BTL Staff
Trans, Gender Non-Conforming Community Celebrates 'Artivism' Revival
FERNDALE — Though the Transgender Day of Visibility has ended, two trans-led organizations, Transcend the Binary and Gender Identity Network Alliance, are celebrating a successful "Trans Day of Artivism" event and beginning plans for another event [...]
Playlist Bingo: '80s Edition Ferndale Pride Benefit April 8
A Southeast Michigan tradition since 2011, Ferndale Pride will be held this year on June 1 in partnership with The Candle Wick Shoppe and other community organizers. In advance of the event, Pride organizers are hosting a variety of events to raise [...]
Congregation Looks to LGBTQ Community to Help Develop Virtual Museum
When Whosoever Ministry became a part of the United Church of Christ, the congregation shared their desire to develop a virtual museum containing pictures, images and keepsake items that highlight LGBTQ lives. That vision is coming to life, [...]
Thoughts on New United Methodist LGBTQ Rules
BY SUSAN GRETTENBERGER I am a lesbian. I am also a lifelong United Methodist and the daughter of wonderful, loving, accepting parents. My dad is a UM pastor. I have seen the best sides of a denomination which has, nonetheless, struggled for as long [...]
Rep. Jon Hoadley Nominated for Legislator of the Year Award
Progress Michigan has named six finalists for its 2018 Legislator of the Year award. Rep. Jon Hoadley (D-Kalamazoo) is one of those finalists. Hoadley reacted on Twitter. Wow! I'm honored to be among such good company. I'm even more excited to get [...]
US Designates Grindr a National Security Risk
BY JAMES WELLEMEYER, Washington Blade The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has designated Grindr a national security risk, according to an exclusive report from Reuters published on March 27. Reuters could not obtain [...]
DNC Announces CEO Of 2020 Democratic National Convention
Washington, DC – Today, Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez announced the appointment of Joe Solmonese to be Chief Executive Officer of the 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee. Solmonese just recently served as the Transition [...]
Alzheimer's Association Michigan Great Lakes Chapter to Host Community Forum in Ypsilanti
In the U.S. alone there are almost 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer's Disease and nearly 200,000 in Michigan alone. The Alzheimer's Association is a voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating the disease through research and the [...]
Royal Oak Center for Relationship and Sexual Health to Host Suicide Discussion Event
On Friday, April 5, therapist Dr. Joe Kort will host an event at the Royal Oak Center for Relationship and Sexual Health to learn more about suicide and how to help loved ones who may be considering taking their own life. "Do you know that suicide [...]
Jim Toy Birthday Bash
Known as the first publicly "out" man in Michigan, after coming out in 1970, Jim Toy developed the first ever campus center dedicated to supporting those in the LGBTQ community. And because of his almost 50-year career of service to the LGBTQ [...]
Michigan Department of Civil Rights Announces 2 Grand Rapids Hearings in Response to Discrimination Allegations
GRAND RAPIDS – The Michigan Department of Civil Rights has scheduled two fact-finding hearings in Grand Rapids on March 28 in response to allegations of discriminatory conduct against people of color. The hearings will be held on Thursday, March 28, [...]