Affirmations
Haley Stevens or Abdul El-Sayed? Michigan's LGBTQ+ Voters Are Split
Ask two different left-leaning LGBTQ+ Michigan voters who they're selecting in the Aug. 4 U.S. Senate Democratic primary and there's a decent chance [...]Read more about Haley Stevens or Abdul El-Sayed? Michigan's LGBTQ+ Voters Are Split
Senate Candidate Haley Stevens Shows Us Her Receipts
When many of the country's centrist Democrats found reasons to lower their voices on LGBTQ+ rights after the 2024 election, Haley Stevens went in the other [...]Read more about Senate Candidate Haley Stevens Shows Us Her Receipts
Visit Mi-Sci After Dark, Attend a Queer Wedding Expo, Get Fern Fest Tickets, Go to July Pride Fests
The corn may be knee-high by the Fourth of July, but Michigan's summer of queer events is just hitting its stride. Toss sunscreen, a water bottle and a [...]Read more about Visit Mi-Sci After Dark, Attend a Queer Wedding Expo, Get Fern Fest Tickets, Go to July Pride Fests
This Pride, Affirmations Wants the Community Back Through Its Doors
Every June, Pride invites us to step into the streets with color, courage and celebration. It's a moment when our community becomes visible in ways that [...]Read more about This Pride, Affirmations Wants the Community Back Through Its Doors
How The Ringwald's 'Somewhere' Echoes 1959 Displacement in an Era of ICE Raids
In 1959, a thriving Puerto Rican neighborhood in New York City's San Juan Hill faced demolition to make way for Lincoln Center. The residents were given no [...]Read more about How The Ringwald's 'Somewhere' Echoes 1959 Displacement in an Era of ICE Raids
When Backlash Triggered Pushback: A History of LGBTQ+ Resilience in Michigan
What LGBTQ+ Michiganders — and all Americans — are living through in 2025 with the bombardment of attacks on our community is, in many ways, all too familiar. [...]Read more about When Backlash Triggered Pushback: A History of LGBTQ+ Resilience in Michigan
Celebrate Elton John, Make the Yuletide Gay (Twice), Support Ferndale Pride and Ozone House
In the words of Mariah Carey, “It’s tiiiiiiime!"The holiday season is upon us, folks, and your friends here at Pride Source have all the “gay happy [...]Read more about Celebrate Elton John, Make the Yuletide Gay (Twice), Support Ferndale Pride and Ozone House
Attend a Halloween Ball, Find Opportunities At a Transgender Job Fair, Embrace Beauty With En Femme Social Group
We're just a few days away from the general election on Nov. 5, and you know what that means — we’ve officially reached the point where everyone wants this [...]Read more about Attend a Halloween Ball, Find Opportunities At a Transgender Job Fair, Embrace Beauty With En Femme Social Group
Your Guide to This Year's Hotter Than July — the World's Second-Oldest Black LGBTQ+ Pride
Hotter Than July, LGBT Detroit’s annual Black Pride event, is right around the corner. Get ready for a whole weekend of events that celebrate Detroit’s LGBTQ+ [...]Read more about Your Guide to This Year's Hotter Than July — the World's Second-Oldest Black LGBTQ+ Pride
Your 2024 Michigan LGBTQ+ Pride Calendar
Michigan Pride is ready to roll in 2024, and we have all the details you need to plan out your Pride season right here. You’ll find Prides big and small from [...]Read more about Your 2024 Michigan LGBTQ+ Pride Calendar
A Particular Type of Courage': Glen Johnson, Dead at 61, Was Openly Gay During Precarious Era For LGBTQ+ Corporate Workers
In a 1997 profile in the Affirmations newsletter, Glen Johnson pledged to contribute “time, money, and enthusiasm” to the Ferndale community center. Over three [...]Read more about A Particular Type of Courage': Glen Johnson, Dead at 61, Was Openly Gay During Precarious Era For LGBTQ+ Corporate Workers
5 Queer Things You Can Do Right Now: Local Holiday Festivities, LGBTQ+ Observations and More
Listen, we know you're tired. This year has been relentless. So you can imagine how excited we are about the extended weekends and holiday observances coming [...]Read more about 5 Queer Things You Can Do Right Now: Local Holiday Festivities, LGBTQ+ Observations and More
Michigan LGBTQ+ Orgs on Voter Suppression: Across the Country Anti-Voter Initiatives Are Attacking the LGBTQ+ Community
We are organizations across the State of Michigan that serve members of the LGBTQ+ community and we write this statement in opposition to the so-called "Secure [...]Read more about Michigan LGBTQ+ Orgs on Voter Suppression: Across the Country Anti-Voter Initiatives Are Attacking the LGBTQ+ Community
Affirmations Could've Saved My Sister's Life. Now That They've Fully Reopened, They Can Still Save Others.
