As Affirmations celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, the LGBTQ community center in Ferndale also went through a slew of leadership and financial changes. With the appointment of Dave Garcia as its returning executive director, [...]
Few forces in the world are as powerful or as visceral as the reaction one has to great music. Regardless of genre, when either words, melody or both align the right way, emotions of all kinds can be stirred — not least of which being love. That's why Austin-based nonprofit The W'All chose the month of love to launch its LGBTQ-focused campaign of inclusion.
Mystery, murder and the age-old question of "why?" Each of these criteria is met in Stephen Dolginoff's crime musical "Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story." Recounting the tale of what was the "murder of [...]
When Maureen Muldoon's son came out as transgender, the last thing that she thought would happen as a result of that would be a one-woman show. Still, the thought nagged at the former actress until [...]
Valentine's Day is often seen as an exclusively romantic holiday, but love can be about familial or community connection as well. Local nonprofit Stand With Trans is taking exactly that approach with its upcoming Share [...]
Regular self-reflection might seem like it's part and parcel of being a musician, but as with any career, it's easy to get bogged down by the everyday responsibilities. Things like touring, writing music and planning [...]
The road to hell is paved with well-intentioned white women. Or at least, it's paved with those white women activists who don't consider the impact of their intentions. Lee Minora is the creator of "White [...]
A mutual love of campus, coffee and community merged in 1965 when four Ann Arbor churches created The Ark. Originally a meeting house and creative outlet for artistic students, it wasn't long before music acts [...]
A National Epidemic Claiming the lives of nearly 50,000 Americans annually, calling suicide an epidemic is by no means a stretch, and it's certainly not a silent issue. Even for those people who haven't been [...]
A petition campaign is underway that seeks to create legislation that would expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity across Michigan. Created by a group called [...]
LANSING— On Tuesday a Michigan Court of Appeals panel ruled 2-1 that Michigan's state law criminalizing ethnic intimidation does not protect transgender people. It currently criminalizes "race, color, religion, gender or national origin." The case in [...]
For many in the LGBTQ community, the words "religion" and "progress" are seldom considered synonymous. Still, it's vital not to downplay the value of those pro-LGBTQ religious activists who have led the charge in both [...]
Effective sexual violence prevention is a community effort — that's what researchers concluded in a recent statewide report. In October of 2019 the Center for Healthy Communities at the Michigan Public Health Institute developed the [...]
On Monday, Dec. 30, Mark David Latunski, 50, of the Morrice area was charged formally with the murder and mutilation of 25-year-old Swartz Creek resident Kevin Bacon. He was arraigned in 66th District Court on [...]
Whether driving, traveling out of the country or simply purchasing a drink, proper identification is a requirement in the United States that impacts many aspects of life. However, for the transgender community, once transitioning it's [...]
As 2019 winds to a close and the 2020 presidential election draws closer, many Americans will be shifting their focus to all things political. Within the LGBTQ community candidates who have pro-equality stances will be front and center for consideration. And while that is a regular trend for every election cycle, it's worth noting that the current administration's rollbacks in LGBTQ equality are unrivaled for a president who ran as an ally.
As temperatures start to dip closer to zero this winter, adequately bundling up changes from a matter of comfort into a matter of life and death. And for those who are homeless, staying warm is [...]
Its effects felt by millions around the world, in the U.S. alone it's reported by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network that over 400,000 people aged 12 and older become victims to rape and sexual assault annually.
At any age, it's true that preventative care is the key to identifying and treating a myriad of diseases and medical conditions early. But when it comes to the LGBTQ community, it's not always as [...]
'I'm spiritual, but I'm not religious.' It's a common statement and something that many people have likely heard in casual conversation. But it's more than just idle water-cooler chit chat. According to Pew Research Center, [...]
The shopping, the decorating, the worshipping, the mandatory small talk – the holidays can already be a time of great stress. Adding a queer identity into the mix can often complicate things further. Still, as tricky as navigating the upcoming special days can be for those who are LGBTQ, the stress doesn't have to spell disaster. At least Taylor Mac certainly doesn't think so.
It's a pretty standard dating rule: if your significant other has cheated on you, the relationship is over. And in the TV world, that's usually the way things play out. "But what happens in the [...]
FERNDALE – Today, alongside transgender allies and activists, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that her administration has revised the policy for changing the sex-indicator on a driver’s license or identification card. This action reverts state [...]
Begun in 1999 by transgender activist and author Gwendolyn Ann Smith, the Transgender Day of Remembrance is a solemn reminder every Nov. 20 of the continuing violence against the transgender community. And it's certainly still [...]
With fewer than two months left until the winter holidays, gift-giving, and subsequently gift-shopping, season is in full swing. However, as magical as it can be to find the perfect gift for a loved one or to receive a longtime wishlist item, sometimes the holidays run the risk of transforming into a purely material exchange.
Over the last 30 years Ferndale's Affirmations LGBTQ community center has been focused on providing Southeast Michigan's LGBTQ community with not only social but community support services. Now, the center is set to expand its offerings to include health care. This is made possible because of a joint partnership with Corktown Health Center, which focuses specifically on LGBTQ health services, that will serve to expand the reach of Corktown as well.
