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].
Charles Pugh Arrested in New York
Then Detroit City Council President-Elect on election night in 2009. BTL file photo: Andrew Potter NEW YORK – Once the second most powerful man in Detroit politics, former Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh was arrested this morning in New [...]
Scarab Club Unveils Marketing Campaign: 'We Know Detroit by Art'
DETROIT – It's an organization rich in history and poor on public relations. The Scarab Club, which turns 110 next year, has not always done a good job of promoting itself. But thanks to a powerful new marketing campaign done gratis by the Mars [...]
Gay authors speak at Jewish Book Fair
WEST BLOOMFIELD – The Jewish Community Center presented Come Out & Read, an evening of gay authors, Sunday as part of their 55th annual Jewish Book Fair. "I love speaking at JCCs because they know how to pronounce my first novel, 'Dancing on [...]
Bowie Tribute to be Performed by Complexions Contemporary Ballet at Music Hall
The New York Times called him a "person of relentless reinvention" and he was widely known as a musical chameleon. David Bowie transcended musical genres, fashion trends and cultural norms to become an iconic figure in music and, indeed, pop [...]
Detroit Soul Singer Declares That Now is Her Moment
It's an age old story: Alise King got her start singing in church. "When I was about 12, I discovered that I had a voice," said King, who grew up on Detroit's east side and graduated from Kettering High School. "Of course I started singing in the [...]
Ferndale Pride a Little Wet, but Mostly Wonderful
The storm clouds gathered and a few errant raindrops fell throughout the day, but Mother Nature withheld her fury and Ferndale Pride went off mostly without a hitch. That is until later in the day when a constant sprinkling persisted causing the [...]
Ferndale Wedding a First for a Pride Festival in Michigan
Three couples wed Saturday at the Married With Pride ceremony in the Community Art Gallery of Ferndale. Organizers of Ferndale Pride say they are the first to be wed at a Michigan Pride event since the Supreme Court granted marriage equality for [...]
Local Faith Leaders Speak Out Against 'Religious Freedom' Laws
It was the crowning glory of the modern gay rights movement. Last June the Supreme Court granted gays the right to marry. And so many mistakenly thought the battle had been won and that equal rights for gays would be the law of the land. If only it [...]
Motor City Pride Returns to Downtown Detroit this Weekend
Photo:Andrew Potter DETROIT – It's that time of year again. The rainbow flag will be waving high over Hart Plaza when Motor City Pride comes to downtown Detroit June 11-12. The festival will be open Saturday from 1-8 p.m. and Sunday from [...]
Newcomer in 'No Rush' to Sell Her Soul
Sam Tolson is an oddity. A native of Toledo, Ohio, she didn't grow up singing. Never sang in church. Never really sang anywhere in fact. Until, that is, the beginning of 2012 when she suddenly decided to make a YouTube video of herself singing [...]
Singer Seeks to Deliver a 'Message of Encouragement' During Motor City Pride
Johnathan Celestin loves performing at Pride festivals. "It's always big energy and lots of love," said the Washington, D.C.-based singer. "I think a lot of time people come to Prides to celebrate. It's a celebration and that's important. But a [...]
Ferndale Pride Volunteer Receives Good Neighbor Award
FERNDALE – For Alyssa Atkinson, volunteering is therapeutic. "I've had problems in the past with depression and anxiety and I sometimes will find it hard to go out and do things with people because I get frightened of talking to people," Atkinson [...]