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].
Owners of Gay Michigan Camp Boomerang Ban Trans Men in Social Media Post
It isn't even open yet and already it's causing controversy. The owners of Camp Boomerang RV Park and Campground in Orleans, which is about 50 miles northwest of Lansing, have announced they will ban trans men from their male-only park when they [...]
Cold As Hell Winter Pride Brings Back Kink in 2021
On Saturday, Feb. 13, LGBT Detroit presented its second-annual Cold As Hell Winter Pride. A ticketed event highlighting LGBTQ sexual expression in the leather, kink and fetish communities, Cold as Hell was entirely prerecorded. Viewers got the [...]
Gay-Owned Bingo Institute of Grooming Outgrows Old Location, Moves
The Bingo Institute of Grooming, where would-be doggie-stylists train and learn the tricks of the trade, is expanding. Originally opened in 2015, the Institute, created by Bingo Pet Salon owner Brian Lane and Director of Education Jessica Conway, [...]
Obituary: Lorenzo R. Blaylock
Aug. 9, 1976 – Feb. 5, 2021 Lorenzo R. Blaylock, former model and exotic dancer, died Feb. 5 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 44. Blaylock grew up on Detroit's East Side but his father served in the military, so Blaylock moved frequently [...]
Obituary: Gregory C. Piazza
April 15, 1951 – Feb. 3, 2021 Gregory C. Piazza, author of two books chronicling the history and architecture of Detroit's Palmer Park neighborhood, succumbed to his longtime battle with Parkinson's Disease on Wednesday, Feb. 3. He was 69. Piazza [...]
Supremes Co-Founder Mary Wilson, Dead at 76: The LGBTQ+ Community Saw Us as 'Gorgeous Black Barbie Dolls'
A Detroit music icon beloved by the LGBTQ+ community has died. Mary Wilson, one of the original Supremes and a Motown legend, died suddenly Monday at her home in Henderson, Nevada. She was 76. Wilson spoke to Pride Source many times over the years [...]
The State of Local Theater Amidst COVID-19
While it will be impossible to tell the full impacts of the novel coronavirus pandemic on the arts until it is over, it has been almost a year since most professional theaters have gone dark due to COVID-19 restrictions. Still, that hasn't stopped [...]
Ferndale Pride Partners with Local Businesses to Raise Funds for 2021 Festival
Ferndale Pride is partnering with four local businesses this Valentine's season to raise funds for its 2021 festival, which was canceled last year due to concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus pandemic. The businesses, Blumz by JRDesigns, The [...]
Obituary: Evelyn Josephine Fisher, M.D.
April 4, 1941 – Dec. 29, 2020 Evelyn Josephine Fisher was a native Detroiter born to parents Josephine and Otto Fisher and raised in Detroit's Indian Village neighborhood. She attended the prestigious Country Day School for elementary and University [...]
Kiefer Sutherland, Jeff Daniels Among Performers Featured in 44th Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival At Home
Like most entertainment venues in the state and, indeed, across the country, The Ark in Ann Arbor has struggled to find its footing in the midst of a pandemic that continues to rage. "Ever since The Ark shut its doors in March to help flatten the [...]
Kevin's Song Suicide Prevention Conference to Take Place Virtually Jan. 21-23, Focusing on Social Justice
The 5th annual Kevin's Song Conference on Suicide will take place virtually this year from Thursday, Jan. 21, through Saturday, Jan. 23. The theme this year is Equity and Equality in Suicide Prevention, and the featured subject matter will tackle [...]
OutCenter, 3 Other Michigan LGBTQ Centers Receive Hate Mail Citing Capitol Coup Attempt
As state capitols across the country, as well as the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., prepare for possible danger in the coming week, so, too, are LGBTQ community centers on the west side of the state preparing for possible trouble. The reason: the [...]