Filled with ball gowns, makeup, an alcohol-stocked minifridge and three queens with a dream, Stephan Elliott's 1994 movie "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" took audiences on an Aussie road trip for the [...]
With a history of designers like Cristobal Balenciaga, Bob Mackie and Karl Lagerfeld it's impossible to dispute the LGBTQ community's impact on the world of modern-day fashion. But as famous as those names are, along [...]
At 11 months old, Waldo, the standard poodle and Wheaten terrier mix or woodle, is shaping up to be a strong, well-behaved puppy. But just a month ago, before he came into the lives of [...]
Wendy and Bob Sutton's story is similar to that of many pet owners. Eager to expand their family, the couple welcomed four animals into their home, caring daily for their needs and planning for every [...]
The Joffrey Ballet is coming to Detroit and with it, the world-renowned ballet studio is bringing a packed weekend of three performances: "Beyond the Shore," "Vespertine" and "Joy" — but it wouldn't be a Joffrey [...]
Walk into Affirmations in Ferndale today and it’s easy to find it bustling with community members. Simply standing in the lobby as a meeting finishes up or as the building begins to fill with people [...]
LANSING — After two years of uncertainty, last week Larkin Neely reached a plea agreement with the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office for the 2017 murder of Kevin Wirth, an openly gay man, who was stabbed [...]
Before Sophie White began professionally telling stories as an actress and filmmaker she had a career as varied as the characters she portrays on screen. At one point racing motorcycles and doing boxing promotion, White [...]
With its unique blend of poetry, music and personal testimonials of black gay men living their authentic truths in 1980s America, Marlon Riggs' "Tongues Untied" stood out among documentaries of the day both in its [...]
Between the cake, photographers, floral arrangements and wedding attire on display at the 9th annual Between The Lines Wedding, Home and Life Expo on Sunday, Oct. 13, Dearborn's The Henry, Autograph Collection hotel felt transformed into a unique celebration of both marriage and equality.
The “Miss Congeniality” is your pageant dyke. A “Speed” dyke can effectively drive a 40-foot transit bus. And witchy lesbians can all see themselves represented in “Practical Magic.” Who knew that the best way for [...]
Standing on the precipice of the first-ever transgender-specific case to face the Supreme Court of the United States, it'd be understandable if plaintiff Aimee Stephens, 58, seemed nervous or distraught ahead of the Oct. 8 [...]
To get a sense of the immense progress made by the LGBTQ community over the last several decades it's perhaps best to scale down and examine personal achievement. In Michigan, it's arguable [...]
Though Affirmations has been helped by many dedicated volunteers over the years, ones like Vy Reed are few and far between. Started in 1989, the Ferndale-based LGBTQ community center first connected with Reed in 1991.
In Wanda Sykes’ latest comedy special “Not Normal” she takes on everything from the Trump administration, the #MeToo movement and racism; it’s clear that over the course of her 30-year career Sykes has been fearlessly [...]
Between regularly appearing on Comedy Central, developing a web series, writing for shows like Netflix's "Big Mouth," raising a child and an upcoming debut as a TV doctor in "Carol's Second Act" (premiering Sept. 26 [...]
When Fair Michigan was formed initially, one of the main concerns for the LGBTQ community was securing marriage equality. Today, that need has been met, but the nonprofit's work is far from done as LGBTQ Michiganders can still be denied housing, employment and medical treatment solely based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Whether settling down to start a family, putting down roots in a great location or simply expanding one's space, home ownership can be a thrilling part of anyone's life regardless of their reasons. However, it's an unfortunate reality that LGBTQ people often must take extra care to ensure that the place in which they choose to settle down is affirming of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Though real estate can make for a great investment, it's not always easy to start building a robust portfolio. Like many other real estate investment firms, Jeddo Corp seeks to help clients develop one, however, its methodology is unique: artificial intelligence. A wife and wife team based out of both Ann Arbor and the San Francisco Bay Area, Nada and Sabra Djomehri saw an opportunity for their business to blend both of their specialties.
A mix of denim, leather goods, swimwear and boldly printed tops, Untied on Woodward is a menswear boutique that encourages shoppers to ditch the formalities and embrace a sleeker take on the laid-back look. It's [...]
Michael Fabiano's approach to his opera career has served him well. Described by The Independent as "out of this world" and The New York Times as “one of the most exciting, sought after singers in the world,” those following opera today will likely have heard of the rising tenor.
Breakups hit hard. Some hit harder than others. For Alyse Vellturo, better-known by fans as pronoun, three years after she broke up with her ex-girlfriend and it's still much of the creative fuel for her first full-length album "i'll show you stronger."
Though it's arguable that June is the most significant month for the LGBTQ community, it's not uncommon for Pride celebrations to extend throughout the summer and beyond. The Pontiac Creative Arts Center is certainly extending Southeast Michigan's Pride season this year with the Oct. 12 debut of its "Kaleidoscope of Expression" exhibition.
Now steadily into the start of its second decade in existence, fans of Ferndale's Ringwald Theatre will know it for its seasons of uncharacteristic takes on classic performances and unique choice of new works. According [...]