While most open spaces exude an emptiness, Affirmations' 17,000-square feet in Ferndale doesn't feel like that at all. It feels like a safe space the moment I [...]Read more about Affirmations Could've Saved My Sister's Life. Now That They've Fully Reopened, They Can Still Save Others.
I've Fought for LGBTQ+ Equality for Decades. Then a Dream Came True: I Threw Out the First Pitch at a Detroit Tigers Game.
On June 11, I realized a dream come true 33 years in the making when I got to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Detroit Tigers game, part of the [...]Read more about I've Fought for LGBTQ+ Equality for Decades. Then a Dream Came True: I Threw Out the First Pitch at a Detroit Tigers Game.
Affirmations Updates Public on Programs, Finances and the Future
FERNDALE — When Dave Garcia came back to his old job as Executive Director of Affirmations community center after five years working for the nation's largest [...]Read more about Affirmations Updates Public on Programs, Finances and the Future
Q&A with 43rd District Judge Candidate Rudy Serra
As the Aug. 4 primaries get closer, voters will not only choose to vote Democrat or Republican but they'll cast their ballots for nonpartisan positions, too. [...]Read more about Q&A with 43rd District Judge Candidate Rudy Serra
Affirmations LGBTQ Community Center Offers Free Food Box Pick-Up and Delivery Service
The Affirmations LGBTQ community center has teamed up with Gleaners Food Bank and Wayne State University to offer free food box pickup every Friday for any [...]Read more about Affirmations LGBTQ Community Center Offers Free Food Box Pick-Up and Delivery Service
Affirmations to Host Intro to Coding Workshop Aug. 3
Over the last several years coding has become a vital piece of knowledge for many in technology jobs and shows no signs of becoming less useful in the near [...]Read more about Affirmations to Host Intro to Coding Workshop Aug. 3
LGBTQ Rights in Era of Marriage Equality
It's been more than two and half years since the U.S. Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges held that our Constitution guarantees us both the fundamental right [...]Read more about LGBTQ Rights in Era of Marriage Equality
Affirmations Hosts Holiday Arts and Crafts Bazaar
The holiday season is in mid-swing and the need for holiday gifts is fast-approaching. For those stuck in a gift-buying rut, Affirmations' Holiday Arts and [...]Read more about Affirmations Hosts Holiday Arts and Crafts Bazaar
First training held for LGBT healthcare competency
By Crystal Proxmire Training has begun in southeast Michigan for healthcare professionals who work with the elderly and want to offer LGBT inclusive and [...]Read more about First training held for LGBT healthcare competency
AIDS Walk hopes to grow under new management
ROYAL OAK – AIDS Walk Detroit is under new management and kicking off 2012 with some big resolutions for the year. Their goals are to have 3,500 walkers and [...]Read more about AIDS Walk hopes to grow under new management
Giving against the odds
by Jessica Carreras Like many other Michiganders this year, John Secor got the call on Sept. 2: he was out of a job. An editor and writer in the newspaper [...]Read more about Giving against the odds
Despite legal setback, fight for benefits will continue
Friday's decision by Michigan's Court of Appeals denying domestic partnership benefits to same-sex partners of public employees is an insult and a direct [...]Read more about Despite legal setback, fight for benefits will continue
March 2006 Highlights
She/he Said "I guess you'd love for me to say that it was difficult, that I wanted to vomit. But the straight fact is, it was just another person. Now, by no [...]Read more about March 2006 Highlights
Sanders Cancels Appearance at Women's Convention in Detroit
BY BTL STAFF U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders on Oct. 19 cancelled his appearance at the Women's Convention in Detroit this weekend just days after controversy [...]Read more about Sanders Cancels Appearance at Women's Convention in Detroit
It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood for AIDS Walk Detroit
Summer proved it has yet to sing its final note as the 26th annual AIDS Walk Detroit took place Sunday under a cloudless sky with temperatures hovering at [...]Read more about It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood for AIDS Walk Detroit
In Memoriam: Lesbian Murder Victims Susan Pittman and Christine Puckett
BY BTL STAFF Christine and Susan at their wedding in June 1990. Photo courtesy of Facebook The LGBTQ community remembers and honors one of the darkest moments [...]Read more about In Memoriam: Lesbian Murder Victims Susan Pittman and Christine Puckett
Equality Michigan's New Strategy is Bold Risk in This Political Season
