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 [...]
When a child is born and assigned a gender at birth, the status quo is that they'll stick to the well-defined lines of gender: girls will play with dolls, boys will play with trucks. However, there are many children who won't adhere to these rules, because they don't feel comfortable with the gender they were assigned at birth.
Thinking of opera, one might imagine a knight in shining armor, a damsel in distress or Brunnhilde — a woman with a viking helmet and blonde braids belting out some massive vocal power. And, in many ways, opera is still representative of those traditional characters, but it's also an ever-changing medium that is growing with the times.
YPSINLANTI, Mich. — Bingo by itself can be fun, but add drag queens into the mix and it can turn into a party. That's why Boylesque Bitchy Bingo is hosting a fundraiser for this year's Ann Arbor Pride.
Although the audience never sees it, a scene change in a musical performance is the product of a well-engineered and well-oiled machine. Many crew members must seamlessly perform dozens of specific actions to set scenery [...]
Although The International Transgender Day of Visibility had small beginnings when it was started by Michigan activist Rachel Crandall-Crocker, in its almost 10-year life it has become a worldwide phenomenon. Now, Crandall-Crocker is “A statewide [...]
Picture this scenario: you're 18, you've been watching porn for a while and you don't know if your varied preferences are crossing the line. Now this: it's year 10 of a fairly sexless marriage, and you're seeking a third to spice things up. Lastly: you're a woman in her 60s who's ready to make the plunge into lesbian relationships, but you don't know where to turn. For each of these scenarios and more, Dan Savage has an answer.
Activist, journalist and feminist Gloria Steinem has been actively campaigning for women's rights since the 1960s. Not only has she imprinted her legacy when she helped found longstanding publications like Ms. and New York Magazines, she has aided in the formation of the National Women's Political Caucus, produced films on such topics as child abuse and the death penalty and is the author of many lauded books and articles.
The violent death of a family member is the stuff of nightmares, but for poet Natasha Miller it was a reality. "On Dec. 28, 2013, my brother was gunned down in Detroit, and it was just a really hard, difficult time for me," Miller said. "He was murdered on the 28th, and then New Year came up on Jan. 1, and Jan. 3 was my birthday. I planned my brother’s funeral and he was cremated on my birthday. His birthday is Jan. 14, so it was 11 days after that. I just had a really hard time dealing with that. He was my friend, we were only a year apart."
Dana Nessel is not afraid of confrontation or controversy. The lawyer of nearly 25 years is perhaps best known for her 2012 defense against Michigan's same-sex adoption laws, when she represented April DeBoer and Jayne [...]
ComedyFest Brings Dynamic Lineup to Detroit Ask a comedian what inspires their comedy, and the answers will range from daily life to aging to their social media accounts. Between The Lines did just that with [...]
Nine years ago, founder of Transgender Michigan Rachel Crandall-Crocker took her advocacy a step further - she created the International Transgender Day of Visibility. The March 31 holiday has since been celebrated all across the [...]
Driving down a small, Midwestern two-lane highway you'll see dozens of exits for them; tiny, quiet and sleepy towns. And, unless your car's gas light blinks on or your engine starts to vomit smoke, you're [...]
If one looks back to their high school sex ed class, they probably can imagine an uncomfortable teacher demonstrating the application of a condom and condemning sexual activity as a near-criminal act. Although these courses did mention the potential danger in contracting STDs, HIV and AIDs, they likely promoted an abstinence-only outlook.
Usually, publicly taking the plunge into a new hobby can be daunting. Whatever the activity, if one is joining a group of already experienced people, the barrier to entry can feel huge.
A night out in Paris is never a mistake. And in the early 1900s, a trip down its cobble-stoned streets to the salon at 27 rue de Fleurus was an excellent decision. On an ideal [...]
Detroit — It's a long process to pick a venue, a photographer, make the guest list and worry about the floral arrangements — among countless other responsibilities. But, whether large or intimate, two people join together in a celebration of love.
Pass 49-year-old Ron Blake on the street and he's hard to miss. The Arizona-based activist will likely be stocked up with Sharpie markers and he'll be carrying a large poster board. Look closer, and you'll see it's filled with wishes of good luck, messages of encouragement, poetry and more.
DETROIT — Commissioners have passed a resolution declaring Wayne County a "Welcoming County" for immigrants. The county says a special presentation made Thursday in Detroit recognizes contributions made by immigrants and celebrates the importance of [...]
