Community Connections

Get connected! Non-profit organizations are encouraged to send listings of ongoing events to Community Connections via email at [email protected], fax at 248-615-7018 or postal mail: 20793 Farmington Rd., Ste. 25, Farmington, MI 48336. FORTY WORD MAXIMUM. BTL reserves the right to edit for space, grammar and suitability and to run Connections items as space permits. If yours is a for-profit or one-time event, list it with our calendar at www.pridesource.com. Be sure to include your contact information!

Support Groups

Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center
195 West Nine Mile, Ferndale, MI 48220
Phone: 248-398-7105
Email: [email protected] Web: www.GoAffirmations.org
General Support: Coming Out over Coffee: Sat. 10:30-Noon; Men’s Rap Group:
Sat. 6-8 p.m.; Single Again: 2nd and 4th Sat., 2-4 p.m.; Transgender Rap: Tues.
7-9 p.m.; Women’s Rap: Thurs. 7-9 p.m.
Helpline: 800-398-4297
Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project (WRAP)
325 Braun Ct., Ann Arbor, MI 48107
www.wrap-up.org
WRAP hosts a number of social & support groups, incl. Huron Valley Bears and Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Friends North provides social, educational and support activities and opportunities for the LGBT community in the greater Grand Traverse region and northwestern lower Michigan. Visit www.friendsnorth.org or call 231-946-1804.
PFLAG – Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays – sponsors support and social groups throughout Michigan. Visit www.pflag.org or call Mike Neubecker 734-783-2950.
Couples Connect Network is a friendly group for couples of all sexual orientations, sizes, genders, races, religions, economic and educational levels, cultures, and physical abilities. Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming environment for couples. Contact Latrice Jackson 248-544-6411 or [email protected]
Gender non-conformists’ group meets Thursdays at 8 p.m. at Coral Gables in East Lansing. Call Rachel at 517-347-3681 or email [email protected]
Men’s Group meets 1st Tuesdays 7 p.m. at the Port Huron Municipal Office Center, 100 McMorran Blvd. Info: 810-364-1080 or [email protected]
Women’s group meets 3rd Thursdays at the Port Huron Municipal Office Center, 6:30. Call Lisa 810-650-1291.
Downriver Rainbow LBGT group meets 1st Sundays; Grace Hall, 15650 Reeck Rd., Southgate, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Ages 19-100.E-mail [email protected]
Downriver Detroit Transgender Group meets Thursdays 7 – 9 p.m. Changing room & social time, 6-7 p.m. This is a social and support group. Kendra Leigh or Sharon L. Van Nest, 313-381-4528 or 313-363-5319 or [email protected]
Transgender Michigan Chat Room, Mondays at 7 p.m., online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TransGender_Michigan/chat.
Drop-in support group for survivors of sexual assault meets Mondays from 6:30-8 p.m. (except holidays); St. Luke Lutheran Church. Contact Domestic Violence Project/SAFE House, 734-973-0242; Amy, ext. 209. A free and confidential program; bus tokens and child care provided.
FRIENDS Alliance – Social/Support group, Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Fridays are movie, euchre and game nights, beginning at 7p.m. Tues.-Thursday, the Alliance offers free access to its computer lab, Noon-5 p.m. Call 586-759-5940; PWA Support Line 800-350-7927.
Higher Ground is a holistic/spiritual support group for HIV/AIDS positive people. Meets Mondays in Royal Oak. Email [email protected] or call Rick at 586-427-1259.
GILDA’s Club of Metro Detroit has a Gay and Lesbian networking group for anyone touched by cancer that meets 3rd Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at 3517 Rochester Road in Royal Oak. Call Chris at 248-577-0800 x24.
Suburban Lesbians Of Michigan is the largest lesbian online community in Michigan. Meet new friends and network with other lesbians within the state. www.slomorg.com
CLUB 45 – Gay men age 45+ meet for conversation, networking and support Sundays at 5 p.m. at Angel’s Cafe in Ferndale. Contact Henry at 313-833-0863.
Hermanos de Corazon (Brothers of the Heart) meets Thursdays at Menjo’s from 9-10 p.m. Hermanos de Corazon serves LGBTQ Latino men. Call Ben Sedillos at 313-967-4880 or e-mail [email protected]
Karibu House sponsors Co-Gender Rap Sessions for LGBTs of color, 1st Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Northwest Activity Center, 18100 Meyers at Curtis. Call 313-865-2170 x 3.

Volunteer Opportunities

First Step program – The Western Wayne County Project on Domestic and Sexual Violence is looking for volunteers. A variety of opportunities are available. Call 734-416-1111.

Health

HARC provides free HIV/AIDS testing at the Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project (WRAP) offices, 325 Braun Court in Ann Arbor, on Mondays, 3-5 p.m. and Sundays, 9-11 p.m. Call 734-572-9355 or 866-HIV-TEST.
Affirmations offers Kick Butts: Tuesdays 7-9 p.m.; Side Walkers: Saturdays 9 a.m.; Weight Watchers & Weight Crunchers: Thursdays 7-9 p.m. Ferndale. Call 800-398-4297.

