Bridget, better-known as LaKyra, Butts has faced violence and discrimination in every aspect of her life as a transgender woman of color. For her, it’s a harsh reality that women who make up her demographic get killed at disproportionately higher rates than any other group within the LGBTQ community — a fact that’s not lost on her."It's a scary feeling knowing you could die tomorrow," she said.
Rachel Crandall-Crocker, co-founder of Transgender Michigan, said 10 years ago she had an idea. "Why can't there be a day that we can be proud of what we are? Why can't there be a day [...]
More than 300 members of the LGBTQ community and its allies cheered on the Detroit Pistons as they defeated the Orlando Magic, 115-98, during Pride Night on Thursday, March 28, at Little Caesars Arena in [...]
There’s no doubt the LGBTQ community can celebrate the political gains made in 2018, but the Trump administration's attacks on the LGBTQ community have escalated since then — particularly toward transgender people. And last year's midterm election results, while encouraging, do not reduce the imminent threats the LGBTQ community faces; there is a lot of work yet to do.
Paige Michaels Chanel will pass her crown as Little Miss Woodward on Monday, March 18, but her reign in Detroit has only just begun. As far as Chanel is concerned, she's not going anywhere.
When she's not busy championing causes instrumental in securing things like U.S. marriage equality or busy taking care of her adoptive children with her spouse, April DeBoer-Rowse fills her time as an animal activist at Garden City's POET animal rescue.
Equality Michigan educates and advocates to amend Michigan law and address issues that disproportionately impact LGBTQ lives throughout the state. Support from members of the community ensures that the organization has what it needs to [...]
The debate over LGBTQ issues may finally split the United Methodist Church, America’s second-largest Protestant denomination. Following a special session of the church's General Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, over the weekend, delegates voted down [...]
Alanna Maguire unveiled her priorities as president of Fair Michigan recently. "I am honored and eager to continue the extraordinary work of Fair Michigan, and I look forward to expanding our services and programs to [...]
Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday delivered her first State of the State speech that called for an amendment to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to provide protections to LGBTQ Michiganders. "Now Michigan government is [...]
While standing in front of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission at Cadillac Place in Detroit on Friday, Feb. 1, Attorney General Dana Nessel made it clear that discrimination against the LGBTQ community does occur on [...]
“Some people only choose to be equitable because the law of the land will punish them for deviating from that behavior,” said Brumalis. “If trans people lose protections, there will be a surge in assaults, unemployment and homelessness because there won’t be anything to shield and protect us from bigotry.”
Jennyfer Crawford Provides Opportunity for Shoppers to Buy Local : Six years ago Jennyfer Crawford set out to build a community of entrepreneurs and makers. From her one-bedroom apartment the self-taught entrepreneur began hosting tiny events for friends with small businesses. In 2012, Crawford founded the Detroit-based firm, Ask Jennyfer, which helps promote and brand Michigan-based retailers.
Michigan voters made history election night by choosing Dana Nessel to become the state’s first openly gay attorney general. She tweeted early Nov. 7 that her opponent, Republican state Rep. Tom Leonard called to concede. [...]
With the midterm elections coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 6, millions of LGBTQ people are preparing to cast their ballots for politicians who are prepared to fight for their rights. However, for some who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming, it's not as easy as showing up to the polls. For instance, members of those populations might be at risk of special scrutiny, harassment and discrimination at the polls in the form of misgendering and being called by their dead names. This reality can create a fear of voting beyond the already many barriers that trans and gender non-conforming voters currently face.
Update on Thursday, Oct. 25: A new poll, commissioned by the Free Press and its media partners from Oct. 18 through Oct. 23, shows both attorney general candidates having name recognition problems, with about 73 [...]
On Friday, Oct. 19, Freedom House Detroit hosted its annual Voices of Freedom event at the MotorCity Casino Hotel with hundreds in attendance, including some Freedom House residents. To help celebrate 35 years of welcoming those "yearning to breathe free" were notable speakers like the night's keynote, John Prendergast of The Enough Project, Mistress of Ceremonies and Fox2 News reporter and anchor Amy Lange, and Deborah Drennan, executive director of the Freedom House.
Work and identity are often strongly intertwined. For Steven Del Gaizo, he gets to be his authentic self while working on what he loves. In his current position at General Motors, he focuses on developing [...]
Considered by some to be the most important race for the people, the campaign for justice of the Michigan Supreme Court can often be overlooked when the public is particularly focused on the gubernatorial and congressional races. This year, two of the court's seven seats are up for consideration and following the November election, 25-year strong civil rights attorney Sam Bagenstos is hoping to fill one of them.
A gay corrections officer has sued the State of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Corrections for employment discrimination. The case was filed in federal court on March 16 by Rasor Law Firm attorneys Jim Rasor and Andrew Laurila on behalf of the plaintiff Ashley Menchaca.
LGBTQ-Friendly Businesses Protest the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Updated Monday, Oct. 1: The Detroit News reported that Founders Brewing Co. is not leaving the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce over their endorsement [...]
Ron Danta says that to "truly do rescue really well, you cannot at all be selfish." And, to show how selfless they are, he and his partner Danny Robertshaw have opened their 4,400-square-foot home to over 80 dogs in need of adoption.
As the end of September nears, winter draws closer and with it comes cold weather. That's why animal welfare organizations are reminding pet lovers early that hot cars aren't the only culprits for unwanted pet death; cold cars are guilty, too.
