Crystal A. Proxmire
What's New At Your Community Center: The Aff Store & More!
Mike LaSage and Rick Harris found true love late in life. LaSage had been married, but his wife passed away. Harris is divorced. They began dating four years ago and for the past two years they have been in the printing and apparel business [...]
Beyond The Bar: June 6 Motor City Pride Kickoff Showcases Local Graphic Arts And More
The ad created by GM for BTL 2012 Pride edition that took off virally around the globe. BTL file photo: Crystal Proxmire. DETROIT – Don't you love when little celebrations make it big? That's what happened to Beyond the Bar, the premiere Motor City [...]
Is There Room For The 'R' In LGBT?
Arlene Kish identifies as a transgender conservative. Republicans. Where do they fit in the LGBT community and are they needed to achieve full equality? That is an ever-evolving question as gay Republican groups grow; Republican officials change [...]
Online Safety A Must For The LGBT Community
The keyboard gives people courage. It's easy to fall into a false sense of security when the Internet seems like just a screen on your desk or in the palm of your hand. But being connected to the web means you are connected to the world, and there [...]
Contact Theory Changes Minds, Hearts
FERNDALE – In the fight for LGBT equality, swaying public opinion is essential. While large scale campaigns and educational programs are important, research shows that most changing of hearts and minds happens one-on-one, when individuals have [...]
Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter Announces Run
Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter hopes to "keep Ferndale moving forward" as he prepares to run for election in November. Coulter was appointed by City Council in Jan. 2011 when former Mayor Craig Covey left office to serve as County Commissioner. [...]
High Heels, Hugs And Handwritten Notes
FERNDALE – "In 36 years, I hugged like four people. But I love hugs now. High heels, hugs and handwritten notes, that's what is important to me," said 42-year-old Jodi Allen as she gave the keynote speech at the Transgender Day of Empowerment at [...]
Fracking Presentation Debunks Industry Arguments
Professional well-driller Joe Curry of Holly has been speaking out against the expansion of fracking in Michigan. Among his presentations was one given in Ferndale Apr. 23 at the request of Oakland County Water Resource Officer Jim Nash, who hopes [...]
Michigan Supreme Court: Benefits For State Employees Can Stay
The Michigan Supreme Court voted 7-0 on May 1 not to hear the appeal of Attorney General Bill Scheutte in a case that could have stripped domestic partner rights from state employees. Schuette brought the lawsuit against UAW Local 6000 claiming that [...]
80 Kids To Strut Out Bullying May 7
WARREN – Through years of doing high school class photos, Pam Patrick of Patrick Photographic Studio has heard many sad stories from kids who have been affected by bullying. "We deal with 18-20 schools each year and these kids tell us things. And [...]
Transgender People Unite! Day of Empowerment and the Fight in Royal Oak
Michelle Fox is pissed off. As residents of Royal Oak prepare to vote on the issue of a Human Rights Ordinance in November, transgender people like Fox find themselves the target of a hateful campaign that claims that "men in dresses" will be [...]
Michigan's LGBT Older Adult Movement Moves Forward
Attendees at last fall's aging conference. BTL file photo The movement to assist LGBT older adults in Michigan is rather young, but the efforts have grown quickly. From initial community dialogues at the 2011 Older Adult Summit two distinct efforts, [...]