Kate Opalewski
Freedom House Seeks Help for LGBT Refugees
Members of Freedom House and Southwest Solutions gather during the 2015 Voices of Freedom event. From left to right: Thomas "TJ" Rogers, Tim McGorey, Caitlyn Pisarski, Deborah Brennan and Sandra Svoboda. Photo courtesy of Freedom House There were 2 [...]
Former Chrysler Executive Talks Workplace Inclusivity
Fred Hoffman, former Chrysler executive and his husband, Jim Stokes, married on Nov. 29, 2015 after 32 years together. The couple resides in Dearborn. The Fiat Chrysler Automobile Group had the 2016 Fiat 500X speciallywrapped for the Motor City [...]
Community Demands Justice for LGBTQ Prisoners
Lansing – Around 30 Michiganders protested Oct. 12 outside the state's Department of Corrections Headquarters on Michigan Avenue in Lansing. The rally, "Can't Cage Our Humanity," was organized to demand justice for LGBTQ prisoners. "They cannot [...]
Federal Law Protects Transgender People at Homeless Shelters
The2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey reveals that 29 percent of transgender people who sought emergency shelter at some point in their lives were turned away, while 42 percent were forced to stay in shelters for the gender they were [...]
Attorney Faces LGBTQ Discrimination
If we expect to influence change, we need to stand up against discrimination and make our voices heard. That's why criminal defense attorney Erica Moise is turning her "publicly humiliating" experience into an opportunity to set a good example for [...]
Urge Michigan Attorney General to Withdraw from Federal Lawsuit
Transgender rights are being litigated in several states and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette joined one of two multi-state lawsuits with attorneys general challenging the federal government. Specifically, the Obama administration's federal [...]
Remembering Victims of Violence on Solidarity Sunday
It was just four months ago when LGBTQ people around the world stood in solidarity with the victims and survivors of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. On June 12, the country's largest massacre of LGBTQ people left 49 dead and 53 wounded. [...]
Workshop Teaches Life Skills, Empowers Trans Youth
Azriel Apap, Hunter Keith, Jayson Olson, and Nolan Pokier attended the first annual Stand with Trans Youth Empowerment Workshop in 2015 at Affirmations in Ferndale. Ferndale – What does it mean to be heroic? Founder of Stand with Trans Roz Gould [...]
Comedian Sandra Bernhard Gets Serious about LGBTQ Youth
DETROIT – The Ruth Ellis Center hosted their annual fundraising gala, Voices, on Sept. 22 to grow their base of supporters, express gratitude for current donors and celebrate the agency's mission and success. Their signature event, presented by [...]
Brides Celebrate a Perfect 'Just Us' Wedding
Christina and Alicia Wilk of Clinton Township got married June 21. Photos courtesy of couple. When it comes to planning your wedding, follow your heart, don't listen to those around you and do what is right for you. That's how Christina and Alicia [...]
Detroit Animal Welfare Group Needs Community Support
Animals are not disposable. They are not something people can throw away when they are done with them. Yet, it continues to happen every single day, according to Sharon May, a volunteer with Detroit Animal Welfare Group in Romeo. "We get hundreds [...]
Faith Community Offers Hope to Transgender People
Members of the Inclusive Justice board Jim Toy, Rev. Mike Cooper, Linda Haywood, Rev. Joseph Summers, Rev. Beth Rakestraw and Rev. Peg Faulmann host the "Faith Allies for Trans Live: Stand Up for Justice" event on Sept. 17 at St. Paulas Episcopal [...]