Jason A. Michael
Jason A. Michael is a senior staff writer for Between The Lines and Pride Source Media Group. He has been writing for BTL since 1999. Jason is also an Essence bestselling author. He may be reached at [email protected].
Pontiac TikTok Star Allegedly Choked to Death by Angry Boyfriend
He had over 200,000 followers on TikTok and was known for his funny videos. In his latest, Rory Teasley, 28, spoke about the challenges of growing old. Now, he never will. Police allege Teasley, a Pontiac resident, was choked to death by his [...]
This Grand Rapids Queen Is the First Michigan Drag Artist to Appear on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
Grand Rapids-based drag queen Orion Story, aka Chance Lambert, became the first queen from Michigan to appear on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” with her brief appearance on Episode 1 of Season 14, which aired on VH1 Friday night. In the [...]
Amy Schneider Makes History as First-Ever Woman to Surpass $1 Million on 'Jeopardy!'
Oakland, California-based engineering manager Amy Schneider has racked up over $1 million in earnings as she continues her record-breaking winning streak on “Jeopardy!” On Jan. 7, Schneider won her 28th straight game with a total of [...]
Here's What Affirmations Is Doing to Protect Staff and Guests Against Omicron Surge
Due to the rapidly increasing infection rate of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, Affirmations community center has implemented temporary, additional policies to protect staff and center guests. The changes were prompted when a volunteer tested [...]
LGBT Detroit Partners With State and Local Health Departments to End Anti-HIV Stigma
LGBT Detroit has just announced a new partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services aimed at ending HIV/AIDS-related stigma. The state grant award of a whopping $294,000 is supplemented by a secondary, smaller grant of $36,344 [...]
Ann Arbor YMCA Camp to Provide Gender-Neutral Housing
The Ann Arbor YMCA’s summer camp will now offer gender-neutral housing at Camp Al-Gon-Quian, located on Burt Lake in Northern Michigan. Campers can already self-choose a cabin that matches their gender identity. But now, campers who don’t [...]
A Community in Mourning: Michigan Politicians, LGBTQ+ Orgs Honor Jim Toy’s Activist Legacy
Jim Toy, LGBTQ+ rights pioneer who was believed to be the first openly gay man in Michigan, died New Year’s Day at age 91. He leaves behind an inimitable legacy.Across Michigan, politicians, community organizers and activists, and those [...]
New Voting Districts Approved by Commission Splits Up Majority Black LGBTQ+ Neighborhood
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission voted Tuesday to adopt the final congressional map for the next decade. The map, which the Commission referred to as "Chestnut," received 8 votes from the 13-person panel. The other five [...]
Trans 'Jeopardy!' Contestant Continues to Break Records
Oakland, California-based engineer Amy Schneider, a trans woman, continues to set records on "Jeopardy!" As of Monday, Schneider, a 19-day champion with $745,200 in earnings, is the highest-earning woman in the show's history. In addition, [...]
Anti-Apartheid and LGBTQ+ Rights Activist Desmond Tutu Passes at 90
Desmond Tutu, the longtime Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa and a world-renowned voice for human rights, died the day after Christmas following a battle with cancer. He was 90. Tutu rose to prominence speaking out against apartheid in his [...]
Former Between the Lines Writer C. Imani Williams Releases New Book to Help Women Heal From Trauma
Imani Williams, a Detroit native, left quite an impression on the city before relocating to Las Vegas. She contributed to Between The Lines and won the 2006 Media Award from the LGBT Pride Banquet for her efforts. In addition, she was the first to [...]
National and Michigan-Based Homeless LGBTQ+ Resources
Youth homelessness is a national epidemic, and it's even more so for LGBTQ+ youth. According to the Williams Institute, 20 t0 45 percent of homeless youth served by agencies in 2020 identify as LGBTQ+. In addition, 30 percent of clients reached via [...]