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].
Detroit Activist Sponsors 5 Women for Virtual UN Panel
London Bell and her Bell Global Justice Institute will hold a parallel event at the 65th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The event, a panel discussion, is titled Visible Voices: An Intersectional and Intercultural [...]
Patti Harrison Makes History as First Out Trans Actor in a Disney Film
Comedian and actor Patti Harrison has made LGBTQ+ history by becoming the first transgender actor to voice a character in a Disney animated film. In the new movie "Raya and the Last Dragon," Harrison is featured in a bit part in the beginning of the [...]
Michigan Trans Woman Forced to Bunk With Male Cellmate Says She Was Raped
An incarcerated trans woman has filed a lawsuit alleging the Michigan Department of Corrections failed to keep her safe and, in fact, put her in a position to be harmed by forcing her to bunk with a convicted rapist. The woman, who is being referred [...]
Indiana Man Charged With Murder, Targeting Michigan LGBTQ+ Community via Dating Apps
Diabolique Paris Johnson, 34, of Indianapolis was charged Tuesday, March 2, with first-degree felony murder in the Sept. 5 shooting death of 39-year-old Joshua J. Smelser. Smelser, a videographer who had moved to Detroit only six months earlier, was [...]
LGBTQ+ Advocacy Groups, Others Call to Drop Charges Against Actor Jussie Smollett
The National Black Justice Coalition released a statement this week alleging anti-Black and anti-LGBTQ+ bias in the ongoing prosecution of actor Jussie Smollett. The statement, released in cooperation with Black Gifted and Whole, the National LGBTQ [...]
Michigan's Bethany Christian Services Allows LGBTQ+ People to Foster, Adopt Nationwide
Bethany Christian Services, the largest Christian adoption agency in the U.S., has announced a new policy of inclusivity that will allow LGBTQ+ people to foster and adopt in all 32 of the states its serves. Bethany's new policy — which does not [...]
Detroit Performer, Stylist, Fashion Designer Michiee DeVale Dead at 47
May 17,1973 – Feb. 19, 2021 He was a singer, performance artist, celebrity stylist, makeup artist, fashion designer and much, much more. The multi-faceted Michiee DeVale died on Feb. 19, 2021. He was 47. DeVale grew up on the east side of Detroit. [...]
Ferris State University Professor Fired for Homophobic, Racist, Anti-Semitic Tweets
Physical sciences professor at Ferris State University Thomas Brennan has been fired for tweeting homophobic, racist and anti-Semitic comments. Brennan was under investigation by the university since November when FSU President David Eisler issued a [...]
Detroit LGBT Chamber, Michigan Diversity Council Seek Presenters for Upcoming Colours Conference
The Detroit LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Diversity Council are partnering to present a virtual conference called Colours. The two-day event will take place May 13 and 14 and will focus on the importance of the LGBTQ+ presence in the [...]
Anti-Trans Michigan Camp Boomerang Removed From Gay Camp Association, Campit Features Trans Week
Last week the owner of the private gay Michigan campsite Camp Boomerang, Bryan Quinn, said on social media that the camp required men to have a penis in order to purchase a membership. Boomerang has since been removed from the Gay Camp Association [...]
Gay Activist Mark LaChey Reelected First Vice Chair of Michigan Democratic Party
Retired attorney and activist Mark LaChey was reelected to the post of first vice chair of the Michigan Democratic Party at the party's virtual State Spring Convention Saturday, Feb. 20. More than 1,300 delegates voted and Lavora Barnes and Fay [...]
REC to Celebrate Ruth Ellis Day on Feb. 28
The Ruth Ellis Center's annual Ruth Ellis Day celebration is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 28. Like most events these days, the celebration will be virtual and feature a screening of Yvonne Welbon's documentary "Living with Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100" and [...]