Todd Heywood
Did Michigan Senate Reaffirm the Criminalization of Sodomy?
An effort to create a law to prevent people convicted of abusing animals from adopting or owning an animal for five years after their conviction is in jeopardy over an attempt to repurpose an obsolete law banning bestiality. The Michigan State [...]
Fair Michigan Ballot Initiative to Press Pause
Michigan Information and Research Services, Inc — known as MIRS — reported Jan. 29 that a controversial ballot initiative to amend the state constitution will end. Dana Nessel, a Detroit area lawyer best known for her representation of the DeBoer [...]
The New Normal of HIV in the Queer Community
CHICAGO — The grand ballroom in the Chicago Hilton has played host to many moments in American history — as the elevator trivia screens reminded everyone. But changing the commitment to the fight against HIV by the LGBTQ community cannot be chalked [...]
Equality Michigan Starts New Year with New Plan
It's a new year, and Equality Michigan has a new political team in place to drive what they are calling a new three to four year legislative plan to move LGBT equality forward in the state. "We are launching our new political effort to expand gay [...]
New PrEP Studies Offer Hope, Caution
Newly released studies are offering more hope for the efficacy of the once-a-day HIV prevention pill, but also ringing a sour note of concern. PrEP was approved by the FDA in 2012. It is the use of the drug Truvada. Taken daily, the anti-HIV drug [...]
Lansing Community Mourns Passing of LGBT Leader
Bill Beachler in 2014 attending the Rose Bowl where MSU played. Photo courtesy of Gary Hicks. WEDNESDAY. Jan. 13 – Bill Beachler, with his "perfect hair" and "remarkable presentation," was an ever-present figure at nearly every LGBT and HIV related [...]
Michigan Board Of Canvassers Approves LGBT Constitutional Amendment Language
LANSING – In a 4-0 vote Tuesday, the state Board of Canvassers approved the form and language of a ballot initiative to amend the Michigan constitution to protect the LGBT community from discrimination. The proposal would amend the constitution to [...]
2015 Saw Prevention, Treatment Impacts On HIV Epidemic
State health officials earlier this month said they were "cautiously optimistic" that the tools to curb the HIV epidemic were available. That optimism was backed up shortly thereafter with news out of Atlanta. There the CDC reported that from [...]
Fed Waiver To Christian University Could Nullify Lansing Human Rights Ordinance Enforcement
LANSING — A federal waiver granted to Spring Arbor University is causing officials in the city of Lansing to take a second look at the city's human rights ordinance. The law was passed in 2006 — a decade after voters overwhelming rejected a similar [...]
Getting To Zero
Alex Saenz is a gregarious 27-year-old gay man, but his bubbly exterior hides a rough and tumble life. The 2009 Eastern High graduate struggled with addiction, specifically meth, a popular sex drug in gay communities across the country, including in [...]
Ignore Supreme Court Ruling, Lawmaker's Resolution Tells Top Leaders
LANSING — In the shadow of the state Christmas tree, about 400 people rallied against what they say is escalating Christian persecution. Top on the list of the persecution they claim? Marriage equality. Rep. Tom Hooker, R-Wyoming, told the crowd [...]
Understanding HIV In 2015
In the 34 years since HIV was first identified by science, much has changed. It's no longer just a matter of whether someone is HIV-positive or not — today, with medical advances, people living with HIV are living longer healthier lives and are less [...]