Talking Body
Decorative Artist Matt Lambert Explores Queer Body Politics To fully consume the queer concepts in Matt Lambert’s body of work, use your primordial senses: touch, sight, sex. The 28-year-old decorative artist has a BFA in [...]
Ypsilanti Nutritionist Offers Queer and Trans-Inclusive Healing
The relationship between trans, queer and LGBIA+ patients and their healthcare providers has forever been a shaky one, as the medical community’s understanding of sex and gender has oftentimes failed to keep up with advancements in modern medicine.
Popular Apps to Keep You Healthy in 2018
DietBet Perfect for anyone who needs some extra motivation to lose weight, DietBet is the fun way to get fit—and get paid to do it. It’s unlike any other diet program, and it works: 96 [...]
Health News Hits
LGBT Health Resources Removed from HHS Website A webpage devoted to lesbian and bisexual health, links to LGBT topics and other references were removed between September and October 2017 from WomensHealth.gov, a website maintained by [...]
Mixed bag in HIV cases
Federal statistics report a 14.8 percent decline in HIV cases between 2008 and 2015, but 25- to 34-year-olds saw a nearly 45 percent increase in new cases New data released by the CDC last month [...]
5 Life Strategies for LGBTQ+ Individuals to Avoid Out-of-Control Addictive Behaviors
We have all heard how the opioid epidemic is ravaging communities. In 2014 alone, drug overdose was the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., but prescription drugs are not the only killer, so is alcohol and illegal drugs. What you don’t hear is the specific numbers for how the LGBTQ community is being impacted: we are more than twice as likely than our heterosexual counterparts — 39.1 versus 17.1 percent — to have used any illicit drugs.
Step Therapy: A Problem for All Patient Communities
Members of the LGBTQ community face many unique health care challenges. They suffer from higher rates of smoking, depression, anxiety, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Compounding these challenges is the fact that LGBTQ individuals are more likely than others to experience difficulty accessing health care, due to a long history of anti-LGBTQ bias.
Couples Say ‘I Do’ With Their Fur Babies
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 [...]
Bloomfield Hills Woman Offered $500K for Pet Speaker on ‘Shark Tank’
On the Jan. 14 episode of ABC's "Shark Tank," Michelle Winowich of Bloomfield Hills came away with almost half a million dollars. Winowich, the founder of G.O.A.T. Pet Products, pitched her pet speaker to the [...]
May 12: Strutting Mutts Help Animal Shelter
Six-legged teams of walkers, runners and their dog companions will fill Dearborn’s Ford Field on May 12 for the 13th annual Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit (FAMD) Mutt Strut. The 5K run and 2.2 [...]
Five Ways to Cope with the Death of a Pet
The loss of a pet can bring as much grief as the loss of some human friends and family members. This makes sense when you consider the role our animal companions play in our everyday [...]
Pets and the LGBTQ Owners Who Love Them
Paula Weber and Doug In what city do you and Doug live? Doug and I live and work in NE Ann Arbor, Village of Dixboro, in a 140-year-old farmhouse. Doug is the self-appointed manager and [...]
Dog Act at Lansing’s Wharton Center
"Dog Act" is a capstone thesis production by Liz Duffy Adams which features the 2018 Masters of Fine Arts acting candidates. The production, which will be presented on March 16 and 17, follows the traveling [...]
2018 LGBTQ-Friendly Easter Worship Schedule
1.) Divine Peace MCC 1400 Scott Lake Road, Waterford Township dpmcc.net/248-332-1186 Palm Sunday 9:30 a.m. Good Friday 7 p.m. Easter Sunday Breakfast 9 to 10:15 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship — Joint with Bethel UCC 10:30 [...]
LGBTQ Wedding Expo Attracts Hundreds
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.
B. Ella Bridal Shares 2018’s Trends
Trying to figure out what to wear for the wedding? B. Ella Bridal, located at 570 S. Main Street in Plymouth, is in the business to serve up your dream wedding attire, and for all the right reasons. B. Ella is a full service bridal shop that offers not only bridal gowns, but also bridesmaids dresses, mother of the bride/groom gowns, prom dresses, full accessories and alterations services. B. Ella just celebrated its 14th year in business, and owner Brittany Blase had some insight on what’s trending this season.
