It is known as a celebration of self and understanding, the Transgender Day of Empowerment is a day dedicated to encouraging members of the transgender community to both feel confident in who they are, and [...]
After two decades serving as the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, Kary L. Moss has headed many notable campaigns for the organization. Like her work against warrantless wiretapping by the [...]
Last week, a federal district court ruled that a challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan against the state of Michigan could go forward. The challenge addressed the state's allowance of governmentally-contracted faith-based [...]
Fans of Flint's Sloan Museum likely know it best for its regional exhibits. Visitors can see everything from classic cars, to hundreds of unique-to-Michigan artifacts, and now they are invited to participate in a 'Night at the Musuem'-style party. In the theme of "All That Glitters," guests will get to enjoy a themed celebration while raising funds for the organization.
For nearly a quarter of a century, ArtWorks Detroit has served as one of the city's most prominent art auction fundraisers. And this year is proving no different. Hosted by Matrix Human services, the auction [...]
Whether it was the result of fate or serendipity won't ever be clear, but it was a fortunate thing for Ben Sharkey that he knocked over a pile of his roommate's CDs as he cleaned [...]
Fame, for better or worse, almost always comes with a platform, and in the case of Margaret Cho, it's been one that promotes acceptance. Ever since she first graced the comedy stages of her native [...]
Confidence, biting wit and the performance chops to back it up, at only 21 years old Aquaria set a very high bar when she claimed the title of Season 10 winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race." [...]
In an instant, a snap judgment can change everything; a negative one, even more so. In the case of Kiri Stewart, an openly transgender woman, an angry reaction could mean bodily harm. So, for her, hypervigilance is often a necessity. That's why when she went to Flagstar bank to apply for a mortgage, she steeled herself for the worst.
On Saturday, Aug. 25, thousands gathered at East Lansing's Kellogg Hotel & Conference and Breslin Centers to vote at the Michigan Democratic Party's Nominating Convention. Before casting their ballots, however, many delegates attended caucuses throughout [...]
BTL has also endorsed another LGBTQ candidate for WSU Board of Regents. Find out more here. Running for a spot on the University of Michigan's Board of Regents was a natural step for Wade Rakes, [...]
BTL has also endorsed another LGBTQ candidate for U of M Board of Regents. Find out more here. Editor's Note: This article was updated on Thursday, Sept. 13 to clarify a statement about Carter's sexual harassment [...]
Sarah Shook had the makings of an artist from an early age. By 9 years old it wasn't uncommon to see her writing songs, poems and short stories that would become the precursors to the [...]
Since the 1970s, modern nonprofit organizations have become a regularity in the national landscape. In fact, in 2016 they numbered at over 1.5 million, according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics. In Michigan alone, over 40,000 such organizations were reported to exist in that same year by the Independent Sector nonprofit organization. And with such a vast variety of organizations working for all kinds of causes it can be difficult for leaders with differing levels of departmental experience to work together cohesively.
By this time next week, Michiganders will have already voted in the Aug. 7 primaries. However, in anticipation of that vote, Between The Lines reached out to each of the three Democratic gubernatorial candidates — [...]
By this time next week, Michiganders will have already voted in the Aug. 7 primaries. However, in anticipation of that vote, Between The Lines reached out to each of the three Democratic gubernatorial candidates — Gretchen [...]
By this time next week, Michiganders will have already voted in the Aug. 7 primaries. However, in anticipation of that vote, Between The Lines reached out to each of the three Democratic gubernatorial candidates — Gretchen [...]
A collection of some of Detroit's most prominent LGBTQ artists' work, the Hotter Than July Fine Arts Exhibition was held on Thursday, July 26. Curated by self-taught artist Geno Harris, its chosen art will stay [...]
Dress off. Hair down. "Flowerbomb." Like many sexual experiences, there's a slow but powerful build, and it takes Siena Liggins' brand-new song a full minute to drop. But at that point, it's still far from over. As [...]
On Monday, July 23, contestants dressed in their fairy princess best to compete for the crown in the 10th annual Miss Woodward Pageant at the Woodward Bar & Grill in Detroit. [...]
Pair a signature red tie, distinct blond coif and unmistakable orange hue and you get Trumpy Cat. That's the main character of actor and activist George Takei's newest creation: House of Cats. In partnership with [...]
A recurring theme in Jax Anderson's life has been religion. Specifically, it's been the church. And from a very young age, it was where she found solace, hope, family and discovered her musical ability. Today, [...]
On Friday, June 15, Birmingham residents likely heard the chant, "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Schuette, Pence have got to go!" That was just one of many rallying calls that protestors shouted as they marched up [...]
Amie Klujian and Christina Wiesmore-Roberts When friends Amie Klujian and Christina Wiesmore-Roberts met up for drinks at a Chicago bar in 2003 they had the same thought, 'Wow, all the boys around [...]
Thomas McCarter knows how to throw a party. In fact, he's become something of a local legend when it comes to his gatherings and it's not unusual to see his home filled with dozens of [...]
BIRMINGHAM — On Friday, June 15, protestors from a variety of organizations gathered in protest of Vice President Mike Pence's Michigan visit in support of Attorney General Bill Schuette. Among some of the attendees were [...]
For those in the center and west sides of the state who missed the pride gatherings in Metro Detroit, they're in luck. This weekend, both Lansing and Grand Rapids will be hosting their own versions of pride. Here is BTL's breakdown of events for the two event for those who are interested in going.
"It became really clear that what we were dealing with was just a small percentage that the vast majority of LGBT people have had to endure and struggle with their whole life." - Sandy Feldman [...]
For the past decade, musically-inclined LGBTQ and ally Detroiters have slowly been catching on to Sing Out Detroit, the city's inclusionary group choir. In honor of the group's growth and longevity, they will be hosting their "Encore!" performance on Saturday, June 16, at Ferndale High School.
