S/He Said:
"Where the Republicans are on this issue is irrelevant. What is relevant now is whether the Democrats, our friends and allies, will stand strong and with us against this assault to gay Americans."
Matt Foreman, NGLTF executive director on the federal anti-marriage amendment
"He actually had two jobs. One obviously was sleazy and shameful and the other was a gay male prostitute. I think I know what Bush meant now when he said he had a 'mandate.'"
Bill Maher on White House correspondent Jeff Ganon
Issues during the month of February:
13.05 Feb 3
13.06 Feb 10
13.07 Feb 17
13.08 Feb 24
In Michigan:
REC House.
BTL photo: Jason Michael
Youth shelter opens
Ruth Ellis Center opened a short-term youth shelter for LGBT teens ages 12-17, occupying half of their facility in Detroit. They had hoped to open a separate facility for the youth shelter next door to Ruth's House, but budget constraints forced them to combine the transitional living and the shelter into one house.
13.05 "Ruth Ellis Center to open new LGBT youth shelter"
Meth and AIDS linked
A study by the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project showed a strong link between crystal meth use and higher HIV infection rates, especially with the dangerous combination of meth and Viagra. MAPP started a meth users support group to help get people off the drug.
13.08 "New study links crystal meth use, HIV infection"
Nun banned from church
Catholic nun Sister Jeannine Gramick was barred from St. Mary's Catholic Church in Royal Oak. Gramick, who insists on ministering to LGBT people, was to be the guest of honor at a reception hosted by a progressive Catholic social action group. The Detroit Archdiocese shunned Gramick, saying that parish facilities cannot be used for gatherings "not in accord" with the mission and message of the church.
13.05 "Catholic nun shut out of Royal Oak church by archdiocese"
Marriage licenses despite Prop 2
In a Valentine's Day tradition, a group of LGBT couples requested marriage licenses at the Oakland County Courthouse. They were politely refused. The civil disobedience included a kiss-in and a blessing ceremony.
13.07 "Couples request marriage licenses at courthouse in spite of Prop 2 passage"
Jamaica bad for gays
Two LGBT activists from Jamaica braved threats to speak out at Wayne State University about the intense anti-gay violence in their home country. JFLAG tracks attacks, often by the police. They said several former JFLAG leaders have been killed, and that LGBT tourists should avoid Jamaica.
13.07"Jamaica: A culture of hate, a climate of fear"
'Angel's' at Stagecrafters
Royal Oak's community theater group, Stagecrafters, presented Tony Kuschner's Tony Award-winning play "Angels in America."
13.07 "'Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches' to open Feb. 25"
UofM fights for trans
Grad student union negotiators insisted that the University of Michigan extend benefits and employment protections to trans people. Eventually the university agreed.
13.06 "UofM union fights for trans rights"
National:
Lynne Cheney spoke out against the Federal Marriage Amendment.
13.07 "Lynne Cheney speaks against constitutional amendment, then gets snappish"
NY Judge OK's marriage
A Manhattan judge ruled that the state's laws against same-sex couples are unconstitutional, opening the way for same-sex marriages in New York. Mayor Bloomberg vowed to appeal.
13.06 "New York judge orders marriage equality, city will appeal"
Maya Keyes, daughter of conservative Alan Keyes, came out as a lesbian.
13.08 "Daughter of arch-conservative comes out at Maryland LGBT rally"
New York City health officials announced the discovery of an HIV "superstrain."
13.09 "HIV 'Super Strain' controversy dominates retroviral conference"
Jeff Gannon/James Guckert quit his job as a journalist after his past as a gay male escort was discovered. Gannon wrote for a pro-Bush publication and attended White House press briefings.
13.08 "'A hooker in the White House'"
Big Three give big
Affirmations' board members posed with a donated Chevy SSR that was raffled to benefit the capital and endowment campaign.
Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center in Ferndale unveiled huge checks – $250,000 each – from General Motors, Ford Motor Company and DaimlerChrysler, representing the largest corporate gifts ever to any LGBT group. The money is going to help build a new, 18,000 sq. ft. community center.
"The auto companies want to make this the best area possible for everyone – to get the best employees," said retiring Ford Vice Chairman Allan Gilmour who had previously pledged $500,000 of his own funds.
"This is the most exciting day of my life," said Affirmations executive director Leslie Thompson.
"It's a fantastic day for Ferndale," said Ferndale's city manager Tom Barwin.
"We celebrate diversity wherever it comes from," said Brian Glowiak of DaimlerChrylser.
"The more inclusive we are as a company the better company we are," said Rod Gillum, chairman of the GM Foundation.
By year-end, Affirmations had raised over $5 million toward their building fund goal of $5.3 million. Construction is expected to be done in the summer 2006.
13.06 "Big Three give big to Affirmations"
Robert Clark was one of four activists profiled in celebration of Black History Month. A political science major at Wayne State University and a business analyst at Ford Motor Company, Clark volunteered for the Coalition for a Fair Michigan campaign. He's also president of Stonewall Democrats at WSU, on the HRC Steering Committee, and is on the board of Detroit Black Gay Pride and GLSEN's Project NOISE.
BTL photo: Jason Michael
13.08 "Robert Clark: The next chapter"
