Crystal A. Proxmire
Transgender people in the news: Can the media get it right?
Michigan has had growing reports of violence against transgender individuals and news stories of prostitution arrests that are over-dramatized because the suspects were transgender. The increased coverage has both trans people and journalists [...]
Activists Again
As the generation that fought hardest for gay rights approaches retirement, questions arise over how best to fight for them again. The 2012 Older Adult Summit brought together dozens of aging LGBT individuals and a collaboration of the areas most [...]
Out for a Job
FERNDALE – Over 150 people packed Affirmations on June 21, for the first-ever LGBT Job Expo in the state. National companies and multicultural corporations including GM, Chrysler, Merrill Lynch, MetLife and Deloitte had recruiting experts on hand [...]
Moral Disorder of HB 5040
In most discussions, HB 5040 is framed as a bill that means students studying to work in a mental health profession can refuse to treat a patient or client who is gay because homosexuality goes against their religious beliefs. But there are much [...]
Tyler Bradley
Between Ourselves Tyler Bradley is a third year student at Saginaw Valley State University studying graphic design and Spanish. He is the A&E Section Editor of The Valley Vanguard and Social Activities Coordinator of Living Proud, the [...]
Arson in Novi latest in a life of challenge
NOVI – When ten year old Dimani went to live with a lesbian couple in Novi, she got As and Bs for the first time in her life. "She was doing really well here," said Stacey Barker, one of the women who took her in earlier this year. "Just a couple [...]
North Carolina couples sue federally for second parent adoption
Six couples in North Carolina are taking second parent adoption to the Federal level. The ACLU of North Carolina has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the gay and lesbian couples contending that denying second parent adoption deprives Americans of equal [...]
LGBT leaders and the revitalization of Detroit
DETROIT – "There are individuals who can really make a difference and if they don't feel welcome they won't be here to help," said WDET Corporate Underwriting Director Michael Perkins. Perkins was part of a panel discussion at the Inclusivity [...]
Someone I know and love has had an abortion
"Someone I know and love has had an abortion." This is the phrase that women – and men -should get used to speaking out loud when they hear others perpetuating stigma and shame about the medical procedure that gives families the choice of planning [...]
Artist Daniel Cascardo
Between Ourselves Daniel Cascardo is a Royal Oak-based artist whose work murals are notable features of the downtown Ferndale landscape. Cascardo is also an ally to the LGBT community, who recently worked with Affirmations Community Center to [...]
Affirmations to host first in Michigan: LGBT Job Expo
FERNDALE – Who wants to hire gay people? Living in a state where people can be fired or discriminated against just for being gay or transgender, this question is on the minds of the thousands of out-of-work and underemployed people as they ponder [...]
2012 Motor City Pride: The old and new
Photo Galleries By Andrew Potter – By Crystal Proxmire – by Tih Penfil DETROIT – A double rainbow appeared Sunday night over Detroit, with its beauty matching the radiant amount of love shared by those at this weekend's Motor City Pride. "Bless [...]