As the world continues to learn more about coronavirus and its spread, it's vital to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. However, it's also important to make sure that the information being distributed is from credible sources. To that end, Between The Lines has compiled, [...]
Living in the Shadow of COVID-19: Sowing Seeds for My New Normal
It wasn’t until the governor’s declaration that we had to stay home that I stayed home. I had been following the progression of the pandemic, but I had decided with social distancing, hand-washing and other [...]
Parting Glances: Hugs 6 Feet Away
When’s the last time I was hugged? I can’t remember. It’s been so long it seems. A month ago? Two months ago? Social distancing has all but rendered the time-honored practice obsolete. I do remember [...]
Parting Glances: OZ goes Drag Queen Bingo!
“It’s been 80 years this year since we debuted in the movies,” said Scarecrow on ZOOM to Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Aunty Em, Glenda the Good Witch, and starlet Dorothy. “The weathers horrid, wild and [...]
In the Age of COVID-19, Where are Our Leaders?
Over the last couple of months, we have seen the coronavirus rapidly transform from a small outbreak halfway across the world into a full-fledged global pandemic. What was once a news story in a different [...]
Review: ‘Strange Bedfellows’ by Ina Park
As someone living with HIV in their 20s, I find myself constantly intrigued by books on STIs. I’ve read "And the Band Played On" and On Borrowed Time," but there really hasn’t been any larger [...]
COVID-19 is Not the New HIV
I have HIV. Amid the COVID-19 crisis sweeping the globe, people like me, people living with HIV/AIDS, are faced with a number of questions: Will our medications be delayed? Will we still be able to [...]
The 2020 Census is Complicated for the LGBTQ Community, but it Counts
By Glenn D. Magpantay By now, everyone should have received a mailing from the U.S. Census Bureau to get counted. I have complicated feelings about the census. While the census is critically important to ensure [...]
Thinking for Ourselves: Water Games
By Shea Howell On Friday, April 3, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan assured the city that he has restored water to everyone who had it shut off at his daily COVID-19 briefing. He also praised the [...]
A Message to BTL Readers and the Greater Michigan LGBTQ Community
The message could not be clearer: respond to the COVID-19 crisis by staying home whenever you can, wash your hands frequently and do whatever you can to not spread the virus. But there is also a much larger message to spread: take care of each other, reach out to people who are isolated and fearful, and let's open our hearts to each other – even if we can’t physically open our arms.
Creep of the Week: COVID-19
There’s a reason #StayTheFuckHome is trending. Because that’s what we should all be doing. As much as possible, of course. There are lots of people who can’t, maybe because they have to work or have medical appointments they can’t miss. In other words, good reasons.
Parting Glances: An Ex-Gay fairy tale
This is the story of Dorian Lavender who has vanished from the party scene of music, stimulants and sex, and is now ironically beyond the saving grace of suddenly discarded friends of which there are many. (Perhaps you knew him too.)
Positive Thoughts: Finding Hope in ‘Crystal City’
In the trailer for the new feature-length documentary film "Crystal City," Rob, who is living with HIV and four years sober, says that during his time dealing and using crystal methamphetamine he discovered that “there are addicts everywhere."
Creep of the Week: Iowa House Republicans
When I was in elementary school I was taught that the Mayflower landed at Cape Cod and that’s how the pilgrims (aka the puritans) arrived in America. After this lesson I did not become, nor was I tempted to become 1.) A pilgrim, 2.) A deckhand, 3.) A cod.
Parting Glances: A CT Black History Remembrance
As an emerging gay teenager, I attended Cass Technical High School where I was fortunate to soon discover there were others like myself in the process of coming out. Although back then there was no such thing as coming out, there was, however signaling — by dropping verbal hairpins — and exhibiting tell-tale touches of creative flamboyance.
Positive Thoughts: I’m a Beautiful Black Queen Living With HIV, Not Stigma
By Porchia Dees I am a Beautiful Black Queen Living with HIV. It has taken a long time for me to come to terms with that statement, because the concepts of beauty and HIV don't [...]
Creep of the Week: Steven Hotze
When I went to the library recently there was a black man, maybe in his 30s, standing outside collecting signatures. Being civic-minded and nosey, I approached him to see what the signatures were for. “I’m running for Congress and I am collecting signatures to get on the ballot,” he said.
A Hair-Raising Talk of Race, Sex and Gender
While I typically write about trans issues, this particular column will not start with a story about a transgender or nonbinary person. Rather, it begins with a story about hair. Specifically, DeAndre Arnold's hair. Arnold [...]
Parting Glances: Dopplegangers, Big 10 and Me
As a recent resident of the Henry Ford Senior Retirement Village Community, consisting of some 800 units — I live in Berkshire Gardens — I have had some interesting, shall we say, metaphysical, perhaps psychic experiences. At separate dinner times, for starters, I've encountered three fellow diners — the food served at the St. Clair and Windows restaurants is excellent and varied — who are double takes for friends I have known for some time.
