Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit
Remembering LGBTQ+ Advocate and Volunteer Cheryl Horn-Garcia
Cheryl Dawn Horn-Garcia, a long-time school bus driver and active volunteer in the LGBTQ community, died March 10. She was 67.Horn-Garcia and her wife of 35 [...]Read more about Remembering LGBTQ+ Advocate and Volunteer Cheryl Horn-Garcia
Remembering Gary 'Murph' Lynn Murphy: Dedicated Public Teacher, Philanthropist and Beloved MCC-D Church Member
Gary (Murph”) Lynn Murphy of Birmingham, 89, died Aug. 3, 2024 at a rehabilitation facility in Bloomfield Hills after a brief hospitalization. He was born in [...]Read more about Remembering Gary 'Murph' Lynn Murphy: Dedicated Public Teacher, Philanthropist and Beloved MCC-D Church Member
Go to Church (or Temple), Observe Trans Day of Visibility, Catch a Queer Film, See an Aerial Drag Performance
Spring has sprung and it’s time for all the cute little cubbies and big, strong bears to emerge from hibernation — sunshine and good times await. On tap in the [...]Read more about Go to Church (or Temple), Observe Trans Day of Visibility, Catch a Queer Film, See an Aerial Drag Performance
Passing the Torch: Having Learned From the Past, Affirmations Plans a Seamless Transition of Executive Directors
Although Antonio Dave Garcia is stepping down from his post as executive director of Affirmations at the end of the year, he’s not exactly leaving. Rather, he’s [...]Read more about Passing the Torch: Having Learned From the Past, Affirmations Plans a Seamless Transition of Executive Directors
Still Blazing Trails for Queer People, Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit Turns 50
In April of 2000, I traveled to our nation’s capital as a cub reporter for this publication to cover the Millennium March on Washington. I had been on the job [...]Read more about Still Blazing Trails for Queer People, Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit Turns 50
50 Facts, 50 Years Later: What You Should Know About Christopher Street Detroit ‘72
This summer marks a milestone anniversary, yet most people don’t realize there’s an anniversary to mark.A half century ago, Michiganders who united in a bond of [...]Read more about 50 Facts, 50 Years Later: What You Should Know About Christopher Street Detroit ‘72
Remembering John Kavanaugh: An Unabashed Hellraiser Leaves One Helluva Legacy
Early coordinator of the Detroit Gay Liberation Front, a founder of the Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit, and a constant gadfly for change within the [...]Read more about Remembering John Kavanaugh: An Unabashed Hellraiser Leaves One Helluva Legacy
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.
Coming Soon to Michigan: LGBTQ-Friendly Affordable Senior Housing in Ferndale
Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, senior minister and teacher of Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit (MCC-D), announced at last Sunday's service that the [...]Read more about Coming Soon to Michigan: LGBTQ-Friendly Affordable Senior Housing in Ferndale
Affirmations LGBTQ+ Center to Call Ringwald Theatre and MCC Detroit Home, Among Other Updates
Its doors haven't been opened back up to the public yet, but big things are happening at Affirmations. In a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday, Affirmations [...]Read more about Affirmations LGBTQ+ Center to Call Ringwald Theatre and MCC Detroit Home, Among Other Updates
Calvin Thompson Was Planning His Funeral. Today, He's Helping Those 'Worse Off Than Me.'
After living in Atlanta for 30 years, Calvin Thompson decided to make a change at age 55. He took a new job in New Orleans and began settling into his new [...]Read more about Calvin Thompson Was Planning His Funeral. Today, He's Helping Those 'Worse Off Than Me.'