Florist ‘Absolutely’ Open to Same Sex Marriages
Michael B. Anthony Florist, located Downriver in Wyandotte, is all about the business of flowers – and they have the reviews, awards and passion to prove it. Owner Michael Bak bloomed his business in 2013, and has since won Local 4’s “Vote 4 the Best” Wedding Florist for two consecutive years, Wedding Wire’s Couples’ Choice award in 2017 and 2018, and has also been named The Knot’s Best of Weddings 2018.
Bakery Provides Stress-Free Cake Decision Making
Jefferson Market Bakery located at 609 W. Jefferson in Ann Arbor lets you have your cake and eat it too! Owner Nic Sims and her top cake artist Moriah Elkins, are ready to serve up some delicious sweet treats for your big day.
DJs to the Rescue
In order to help with selecting wedding music - which should be the most fun part of planning, but is often times the most overwhelming - BTL asked a couple experts, Chris Blanchard (aka DJ Loki) and Walter Cooper (aka DJ Romeo), to weigh in.
The Honeymoon or Vacation Recipe
Equal parts of budget and passion plus a well-thought-out plan equals the perfect honeymoon or vacation.
Legal Tips for LGBTQ Couples
The excuse of religious freedom is being used more and more these days in an effort to allow individuals and businesses the right to discriminate against LGBTQ couples.
BTL Celebrates 25 Years of LGBTQ Publishing with Kick-Off Event at March 11 Expo
Towanna Jackson and LaShawn Peterson of Southfield were married on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2016, around 1 a.m. inside the Plaza Royale Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. “My sister was able to catch a flight [...]
Meet Waterfall Jewelers 2017 Couple of the Year
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 [...]
MILGBTWedding.com Offers Enhanced Wedding Planning Experience
Over the last seven years, the Ultimate LGBT+ Wedding & Anniversary Expo has grown exponentially, allowing us to offer a one-stop shopping experience where you and your entire wedding party can walk along aisles and aisles of the area’s best wedding products and services in one convenient location.
BTL Hosts 8th Annual Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo at MotorCity Casino
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.
Be Mine…You, Too
The other morning I was standing in the checkout lane behind a man who was buying two Valentine's Day cards, each curiously turned faced down. The checkout clerk proclaimed "What a gentleman!" Jokingly, I added [...]
10 Valentine’s Day Events
1.) Chippendales — Interested in spicing up your evening? Join the audience for the Chippendales' 2018: About Last Night Tour. Seen by more than 2 million people annually, the exotic dance show is the perfect [...]
Dancing Harder
'Porn to Be a Star' Play Coming to Menjos in Detroit "Get ready to get Harder!" That’s the slogan for Chris Harder’s play, "Porn to Be a Star," directed by Obie Award-winning performer and playwright [...]
Queer Non-Binary Artist Graces Cover of WUSSY’s ‘The Sex Issue’
WUSSY Magazine has recently published "The Sex Issue" featuring queer, non-binary artist Shamir. The 120-page issue includes a spread and interview with the singer as well as work from more than 400 queer photographers, illustrators, [...]
Sugar & Spice: A Sassy V-Day Gift Guide for LGBTQ Friends and Lovers
From $10 trinkets with zip to big-ticket items that inspire LGBTQ togetherness (and nakedness), these are the gifts to give for Love’s big hurrah. Beyoncé Pencil Set Tell him “Boy, Hi!” with this Beyoncé-inspired five-pack [...]
Five Ways to Start Having Sex You Actually Enjoy
Bump “Go to the gym more” down a notch on your list of New Year’s resolutions and move “Have better sex” up one. Here’s how to fulfill that promise to yourself. 1. Avoid using sex [...]
A Dream Wedding: Couple Ties the Knot in Prince Charming Ceremony
Many people grow up dreaming of the Cinderella–Prince Charming wedding. And last September, one couple got to see their dream come true during their Prince Charming–Prince Charming ceremony. Dr. Theodore Carson Baker, II (57) and [...]
