Kate Opalewski
Pioneering Ruth Ellis Center Takes Visionary Next Steps
REC Executive Director Jerry Peterson, who shared REC's passion with Henry Ford Health System CEO Nancy Schlichting in the fall of 2013. BTL photos: Andrew Potter. LGBTQ youth and young adults living in one of the most medically-underserved cities [...]
Disappointing Ruling Allows Discrimination Against Transgender People
Updated Thursday, Aug. 18 U.S. District Judge Sean Cox ruled today that R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home's Owner Thomas Rost did not discriminate against Aimee Stephens, formerly Anthony Stephens, when he fired her. In his ruling, Cox wrote [...]
U.S. Attorney General Launches Justice Forum Series with First Stop in Detroit
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Barbara McQuade, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and Detroit Police Chief James Craig address community policing concerns during the first Justice Forum Series on [...]
Austin, Ahmed Partner to Rebuild Michigan Public Education System
Education and inclusion are the most important challenges facing Michigan today, according to State Board of Education President John Austin (D-Ann Arbor) and his running mate Ismael "Ish" Ahmed. "Nothing is more important to our people and our [...]
LGBT Vietnam Vet Advocates for Gun Control
During Mike Felker's appearance on the PBS series, Veterans Coming Home, he made it clear it's "not easy being a crazed, queer, pacifist, Vietnam vet." And that, he said, sums up what it's been for the past 66 years. Felker opposed the war, but he [...]
Same-Sex Wedding Expo Vendors Profess Passion for Serving LGBTQ Community
12345678910111213ÔÑÑÔÑÖ "Is it OK to come in?" Amy Krizanek, co-owner of Bombshell Bridal Boutique (http://www.bombshellbridal.boutique/) in St. Clair Shores, remembers when a lesbian called and asked if it would be alright for her and [...]
Same-sex Wedding Expo Partners With Inclusive Vendors
When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to legalize same-sex marriage in June 2015, some of the world's most valuable brands and businesses took over social media with marriage equality posts. Kellogg's wrote, "Love, the same at every table." Burt's Bees [...]
Start From Here Campaign Gains Support in Detroit
Panelists discuss homelessnes as moderator and Ruth Ellis Center Executive Director Jerry Peterson, third from left, guides the discussion. Photo: Ann Markey Local musician Max Pegasus made a difference in the lives of his LGBTQ friends who were [...]
Return of the Mac
Taylor Mac says "it's good to leave a lot of assumption at the door" when theatergoers attend "A 24-Decade History of Popular Music" at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre in Ann Arbor Feb. 5-6. Mac, who uses "judy" not as a name, but as a gender [...]
Detroit Art Scene Shines Every 3rd Thursday
DETROIT - When a handful of Detroit gallery owners and Art Detroit Now came together to brainstorm, a monthly art event known as 3rd Thursday was the result. The goal is to showcase Detroit's expanding art scene and connect the diverse art [...]
Michigan Filmmaker Addresses Bullying From Bully's Viewpoint
Birmingham filmmaker Amy Weber is sharing the one project she said is the most important in her life, The Bully Chronicles. The 100 percent Michigan-made film is being celebrated at the Uptown Film Festival Nov. 7-9 at the Palladium 12 and [...]
UPDATED: Troy's Janice Daniels Loses Bid For Council Seat
Update: Janice Daniels lost her bid for a seat on the Troy City Council Nov. 5. Former Troy Mayor Janice Daniels said "I'm not going to go away, and I'm not going to move out of town" on the Charlie Langton Talk Radio 1270 show in Nov. 2012 after [...]