Spectrum Center (U-M)
Stand Together for Trans Day of Remembrace, Attend Pridegiving, Sing Boldly at Uplift Karaoke
November can be a complicated month for queer folks: equal parts reflection, celebration and carb-loading. Between International Transgender Day of Remembrance [...]Read more about Stand Together for Trans Day of Remembrace, Attend Pridegiving, Sing Boldly at Uplift Karaoke
Go to the Roller Derby, Get Tickets for Dave Koz, Relax at an LGBTQ-Friendly Game Night
As LGBTQ+ Americans process the election outcome, many of us feel a mix of frustration, resilience and renewed determination. In a political climate that [...]Read more about Go to the Roller Derby, Get Tickets for Dave Koz, Relax at an LGBTQ-Friendly Game Night
Walk in the (Fabulous) Shoes of Local Queer Trailblazers
Fun, meaningful — and free — fall travel doesn’t have to mean trekking far from home. The Ann Arbor District Library invites you to walk in the shoes of the [...]Read more about Walk in the (Fabulous) Shoes of Local Queer Trailblazers
How to Give Back to Local LGBTQ+ Non-Profits on Giving Tuesday and Beyond
The annual arrival of Giving Tuesday is a welcome time of year for non-profits that rely on donations and other acts of giving to drive their charitable [...]Read more about How to Give Back to Local LGBTQ+ Non-Profits on Giving Tuesday and Beyond
Queer Things to Do: See ‘Company,' Let Loose at Dance Church, Spend Time with David Sedaris
It’s time to whip out that planner and pencil in some unique, queer-charged local events for the coming weeks. From a Broadway show (“Company” at the Fisher) to [...]Read more about Queer Things to Do: See ‘Company,' Let Loose at Dance Church, Spend Time with David Sedaris
Howard Bragman, Flint Native, Philanthropist and ‘Coming Out Guru’ to the Stars, Dies at 66
Friends and family near and far are mourning the death of PR giant and Flint native Howard Bragman, who died from leukemia Saturday, Feb. 11. Bragman was [...]Read more about Howard Bragman, Flint Native, Philanthropist and ‘Coming Out Guru’ to the Stars, Dies at 66
UM's Spectrum Center 50 Years Later: Some LGBTQ+ Students Never Stepped Inside. It Still Changed Their Lives.
As a first-year student at the University of Michigan (UM) in the late '70s, Martin Contreras struggled with his attraction to men.“Didn't have a name [...]Read more about UM's Spectrum Center 50 Years Later: Some LGBTQ+ Students Never Stepped Inside. It Still Changed Their Lives.
5 Queer Things You Can Do Right Now-ish: Make Lil Nas X Concert Plans, Celebrate Agender Pride Day
Ah, May. With Winter (finally) in the rearview, it’s time to bust out of hibernation and get with the getting on. Here’s a wide range of ideas, including a few [...]Read more about 5 Queer Things You Can Do Right Now-ish: Make Lil Nas X Concert Plans, Celebrate Agender Pride Day
A Community in Mourning: Michigan Politicians, LGBTQ+ Orgs Honor Jim Toy’s Activist Legacy
Jim Toy, LGBTQ+ rights pioneer who was believed to be the first openly gay man in Michigan, died New Year’s Day at age 91. He leaves behind an inimitable [...]Read more about A Community in Mourning: Michigan Politicians, LGBTQ+ Orgs Honor Jim Toy’s Activist Legacy
Gentlest But Most Unshakeable Campaigner' Jim Toy, Michigan LGBTQ+ Trailblazer and Icon, Dies at 91
On April 15, 1970, at a large demonstration held in Kennedy Square in downtown Detroit to protest the war in Vietnam, Jim Toy became perhaps the first person in [...]Read more about Gentlest But Most Unshakeable Campaigner' Jim Toy, Michigan LGBTQ+ Trailblazer and Icon, Dies at 91
5 Queer Things You Can Do Right Now: Update Your Gender on Your Passport, Queer Crotchet, and More
We're in the acceptance phase of fall — the phase where we've finally come to terms with the fact that summer is officially over and it's time to get ready for [...]Read more about 5 Queer Things You Can Do Right Now: Update Your Gender on Your Passport, Queer Crotchet, and More
Watch University of Michigan Marching Band Spell Out Its LGBTQ+ Support
The University of Michigan Marching Band had a gay – LGBTQ+, rather – ol' time at last Saturday's game. During the homecoming halftime show, the band paid [...]Read more about Watch University of Michigan Marching Band Spell Out Its LGBTQ+ Support
Flint Native Who Found Acceptance in Ann Arbor Just Created a $1 Million 'Coming Out Fund' for U of M Students
Public relations guru and crisis manager Howard Bragman, a Flint native and University of Michigan graduate, has created a $1 million endowment to his alma [...]Read more about Flint Native Who Found Acceptance in Ann Arbor Just Created a $1 Million 'Coming Out Fund' for U of M Students
Meet the Creative Team Behind This Year's Hotter Than July
The past 18 or so months have seen major disruption in our daily lives including the cancelation or virtualization of community events celebrating Pride. [...]Read more about Meet the Creative Team Behind This Year's Hotter Than July
Jim Toy Just Received His Honorary Doctorate from U-M. Here's What the Pioneering LGBTQ+ Activist Told Us.
