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].
Corktown Health: A Merging of Two LGBTQ-Inclusive Health Orgs
Health Emergency Lifeline Programs (HELP) and its Corktown Health Center announced Wednesday that the two agencies were merging for marketing purposes and that henceforth they would be known as one sole organization to be called Corktown Health. [...]
Take That, Chick-fil-A: Burger King Unveils New Gay Chicken Sandwich For Pride With Proceeds Benefiting HRC
Burger King announced this month that it was taking a stand for LGBTQ rights and against fast food competitor Chick-fil-A. Burger King, around since 1953 and based in Miami, is known for its flame-broiled Whopper. But it has been battling [...]
Michigan Senate Recognizes Pride Month for the First Time Ever
The Republican-controlled Michigan Senate, for the first time ever, recognized June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month by adopting a resolution that was the brainchild of openly gay State Sen. Jeremy Moss. The effort had bipartisan support. All 16 Democrats [...]
City of Trenton Flies Pride Flag in June for the First Time
For the first time ever the City of Trenton is flying the rainbow flag throughout the month of June in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride. The flag will fly in front of Trenton's City Hall thanks to a proposal from the city's Cultural Commission that [...]
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Center to Call Ringwald Theatre and MCC Detroit Home, Among Other Updates
Its doors haven't been opened back up to the public yet, but big things are happening at Affirmations. In a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday, Affirmations Executive Director Dave Garcia shared some exciting news about the center's future. First [...]
Michigan State Rep. Felicia Brabec Proposes Bill Allowing HIV-Positive People to Donate Organs to Other HIV-Positive People
A state representative here in Michigan, Felicia Brabec, has proposed a bill that would allow HIV-positive persons to be organ donors for other HIV-positive persons in the state. Currently, Michigan law does not allow HIV-positive persons to be [...]
Lesbian Folk Musician and Political Activist Alix Dobkin Dies at 80
August 16, 1940 – May 19, 2021 Alix Dobkin, an indisputable legend in women's music and longtime lesbian activist, died May 19 after suffering a brain aneurism and subsequent stroke. She was 80. Dobkin was born New York and raised in Philadelphia [...]
LGBTQ+ Out Loud Chorus to Perform First Live Show Since the Pandemic Began on June 5
Out Loud Chorus will return to live performance with a show at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 5 at the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market. The show, titled Out of the Closet, will be the chorus's first live show since before the pandemic began. Selections to be [...]
Everyone Is Awesome,' Lego Says So With Upcoming Pride Set Release
The Lego Group has announced the June 1 release of "Everyone is Awesome," a 346-piece Lego set designed to celebrate the diversity of Lego fans and the world around them. The set includes 11 faceless monochrome minifigures and each is a color of the [...]
Detroit Experience Factory to Present Virtual Tour of Local Queer History Tonight
The Detroit Experience Factory is presenting a virtual tour tonight called LGBTQ+ Detroit: Past & Present. "The LGBTQ community in Detroit and the surrounding suburbs has been ever present and strong," reads the introduction on the tour's [...]
Billy Porter Announces He Is HIV-Positive
Star of stage and screen, singer and red-carpet darling Billy Porter announced in an essay in The Hollywood Reporter that he is HIV-positive and has been for the last 14 years. "Having lived through the plague, my question was always, 'Why was I [...]
Demi Lovato Comes Out as Nonbinary
Singer and actor Demi Lovato, who in March announced they were pansexual, has now come out as nonbinary in a post to Instagram. Lovato will now use the pronouns they and them. "I am proud to let you know that I identify as non-binary and will [...]