Reading About Love
The romance genre is a billion dollar plus industry and it’s finally starting to look like there’s a little something for everyone. That includes new adult — post high school/early college protagonists — more mature adults and second chance love stories, LGBTQIA relationships and protagonists who are people of color.
Canes, Walkers and Rehabilitations
My brand-name watch battery quit after six years of service. I replaced it last week for another six years of second-by-second, hour-by-hour, day-by-day, month-by-month timeline reassurance. It occurs to me that the battery replacement is [...]
Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Silent Shame
This past year in my practice, I began to see both male and female clients who presented with a past history of child sexual abuse. Unfortunately, the statistics prove that someone misusing alcohol or other drugs most likely has some form of child abuse in their past as well. Add that this person identifies with the LGBTQ community, and the numbers change dramatically.
Creep of the Week: Paul Gazelka
Genna Gazelka, a 31-year-old who identifies as bi-gender, knows firsthand the pain of conversation therapy, calling it “harassment” and “torture.”
Creep of the Week: Donald Trump
By the time you read this, the U.S. may be at war with Iran and/or World War III may have begun because we have the dumbest, most impulsive and selfish president in the history of America. Happy New Year.
How the Trump ‘Medical Conscience’ Rule is Harming LGBTQ Liberty
In November a federal district judge in New York found that the Trump Administration lied. The Court also held that the Administration had overstepped its authority. Let me explain. In May 2019 the Administration issued its “Medical Conscience” rule. We’ve had medical conscience rules in the past that have protected health care employees who refuse to participate in performing abortions, sterilizations and assisted suicides, based on their sincerely held religious beliefs.
Happy Holidays and Some News from BTL
As we approach the holiday season we are excited to share with you our plans for the coming year. After 26 years of continuous publishing we are going to take our first real holiday break!
Creep of the Week: Donald Trump
This impeachment stuff is stressing me out. Donald Trump keeps screaming that this whole thing is very bad for the country. And he is right! Impeaching a president IS bad for the country.
Mombian: Holiday Gift Guide to LGBTQ Children’s Books
It’s time for my annual gift guide to some of the year’s best LGBTQ-inclusive children’s picture books! There were happily more books published this year than I can include here, so please visit mombian.com for [...]
Parting Glances: You May Say I’m a Dreamer
About a dozen days ago tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow — at my age how can I be sure? — I was gifted with a pair of John Lennon enchantment glasses. Gold-rimmed. Sunset orange. Autumn-tinted. Pre-Donald Trump, to be sure.
The Trans Body
Transphobia, like homophobia, isn't generally using the suffix "-phobia" to mean "fear," but to mean "aversion." It's the same notion as hydrophobic surfaces refer to their ability to repel water. That said, I feel there [...]
Creep of the Week: Scott Lively
My youngest sister just got married. To a man. Though she’s chosen the heterosexual lifestyle, I accept her.
Parting Glances: Repeat the joyful sound
this column first appeared in BTL 12/20/17 Contrary to rumors circulating for years in Story Bookland Weekly Tabloid there never was any real friction between Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Tin Woodsman and Scarecrow.(And those horrid pictures [...]
Creep of the Week: Anne Ennis
I spent part of my weekend attending a 2019 Election post-smortem where a group of committed volunteers, activists, candidates and elected officials went over what went right and what went not-so-right in 2019. Some of [...]
Positive Thoughts: How I Contracted HIV Is None of Your Damn Business
How I contracted HIV is none of your damn business. I'm going to tell you what happened, but not because I owe you an explanation. Here goes.
We Must Not Betray Their Sacrifices
The New York Stock Exchange. St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The National Institutes of Health. All three locations are icons in America not just because of their status in the broader culture but because of their seminal roles in bringing the urgency of our community in addressing the HIV crisis.
Creep of the Week: Tony Perkins
Is America ready for a gay president? No way say the people who currently support with blind fealty and reverence a president who is a corrupt serial adulterer rapist half-wit. A president can be many [...]
One Day After
On Nov. 20, transgender and non-binary people — and our allies — across the world come together to honor those murdered due to anti-trans violence. This year marks the 20th since a group of people [...]
Creep of the Week: Rod Dreher
Strike up the band and start the parade, ladies and gentlemen and those who identify somewhere in between or beyond. Chick-fil-A has gone gay! We’ve done it. At long last we’ve broken the anti-LGBTQ spirit [...]
Parting Glances: The Age of Treason? Perhaps
First published in 2013 and again Dec. 2016, one month after the election Donald J. Trump President of the United States If one person can be truly said to have single-handedly pushed this country into [...]
Connect, Support and Volunteer During the Holiday Season
During this divisive political era it sometimes seems like everyone has taken sides in a never-ending fight. That's why preparing for the upcoming winter holidays can feel like the perfect way to try to temporarily [...]
Creep of the Week: Paul S. Morton Sr.
It’s been a hell of a week for Pete Buttigieg. The fact that he’s polling so high is amazing and it makes me proud that an openly gay man is doing so well. He’s not my pick (Elizabeth Warren is far more qualified), but his campaign is historic and I love it.