S/He Said:
"Following a Lord who reached out in compassion to all human beings, we appose amending the Constitution in a way that would humiliate homosexuals."
John C. Danforth, former Republican Senator from Missouri.
"That could be going to armoring Humvees to protect fighters – gay or straight – in Iraq."
U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Maryland) on the $200 million "don't ask, don't tell" has cost taxpayers.
13.23
Issues in June:
1322 6/2/2005
1323 6/9/2005
1324 6/16/2005
1325 6/23/2005
1326 6/30/2005
In Michigan:
Murphy, a lifetime of achievement
Gary Murphy was awarded the Pride Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pride Banquet for his years of quiet, powerful activism.
BTL photo: Kari Helm
1326 "A quiet, honest activist. Gary Murphy to be honored at Pride Banquet"
Conyers sponsors federal hate crime bill
U.S. Rep John Conyers (D-Detroit) held a press conference with openly gay Rep. Barney Frank to announce proposed legislation that would extend protections to LGBT people.
1322 "New federal hate crimes act to include gender identity"
Vaid named Arcus ED
Lesbian activist and author Urvashi Vaid was named the new executive director of the Kalamazoo based Arcus Foundation.
1322 "Urvashi Vaid to head Michigan-based Arcus foundation"
Lesbian bookstore closes
After 13 years, A Woman's Prerogative closed its doors in Ferndale.
1323. "A Woman's Prerogative to close after 13 years"
One pro-gay professor forced out, another lauded
Dr. Miguel De La Torre left Hope College in Holland after six years because of pressure from administrators after a local paper published his pro-gay editorial. Meanwhile, another Hope College professor, David Myers, released his book that makes a Christian case for marriage equality.
1323 "Pro-gay Hope College professor: 'I had no choice' but to leave"
1324 "Author David Myers makes Christian case for marriage equality with new book"
MAF names new director
Stacey Barbas became the new Michigan AIDS Fund director and pledged to fund more prevention projects.
1324 "Michigan AIDS Fund to focus on prevention"
DeVos enters governor race
Conservative billionaire Richard (Dick) DeVos, Jr. announced he will try to unseat Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
1325 "Correction: The wrong DeVos"
Kolb introduces LGBT rights bill
Rep. Chris Kolb (D-Ann Arbor) introduced three bills to amend the state's civil rights and hate crimes laws to include LGBT people.
1325 "Hate crimes, civil rights legislation introduced"
MOC closes
Men of Color closed its doors after a decade of HIV/AIDS service in Detroit.
1326 "The mystery of MOC"
National:
The American Family Association targeted Ford for a boycott, citing the automakers support for LGBTs, but agreed to delay the boycott for six months so they could talk it over with Ford.
1322 "AFA targets Ford for supporting equal rights"
Ellen DeGeneres came out as a sexual abuse survivor.
1322 "Ellen DeGeneres domes out as a sex abuse survivor"
The U.S. Senate confirmed 'ideological tyrant' Richard Pryor to U.S. Court of Appeals.
1324 "Senate names 'ideological tyrant' named to U.S. Court of Appeals"
Bush renewed his call for the Federal Marriage Amendment.
The Southern Baptists ended their failed Disney boycott.
BTL profiled Ferndale Mayor Pro Tem and MAPP Executive Director Craig Covey, a LGBT activist for over 25 years. Motor city Pride in Ferndale attracted colorful and happy LGBT people from all over the state.
BTL photo: Dawn Wolfe Gutterman
1326 "Staying power. After close to 25 years in activism, Craig Covey is still going strong"
Covey photo:
LGBT Pride all over Michigan
Michigan celebrated LGBT Pride Month with rallies, street fairs, concerts, marches and with support from Gov. Jennifer Granholm who, in an official resolution, proclaimed June 2005 GLBT Pride Month. The City of Ferndale welcomed 35,000 people to Motor City Pride with a "Gay Pride Month" proclamation.
Ferndale's Mayor Bob Porter and MCC Detroit's pastor Mark Bidwell jointly officiated at a commitment ceremony on the front lawn of City Hall.
Thousands marched on the state Capitol at the Michigan Pride march & rally in Lansing.
1322 "Ferndale, Governor embrace Gay Pride"
1323 "People are the festival at Motor City Pride 2005"
1323 "Three couples say their 'I do's' during Pride weekend"
1323 "Thousand flock to Ferndale for Motor City Pride 2005"
1324 "Washtenaw Pride shines despite rain, heat"
1325 "Michigan Pride to rock Lansing"
1326 "Pride turns up the heat"
An ally with chutzpah
Linda Lee is passionate about helping Jewish LGBT people live safer and happier lives. Lee, who is straight, launched the Jewish Gay Network to connect the Jewish and LGBT community in greater Detroit. She was honored by BTL as one of four special allies to the LGBT community, along with Jeff Sugg of Paramount Bank, attorney Judy Layne and professor Miguel De La Torre.
BTL photo: D'Anne Witkowski
Ex-gay camp criticized
Queer Action Coalition protested an ex-gay camp for teens in Tennessee called Refuge. The camp is a program of Love In Action, an ex-gay organization.
Photo courtesy QAC
1326 "Anti-gay camp claims to 'cure' gay teens"
Daddy and Papa
Tom and Dennis Patrick could be the poster family for domestic partner benefits in Michigan. They have adopted three boys and have two foster sons, all of whom are classified as children with special needs. Tom and the boys rely on the DP benefits provided through Dennis' teaching job at EMU. They are one of 21 couples who are plaintiffs in an ACLU lawsuit that seeks to ensure that those DP benefits can continue.
1324 Daddy and Papa. A special Father's Day profile of Dennis and Tom Patrick and their family"