Stephanie White, EQMI executive director said, "There is a huge population, both LGBTQ people and our straight allies, that want us to win equality." BTL file [...]Read more about Equality Michigan's New Strategy is Bold Risk in This Political Season
Affirmations Spring Bash 2017
Affirmations Community Center in Ferndale will host their annual fundraising event, Spring Bash 2017 – Emerald City on March 18 from 6-11 p.m. at the MGM [...]Read more about Affirmations Spring Bash 2017
Ferndale Pride Donates $11,000 to Local Charities
Ferndale Pride committee members. Photo courtesy of Ferndale Pride FERNDALE – Ferndale's annual celebration of love and diversity for the LGBTQ community – [...]Read more about Ferndale Pride Donates $11,000 to Local Charities
Transgender Michigan Offers Training for Mental Health Professionals
FERNDALE – Longtime psychotherapist and executive director of Transgender Michigan Rachel Crandall will host a clinical training May 10 for mental health [...]Read more about Transgender Michigan Offers Training for Mental Health Professionals
2015 Recap: LGBT Older Adult Coalition Forms Into SAGE Metro Detroit
BY AJ TRAGER SAGE Metro Detroit This year the LGBT community welcomed the transition of the LGBT Older Adult Coalition to form SAGE Metro Detroit, the [...]Read more about 2015 Recap: LGBT Older Adult Coalition Forms Into SAGE Metro Detroit
Introducing SAGE Metro Detroit
BY AJ TRAGER SAGE Metro Detroit board members, pictured L-R: Mary Sexton, Pat Baldwin, Kathleen LaTosch, Agustin Arbulu, Jay Kaplan, Andrea Mulheisen,Judy [...]Read more about Introducing SAGE Metro Detroit
BREAKING: Affirmations Executive Director Announces Departure
In February, Affirmations Community Center announced that Darrious Hilmon would become the new executive director after a year-long search concluded. Hilmon [...]Read more about BREAKING: Affirmations Executive Director Announces Departure
GM Foundation cuts $50,000 grant to Affirmations
by Jessica Carreras Recent cuts in funding from General Motors that hit hard on the Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra are also [...]Read more about GM Foundation cuts $50,000 grant to Affirmations
Big 3 attention to LGBTs, Michigan is heartwarming
With the North American International Auto Show coming up this week, there's one group the auto companies are courting heavily that's important to note: [...]Read more about Big 3 attention to LGBTs, Michigan is heartwarming
An inner passion
by Jessica Carreras If it's a good sign to an artist when their artwork sells at a gallery, Sister Cheryl Phillips should be ecstatic. Her piece "River" – a [...]Read more about An inner passion
Ferndale Pride Seeks Sponsors And Vendors
BY BTL STAFF Ferndale Pride has just released a press release announcing their plans for this year's event. Downtown Ferndale will host its annual Ferndale [...]Read more about Ferndale Pride Seeks Sponsors And Vendors
PrEP Debate Continues As Advocates Hold Conversations In State
Jesse Anguiano only wanted an extra layer of protection during sex. The 31-year-old gay man had been hearing about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for some [...]Read more about PrEP Debate Continues As Advocates Hold Conversations In State
Mr. LA Leather 2014 To Promote PrEP In Michigan
Photo by Eric Schwabel. Mr. LA Leather 2014, Eric Paul Leue, is swinging through Michigan to discuss pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV intervention. He [...]Read more about Mr. LA Leather 2014 To Promote PrEP In Michigan
Obituary: Ernest B. Gutierrez 'Tito'
Tito Gutierrez, former Affirmations supporter and board member, died peacefully at his home in Arlington, Virginia of lymphoma on Nov. 3. Born in Guayaquil, [...]Read more about Obituary: Ernest B. Gutierrez 'Tito'
Affirmations Announces WBB+McCormack To Assist In E.D. Search
BTL STAFF FERNDALE – Affirmations Community Center announced last week that WBB+McCormack will assist in the next phase of the search for a new executive [...]Read more about Affirmations Announces WBB+McCormack To Assist In E.D. Search
Smoking: Critical Health Issue For LGBT Michiganders
BY AJ TRAGER The anti-smoking character CiggyButtz stands where all other cigarettes must outside of the nonsmoking San Francisco LGBT Community Center. The [...]Read more about Smoking: Critical Health Issue For LGBT Michiganders
Michigan For Marriage Meets In Ferndale
BY BTL STAFF FERNDALE – This upcoming Tuesday, Michigan For Marriage will gather at Affirmations in downtown Ferndale to discuss the current state of the [...]Read more about Michigan For Marriage Meets In Ferndale
Decision Day' Gatherings To Be Held Throughout State
Michigan For Marriage has called for citizens across the state to join together on the day the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals issues a ruling in the Michigan [...]Read more about Decision Day' Gatherings To Be Held Throughout State
