Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project
Why Is Ann Arbor Pride in August? The Answer Might Surprise You
When Jadein Black books headliners for Ann Arbor Pride, she's not just thinking about who will draw the biggest crowds. As both a full-time teacher and the [...]Read more about Why Is Ann Arbor Pride in August? The Answer Might Surprise You
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
Aut Bar Sold
Owners Martin Contreras and Keith Orr recently announced the sale of Aut Bar, the popular LGBT owned restaurant and bar in Ann Arbor's Braun Court. Aut Bar [...]Read more about Aut Bar Sold
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
WRAP celebrates ten years
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman ANN ARBOR – On April 9, Ann Arbor's Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project celebrated ten years of service to the community at a benefit [...]Read more about WRAP celebrates ten years
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
Online Links Resource Guide
Identity & Community GAY Affirmations Gay & Lesbian Center, Ferndale Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project, Ann Arbor Detroit Men's Chorus The Gay [...]Read more about Online Links Resource Guide
Day of Remembrance in Ann Arbor
By Pamela Benetti ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Transgender Day of Remembrance drew about 40 people to the University of Michigan Diag. The evening began at 6:30 [...]Read more about Day of Remembrance in Ann Arbor
October conference to address gay and lesbian parenting
"Through the Kaleidoscope: Rainbow Families in the 21st Century" will take place at the Michigan league on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor on [...]Read more about October conference to address gay and lesbian parenting
WRAP to honor Rivers and Smith
By BTL Staff ANN ARBOR – The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project (WRAP) will host "An Evening of Recognition and Remembrance" at Kerrytown Concert House on Oct. [...]Read more about WRAP to honor Rivers and Smith
The HOPE Fund: Grantmaking
To date, The HOPE Fund has distributed over $1.8 million through 131 grants to nonprofit organizations serving southeast Michigan's LGBT communities. The [...]Read more about The HOPE Fund: Grantmaking
The Accidental Activists Of Ann Arbor's Homoplex
By AJ Trager Linda Lombardini, Sandi Smith, Martin Contreras and Keith Orr before Braun Court one day before the 20th Annual OutFest. Photo by AJ Trager ANN [...]Read more about The Accidental Activists Of Ann Arbor's Homoplex
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
OUTFest Celebration Returns To Braun Court
ANN ARBOR – The 18th OUTFest returns to Ann Arbor's history Kerrytown District Saturday, Sept. 29 with a multiplicity of activities and entertainment for [...]Read more about OUTFest Celebration Returns To Braun Court
OUTFest celebration returns to Braun Court
Ann Arbor, MI – The 18th OUTFest returns to Ann Arbor's history Kerrytown District Saturday, September 29 with a multiplicity of activities and entertainment [...]Read more about OUTFest celebration returns to Braun Court
Judy Shepard, Chris Armstrong earn achievement awards
By Tara Cavanaugh ANN ARBOR- Judy Shepard and Chris Armstrong each graciously accepted awards at an annual fundraiser for the Jim Toy Community Center on [...]Read more about Judy Shepard, Chris Armstrong earn achievement awards
Anti-bullying summit in Ann Arbor Jan. 9
A county-wide summit on intervention and prevention strategies to address bullying in Washtenaw County and area schools will be held on Sunday, Jan. 9, 1p.m. [...]Read more about Anti-bullying summit in Ann Arbor Jan. 9
Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project renamed the Jim Toy Community Center
ANN ARBOR- The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project changed its name to the Jim Toy Community Center, in honor of renowned activist Jim Toy on Dec. 8. Toy [...]Read more about Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project renamed the Jim Toy Community Center
More details released for OutFest
As the 2010 OutFest, set to take place 6 p.m.-midnight Sept. 18 in Ann Arbor's Braun Court, draws nearer, more performers, speakers and details are being [...]Read more about More details released for OutFest
Just announced: Ann Arbor's OutFest on Sept. 18
OutFest, Ann Arbor's annual LGBT celebration, will return this year at 5 p.m. Sept. 18 in Braun Court, said aut Bar co-owner and planner for the event, Keith [...]Read more about Just announced: Ann Arbor's OutFest on Sept. 18
Trans actions
In honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance, here's a look at one-time and recurring events happening in Michigan for, by and about the transgender community. [...]Read more about Trans actions
A more intimate OutFest pleases crowd
Tracy Mack performed as part of the night's entertainment. BTL photos: Jason A. Michael ANN ARBOR – The 15th annual OutFest took place Saturday, Sept. 19 in [...]Read more about A more intimate OutFest pleases crowd
OutFest is on
by Jessica Carreras Though rumors have circulated that the ever-popular OutFest, held each year in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown district, was no more, that [...]Read more about OutFest is on
Between Ourselves
by Jessica Carreras Denise Brogan-Kator is a 54-year-old mother who lives with her partner, Mary Kator, in Milford. She's also the chairperson of the Triangle [...]Read more about Between Ourselves
Geoffrey & Jeffrey' to benefit WRAP Dec. 11
ANN ARBOR – A benefit performance of "Geoffrey & Jeffrey" for the Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project will take place 8 p.m. Dec. 11 as part of the Performance [...]Read more about Geoffrey & Jeffrey' to benefit WRAP Dec. 11
