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Michigan LGBTQs Endorse Biden
An ad hoc group of LGBTQ Michiganders has announced their support for Joe Biden. He is one of the two leading candidates that will appear on the Democratic primary ballot this Tuesday. "There is [...]
Buttigieg Claims $7 million in Fundraising for 2020 Campaign
Pete Buttigieg claimed a $7 million haul in first quarter fundraising for the exploratory committee for his 2020 presidential bid — an impressive score for an openly gay candidate who was virtually unknown months ago. [...]
Breaking: Nikki Joly Charged in Connection with 2017 Arson
Jackson County Prosecutor Jerry Jarzynka said on Tuesday, Sept. 25 that the defendant, Nikki Joly has been charged in connection with an Aug. 10, 2017 house fire. Joly has been charged with first degree arson [...]
GOP Lawmaker Caught on Tape: Orphanages Better than Gay Adoption
Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) was caught on tape saying orphanages for kids is better than gay adoption. (Photo public domain) In an exchange with high school students that was caught on tape, a Republican congressman [...]
India Supreme Court ruling decriminalizes homosexuality
The India Supreme Court on Thursday ruled consensual same-sex sexual relations are no longer criminalized in the country. The ruling, which was unanimous, struck down India’s colonial-era sodomy law known as Section 377. “We hold [...]
Robust LGBTQA Caucus Sets Records at MI Dem. Convention, Dinner
DETROIT — A treacherous ice storm and a 9 a.m. Sunday morning start time did not deter over 150 people from attending the LGTQ&A Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party meeting April 15 at Cobo [...]
BTL Endorses Dana Nessel for Michigan Attorney General
The role of the Michigan Attorney General is a powerful, important position in the state. The office represents the people of Michigan in criminal and civil actions. They are supposed to be the hero that [...]
New Kalamazoo Equal Rights Ordinance under attack
KALAMAZOO-Less than one month after the City of Kalamazoo Commission voted 7-0 to adopt an expanded human rights ordinance that makes it illegal to use sexual orientation to discriminate in housing, public accomodations and employment, [...]
The Way Forward Now
Let's start with one day at a time, remembering that as long as we are able to breath, speak our mind and take action we are going to be okay. As President Obama told the [...]
The Way Forward Now
Let's start with one day at a time, remembering that as long as we are able to breath, speak our mind and take action we are going to be okay. As President Obama told the [...]
The Way Forward Now
? Let's start with one day at a time, remembering that as long as we are able to breath, speak our mind and take action we are going to be okay. As President Obama told [...]
Commentary: Can And Should We Fight For LGBT Civil Rights At The Ballot Box?
Editor's note: This commentary was originally published online Dec. 4, and updated for print Dec. 8. An Oct. 30 announcement by a new ballot question committee, Fair Michigan - formed by attorney Dana Nessel - [...]
Commentary: Can And Should We Fight For LGBT Civil Rights At The Ballot Box?
An Oct. 30 announcement by a new ballot question committee, Fair Michigan - formed by attorney Dana Nessel, seeks to put LGBT civil rights to a popular vote in 2016. It has caused controversy and [...]
Commentary: Can And Should We Fight For LGBT Civil Rights At The Ballot Box?
An Oct. 30 announcement by a new ballot question committee, Fair Michigan - formed by attorney Dana Nessel, seeks to put LGBT civil rights to a popular vote in 2016. It has caused controversy and [...]
Exclusive Interview: Judge Friedman Discusses DeBoer v. Snyder Trial
Federal Judge Bernard Friedman with Jayne and April after officiating their wedding Aug. 22. The couple hold up there marriage license, the legal document they pursued in order to adopt one anothers children. Annie ONeill [...]
Revealing Bigotry: Taking On Gary Glenn
Democratic candidate for the 98th District state house seat, Joan Brausch, with LGBTQ Democratic Caucus Chair Mark LaChey. LaChey has helped organize fundraising under the Gays Against Gary Glenn project, to help Brausch defeat anti-gay [...]
