Compiled by Sharon Gittleman
• Trans activists march in Lasing
The National Association for the Advancement of Transgender People (NAATP) organized transgender activists from across the state to protest anti-trans violence in Michigan. The march through downtown Lansing was held in honor of Nikki Nicholas, a transgender woman murdered in Feb.
• Phelps brings in big bucks for PFLAG
When Fred Phelps came to Ferndale from Kansas to protest gays in January, Parents Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays Detroit suggested residents donate money to their organization for every minute the group spread their anti-LGBT message in the suburb. In March, PFLAG Detroit announced they had collected nearly $9,000, and would use the funds for anti-discrimination projects.
"We said love will win out and it did," said PFLAG Detroit co-president Pam Hazlett.
• Detroit police raid lesbian bar
A dozen women were ticketed in Sugarbaker's Sports Bar in Detroit for "loitering in a place of illegal occupation."
Triangle Foundation Executive Director Jeffrey Montgomery characterized the ticketing as "blatant harassment" of the bar's clientele.
"This department continues to demonstrate absolute antagonism and an antipathy against gay people for the public," he said "It's an outrage and it's ridiculous."
• Conference looks at gay shame
A conference held at the University of Michigan drew 50 scholars, critics, writers, activists, students, and artists to discuss how "gay shame" affects the LGBT community.
• Student rights group formed
LGBTQ students will stand a little taller, thanks to the formation of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network in Flint and Genesee counties.
Organizers say the group's goals include helping fight harassment of gay students from grade school to high school.
The GLSEN leadership team includes teachers, parents and ministers.
"We envision ourselves working in harmony with local schools to help them and assist them in ending anti-LGBT harassment," said co-founder Frank Burger.
• Syphilis skyrockets
The Michigan Department of Public Health revealed that the number of early syphilis cases in gay men rose 250 percent in Oakland County, while Detroit faced a 63 percent increase.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can only be transmitted through sexual contact and from mother to child during pregnancy. While the disease is easily cured in its early stages, if left untreated, syphilis can lead to blindness, neurological ailments and cardiovascular problems.
• Ford makes history
Ford Motor Company donated $7,500 to fund a ground breaking project, chronicling the LGBT community's 15-year history of marching for justice in Lansing.
"We hope that through the production of the 'Pride Through the Years Project,' Michigan Pride can preserve this history and inspire our community to continue forging ahead toward change," said Michigan Pride Co-Chair Dawn Broderick.
Milestones
• Crossroads Chapter, the Michigan-based transgender organization celebrated its 25th anniversary on March 8.
• Thom Hinks and Richard Sunman celebrated their ninth anniversary of domestic partnership on March 1.
• AIDS activist Veronica Mitchell died of a heart attack at age 47 on March 1.
