Kate Opalewski
The Dirty Show Pays Homage to Gay Leather Bars of the '70s
The leather scene once occupied a very visible part of gay culture, which has been missing from the Dirty Show. In an effort to celebrate leathery goodness and include more gay attributes to the venerable Motor City alt-art event, the Dirty Show [...]
Dita Von Teese's 'The Art of The Teese' Showcases Diversity in Beauty
When Dita Von Teese decided to bring her new burlesque tour "The Art of The Teese" to her home state of Michigan for the first time ever, she admits she was concerned about selling tickets. "It's a big financial risk, but we picked a few places [...]
OU Film Festival Explores Trans Visibility
Aiden Ramirez-Tatum, Morgan Shaw-Andrade and Dr. Kathleen Battles were panelists at the the 33rd Annual Women and Gender Studies Film Festival on Jan. 21 at Oakland University. BTL Photo Kate Opalewski ROCHESTER – "We all have the right to be [...]
Wedding Photography Trends to Watch Out for in 2017
When the big day finally arrived, photographers at Rawlinson Photography in Plymouth reminded Michael and John to let them do the work and simply enjoy their celebration. Photo courtesy of Rawlinson Photography As a photographer, it is always [...]
Local Theaters Join in Solidarity for Ghostlight Project
Joe Plambeck and Joe Bailey sit in The Ringwald Theatre green room surrounded by a showcase of posters representing their work over the last ten years. They are one of the Michigan Theaters participating in the Ghostlight Project Jan. 19 Photo [...]
Showtime's 'Billions' Will Feature Non-Binary Gender Identifying Character
Damian Lewis plays Bobby "Axe" Axelrod, seen here in a scene from season two with Asia Kate Dillon. Photo courtesy of Showtime Asia Kate Dillon is cast as Taylor in the second season of "Billions," airing Feb. 19 on Showtime While Asia Kate Dillon – [...]
KGLRC Mentorship Program Provides Positive Role Models for LGBTQ Youth
Mentor Jonathan Elyea and mentee Manny Tsang met in 2013 by way of the KGLRC Triangle Mentorship Program. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Elyea As the executive director of the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center, Jay Maddock said he frequently [...]
A Turbulent Road Leads Home
Jacqui Leaonna Turner and Kara Marie Ramsey at their home in Plymouth. BTL Photo: Andrew Potter When Kara Marie Ramsey finally embraced herself and came out as transgender in September 2013, she asked herself, "Who's ever going to love me for me? [...]
Michelle Brown to Host Weekly Internet Radio Show
People who know Michelle Brown will say that she talks to everybody. "I am always collecting lost souls, new friends and the people I've met throughout various parts of my life always have such great stories and are doing all kinds of stuff," said [...]
Fair Michigan Justice Project Ends 2016 with Five Convictions
Left to Right: Fair Michigan Justice Project special prosecutor Jaimie Powell Horowitz, Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy, Fair Michigan president Dana Nessel, and Fair Michigan Justice Project special investigator Vicki Yost. As the year comes to [...]
Assault on Marriage Equality Under Banner of 'Religious Liberty'
It took the work of an entire community across the U.S. and the dedication and time of legal teams in many states, to make history and move the country forward in June 2015 when the Supreme Court ruled to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. As [...]
OVO' Makes a Buzz in the Motor City
Marjon Van Grunsven After performing under the big top for nearly seven years, Cirque du Soleil's "OVO" returns to Detroit transformed in its new arena format. Artistic Director Marjon Van Grunsven believes the show – complete with acts of hand [...]