Ellen Shanna Knoppow
Lansing Rep. Sarah Anthony Talks Anti-Hair Discrimination Bill
Rep. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) believes that if more people were educated on the issue of hair discrimination and aware of its negative impact, that would go a long way to banning the practice. And if the bill she introduced in February becomes law, [...]
Michigan's Stand With Trans Is Recruiting Young Trans Writers for Digital Pub Thanks to Tegan and Sara
With funds from a grant provided by the Tegan and Sara Foundation, Stand with Trans is launching a three-edition digital newspaper by and for transgender and non-binary youth. Stand with Trans is a Michigan-based organization that supports [...]
Michigan Court of Appeals Overturns 'Outrageous' Decision Involving Lesbian Surrogate Parent
In what can be considered a win for LGBTQ+ parents and their children in the state of Michigan, the Michigan Court of Appeals has overturned a lower court's decision involving a lesbian couple's custody dispute. When Lanesha Matthews and Kyresha [...]
Equality Michigan Executive Director Erin Knott Talks Goals and Accountability for Politicians, Business Leaders
After Southwest Michigan First's controversial hiring of former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, followed by his tumultuous tenure and subsequent resignation, it's difficult to say whether 2021 started with a bang or a thud for LGBTQ+ Michiganders and [...]
LGBTQ-Owned Douglas Gourmet Shop Expands Catering Operation
When Garnet Lewis and her business partners decided to name their gourmet food shop in Douglas Isabel's Market & Eatery, they had a clear choice in mind. Their namesake was an area school teacher and principal who had been very charitable to the [...]
Not in Our House': Affirmations, LGBTQ+ Supporters Fight Protesters With Song and Dance
On Friday, March 12, as the Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center in Ferndale held its twice-weekly 'Lettuce Help' food and clothing distribution program, a small group of anti-LGBTQ+ protesters gathered outside the main entrance on the Nine Mile [...]
Daylight Is Queering the Banking Experience
Online banking is nothing new, but it's becoming increasingly popular. What is brand-new in the U.S. is a platform that "queers" the concept: It's called Daylight, and as co-founder Rob Curtis says, 'We're building a safe space for people's [...]
For the Sake of My Conscience' Lee Chatfield Resigns From Southwest Michigan First
In what one hopes is the final chapter on a controversy that's racked the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan and their allies, as well as Kalamazoo as a whole, former House Speaker Lee Chatfield has abruptly resigned from his post as CEO of Southwest [...]
Fallout Over Lee Chatfield's Hiring Leads to New Non-Discrimination Policy for Southwest Michigan First
In an unexpected move that followed the Feb. 11 hiring of former House Speaker Lee Chatfield as CEO of economic development nonprofit Southwest Michigan First, the organization on Feb. 16 announced a new non-discrimination policy and posted a [...]
Anti-LGBTQ Former House Speaker Lee Chatfield Named CEO of Southwest Michigan First
Southwest Michigan First, a Kalamazoo-based economic development organization, has named former House Speaker Lee Chatfield as CEO. According to Crain's Detroit Business, Chatfield confirmed he would be moving to Kalamazoo. The former representative [...]
Analysis: How Michigan's Surrogacy Law Harms Prospective Parents, Gay and Straight Alike
An Outdated Law In a case that shines a light on Michigan's antiquated surrogate parenting law, a couple in Grand Rapids has been ordered to endure the process of adopting their own biological newborn twins. And while the couple in question is [...]
Gay Appointee Jason Morgan, Others Rejected by Senate Republicans
Without holding committee hearings, last week Senate Republicans in the Michigan State Legislature voted to reject five of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's nominees for appointments to various state boards. Among them was Jason Morgan, openly gay appointee [...]