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 Organizations throughout Michigan

The Trevor Project Youth Hotline for LGBT and questioning youth. Frightened? Feeling alone? Free help is available. Call 1-866-488-7386. This number won’t show up on your parents’ phone bill.
Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center
195 West Nine Mile, Ferndale, MI 48220
Phone: 248-398-7105
Email: [email protected] Web: www.GoAffirmations.org
Affirmations offers group support for youth, seniors, men, women, and health issues. Activities throughout the week; call, email or visit their web site for more information. Metro Detroit area.
Helpline: 800-398-4297
Blue Water Pride offers mens’, womens’ and youth groups in Port Huron. Contact 810-364-1080 or [email protected]
Care of the Soul and Companions offers various faith-based groups for LGBTs at El Sombrero Restaurant, 801 Old 13 Mile Rd. in Warren. Visit www.careofthesoul.org for more information.
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.
Gays In Faith Together sponsors various support programs for LGBTs in Grand Rapids. Visit Gays In Faith Together.org or call 616-774-0446.
Kalamazoo Gay/Lesbian Resource Center offers groups for LGBT youths and adults. Call 888-377-7271, email [email protected] or visit www.kglrc.org.
Lansing Association for Human Rights offers a variety of social and support activities; coming out group (beginning in April), gender non-conformists, bowling and more. Call the hotline at 517-332-3200 or visit http://lahronline.org.
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.
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. Call 313-867-6936 or visit www.ruthelliscenter.com.
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.
TransGender Michigan offers a hotline and online support for trans persons throughout the state. Call 517-420-1544, email [email protected]g
or visit www.transgendermichigan.org.
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.

Support Groups

WINGS offers an HIV/AIDS support group Tuesdays, 7 p.m. at the Community Pride Building, 429 Livernois in Ferndale. Call 248-544-3320. Office hours are Tuesday – Thursday Noon – 5 p.m.; high speed internet access available.
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]
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]
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.
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 Rd. in Royal Oak. Call Chris at 248-577-0800 x24.
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 in Detroit. Call 313-865-2170 x 3.

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.
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.

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.

Sports & Social

Motown Frontrunners meets to run, slow jog or walk, followed by meals and conversation Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and SaturdaysÊatÊ9:30 a.m. MeetsÊoutside Pronto!, 608 Washington, Royal Oak. Call David at 248-542-3829.
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.
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.

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.
AIDS Partnership Michigan is looking for volunteers toÊassist with light reception duties and toÊanswer calls made toÊtheÊMichigan AIDS Hotline. If interestedÊcontact Chris Prince at 313-446-9800 or call 1-800-872-2437.

LGBT-friendly Church/Spiritual Services

Divine Peace MCC offers services 10 a.m. Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in Clarkston at 5311 Sunnyside Dr. Rev. Deborah Dysert. Call 248-618-1186, email [email protected] or visit www.divinepeacemcc.org.
Praise Fellowship Christian Church meets for contempory worshipÊSundays 10 a.m. at 27617 John R. Rd., Madison Heights. We offer small group studies, social activities, Holy Unions, pastoral conselingÊ& other opportunities to get involved. Call 586-201-7884 or visit www.praisefcc.org.
St. Mary’s Lesbian and Gay Outreach Ministry meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays
7-9pm at St Mary’s Student Parish on Thompson St in Ann Arbor. Too many gay
Catholics suffer unnecessary guilt. This affirming group provides 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 Rd., 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!