Advertisement
Contributor

Kate Opalewski

Kate Opalewski is BTL's features editor and has been since 2015. She has covered a variety of topics ranging from art, politics and community outreach. Recently, she was honored by the Detroit Police Department LGBT Advisory Board for her work for the local LGBTQIA community.

Meet Waterfall Jewelers 2017 Couple of the Year

When Christi Brown worked with Diana Balbaugh and Danielle Beauregard during their wedding preparations she "saw a love between them that you don't see too often. These two are the epitome of true love and we're so excited to share their journey [...]

Guys Turnabout During the 'Big Switch' at the Woodward

Curtis Collins (aka Curtistine LaBa≈õha) is "still coming down from the high" off of his turnabout performance during the third annual "Big Switch" on Monday night at the Woodward Bar & Grill in Detroit. "People didn't recognize me," he said [...]

Election 2018: Democratic Candidates for AG Speak on LGBTQ Issues

Read our Q&A With Dana Nessel Read our Q&A with Patrick Miles Democrats are fielding candidates this year as they seize their moment to win back the state of Michigan before the next round of redistricting starts in 2020. Four statewide [...]

Q&A with Mich. Democratic Attorney General Candidate Patrick Miles

Patrick Miles See the BTL introduction to this candidate's interview Tell me how you are going to play a major role in helping the LGBTQ community achieve full equality? The attorney general position is a very powerful position. It's the second most [...]

Q&A with Mich. Democratic Attorney General Candidate Dana Nessel

Dana Nessel See the BTL introduction to this candidate's interview You're not the only LGBTQ candidate running for a statewide office, but you are the most visible. Yet people are far more concerned with you being a woman than being a lesbian. [...]

Voice of Volunteer Lawrence Pennymon

For those who are wondering what it's like to volunteer, Lawrence Pennymon says, "It's beautiful work." Since 2008, he has been dedicating his time, talents and energy to make a difference at LGBT Detroit. "I have always been a giving person. I was [...]

Grooming Future LGBTQ Leaders

The Equality March in Flint this past June. Photo courtesy of Equality Caucus. Nicole Derusha-Mackey is on a mission to build a farm team full of LGBTQ people who will best serve their community and represent their city, and state. As a member of [...]

LGBT Artwork Selected for #LoveLansing Billboard Project

Paige Kowaleski (left) with her girlfriend Danielle Chauvin (right) in Lansing When asked by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, "What do you love about Lansing?" Paige Kowaleski said, "I love that I have a community where I feel loved and [...]

MOSS PAC Event Gains Support for Pro-Equality Candidates

State Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren), Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer and State Rep. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) at the MOSS PAC event in Pleasant Ridge on Sunday. BTL Photo: Alex Godin "It will be unsafe to be an LGBTQ [...]

Gretchen Whitmer On LGBTQ Issues

No stranger to duking it out, Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Gretchen Whitmer is showing up for the LGBTQ fight. "That's one of the first and most important things to do is show up," says Whitmer. "I don't mean to just oversimplify the art of [...]

Ford GLOBE Builds Relationships with Allies on the Job

During Ford GLOBE's National Coming Out Day event on Oct. 11 at the Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, the LGBTQ employee resource group announced the GLOBE ally engagement project. The goal is to elevate Ford Motor Company's LGBTQ ERG to the next [...]

The Hair Diva': Making Her Beauty Mark at Salon Kinki

Lexie "the Hair Diva" Washington. BTL Photo: Andrew Potter Lexie Washington came to life in her mother's closet as a young person. "She didn't really like the fact that I was dressing up in her closet, but I just loved those shoes she wore," said [...]