Ellen Shanna Knoppow
Emergency Financial Assistance for Ryan White-Funded Agencies Now Available
Emergency Expansion of Ryan White Funding In response to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of HIV and STD Programs is providing emergency financial assistance to Ryan White-funded [...]
Trans Sistas of Color Project Distributes Care Packages to Those in Need Because of COVID-19
Taking Action As of Saturday, in response to the threat of COVID-19, members of the Trans Sistas of Color Project have begun distributing care packages containing essential items to transgender women of color in need. Priority is being given to sex [...]
LGBTQ Activist Cleve Jones to Speak at Oakland University
To kick off Oakland University's Pride Month, the inaugural Tim Larrabee Memorial Lecture will feature LGBTQ activist, civil rights hero and author Cleve Jones on Monday, March 9.Pride Month at OU grew out of Pride Week several years ago and [...]
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes Talks Voter Outreach
Sobering Statistic Despite major pushes to encourage voter turnout, a statistic that might alarm LGBTQ activists is that 21 percent of LGBTQ adults are not registered to vote. According to an Oct. 2019 survey conducted by the Williams Institute, [...]
Warren Mayor Says 'Yes' to Nondiscrimination Ordinance
"Everybody is Welcome in Warren" During an impromptu interview with the leader of Michigan's third-largest city, Warren Mayor Jim Fouts said that if presented with an inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance by the city council he said, "I would [...]
It Takes a Village: How the City of Warren Adopted a Pride Month Resolution
Wholly Unexpected On Feb. 11, something happened in Michigan's third-largest city that many would consider remarkable. Despite that fact, it went largely unnoticed. The Warren City Council adopted a Pride Month resolution, with six out of seven [...]
Equality Michigan Forms Alliance With Oakland County Prosecutor's Office
Announced yesterday, a new partnership between Equality Michigan and the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office will benefit LGBTQ victims of hate crimes by enhancing support and services. This is a project that attorney and Equality Michigan Board [...]
2020 Initiative to Amend Elliott-Larsen: Key Community Members Weigh Challenges
The History Five years ago, a ballot committee named Fair Michigan and headed by then-attorney Dana Nessel sought to amend Michigan's Constitution to ensure the equal rights of LGBTQ people and women. Then, just as now, there was wide agreement [...]
Repairing the Fault Line: Making School Spaces Safe Spaces for Trans and Queer Black Students
Recognizing a Need On Wednesday, Feb. 5, a community conversation focusing on the needs of trans and queer black students will take place at Kofi House in Detroit from 6 to 7:30 p.m. titled Repairing the Fault Line: Making School Spaces Safe Spaces [...]
Grosse Pointe Pride Organizer Turns Symbol of Judgment to Acceptance
In what looks much like a rainbow tree farm, 100 miniature Pride flags sprouted from the lawn of Grosse Pointe Congregational Church this month. Andrea Joy, chair of the annual Grosse Pointe Pride March, is the responsible party. She said that she [...]
Debunking BDSM/Kink Myths in Wake of Kevin Bacon's Murder
When it was revealed that LGBTQ Michigander Kevin Bacon was mutilated and killed by a Grindr date last month, his story not only made local headlines but national waves as well. In fact, it impacted communities that people might not [...]
Judge William McConico: 'Social Engineer for Justice'
A Landmark Decision "There's a special obligation that you have as a black attorney. You have a special obligation to fight for civil rights. You have a special obligation to fight for those who don't have this opportunity. And you have a choice. [...]