Positive Thoughts: Justice for All
Immigration Equality Advocates on Behalf of Both LGBT Immigrants and All Immigrants Living with HIV Aaron C. Morris By Oriol R. Gutierrez Jr. Aaron C. Morris is executive director of Immigration Equality, a [...]
Does God Love Gays?
Being LGBTQ in Christian America By JONATHAN W. THURSTON Being gay and being Christian are often considered two very separate things. After all, the Westboro Baptist Church’s motto is “God Hates Fags,” and many gay [...]
Worship Guide: Holiday Services
Sunday, Dec. 10 A Modern Day Christmas Story, immediately following Sunday Service, 11:30 a.m. 240 Chalfonte, Grosse Pointe Farms 888-770-1322 whosoeverministry.org Friday, Dec. 15 Congregation Shir Tikvah Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg Annual Latke Dinner and [...]
Divine TransFormations
Reverend Starts Transgender Church In the recipe for a church, one needs a public space, a liturgy, a congregation and a little bit of audience participation. "Well, I can say that we'll try to get [...]
What We Know and What We Can Do to End the Epidemic
State health officials, politicians, activists and care providers on the frontline of the HIV epidemic are most optimistic than they have been in 36 years. There is a light at the end of the tunnel [...]
Looming Outbreak
Federal and state health officials have quietly been preparing for an opioid related outbreak of HIV in northern lower Michigan, but lawmakers and the governor have not been briefed. "In response to the HIV outbreak [...]
‘A Light at the End of the Tunnel’
Light at the End of the Tunnel {ITAL With effective biomedical interventions, but no cure, Michigan leaders believe the end of HIV could come as soon as in a decade. The question: Is the infrastructure [...]
The Promise of the Pill
It's blue, and a pill. It's tied to sex, but it's not Viagra. It's Truvada. And although it's been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an HIV-preventative -- and [...]
The Political Perils of HIV Policy
Scientists and public health officials are in agreement. Treatment options and prevention drugs combined with testing could bring an end to the HIV epidemic in the U.S. in general and Michigan specifically within the decade. [...]
State of Michigan PrEP Directory
Calhoun County Dr. Andrew Luciano Family Physician Marshall Medical Associates 1174 W. Michigan Ave Marshall, MI 49068 269-781-9867 codell@marshallmedial.net Clare County Dr. Peter Gulick, Infectious Disease Central Michigan Community Health Dept. 815 N Clare Ave [...]
‘Peace by Piece’ Unveils its Community Art Project at GFAC
BY BTL STAFF A community art share project sponsored by Wellness Services will premier its "Peace by Piece" exhibit at the Greater Flint Arts Council on Dec. 2 at 816 Saginaw Street in Flint. Guests [...]
UMMA Hosts Visual AIDS’ Day With(out) Art Project
BY BTL STAFF The University of Michigan Museum of Art Student Engagement Council and the U-M Spectrum Center presents a screening of Visual AIDS' "Alternate Endings, Radical Beginnings" from 6-7:45 p.m. on Dec. 1 at [...]
From the Frontlines: Early Intervention Services
Behind her, hanging on the wall of her small office in south Lansing, are a serious of information posters. One is Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs, another is a pull from one of the HIV publications [...]
World AIDS Day Event Calendar
Friday, Dec. 1 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free condoms, education and referral to PrEP and assistance for those living with HIV who need help getting back into care. Kent County Health Department Personal Health [...]
Affirmative Living
BY JONATHAN W. THURSTON In the spirit of the holiday season, it's important to think about ways to give back to the community, and helping local non-profits is often a great way to do that. [...]
Stylists Beating Hunger Seek Donations for Thanksgiving Meal
photo: GIFT_BRF_HotMeal_2546.jpg Lexie Washington, owner of Salon Kinki in Detroit, started the non-profit organization, Stylists Beating Hunger, to collect donations for less fortunate families and the elderly throughout the holiday season. This year, Washington and [...]
EQMI Gives Thanks in the Month of Thanksgiving
BY BTL STAFF Tired of all the negativity in our country, our state and our community? It's enough to create a state of depression. Since November is the month of Thanksgiving, EQMI is daring themselves [...]