Gay Michigan Pastor Organizes Over 200 Faith Leaders to Call for Passage of the Equality Act
Two hundred faith leaders can't be wrong. In addition to being the campaign's tagline, that's the number of religious representatives that Michigan's [...]Read more about Gay Michigan Pastor Organizes Over 200 Faith Leaders to Call for Passage of the Equality Act
MCC Detroit and COVID-19: 'God Isn't Going Anywhere and Neither is MCC Detroit'
Innovation by Necessity To those visiting MCC Detroit's website for the first time, it might not be readily apparent that things like virtual worship and Zoom [...]Read more about MCC Detroit and COVID-19: 'God Isn't Going Anywhere and Neither is MCC Detroit'
OBITUARY Michael Hugh Guigar
Aug. 4, 1966 – Feb. 24, 2020 Michael Hugh Guigar, a longtime member of the Detroit Together Men's Chorus, has died. He was 53. Guigar was born in Marlette, [...]Read more about OBITUARY Michael Hugh Guigar
3 Perspectives on Marriage (In)Equality Today
Securing a cake, arranging a florist, booking a venue and tailoring day-of wedding outfits are all vital, if stressful, steps in the process to a wedding [...]Read more about 3 Perspectives on Marriage (In)Equality Today
The Rev. Deb Cox to Retire From Ministry, Teaching
Before Deb Cox found the Metropolitan Community Church movement she, admittedly, wasn't very religious. "I was a Christmas and Easter Christian," she said. "I [...]Read more about The Rev. Deb Cox to Retire From Ministry, Teaching
MCC Detroit LGBTQ Film Night Aug. 17
Though LGBTQ representation is becoming more frequent in films and television, it's still not a common occurrence. The LGBTQ-affirming church MCC Detroit is [...]Read more about MCC Detroit LGBTQ Film Night Aug. 17
The Spirituality of Stonewall
Have you ever been motivated to put yourself at risk in order to stand up for someone else or for a cause? For some, to place themselves on the line is too [...]Read more about The Spirituality of Stonewall
Shockwaves from Stonewall: Revisiting Gay Liberation in Michigan
The Stonewall uprising had reverb. Multiple nights of rioting against police in June 1969 sent shockwaves across the country and sparked gay organizing on a [...]Read more about Shockwaves from Stonewall: Revisiting Gay Liberation in Michigan
Obituary: Chrissy Surewater
July 23, 1953 — May 1, 2019 Chrissy Surewater passed away on May 1, 2019, at the age of 65. The beloved fiance of Michelle Fox- Phillips and dear sister of Lee [...]Read more about Obituary: Chrissy Surewater
5 Years later, the Fight for Equality is Far From Over
On the morning of Saturday, March 22, 2014, I received a call from my lead Deacon demanding, "I need you to get to the Oakland County Courthouse. Now!" "What's [...]Read more about 5 Years later, the Fight for Equality is Far From Over
Roland Stringfellow Senior Pastor at MCC Detroit
Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, among other titles, serves as the senior pastor and teacher at the LGBTQ-affirming Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit. [...]Read more about Roland Stringfellow Senior Pastor at MCC Detroit
Michigan Faith Leaders Launch New Initiative for LGBTQ Equality
Faith Leaders will Mobilize Michigan Religious Community Ahead of Election Day Faith leaders from across Michigan will come together on Friday, Oct. 19 [...]Read more about Michigan Faith Leaders Launch New Initiative for LGBTQ Equality
BTL's Charles Alexander Recognized by Hannan Center
Longtime Between The Lines columnist and contributor Charles Alexander was recently recognized by the Hannan Center as one of their 70 over Seventy: The Next [...]Read more about BTL's Charles Alexander Recognized by Hannan Center
Author and Former Detroiter Carl Mitchell Dies at 86
Carl Mitchell in the 1950s Carl Mitchell, a former Detroiter and author of three memoirs that touched on different aspects of his gay life in the 1940s, '50s [...]Read more about Author and Former Detroiter Carl Mitchell Dies at 86
LGBTQ Wedding Expo Attracts Hundreds
Inclusive Vendors Offer Engaged Couples Equal Treatment and Respect Ashley Howe and her fiance Justine Simpson have been to several bridal shows, but none [...]Read more about LGBTQ Wedding Expo Attracts Hundreds
BTL Celebrates 25 Years of LGBTQ Publishing with Kick-Off Event at March 11 Expo
Towanna Jackson and LaShawn Peterson of Southfield were married on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 2016, around 1 a.m. inside the Plaza Royale Wedding Chapel in Las [...]Read more about BTL Celebrates 25 Years of LGBTQ Publishing with Kick-Off Event at March 11 Expo
Southeast Michigan Religion and Health Officials Outraged by New HHS Rule
Patrick Yankee, chief development officer for Corktown Health Center The LGBTQ Community is no stranger to stigma. It infiltrates lives daily, and, sometimes, [...]Read more about Southeast Michigan Religion and Health Officials Outraged by New HHS Rule
A Dream Wedding: Couple Ties the Knot in Prince Charming Ceremony
