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].
Jamaica: A culture of hate, a climate of fear
" Boom bye bye Inna batty bwoy head Rude bwoy no promote no batty man Dem haffi dead Boom bye bye Inna batty bwoy head Rude bwoy no promote no batty man Dem haffi dead"-Buju Banton Batty bwoy, like Chi Chi man, is a commonly used derogatory term [...]
Kofi Adoma: Creating history one organization at a time
She considers Mother Ruth to have been one of her greatest mentors. In the third installment of this year's Black History Month profiles, we take a look at the living legacy of Kofi Adoma, activist, organizer and, indeed, originator. When she was [...]
Off Broadway East is back in business!
Nearly a year after an awful fire forced the club to close, Off Broadway East is back. The club, which will celebrate 21 years in business in April, has been owned for the past 11 by Tony Miller and Dan Smith. The couple worked tirelessly over the [...]
Jim Toy Turns 87, Reflects on a Lifetime of Activism
His self-edited bio reads that he's originally from New York. It's a line that's partially true at best. "I was born in New York in Manhattan and my mother died when I was born," explained longtime gay and civil rights activist Jim Toy. "So my dad [...]
Join the Revolutionary, Unprecedented Convening for Trans Women of Color
The Trans Sistas of Color Project is seeking sponsors for their first national convening for transgender women of color May 18-22 at the Crowne Plaza Downtown Detroit Riverfront. "We are looking for partners, collaborators, co-creators and [...]
NEXTGen Detroit Pride Celebrates a Year of Service
NEXTGen Detroit Pride members pose with their finished products at the Painting with a Twist event hosted by the group. It was the brainchild of Sam Dubin. After graduating from Central Michigan University in 2014, Dubin returned home to Metro [...]
LGBT Detroit Celebrates Anniversary of #SafeBraveSpace
It's called Detroit's new #SafeBraveSpace – yes, with a hashtag – and visitors are invited to check it out next week. LGBT Detroit is celebrating a year since acquiring their new headquarters on Detroit's Northwest side with a reception to take [...]
SAGE Metro Detroit Director Reflects on Two Busy Years in the State
SAGE, which stands for Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders, has been around for nearly 30 years. Based in New York, it is the country's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT [...]
East Lansing Congregation Takes On Racism, Homophobia
Rev. Liz Miller, an out lesbian, of Edgewood United Church of Christ in East Lansing. EAST LANSING – It's been nearly a year since Rev. Liz Miller came to Edgewood United Church of Christ and she still feels that she and the church are a good [...]
Historic Central United Methodist Church in Detroit Is Now a Sanctuary
Rev. Dr. Jill Zundel of Central United Methodist Church in Detroit. Photo courtesy of Rev. Dr. Jill Zundel With a president and administration that is anything but immigrant friendly, several religious leaders in Michigan have declared their [...]
Transitional living center for LGBT teens celebrates its grand opening
DETROIT – It was a dream five years in the making, and now it has come true. The Ruth Ellis Center celebrated the grand opening of its first transitional living center, the aptly named Ruth's House, on Thursday, June 10. "This is an introduction [...]
Attendees at Wedding Expo Express 'Relief' to Find Welcoming LGBT-Friendly Businesses
The seventh annual Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo, hosted on Sunday by Between The Lines at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, drew a crowd of more than 600 people who came out to visit with more than 100 LGBT-friendly vendors. In [...]