"You have to say, 'I have to sacrifice that I can't support this person, because I'm putting money into the hands of a pedophile or a rapist.' And, you have to separate that." - Nicole [...]
In the well-to-do suburbs of Birmingham, it can be difficult to imagine something criminal taking place on the streets. However, for the then 15-year-old Theresa Flores, that was not the reality. She fell victim to [...]
Look at Danielle Girdano today, and calling her a fitness guru wouldn't be inaccurate. She holds multiple world records in cycling, is the president of the Texas-based D'fine Sculpting & Nutrition company and is a [...]
Unafraid to speak her mind, Mary Lambert is proud to say that in her eyes, everyone qualifies as a babe. Conveniently, “Everyone is a Babe” is the name of her tour, where she’ll be showcasing [...]
If you ask Kai Quix what her comedy strategy is, it's simple: be honest. "I try to just speak about myself basically. Nearly all of my jokes are 100 percent true," she said. "Like a [...]
Overall, MAP found that LGBTQ seniors are among the most vulnerable group to religious exemption rules because of their reliance on regular services in the arenas of health, employment and general care. Should religious exemption [...]
Patrick Yankee, chief development officer for Corktown Health Center The LGBTQ Community is no stranger to stigma. It infiltrates lives daily, and, sometimes, in cases of life or death, it can be deadly. [...]
Valentine's Day can be a stressful time for many, particularly someone who might be dealing with coming out. That's why Stand with Trans is hosting a Share the Love Valentine's Day Party for both trans [...]
Perhaps mixing chocolate with exercise isn't an idea that many would consider, but in Lansing it has certainly stuck, as Lansing's Old Town debuts its fifth Annual Chocolate Walk. "Throughout this event, community members have [...]
Coming out is almost never easy. Couple that with heavily Christian, highly conservative parents, and it becomes nearly impossible. That's why twins Michael and Zach Zakar, 24, fully intended on keeping it a secret from [...]
In a world of hugely polarizing politics, it is rare that discourse between left and right-wing opponents can be civilized and constructive, but that's what happened on Jan. 10. Wayne State University Professor and Philosophy [...]
Never one to take it slow, 21-year-old Lansing rapper Mikeyy Austin has released a full-length album, a mixtape and multiple singles in two years. Now, the emerging artist is cooking up another project, a mixtape [...]
If you would like to leave a public comment for the U.S. Department of Labor to review, go to regulations.gov, or find the page directly at gaybe.am/AE. All comments are due before Feb. 5 at [...]
Nicole Dennis-Benn's debut novel was lauded as one of the best books of 2016 by NPR, Buzzfeed the New York Times and more, as well as a winner of the Lambda Literary Award for its [...]
Ever since The Ark got its start in Ann Arbor in 1965, it was envisioned as a place for University of Michigan students to be able to gather together in a creative space. Four local [...]
Sharron Fincher didn't always work in sexual assault advocacy. In fact, she held positions across many fields, like healthcare and banking. But according to her, she never really held much passion for those jobs. She [...]
It's been two decades since the release of the first Harry Potter book, and the winter holidays might just be the perfect time to do some nostalgic reading or watching of the series. Fans of [...]
Project Marks 15 Years Working to Reduce Risk to LGBT+ Youth As a parent, perhaps one of the most heartbreaking thoughts is that one might lose touch with their child; the relationship growing ever more [...]
The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services has reported 610 cases of hepatitis A, 501 hospitalizations and 20 deaths. All of these reported cases are related to an outbreak of the disease that happened [...]
Eve Kucharski Even with the decision to repeal net neutrality on Dec. 14, you probably haven't seen anything happen to your internet speeds. And you won't for now. The new rules must be [...]
BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS, WASHINGTON BLADE The Puerto Rico Senate on Sunday approved a religious freedom bill that critics contend would allow anti-LGBT discrimination in the U.S. commonwealth. The bill — which is known as the [...]
Mercedes-Benz, Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health System and Ally Bank. On the face of it, these businesses and institutions have nothing in common, but on Dec. 8, representatives from each of them, and 16 [...]
Tina Saycosie Carries on Mother's Values and Traditions at Pasong's Cafe For many, a love of food is learned, but for Chef Tina Saycosie, 42, it was in her blood. After all, not only is [...]
Purple. Hair, jacket, car. Everything about Veronica Scott-Miller is purple — and she likes it that way. Looking at the 25-year-old you’d imagine that in all aspects of her life, she’d be as outspoken about [...]
