Jan Stevenson
Mich. Dems Embrace Marriage Equality, Full LGBT Rights
LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party embraced full equality for LGBT people in the 2012 state party platform adopted this past weekend at the Michigan Democratic Party convention. In an unequivocal statement of support, the platform reads, "We [...]
The 'Three Supremes' to Star at LGBT Event in Royal Oak
ROYAL OAK – In one of the most important races for Michigan's LGBT people this November, three seats are up for grabs on the Michigan Supreme Court. BTL is strongly supporting the three chosen by the Michigan Democratic Party, Southfield District [...]
Pride Banquet honors activists and legacies
WARREN – The 26th Annual Pride Banquet and Awards Ceremony honored new comers to the LGBT movement and remembered one of the fallen in an emotional ceremony June 21. About 100 people attended the dinner at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, making it [...]
Thank you, Mr President
"Welcome to The White House," said President Barack Obama to me and about 350 other activists at the Third Annual LGBT Pride Reception June 15. Those simple words opened a floodgate of emotions for me. Prior to that moment, the only other times I [...]
When crisis calls, time to unite as one
This editorial is in response to this story BTL has learned that Equality Michigan's Executive Director, Denise Brogan-Kator, has resigned effective May 4 and that the organization is in serious financial trouble. Given the importance of the [...]
Let's do something about it
BTL Editorial At BTL, we have reached an extreme level of anger and disgust at our current political environment in Michigan. We believe strongly it is time – now – to do something, to protest the passage of blatantly discriminatory laws and [...]
Uproar goes national, Senate's 'license to bully' bill called shameful
LANSING – The Michigan Senate has made national news by passing an anti-bullying bill last week that includes a "moral exception," which allows bulling if it represents "a statement of a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction of a [...]
U-M reputation could be damaged by benefits ban
ANN ARBOR- The University of Michigan is now right in the crosshairs of an online controversy over a potential ban that would prohibit public employers from providing certain health benefits to an unrelated adult or their child living with an [...]
Pro-LGBT billboards going up in West Michigan
Jeremy Martin contributed to this report GRAND RAPIDS- After initially refusing to accept billboards from a group that supports an inclusive civil rights ordinance in Holland, CBS Outdoor will run billboards in and around Grand Rapids that [...]
Equality Michigan State Dinner offers galvanizing message
Captions: 2: EM Executive Director, Denise Brogan-Kator with U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, 3: Hank Winchester,openly gay WDIV Local 4 anchor with U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, 6: Debbie Dingell with husband U.S. Rep. Dingell, 7: Center Dr. [...]
Bill could permit counselors to discriminate at colleges
LANSING – On Oct. 5, a group of 34 conservative State House Republicans introduced a bill that would penalize colleges and universities if counseling students are required to provide services to all students. The bill would permit students to [...]