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].
MCC-Detroit Minister Dons Drag to Deliver Special Message at MCC General Conference
FERNDALE – Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, senior minister and teacher of Metropolitan Community Church-Detroit, put together a special sermon and presentation for the MCC General Conference, which took place in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in [...]
Pugh and the P Word
DETROIT – While preparing to go to trial in 2015 in the civil case that ultimately ended with Pugh being ordered to pay his accuser, Khody Sanford, $250,000, Pugh's then council, Marc Deldon, won a pretrial motion that the word "pedophile" be [...]
Pugh Update: Case Moves Forward Following Preliminary Hearing; Defense Request to Lower Bail Granted
DETROIT – Judge Deborah Langston from the 36th District Court had some harsh words to say about former Detroit City Council President and Fox 2 news anchor Charles Pugh at his preliminary hearing last Thursday. "It appears to me that Mr. Pugh is a [...]
Trans Activist Creates New 'Clothing Swap' Program for Trans Community
When Jaimie Wilson first began transitioning from female to male, shopping for clothes was an uncomfortable experience. "It was really intimidating for me to go shopping for clothes that I felt comfortable in," Wilson said. "Sometimes you go [...]
A Conversation with Rhonda Ross
"No one's going be a better Diana Ross than she is. But no one else can be Rhonda Ross, and no one else can be a better Rhonda Ross than me." – Rhonda Ross A rare artist in today's musical landscape, Ross uses her music to examine the society she [...]
HTJ Spotlight: Charlie B. Keyz
Singer and gifted musician Charlie B. Keyz does not remember his life without music in it. "I've always been interested in music," Keyz, now 25, recalled. "The first toy I ever received was a piano. So my mother kind of figured out my interest and [...]
HTJ Spotlight: Kai Edwards
Rapper and Flint native Kai Edwards prides himself on having a unique style and sound. "I really don't sound like nobody but myself," Edwards said. "That's pretty much it. My music basically just describes me and tells my story." Edwards, a [...]
Khaos Reigns at Hotter Than July
His name is Ka'Juan D. Hill. But you may also know him as Khaos. He is one man with two names and two purposes. By day, Hill is the creator and host of the "Let's Talk About It" show, an original program found on YouTube. By night, Khaos is a party [...]
Annual Detroit Black Gay Pride Celebration to Take Place Next Week
DETROIT – It's that time of year again. Hotter Than July, aka Detroit Black Gay Pride, is scheduled for next week. Events run Tuesday, July 26 – Sunday, July 31. The week kicks off with the annual candlelight vigil/opening ceremony Tuesday. The [...]
Kickstarter Campaign Raises Over $11K to Renovate New LGBT Detroit Building
DETROIT – It's a milestone for Detroit's black LGBT community. LGBT Detroit recently purchased a building of its own on Greenfield Road on the city's west side. The 3,100 square foot building is nearly three times the size of the space the agency [...]
Pugh Extradited, Headed Home to Detroit to Face Molestation Charges
NEW YORK – Former Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh appeared in court last Thursday and, waiving extradition, was ordered back to Detroit to face criminal sexual conduct charges. The charges stem from what authorities are calling an [...]
Poor Man's Art Collective Gives Emerging Artists a Chance to Shine
Mychal Noir and Geno Harris co-founded the Poor Man's Art Collective in 2003. BTL photo: Jason A. Michael DETROIT – It's not easy for an emerging artist to get their work seen. But the Poor Man's Art Collective endeavors to make that goal a little [...]