Youth

Riot Youth is a queer and queer-friendly youth led activist group focusing on discussion, education, support, and radical change in our community. Fridays 4-5:30 at the Neutral Zone, 637 N. Main, downtown Ann Arbor. At couches on first floor. Call Ben Farrell 734-277-4647.
Ruth Ellis Drop In Center serves LGBTQ youth 13-24, and thoseÊat risk ofÊhomelessness. Meals, support, HIV/AIDS testing, movies, daily programs.
Mon. – Fri. 4 – 8:30 p.m.; Sat. 1 – 8:30 p.m. 16501 Woodward, just one block south of McNichols; 313-867-6936. www.ruthelliscenter.com
“Affirmations: The Dance Project” meets 2-4 p.m. Sundays at Mejishi Martial Arts Studio; 247 W. 9 Mile Rd., Ferndale. Ages 13-20; prior sign-up and orientation required. Contact Cassandra Varner at 248-398-7105 x14.
Gay and Straight Youth Peer Support Group meets first Saturdays at 3 p.m. at the Red Cross Building in Port Huron (615 Pine St.). Youth age 14 to 20 may attend. Info: 810-364-1080 or email [email protected]
Affirmations offers COLAGE: call for times; DAYO: 1st Saturdays 1-4pm; Keepin’ It Real: Wednesdays 6-8 p.m.; YEP Night: Fridays & Saturdays 4:30-11 p.m.; Young Adult rap: Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m.; Youth Group: Saturdays. 1-3:30 p.m. Ferndale. Call 800-398-4297.
Downriver Area Youth Outreach (D.A.Y.O.) Youth Group for LGBT teens meets 1st Saturdays at Grace Episcopal Church in Southgate from 1-4 p.m. Call 734-783-2950.

Seniors

Affirmations offers Outskirts (call 248-848-9329); Senior Koffee-Klatch: Thursdays 1-2:30 p.m.; Senior Connection Group: Wednesdays 7-9 p.m. Ferndale. Call 800-398-4297.

Family

Affirmations offers Toddler Play Group: 3rd Saturdays 10:30 to Noon. Ferndale. Call 800-398-4297.

Sports & Social

Ann Arbor Queer Aquatics hosts a non-competitive swim Sundays. All abilities welcome. At Mack Pool 10-11:30 a.m. Call 734-663-0036.
Rainbow Pride; Flint’s GLBTA Bowling League weekly play at B’s Bowling Center, in Flint; 6:30 p.m. $12/bowler weekly. Call 810-743-7570. International Gay Bowling Organization Member League (IGBO)
Big Three Coffee Social; LGBT employees of Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler and their suppliers meet 1st Mondays; Java Hut, 165 W. Nine Mile, Ferndale; 248-642-7569; [email protected]@aol.com.
Ann Arbor Front Runners and Walkers; all abilities are welcome. Contact [email protected] or call either Rick at 734-741-1763 or Stephen at 734-483-2524.
The Suburban Lesbians Of Michigan gathers 1st Saturdays at the Rainbow Room in Detroit. www.slomorg.com.
ONE voice chorus rehearses Tuesdays, 7-9 pm at Affirmations Sept.-May, all levels welcome. Todd at 734-480-4480 or Linda at 248-827-4196
The Out Loud Chorus rehearses at Ann Arbor’s Memorial Christian Church Mondays 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Call 734-973-6084 or visit www.aaoutloud.org.

LGBT-friendly Church/Spiritual Services

St. Mary’s Lesbian and Gay Outreach Ministry meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at St. Mary’s Student Parish on William St in Ann Arbor. Too many gay Catholics suffer guilt from the actions of closed-minded clergy and from the conservatism of society. We provide a safe space for discussion, healing and prayer. Contact Mark Thiesmeyer at [email protected]
WHOSOEVER Ministry, 1411 East Jefferson Downtown Detroit YWCA is a Word Teaching, Life Application Ministry for WHOSOEVER. Pastor Rev. Dr. Selma Massey, all are welcome Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Northside Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor worships Sundays at 11 a.m. at 1679 Broadway St. Rev. Chuck Booker-Hirsch, Pastor. LGBTQ folks especially welcome! www.NorthsidePres.org or 734-663-5503.
Dignity Detroit offers services Sundays at 6 p.m. in the chapel of Marygrove College in Detroit; www.dignitydetroit.org; 313-278-4786.
EarthWalk Spiritual Community meets for worship second Sundays, 10:30 a.m. in Detroit. EarthWalk also offers workshops, sweatlodges and social events; www.earthwalk.org. Rev. Lorraine Weber.
Full Truth Fellowship of Christ Church holds monthly information workshops 2nd Saturdays at 10 a.m. Worship Sundays at 11:30 a.m. Full Truth Fellowship of Christ is located at 4458 Joy Road, Detroit. Call 313-896-0233.
Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit holds services Sundays at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Drayton Ave. Presbyterian Church’s chapel, 2441 Pinecrest, Frendale. 248-399-7741.
Tree of Life MCC has moved to the WRAP office for Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. We are a queer church. Call 734-449-4189, email [email protected] or visit www.geocities.com/tol-mcc.
Sunday Church services at 2:30 p.m. at Unity Fellowship Church Detroit, 20846 Reimanville Avenue in Ferndale. Rev. Darren McCarroll, Pastor, [email protected] All are welcome.

Community Announcements

Send wedding, birth, and other announcements to Dawn Wolfe at [email protected] Pictures are welcome as .jpg files. Forty word limit; BTL reserves the right to edit for space, grammar, and suitability. Be sure to include your contact information!