She/he Said
"Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction. I mean, walking on water, it takes an act of faith. And I have faith in this movie. Not that it's true, not that it's factual, but that it's a jolly good story. And I think audiences are clever enough and bright enough to separate out fact and fiction, and discuss the thing after they've seen it."
— Sir Ian McKellen on Christian opposition to the film "The Da Vinci Code," as quoted by Christianity Today
"I don't think it should be used as a campaign tool, obviously. …It requires a lot of sensitivity to just talk about the issue – a lot of sensitivity."
— Laura Bush speaking on "Fox News Sunday" about the proposed constitutional amendment against marriage equality, as quoted by The Associated Press
Transitions:
Patrick Guerriero said he is stepping down as president of Log Cabin Republicans and in September to become the first executive director of the Gill Action Fund.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18974
Mike Neubecker was elected vice president and chair of the PFLAG regional directors council on May 5. The new position includes the positions of vice president on the organization's Executive Board and chair of the regional directors, who oversee and guide the organization's day-to-day field issues.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18749
AIDS Consortium closes after 16 years on April 28. Board President and Interim Executive Director Ona Harris blamed downturns in funding for the closing.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18635
Entertainment
At its peak "Will & Grace" brought gay people to 17 million viewers. "Prejudice exists because people aren't exposed to people different from themselves," said Damon Romine, entertainment media director for GLAAD.
When the show's ratings dived, the creators relied on gay-friendly celebrities like Madonna to boost them. But, either way, one thing remained the same: the show "helped to inform and educate people," Romine said.
Now we're left with Karen's shrill voice and Jack's notorious hand maneuvers, but, more importantly, with the memories of a broadcast network TV show that included our community – and lasted.
More online: Issue 1420, "'Will & Grace' takes final bow," by Chris Azzopardi
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18736
Comedian celebrates 25 years
In her 25th year of performing, Kate Clinton remembered always wanting to be a stand-up comedian and when her best friend finally booked her at a local club, she told Clinton, "You're on in a month." But Clinton wasn't the only one recalling the history of her life-in-show; her dedicated fans have often used her performances to mark special occasions. "I'm meeting people [now who say], 'We met at your show,' 'It was our first date,'" she said, and then jokingly added, "'We broke up at your show.'"
More online: Issue 1419, "Laughter where the sun don't shine," by Chris Azzopardi
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18627
Michigan News:
Rider for Equality, Grandy returns home to Michigan
Chad Grandy, 20, of Mount Pleasant ventured through the United States for two months with 32 other LGBT and allied riders in the Soulforce's bus plastered in equality slogans. The group visited and spoke to 17 Christian campuses and three military academies. Most visits were positive, said Grandy, but at West Point Academy in New York, Grandy was arrested.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18970
Affirmations Prom sets attendance record
On May 6, the Gerry Kulick Community Center in Ferndale was hopping with 130 young people dancing and throwing back soda pop at the largest Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center Prom ever.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18650
Bill would strip right to make one's own funeral arrangements
A bill passed unanimously by the Michigan House May 4 would deny individuals the right to make their own funeral arrangements. Under HB 4870, an individual's next of kin would be given the right to decide everything. The bill was written to clear up a conflict between the Funeral Director's code and probate law.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18879
Ferndale Police ask for removal of gay art display
Ferndale police asked the owner of Just 4 Us to remove artwork that was displayed in the store's front window for two months as part of the Stone Wall Art Gallery. Store owner Kevin Rogers covered the artwork with a huge American flag, a rainbow flag and 18 signs that read, "This art display has been censored by the City of Ferndale's Police Department."
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18882
WMU hosts FTM North conference
On April 29, Western Michigan University hosted FTM North, a conference for male to female transgender individuals and allies.
Organizers said 65 individuals attended to hear speakers including Jamison Green, author of "Becoming a Visible Man," and Matt Kailey, author of "Just Add Hormones: An Insider's Guide to the Transsexual Experience."
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18642
Michigan Log Cabin Republicans form PAC
On May 2, the Log Cabin Republicans of Michigan formed the Republican Pride Political Action Committee to assist in the election of fair-minded Republican candidates to local and statewide elective office.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18648
Gay student assaulted at Hope College
A senior from Hope College with a dual degree in Sociology and History, Jason Burns was assaulted while leaving his campus library. He was struck several times and his attackers yelled homophobic epithets before he was able to break away. The Holland Police Department initially asked Burns to take a lie detector test to ensure that he wasn't making the event.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18644
Michigan PFLAGers lobby Congress
PFLAG Regional Director Mike Neubecker and his wife, Jan, joined other parents and friends of LGBT people from around the country May 3-7. On May 4, PFLAG-ers gathered to honor out legislators Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D- Wis.) and retiring Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) at a Capitol Hill reception attended by approximately 60 people.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18653
Vicious attacks target Rev. Bidwell
On April 18, the Rev. Mark Bidwell arrived at Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit to an email box filled with hateful messages and an answering machine spewing similar insults and threats. The messages were the result of an email sent by the American Family Association to its lists that encouraged members to contact him and complain about the Ford Motor Company's sponsorship of the upcoming Motor City Pride in Ferndale.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18555
National News:
Ford shareholders vote to retain LGBT protections
On May 11, the shareholders of Ford Motor Co. issued a resounding "no" to a proposal that would have removed sexual orientation from the company's anti-discrimination policy. By a 95 percent vote, the anti-gay proposal was rejected.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18748
Judge strikes down Oklahoma anti-adoption law
A federal judge struck down a 2-year-old law that prohibits Oklahoma from recognizing adoptions by same-sex couples from other countries and U.S. states.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18871
California Senate passes inclusive textbook bill
A bill that would require California's social science textbooks to include the contributions of LGBT people to the state and nation's history was passed by the California state senate on May 11. The bill would also bar textbooks and other instructional material that portrayed gays in a negative light. California is the United States' largest buyer of textbooks, with annual spending topping $400 {URL million.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18739}
DNC retaliates against gays
Efforts to hold the Democratic Party accountable on LGBT issues brought retaliation from the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Chairman Howard Dean fired LGBT outreach worker Donald Hitchcock on May 2 as executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council. The cycle began in late April when Paul Yandura sent a widely distributed open letter critical of Democratic Party leadership in responding to LGBT issues. Yandura once coordinated LGBT outreach at the DNC and now works as a political consultant.
https://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=18747