Over the past few months, news outlets, veterinarians and vaccine manufacturers have all been warning the public about the canine influenza epidemic that has hit nearly 100 dogs in New York City and elsewhere. However, Dr. Glynes D. Graham — owner and primary veterinarian of Patterson Dog & Cat Hospital in Detroit — says that there is "no need to panic." She said that although vaccination is always a personal decision for the pet owner, "there are many precautions" available for those who are concerned.
What is it like being the executive director of the Detroit Actor's Theatre Company? Well, it is a lot of work, but it is work I am very passionate about. My job is to foster [...]
The most prominent gay politician in the U.S., Barney Frank, will be the special guest at an LGBTQ fundraiser for Dana Nessel, Democratic candidate for attorney general, at 7 p.m. on Sept. 6 at the [...]
AJ Sims said he is passionate about two things: LGBTQ laws and transgender rights. He has been able to pursue his passion by way of a youth advocacy project at the Ruth Ellis Center in [...]
Hotter Than July Fine Arts Exhibition Spotlights Emerging Artists […]
Hundreds of community members came together at Glory Supermarket in Highland Park on Friday, June 22 for a neighborhood summer barbecue hosted by Wrigley's Pharmacy. The afternoon family-friendly event included free food and drink, music, [...]
Founding executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, Mara Keisling, was in Kalamazoo on Saturday, May 26 to talk about her work in the advocacy organization, their legislative work in the presidential administration, and the political power of optimism.
Around 40 members of the LGBTQ community and its allies gathered inside Hazel Park City Hall on Tuesday, May 22, to hear city council read into record a proclamation honoring Pride Month for 2018. Mayor [...]
Walk into Gigi's Gay Bar today and you're likely to see drag queen Nickki Stevens grace the stage. Her punchy humor, big looks and classy style — despite her trucker mouth — have been thrilling audiences since the late '80s. But, what some might not know is that in many ways, Stevens' act could be considered double. After all, even though her mother, Sharon Hughes, doesn't grace the stage herself, she spends her Saturday nights working concessions, selling jewelry, and providing her drag daughter much support: from painting, to cleaning, to decorating.
It's about to get real catty in Detroit. The biggest catfight of the year is happening on June 1 at the Fillmore Theatre, 2115 Woodward Ave.
Event Attendees Reflect on Progress, Discuss the Long Road Ahead If every neighborhood is to become a place of opportunity, it's time for fairer housing - to include the LGBTQ community - and stronger enforcement [...]
Anybody who knows and loves Amy and Anna Crandall of Kalamazoo knows how attached they are to their dogs, Dalton and Tucker. It was no surprise to family and friends when the couple involved their [...]
Ashley Howe and her fiance Justine Simpson have been to several bridal shows, but none quite like the Ultimate LGBT Wedding and Anniversary Expo held on Sunday, March 11, in MotorCity Casino's state of the art ballroom in Detroit.
BTL LGBTQ Wedding and Anniversary Event Returns to MotorCity Casino. Click here to get tickets. Same-sex marriage may be safe for now, but the LGBTQ community is not safe from business owners who are allowed [...]
When Christi Brown worked with Diana Balbaugh and Danielle Beauregard during their wedding preparations she "saw a love between them that you don't see too often. These two are the epitome of true love and [...]
Curtis Collins (aka Curtistine LaBaśha) is "still coming down from the high" off of his turnabout performance during the third annual "Big Switch" on Monday night at the Woodward Bar & Grill in Detroit. "People [...]
Read our Q&A With Dana Nessel Read our Q&A with Patrick Miles Democrats are fielding candidates this year as they seize their moment to win back the state of Michigan before the next round of [...]
Patrick Miles See the BTL introduction to this candidate's interview Tell me how you are going to play a major role in helping the LGBTQ community achieve full equality? The attorney general position [...]
Dana Nessel See the BTL introduction to this candidate's interview You're not the only LGBTQ candidate running for a statewide office, but you are the most visible. Yet people are far more concerned [...]
For those who are wondering what it's like to volunteer, Lawrence Pennymon says, "It's beautiful work." Since 2008, he has been dedicating his time, talents and energy to make a difference at LGBT Detroit. "I [...]
The Equality March in Flint this past June. Photo courtesy of Equality Caucus. Nicole Derusha-Mackey is on a mission to build a farm team full of LGBTQ people who will best serve their community [...]
Paige Kowaleski (left) with her girlfriend Danielle Chauvin (right) in Lansing When asked by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, "What do you love about Lansing?" Paige Kowaleski said, "I love that I have a [...]
No stranger to duking it out, Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Gretchen Whitmer is showing up for the LGBTQ fight. "That's one of the first and most important things to do is show up," says Whitmer. "I [...]
State Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren), Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer and State Rep. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) at the MOSS PAC event in Pleasant Ridge on Sunday. BTL Photo: Alex Godin "It will be unsafe [...]
During Ford GLOBE's National Coming Out Day event on Oct. 11 at the Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, the LGBTQ employee resource group announced the GLOBE ally engagement project. The goal is to elevate Ford [...]
Lexie "the Hair Diva" Washington. BTL Photo: Andrew Potter Lexie Washington came to life in her mother's closet as a young person. "She didn't really like the fact that I was dressing up in [...]
Hussein Ayoub As a gay, Arab American Muslim, it was scary for Hussein Ayoub to be so religious as a young man and at the same time be something that is damned by God. [...]
