Crystal A. Proxmire
Ferndale finances blamed for Pride loss
FERNDALE – The city that has hosted Motor City Pride for the past seven years is feeling a loss after Pride organizers announced the 2011 celebration will take place in Detroit's Hart Plaza. Pride brings $1 million into the Ferndale economy each [...]
Birthday wish: raise money for COLAGE
Brown, seated on left, at a COLAGE event. Lea Brown is the daughter of a lesbian. "I know first hand what it's like to be treated differently because of my family," she said. "Before COLAGE, I was always proud of my family, but not sure how and [...]
Ideas, volunteers needed for spring transgender events
Organizers for two transgender-themed events are working together to give the trans community a "visible" ending to their March and an "empowering" way to begin April. They are looking for transpeople and allies to come to a planning meeting Feb. 8 [...]
Two gay book clubs, one great city
"I like book clubs because you get to share what you're reading with your friends. You get to learn from their different perspective."-Jackie Walker Ferndale -The city is full of book clubs, and the LGBT community is about to add two more to the [...]
Affirmations answers tough questions
FERDNALE-Affirmations Community Center has been plagued by financial difficulties since it opened its new $5.3 million building in downtown. The move, along with unexpected expenses and a harsh economy, has put the community center $1.2 million in [...]
Switch-a-roo: Covey and Coulter trade places
Craig Covey, left, and Dave Coulter switch jobs. BTL photo: Crystal A. Proxmire. FERNDALE-Leadership in Ferndale has taken an interesting twist. Craig Covey (former mayor, now Oakland county commissioner) switched spots with Dave Coulter (former [...]
Celebrating 40 Years of Spectrum
In 1971, the University of Michigan became the first public university to recognize the gay community with an official office to deal with the issues of gays and lesbians on campus. Now, 40 years later, the Spectrum Center is celebrating how far [...]
Righting wrongs
Dressing in drag for Halloween isn't usually a life-altering experience. But a particular drag performance as Ginger Rogers sent Denise Brogan-Kator on an unexpected path. Back in 1993, Brogan-Kator was a 38-year-old vice president of finance for a [...]
Tis better to give
Over two dozen members of the Metropolitan Church of Christ Detroit delivered presents and sang Christmas Carols with needy families on Dec. 15. BTL Photo: Crystal Proxmire Christmas will be a little bit brighter for six South Oakland County [...]
Warren murder causes concerns about dating site safety
A Thanksgiving Day murder has prompted Equality Michigan to issue safety guidelines for those who use the Internet to make friends or find dates. Robert Miller, 57, of Warren was found dead in his home on Nov. 26 after he failed to show up for his [...]
New national rules for hospital visitation rights affect LGBT patients
LGBT patients will have the right to determine who can visit them, including their domestic partners, according to new rules regarding hospital visitation rights set forth by U.S. President Barack Obama. However, the rules do not completely protect [...]
Young new owners refresh Ferndale's Club 9
FERNDALE – When the giant paneled windows of the old Comerica bank building light up with a rotation of rainbow colors, and the disco-ball-like number 9 in the front spins wildly, it's time to party in downtown Ferndale. Club 9 attracts one of the [...]