Fifty years ago this fall, pioneering activist Jim Toy co-founded, with Cyndi Gair, the Human Sexuality Office at the University of Michigan. Now designated [...]Read more about Jim Toy Just Received His Honorary Doctorate from U-M. Here's What the Pioneering LGBTQ+ Activist Told Us.
Repairing the Fault Line: Making School Spaces Safe Spaces for Trans and Queer Black Students
Recognizing a Need On Wednesday, Feb. 5, a community conversation focusing on the needs of trans and queer black students will take place at Kofi House in [...]Read more about Repairing the Fault Line: Making School Spaces Safe Spaces for Trans and Queer Black Students
BTL 2019 World AIDS Day Calendar
Dec. 2 The World AIDS Day Committee Presents Thriving Beyond The Red Ribbon 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gather on World AIDS Day to remember those who have died from [...]Read more about BTL 2019 World AIDS Day Calendar
Campuses Honor LGBTQ Graduates throughout Michigan
In 1995, the University of Michigan held the first-ever Lavender Graduation. Twenty-four years later, more than 200 colleges and universities around the [...]Read more about Campuses Honor LGBTQ Graduates throughout Michigan
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
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2018 Events
The Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on Nov. 20 that honors the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender [...]Read more about Transgender Day of Remembrance 2018 Events
OU Kicks Off First-Ever Pride Month Celebration
Campus LGBT Resource Centers to Host Events for Students Oakland University commemorated its first ever Pride Month with an official kickoff event featuring [...]Read more about OU Kicks Off First-Ever Pride Month Celebration
World AIDS Day Event Calendar
Friday, Dec. 1 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free condoms, education and referral to PrEP and assistance for those living with HIV who need help getting back into care. [...]Read more about World AIDS Day Event Calendar
UMMA Hosts Visual AIDS' Day With(out) Art Project
BY BTL STAFF The University of Michigan Museum of Art Student Engagement Council and the U-M Spectrum Center presents a screening of Visual AIDS' "Alternate [...]Read more about UMMA Hosts Visual AIDS' Day With(out) Art Project
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
LGBTQ and Jewish: Photovoice Project
BY BTL STAFF ANN ARBOR – What does it mean to be Jewish and queer? What strengthens or hinders your involvement in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area Jewish [...]Read more about LGBTQ and Jewish: Photovoice Project
Jim Toy Turns 87, Reflects on a Lifetime of Activism
His self-edited bio reads that he's originally from New York. It's a line that's partially true at best. "I was born in New York in Manhattan and my mother [...]Read more about Jim Toy Turns 87, Reflects on a Lifetime of Activism
OU Film Festival Explores Trans Visibility
Aiden Ramirez-Tatum, Morgan Shaw-Andrade and Dr. Kathleen Battles were panelists at the the 33rd Annual Women and Gender Studies Film Festival on Jan. 21 at [...]Read more about OU Film Festival Explores Trans Visibility
Suited' Pushes the Fashion Boundaries of Gender ID
BY BTL STAFF Fashion has no gender. To validate that, Oakland University's Women and Gender Studies program will spotlight the HBO documentary "Suited" at the [...]Read more about Suited' Pushes the Fashion Boundaries of Gender ID
Michigan Girl Scouts Support Inclusiveness
Transgender woman Diane Schroer, a former Army Special Forces commander, won a discrimination lawsuit against the Library of Congress in September 2008. She [...]Read more about Michigan Girl Scouts Support Inclusiveness
Letter to Anita': LGBT Activist Ronni Sanlo Talks Documentary, Estrangement From Kids and Her Pivotal Work at the University of Michigan
BY AJ TRAGER ANN ARBOR – LGBT rights activist Ronni Sanlo, Ed.D., will return to Ann Arbor May 26 for a screening of "Letter to Anita," a memoir of Sanlo's [...]Read more about Letter to Anita': LGBT Activist Ronni Sanlo Talks Documentary, Estrangement From Kids and Her Pivotal Work at the University of Michigan
Celebrate Fifth Annual Jim Toy Community Center Birthday Bash
YPSILANTI – Come join the Jim Toy Community Center in celebrating Jim Toy's birthday April 15 at Arbor Brewing Company in Ypsilanti. Toy was the first person [...]Read more about Celebrate Fifth Annual Jim Toy Community Center Birthday Bash
2015 Transgender Day Of Remembrance