On a warm, partly cloudy Saturday in Ferndale, thousands of people donned their best rainbow gear and gathered on W 9 Mile road to show their Ferndale pride June 2. But, instead of a casual [...]
Though a rainy, early-June chill swept through the city of Detroit on Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10, rainbow-clad attendees made it out to Motor City Pride in droves. And to first-time pride-goers like [...]
Known by many for being the face of the Midwestern LGBTQ movement for years, Jeffrey Montgomery was a highly-lauded individual. He won the the Spirit of Detroit award several times, The Advocate named him "Best and Brightest" LGBT activist in 1999 and he even received a Michiganian of the Year award from the Detroit News — among many others. Now, posthumously, it's as if the deceased Triangle Foundation founder is set to receive another. A documentary project called "America You Kill Me" that has been in process since 2013 is finally closing in on its finishing stages and its director Daniel Land is hopeful that there will be a release in early 2019 that lines up with the Creating Change LGBTQ conference.
Drawing more than 40,000 people over its two-day stretch, dozens of vendors and performers and hundreds of volunteers, Motor City Pride is a massive undertaking that takes place annually in Detroit's Philip A. Hart Plaza [...]
A lot can happen over 150 years, and in honor of a timeline that spans over half of modern U.S. history, Wayne State University is presenting several panels throughout the year in honor of its sesquicentennial. And, coming up on Tuesday, June 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the David Adamany Undergraduate Library is the "Our History at Wayne: LGBTQ Life at Wayne State University panel." WSU Archivist Alison Stankrauff has been the main organizer of these events, and she said she's excited to provide a platform for several LGBTQ activists and historians to speak to WSU's successes and failures in the fight for LGBTQ equality.
Just six days after Krista and Jami Contreras' first child was born, they did what any loving parents would do and scheduled their daughter's first checkup. But, when they came into the doctor's office for the visit, they were told the doctor wasn't there and would not be serving their family. They were then told that the doctor who was supposed to serve their daughter had religious beliefs that didn't support the fact that Krista and Jami are lesbians. That was in 2014. Fast forward to present and the Contreras family has now made national headlines with their story, and is involved with a statewide campaign called "Beyond I Do."
On Saturday, May 19, the President of Pride at Work Michigan, Cynthia Thornton, received the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Rebel With A Cause Award for her "exemplary demonstration of leadership and inspiration to young workers everywhere, especially here in Michigan." The award was part of the two-day 2018 Young Workers' Conference held at the school's Dearborn campus. Pride at Work is the local branch of a national nonprofit organization that represents LGBTQ union members and their allies and is officially recognized by the AFL-CIO.
Wearing Gay History Archive Showcases Thousands of Historical Shirts Midwestern Historian There is a perception by some that LGBTQ history didn't happen in the Midwest. And while it is true that many of the most [...]
The tables turn in "Mrs. Fifty Bakes a Pie," a story of abuse, domination, power and baked goods. The play, written by Linda Ramsay-Detherage, will open at Ann Arbor's Theatre Nova on Friday, June 1. [...]
An emotional Albert Kroeyr took the podium at the Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church on May 11. He is one of more than a dozen members of the church's writer's club and that evening's presentation was held to commemorate the release of the club's first book: "Kaleidoscope" — a collebtion of poems and short stories of longtime club members. However, for him, it was a monumental occurence; the newly 48-year-old Kroeyr celebrated his birthday by speaking publicly about the rape that changed the course of his life more than 20 years ago, and inspired his written contribution to the book.
Jenifer Lewis to Visit Detroit: Tackles Stigma, Mental Illness in New Memoir If actress Jenifer Lewis ignites a sense of motherly affection from viewers, it’s certainly not by accident. After all, her portrayal of a [...]
Transgender Rev. Paula Stone Williams to Speak at Christ Church Cranbrook Rev. Paula Stone has made a career out of talking from her unique point of view, and teaching congregations across the U.S. about being [...]
Lack of LGBTQ Protections in Fair Housing Act Leave LGBTQ Residents Vulnerable Finding a good location, comparing rent or mortgage prices and debating whether to use professional movers or getting a self-driven truck rental should [...]
Ever since high school, he's been involved in volunteerism or some form of activism. Beyond that, he's made the professional jump from the automotive to the aerospace industry and back again. It's very clear: Mike [...]
Few artist are willing to take on topics as complex as the prison industrial complex, painkiller addiction and faith — let alone on one album — but the Indigo Girls certainly don't shy away from [...]
Makes History as First Out Lesbian to Run for Michigan Attorney General Openly lesbian attorney general candidate Dana Nessel won the vote at the April 15 Michigan Democratic Party state endorsement convention at Detroit's Cobo Center. [...]
Falling in love, as thrilling as it is, requires a huge level of vulnerability. That immensely happy and slightly uncomfortable feeling is encapsulated in Rachael Cantu’s most recent music video “You’re the Most.” Its dreamy [...]
After working in the newspaper and magazine industry for nearly her entire career, Gia Cilento knew that one day, she'd start a publishing house. The thought stayed with her as her work took her across [...]
Jars of tongue depressors, rubber gloves and a paper-lined examination table; these are the hallmarks of a medical office, and this scenario evokes a variety of emotions. For some, it's a place visited infrequently and [...]
In light of the Larry Nassar trial at Michigan State University, and recent movements like #MeToo and It's On Us, sexual misconduct is currently being discussed on national platforms. In an effort to bring more [...]
Artist Presents an American Landscape The American flag is a clear symbol of patriotism and is recognizable the world over. Its distinct red, white and blue color scheme, and its well-defined stars and stripes delineate [...]