Many people grow up dreaming of the Cinderella–Prince Charming wedding. And last September, one couple got to see their dream come true during their Prince [...]Read more about A Dream Wedding: Couple Ties the Knot in Prince Charming Ceremony
Worship Guide: Holiday Services
Sunday, Dec. 10 A Modern Day Christmas Story, immediately following Sunday Service, 11:30 a.m. 240 Chalfonte, Grosse Pointe [...]Read more about Worship Guide: Holiday Services
Two MCC Churches Move into New Homes
Group photo taken at the close of MCC Detroit's final service in Ferndale after more than two decades of renting their worship space from The Drayton Avenue [...]Read more about Two MCC Churches Move into New Homes
Community Memorializes 487 Transgender Lives Lost to Violence in the Past Year
The 17th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance service in Detroit took place Nov. 17 at Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit. About 90 people came out for [...]Read more about Community Memorializes 487 Transgender Lives Lost to Violence in the Past Year
Michigan Communities Observe Transgender Day of Remembrance
BY BTL STAFF Photo courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on Nov. 20 that honors the memory of those [...]Read more about Michigan Communities Observe Transgender Day of Remembrance
Long distance love: What it's like to be one half of a bi-national couple
by Kirsti Reeve Terry and I were probably one of the first couples to admit "we met online", through a tape trade on the Indigo Girls email list in 1994. One [...]Read more about Long distance love: What it's like to be one half of a bi-national couple
This is Love'
Jason and deMarco delighted fans Jan. 7 at Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit in Ferndale. The duo sang songs from their new unreleased CD "Halo" and [...]Read more about This is Love'
November 2006 highlights
She/he Said "We're all God's children and if you're a real minister, and a real child of God, you're going to accept anybody … . I try to stay away from [...]Read more about November 2006 highlights
Parting Glances: Snap-on garters
I'm attending my eighth gay wedding – Holy Union – in maybe 10 years. (Always a bridesmaid never a bride. Old tattered Top Hat that I am, I'll gladly wear any [...]Read more about Parting Glances: Snap-on garters
May 2006 Highlights
She/he Said "Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction. I mean, walking on water, it takes an act of [...]Read more about May 2006 Highlights
Commitment Ceremony & Wedding Guide Directory
Accommodations Bellaire B&B (The) David Schulz 212 Park St., Bellaire 800-545-0780 http://www.bellairebandb.com Hilton Windsor 277 Riverside Dr. W., Windsor, [...]Read more about Commitment Ceremony & Wedding Guide Directory
Parting Glances
Diary for DST The pope is gone. (My fourth.) SATURDAY: I join Max and Rex – The Canines – at the Detroit Film Theater for Animation 2005. (I saw the [...]Read more about Parting Glances
Spotlight On Legacy Award Recipients at MCC Detroit Anniversary Event
John Kavanaugh (left) and Jim Toy (right) – recipients of the MCC Detroit Legacy Awards – pictured with Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow (middle). BTL Photo: Jason [...]Read more about Spotlight On Legacy Award Recipients at MCC Detroit Anniversary Event
Lifelong Dream Comes True for Livonia Couple
BY DAVID RYALS Marriage has been a lifelong dream for Ward Supernois and Larry Iddins Jr. They never believed it could happen in their lifetimes, but they [...]Read more about Lifelong Dream Comes True for Livonia Couple
Divine Peace MCC Welcomes New Interim Pastor
As the granddaughter of a Baptist preacher, Rev. Carolyn Mobley-Bowie made the decision at the age of 10 to be a follower of Jesus, but for a lesbian in a [...]Read more about Divine Peace MCC Welcomes New Interim Pastor
A New Rainbow in the Sky
She was the LGBT community's very own Mahalia Jackson. Rev. Delores Berry was a traveling evangelist who crisscrossed the country – and indeed the world – [...]Read more about A New Rainbow in the Sky
Photo Gallery: Rally for Transgender Troops in Royal Oak
BY BTL STAFF 123456789101112131415Hundreds attended the Freedom to Serve rally in Royal Oak on July 30 in support of transgender troops. Several [...]Read more about Photo Gallery: Rally for Transgender Troops in Royal Oak
Motor City Pride is 'Stronger Together' This Year
Motor City Pride is Michigan's largest Pride celebration with more than 40,000 participants in its Pride events. Dave Wait, event chair, said he is feeling [...]Read more about Motor City Pride is 'Stronger Together' This Year
In Memoriam: Michigan Honors Pulse Nightclub Victims in Orlando
For a larger version of the above photo, Click here. LGBTQ Pride celebrations worldwide will honor Pulse nightclub victims in Orlando with many vigils and [...]Read more about In Memoriam: Michigan Honors Pulse Nightclub Victims in Orlando