BY AJ TRAGER DETROIT – Once a year lesbian, gay and bisexual members of the LGBT community are called upon to stand in solidarity with the trans community and [...]Read more about 2015 Transgender Day Of Remembrance
Deborah Labelle and Jim Toy to be honored for human rights work
During its worship service on Jan. 18, The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation will be presenting Deborah Labelle and Jim Toy with its annual Beloved Community [...]Read more about Deborah Labelle and Jim Toy to be honored for human rights work
Transgender Services In The State
Transgender Michigan, founded in 1997, provides services to the transgender communities of Michigan including advocacy, support and education and creating [...]Read more about Transgender Services In The State
Big Happy Birthday To Jim Toy
By AJ Trager Retiring U.S. Rep. John Dingell dropped by to say, Thanks for your friendship, and celebrate with JTCC supporters. BTL photos: AJ [...]Read more about Big Happy Birthday To Jim Toy
Graduating Gay: LGBT Spring Events at Local Universities
Compiled by Shelby Clark Petkus Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti http://www.emich.edu/lgbtrc Hosted by EMU's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender [...]Read more about Graduating Gay: LGBT Spring Events at Local Universities
A Group For Every Kind At JTCC
By Shelby Clark Fresh off Equality Cabaret, the benefit for the Michigan Marriage Challenge, Ann Arbor's Jim Toy Community Center continues its LGBT support [...]Read more about A Group For Every Kind At JTCC
Ann Arbor VA Offers Dignity To Those Who Served
VA employee Andrew Hunter Veterans Affairs hospitals across the country have made strides in the service they offer to LGBT veterans thanks to Federal mandates [...]Read more about Ann Arbor VA Offers Dignity To Those Who Served
GALLERY: SCOTUS Rulings Hailed at Ann Arbor Rally
123456789101112131415161718 ANN ARBOR – An ebullient crowd gathered in Braun Court to celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions on [...]Read more about GALLERY: SCOTUS Rulings Hailed at Ann Arbor Rally
BTL@20: Looking Back At The Early Years
By Tim Retzloff See Also: The LGBT Press in Michigan I became involved with BTL at the outset thanks to David Rosenberg. I met David at his portable massage [...]Read more about BTL@20: Looking Back At The Early Years
Jim Toy Day Named In Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR – Jim Toy was honored by both the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti City Councils for his commitment to advancing LGBT rights in those cities. For over 40 [...]Read more about Jim Toy Day Named In Ann Arbor
Transgender Day of Remembrance Events
Cameron Breither moved to Ann Arbor from North Carolina because he knew it would be a place he could safely transition. Photo: Spectrum Center. ANN ARBOR [...]Read more about Transgender Day of Remembrance Events
Jim Toy Pride Dinner to award scholar, advocate Sandra Cole
Ann Arbor – Award-winning CNN and ESPN online gay journalist LZ Granderson will keynote the Jim Toy Community Center's Pride Dinner, honoring the advocate [...]Read more about Jim Toy Pride Dinner to award scholar, advocate Sandra Cole
Heard on Facebook: California colleges are wondering if they should ask if you are gay on their applications! What could the benefits and drawbacks be?
How would the kids who are not out to their parents answer these types of questions? You have to consider how much good versus how much damage acquiring that [...]Read more about Heard on Facebook: California colleges are wondering if they should ask if you are gay on their applications! What could the benefits and drawbacks be?
World AIDS Day Dec. 1 to mark 30th anniversary of epidemic
Monday, Nov. 28 Saginaw County Red Ribbon, A giant lighted red ribbon will light up the Saginaw County Governmental Center. Volunteers will construct the [...]Read more about World AIDS Day Dec. 1 to mark 30th anniversary of epidemic
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Wednesday, Nov. 16 The Lives of Transgender People, 3 p.m. Join Spectrum for a presentation of groundbreaking research on The Lives of Transgender People, [...]Read more about Transgender Day of Remembrance
U-M reputation could be damaged by benefits ban
ANN ARBOR- The University of Michigan is now right in the crosshairs of an online controversy over a potential ban that would prohibit public employers from [...]Read more about U-M reputation could be damaged by benefits ban