Revealing Bigotry: Taking On Gary Glenn
Democratic candidate for state house, 98th District, Joan Brausch is running against Republican candidate Gary Glenn, a longtime anti-gay crusader. Over 14 years, Glenn, as president of the Michigan chapter of the American Family Association, [...]
‘Known Homosexuals’ I Love
A picture of the late Barbara Gittings has been in my collection of top five favorite photos for decades. You can find a snap of it in this issue of BTL on page 14 - [...]
Michigan Same Sex Couples Demand Respect And Equal Treatment
ACLU Attorney Jay Kaplan outlines the lawsuit brought on behalf of eight Michigan couples , asking the court for a declaratory judgment that Gov. Snyder's failure to recognize these legally married same sex couples with [...]
Michigan Makes History With First Marriages
As soon as U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman declared the ban on same sex marriage in Michigan unconstitutional at 4:50 p.m. Friday and it was clear no stay was attached to his sweeping decision, Michigan [...]
Judge Could Rule Late Today In Mich. Marriage Ban
Editor's note: A press conference will be held at Affirmations Community Center in Ferndale approximately 2 hours after the ruling is posted online according to attorneys for the plaintiffs. A journey that began over two [...]
Editor’s Viewpoint: Our Long Journey To Justice
I wept as I approached the plaintiffs' attorneys at the end of the trial in DeBoer v. Snyder. "I've waited 42 years to hear what you had to say in a court of law," I [...]
Dissecting LGBT Discrimination And Persecution Around The Globe
From left David C. Koelsch, director of the Immigration Law Clinic at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Thomas TJ Rogers case manager of Freedom House Detroit and Jay Kaplan, LGBT project staff attorney [...]
Lansing Leader Calls On City To End Relationship With Russian Counterpart Over LGBT Abuses
Lansing City Councilmember Jody Washington brought up concerns about the city's "Sister City" partnership with St. Petersburg Russia - that country's second largest city - because of antigay laws and arrests. Photo from All Out [...]
Rick Santorum To Speak At Grosse Pointe South HS
There are hundreds of entries on BTL's website, quoting former Pennsylvania Senator and 2012 Republican Presidential contender Rick Santorum making anti-gay remarks. He has made the Creep of the Week column numerous times (perhaps a [...]
Rep. Frank signs on to Kerry for President
ANN ARBOR - Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) arrived in Ann Arbor this weekend to tell a group of Kerry for President supporters that Kerry was indeed the "best candidate to beat George Bush" next November. [...]
Stonewall Democrat leader sees LGBT vote as the margin of difference in 2004
Election 2004 ANN ARBOR - Dave Noble is on a mission. He sees the LGBT community making the difference in ten targeted states next November, helping to oust President Bush from the White House and [...]
Sweeping Times When Love Is Equal
There are times in our lives when we remember exactly where we were when something historic took place. And for many LGBT citizens, Jan. 21, 2013 will be one of those days. As President Barack [...]
Make it better – sign, educate and vote
BTL Editorial It was 40 years ago this month I participated in my first gay pride march. We were a rag-tag bunch of mostly young, disenfranchised gays and lesbians marching up Sixth Ave. in New [...]
Santorum crystal-clear on anti-LGBT stance
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum cannot be accused of flip-flopping on LGBT issues. He has been unequivocally negative on all issues important to LGBT citizens. Here in his own words is what the candidate has [...]
Four Michigan Mayors sign on to marriage equality
Freedom to Marry, a national organization founded in 2003 to win marriage nationwide, officially announced a new initiative Jan. 20 - Mayors for the Freedom to Marry. The effort includes a bipartisan coalition with over [...]
‘Moral exception’ Senator gives Michigan another black eye
LANSING - A controversy involving Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) is flaring after he called a female public relations executive a "hooker." On Friday MLIVE.com reported that Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) had apologized [...]
