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].
Margaret Cho in the spin cycle
OK, it's the day after the first presidential debate. All the pundits are giving their spin. All the networks and newspapers are speaking to their experts and Between The Lines is speaking to one, too. The ever-insightful Margaret Cho, coming to the [...]
Elegance By Design comes to Ferndale
FERNDALE – Brian Ashburn was not deterred by Michigan's somewhat shaky economic climate. "There is really no good time to open any business," he said. "Michigan used to be known as one of top upper end furniture markets in the United States. Then, [...]
Making the old new again
DETROIT- It may be the city's oldest neighborhood, but there's something new in the air of Corktown. Founded in 1834 by Irish immigrants, the neighborhood took its name from the city its first inhabitants hailed from, County Cork. Though the [...]
A look inside the new Affirmations
FERNDALE – If the City of Ferndale was recently voted among the best places for gays to live, then the new Affirmations is a shoo-in should the magazine ever rank the most impressive LGBT community center buildings across the nation. Everything [...]
National podcaster coming to speak at recovery conference
TROY – Bradley Traynor's life was spinning out of control. "I worked at Target full time, and would party on the weekend," he recalled. "Then, slowly but surely, it became party on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And then, low and [...]
Proposed club for cross-dressers causes stir in Wyandotte
WYANDOTTE – It's been three years since Janet Law opened a boutique for cross-dressers, Janet's Closet, in back of her successful speed shop on Fort Street. Since that time, the store has attracted a small but loyal number of customers, and little [...]
Transitioning city manager fired in Largo, Fla.
LARGO, Fla. – Steve Stanton didn't think it would be easy. But he also didn't believe that his decision to transition into Susan and have gender reassignment surgery would manage to overshadow his 14 years of service as city manager of Largo, Fla., [...]
Affirmations announces spring lineup of health services
FERNDALE – In a sense, everything an lgbt community center does is – or at least should be – directed at promoting the overall health and wellness of the community it serves. Support and rap groups, HIV testing and counseling, domestic partnership [...]
Boston Tea Room celebrates silver anniversary
WYANDOTTE – Carol Navarre's fascination with psychic phenomena began at an early age. "In the eighth grade, when I was 13, I gave a book report on 'Autobiography of a Yogi'," she recalled. "It did really change my perception of things, especially [...]
MAPP tells the truth about Tina
FERNDALE – Meth is made from battery acid, drain cleaner and ammonia. Meth puts you three times at risk for HIV. These simple but powerful messages were at the heart of a Chicago-area campaign to stop the spread of methamphetamine among gay men. On [...]
Seeking shelter under the umbrella of trans identity
FARMINGTON HILLS – Toni Caretto got her first glimpse of transgenderism early. "When I was a teenager, growing up in Dearborn, I was babysitting for a family and the parents were getting divorced," she recalled. "That was kind of scandalous back in [...]
Wyandotte witness to birth of latest accidental activist
WYANDOTTE – Following the latest denial to her parking permit appeal, Janet Law has announced plans to take the city of Wyandotte to court over the right to open a private club for transgenders in the quiet Downriver community. Law has owned [...]