Crystal A. Proxmire
EEOC Seeks Solid LGBT Discrimination Cases
While sexual orientation is not yet a protected class, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is fighting hard within existing legal parameters to bring justice to those in the community who are discriminated against. By [...]
Tigers Player Would be Uncomfortable With An Out Teammate
DETROIT – Detroit Tiger's right fielder Torii Hunter joined other professional sports players in reinforcing the stereotype that gays are not welcome in the hyper-masculine world of baseball and football. In a Dec. 29th story for the LA Times, [...]
Non Discrimination Ordinances Spread Equality City by City
Michigan's legislators in Lansing may not be ready to step up and declare equality for the LGBT community, but across the state individual communities have been creating local ordinances that prevent discrimination and publicize that anti-gay bias [...]
Michigan Court Upholds Benefits for State Employees
LANSING – The Michigan Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 ruling, has upheld the rights of unionized state employees to have medical benefits extend to one non-married, non-related household companion as part of their employment benefits. In a decision [...]
BREAKING: Lear Corporation To Offer Domestic Partner Benefits
From left, Jason Tylenda with children Lily Tylenda, Langston Howley and partner Kevin Howley. Photo courtesy of Howleys. SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Lear Corporation, an international Tier One supplier of automotive electrical and seating components, will [...]
Motor City Drag Kings Lets Performers Shine
The 2012 Mr. Heart of Detroit, Drag King Teddy, is spreading the love of music and performance beyond his own ambitions. The 23-year-old drag star from Melvindale has teamed up with Mr. Grand Diva Michael Christian and the fabulous Spacee Kadette, [...]
Changing the Faces of Faith in the Media: GLAAD Speaks to Michigan Roundtable
How did an ousted lesbian den mother from Ohio become a national symbol for LGBT equality? One of the main reasons is because of GLAAD, a New York based organization that serves to make sure LGBT related stories are given the fair and widespread [...]
After Refusing to Counsel Gays, Ousted Student gets $75,000 Settlement
Julea Ward obtained a $75,000 settlement and her expulsion is removed from her record. Photo: Alliance Defense Fund When graduate student Julea Ward was faced with the prospect of counseling a gay student as part of her training at Eastern Michigan [...]
Tracking Homophobic Language On Twitter: Nohomophobes.com
When Dr. Kristopher Wells was growing up he learned that the rhyme about "sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me," is not true. "Words do hurt. Words have the power to shape identities, realities, and in turn [...]
Equality Michigan Petition Hopes to Stop Proposed Discrimination in Adoption Laws
On Dec. 4 the Michigan House Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors passed two bills out of committee, House Bills 5763 and 5764, which would allow adoption agencies the ability to deny an adoption placement based on that agency's moral or [...]
OU Students Rally for Gender Neutral Restrooms
Rachel Crandall (center) presenting. Photo courtesy of Transgender Michigan. What started out as a class project has grown into a movement to get gender neutral restrooms at Oakland University. Margaret Leahy is a social work major in Dr. Dalton [...]
In The Welcoming Business
Kevin Hogan of the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion Faith Alliance describes himself as a "lightening rod" when he leads discussions with congregations learning about how to be more welcoming of LGBT people. "Church work is like [...]