‘License to bully’ bill passes Republican controlled senate
Father of dead bullied son says, 'Shame on our elected officials' LANSING - Kevin Epling is no stranger to a broken heart. He lost his 14-year old son Matt to suicide in 2002 after he [...]
‘License to bully’ bill passes Republican controlled senate
LANSING - Kevin Epling is no stranger to a broken heart. He lost his 14-year old son Matt to suicide in 2002 after he was bullied in school. Since that time he has lobbied and [...]
Game changer
When I took to the streets of NYC for my first Pride March in 1972, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was 15 years old. The march was only in its third year and I never [...]
AG Cox fires UM student harasser Shirvell
Andrew Shirvell, Michigan's assistant state attorney general, was finally fired on Monday. Shirvell made national news after word spread of his anti-gay blog attacking University of Michigan Student Assembly President Chris Armstrong. Shirvell had been [...]
AG Cox fires UM student harasser Shirvell
Former assistant attorney general Andrew Shirvell, seen harassing UofM student body president Chris Armstrong in May. Andrew Shirvell, Michigan's assistant state attorney general, was finally fired on Monday. Shirvell made national news after word [...]
Iowa-based American Future Fund runs attack ads in Michigan
With the last of the primaries over, the right-wing funding machine has mobilized into high gear. One of the newest players in the 2010 campaign cycle is the Des Moines, Iowa-based conservative organization American Future [...]
Breakfast with the Bishop
KALAMAZOO - The broad, innovative and yet unassuming power of the Arcus Foundation was demonstrated on Friday, Sept. 11, at a private breakfast that drew over 70 members of southwest Michigan's faith and social justice [...]
Kalamazoo City Commission passes gay rights ordinance
KALAMAZOO - Monday night city commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance banning discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation. The Equal Rights Ordinance is aimed at protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals from discrimination in [...]
Kalamazoo City Commission passes gay rights ordinance
KALAMAZOO - Monday night city commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance banning discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation. The Equal Rights Ordinance is aimed at protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals from discrimination in [...]
Kalamazoo City Commission passes gay rights ordinance
KALAMAZOO - Monday night city commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance banning discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation. The Equal Rights Ordinance is aimed at protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals from discrimination in [...]
Grant Park then and now
November 4, 2008 4:30 p.m. Detroit, Michigan My in-box was full today with e-mail messages that started like this one: "Dear Susan Horowitz, Today we have the opportunity to take part in the most important [...]
New Kalamazoo Equal Rights Ordinance under attack
KALAMAZOO- Less than one month after the City of Kalamazoo Commission voted 7-0 to adopt an expanded human rights ordinance that makes it illegal to use sexual orientation to discriminate in housing, public accomodations and [...]
AFA sends message to Pride participants: ‘Homeo, homeo wherefore art though‘ spellcheck?
FERNDALE - The humm of the engine could be heard overhead and as eyes looked up, there was a plane pulling a message behind it which read, "JESUS CHRIST: HOPE FOR HOMEOSEXUALS.COM" "It's ironic that [...]
Summit is ‘turning point’ in LGBT and ally history
ANN ARBOR - Over two years and 3,500 volunteer hours later, the team known as The Peninsula Group presented their research and findings to 85 leaders from 31 LGBT and Ally organizations who participated in [...]
The promise of equality
DETROIT - As Michigan braces for what most people expect to be a divisive and mean campaign over the issue of affirmative action, leaders of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community have launched an [...]
AFA targets Ford for supporting equal rights
DETROIT - The American Family Association is at it again, this time on the eve of June Pride. Undaunted by their failure against Microsoft and despite just ending a nine-year, unsuccessful boycott of the Walt [...]
A warrior for civil rights
Cheryl Jacques, president and executive director of the Human Rights Campaign, took the helm of the nation's largest LGBT rights group in January 2004. She came to HRC after serving six terms in the Massachusetts [...]