Sept. 12
Calling all art lovers and size queens. Have you ever wondered why when you go to the art museum the guys without clothes are distinctly below average real-life size? Are you curious to know if [...]
2020 Democratic and Republican National Convention LGBTQ Wrap-Up
Despite social distancing requirements created by the novel coronavirus pandemic, over the last two weeks, both the Democratic and Republican Parties adapted and held their presidential nominating conventions for the upcoming 2020 election in November. [...]
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce Endorses Joe Biden for President
The national LGBT Chamber of commerce has endorsed Joe Biden for president in the 2020 election. Read the organization's full statement here: Washington, D.C. — The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the business voice of [...]
Rep. Dan Kildee, Flint Leaders Highlight Support for Flint Registry
FLINT — U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-05), chief deputy whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today applauded recent action in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide $10 million in continued funding for the Flint Registry, a [...]
LGBT Detroit Partners with 2020 Highland Park Census Committee, to Host Sep. 5 Event
In the last push of effort to ensure that everyone is counted in the 2020 Census, LGBT Detroit’s Be Queer Be Counted Census Campaign has partnered with the 2020 Highland Park Census Community Count Committee. [...]
OutFront Kalamazoo on Proud Boys Rally: ‘Hate Has No Home Here!’
LGBTQ community center OutFront Kalamazoo has issued an anti-hate message regarding counter-protests that turned violent against a Proud Boys rally in the city. Read the full statement below: Two days ago, violence broke out in [...]
Gov. Whitmer to Be Guest at Planned Parenthood Virtual Office Opening
In operation for over a century, Planned Parenthood has created a legacy of providing contraceptive care, sexual education and fought for the reproductive rights of its patients. Today, the nonprofit organization is hosting a virtual [...]
Ash Christian, Prolific Gay Filmmaker and Founder of Cranium Entertainment, Dies at 35
Dallas native, Ash Christian was an Emmy Award-winning producer, actor, filmmaker and LGBTQ activist. He died his sleep on Friday, Aug. 13, 2020, while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He was 35 years old. Christian [...]
2020 Outfest LA LGBTQ Film Festival Goes Virtual
For decades now, Outfest, the Los Angeles LGBTQ film festival, has been one of the world's premier destinations for LGBTQ media. This year, however, the festival's hundreds of films will be accessible worldwide for the [...]
Black LGBT Group Wins Award to Combat Voter Suppression
LGBT Detroit, the city’s Black LGBTQ+ service provider, has been awarded new grant funding by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan to help eliminate a range of enduring racial, gender and sexual minority disparities [...]
Gov. Whitmer Recognizes, Addresses Racism as Public Health Crisis, Creates Black Leadership Advisory Council
Yesterday Gov. Gretchen took action to elevate Black voices in state government, signing Executive Order 2020-163, which creates the Black Leadership Advisory Council. The governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-9, recognizing racism as a public [...]
David Coulter Declares Aug. 4 Primary Victory for Oakland County Executive
Oakland County Executive Director David Coulter claimed electoral victory Wednesday morning during the Aug. 4 Michigan primary election. “I am grateful that voters judged me by my record as county executive and validated the work [...]
Oakland Pride Reveals New Logo to Reflect the Colors of the LGBTQ+ Progress Flag
Oakland Pride revealed its new logo for 2020 to reflect the colors of the LGBTQ+ progress flag. The new logo includes the colors black, brown, light blue and pink embodying the Oakland oak tree. The [...]
5 LGBTQ Michigan State Rep. Candidates to Learn About Before the Primary
As the Aug. 4 primary election draws nearer, many voters have already made their picks by casting their absentee ballots. But for those BTL readers who are going to make their ways to the polls [...]
Q&A with 43rd District Judge Candidate Rudy Serra
As the Aug. 4 primaries get closer, voters will not only choose to vote Democrat or Republican but they’ll cast their ballots for nonpartisan positions, too. Rudy Serra is an openly LGBTQ candidate running for [...]
Q&A with 43rd District Judge Candidate Dennis Whittie
As the Aug. 4 primaries get closer, voters will not only choose to vote Democrat or Republican but they'll cast their ballots for nonpartisan positions, too. Dennis Whittie is an openly LGBTQ candidate running for [...]