Crystal A. Proxmire
Anti-violence report shows decrease in reported violence
The National Coalition of Anti-violence Programs released its 2009 annual report in October, and though the number of reported instances of violence in the LGBT community was down, the news may not be as good as the numbers first suggest. The total [...]
How could it get that bad?'
FERNDALE – Announcements of cut hours and services at Affirmations have sent shock waves through the community, leaving many to wonder what has been happening at the Center. "Personally I am very concerned the cutbacks will affect the Center's [...]
Affirmations takes a step back
FERNDALE – An era of growth and expansion has come to a halt at Affirmations Community Center, where new leadership has taken a look at the organization's books and greatly reduced the hours and the scope of services they will be able to provide [...]
Breaking the silence
Memorial service: 'God we just don't get it' FERNDALE – The Metroplitan Community Church congregation was silent when Rev. Deb Dysert asked if anyone from Corey Jackson's family or circle of friends wanted to share anything about the young man who [...]
Affirmations' changing face
The recent retirement of CEO Leslie Thompson and the hiring of interim CEO Kevin Howley are just two of the changes taking place at Ferndale-based LGBT community center Affirmations. The organization has seen many new faces in the staff, the [...]
Adjustments for AIDS
When Dan Farkas was 20, a car accident altered his life forever. "I couldn't walk for over 30 days," he recalls. "I was in so much pain and my legs just didn't want to work. I went through all kinds of treatments and therapy, and finally I went to a [...]
Oak is their king
Mona Shores students wore "Oak is my King" shirts in support of trans home coming king Oakleigh Reed. MUSKEGON – Students at Mona Shores High School are coming together in support of 17-year-old senior Oakleigh Reed, who was told that he could not [...]
Everything we do is for you'
FERNDALE – The young people involved in Affirmations' Youth Empowerment Program were treated like divas the evening of Sept. 11 as they walked a red carpet lined with photo-hungry paparazzi on their way to a glitzy awards program in honor of the [...]
17 charged in medical marijuana raids
"We aren't going anywhere," the silver-haired matriarch of Clinical Relief states, less than 24 hours after being forced face-down on the floor and handcuffed by drug-enforcement officers with ski masks and guns. Barbara Agro, 70, of Lake Orion was [...]
Trans health fair draws locals, travelers to Affirmations
FERNDALE – AIDS prevention, art therapy, anti-aging, hair removal, gender reassignment surgery, support groups, free health care and counseling were just some of the services presented Aug. 28 at Michigan's first-ever Transgender Health Fair, held [...]
Transgender expert to speak at Calif. gender conference
When Dr. Antonia Caretto, Ph.D, was just a teenage tomboy, she met a lesbian who transitioned to becoming a male. Recalls Caretto: "This sparked my interest in the similarities and differences between gender non-conformity and sexual [...]
A month of firsts
The increasing recognition and acceptance of transpeople has never been more evident in southeast Michigan than in this month, which is full of trans-friendly activities and groundbreaking news of statewide trans advocacy organization Transgender [...]