Ann Arbor's gay community gets WRAP-ed up
by Jessica Carreras ANN ARBOR – It's move in weekend for University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, and as such, Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project board [...]Read more about Ann Arbor's gay community gets WRAP-ed up
Sleepless on the campaign trail'
by Jessica Carreras Sandi Smith hasn't slept much lately. Instead, the Ann Arbor resident and co-owner of Trillium Real Estate with her partner Linda [...]Read more about Sleepless on the campaign trail'
Community activist, local business owner announces city council candidacy
Democrat Sandi Smith has announced her candidacy for the Ann Arbor City Council in the 1st Ward, which covers much of downtown, as well as northern and [...]Read more about Community activist, local business owner announces city council candidacy
WRAP addresses community concerns
ANN ARBOR – The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project's board of directors addressed the future of the organization, which is struggling from limited income and a [...]Read more about WRAP addresses community concerns
Poor weather keeps attendance down at OutFest
ANN ARBOR – Organizers of OutFest, the Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project, were hoping a move from September/October to August would bolster the success of the [...]Read more about Poor weather keeps attendance down at OutFest
Hopping 'Fences'
Dave Garcia nicknamed the coolest hetero dude he met during his U.S. road trip. It's simply "Rock Star," a name the Swartz Creek-resident gave the guy due to [...]Read more about Hopping 'Fences'
WRAP to offer free estate-planning workshop
ANN ARBOR — Attorneys from the ACLU and the Stonewall Bar Association will hold a free estate-planning workshop for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered [...]Read more about WRAP to offer free estate-planning workshop
New board leadership takes the helm at WRAP
ANN ARBOR – The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project's newly elected board leadership has taken the helm, ensuring the resource center will seamlessly continue to [...]Read more about New board leadership takes the helm at WRAP
Get OUT the Vote
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman FERNDALE – As part of the national America Votes effort, several Michigan LGBT organizations have joined forces to hold Get OUT the [...]Read more about Get OUT the Vote
OutFest prevails despite rain
Charlotte (left) and Caitlin walked through Kerrytown District in Ann Arbor, where about 1,000 attendeees soaked up more than the rain on Saturday at the 11th [...]Read more about OutFest prevails despite rain
LGBT Political Resources Guide
Suggest a link LGBT Political Resources Triangle Pride PAC Pride Pac State political advocacy organization http://www.tri.org Kalamazoo Alliance for [...]Read more about LGBT Political Resources Guide
Michigan's Cool Cities: ANN ARBOR & YPSILANTI
In 1972, the City of Ann Arbor became the first city in the U.S. to pass a gay rights ordinance. Ann Arbor is home to the renowned University of Michigan, [...]Read more about Michigan's Cool Cities: ANN ARBOR & YPSILANTI
Michael McGuire: Wishes for love, acceptance
Michael McGuire wasn't the first adolescent boy to fool around with another; he won't be the last, either. But after the rendezvous, 57-year-old McGuire knew, [...]Read more about Michael McGuire: Wishes for love, acceptance
WRAP re-forms men's group
ANN ARBOR – The next meeting of the Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project's re-formed Men's group will be Saturday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the WRAP offices in Ann [...]Read more about WRAP re-forms men's group
WRAP to move to new location
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman ANN ARBOR – The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project has announced plans to move into new office space April 1, allowing the resource [...]Read more about WRAP to move to new location
Religious extremists a one-trick pony
Religious extremists may pose the greatest threat to civil rights in the United States since the Red Scares of the 1950s. And while they try to restrict the [...]Read more about Religious extremists a one-trick pony
Rivers and Wheeler-Smith honored by WRAP
Compiled by BTL Staff ANN ARBOR – The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project hosted "An Evening of Recognition and Remembrance" at Ann Arbor's Kerrytown Concert [...]Read more about Rivers and Wheeler-Smith honored by WRAP
Thousands create change in Oakland
OAKLAND, Calif. – Over 60 LGBT activists from Michigan joined more than 2,300 other radical, elderly, young, black, Asian Pacific, button-downed, outrageous, [...]Read more about Thousands create change in Oakland
WRAP to honor Dingell, unfairly discharged LGBT vets
ANN ARBOR – The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project's third annual "Evening of Recognition and Remembrance" will be held on Friday, Nov. 11 at Kerrytown Market [...]Read more about WRAP to honor Dingell, unfairly discharged LGBT vets
OutFest captures the energy of equality
by R.J. Beaumia ANN ARBOR – There was a beautiful blond guy in a tight athletic tee dancing, bounding really, in the middle of Fourth Avenue in Ann Arbor last [...]Read more about OutFest captures the energy of equality
Gay former Marine turned author to headline OUTfest
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman ANN ARBOR – Rich Merritt is coming to OUTfest Sept. 24 to give some advice: "Our secrets keep us sick." Merritt received that advice [...]Read more about Gay former Marine turned author to headline OUTfest
Flint LGBT organizations celebrate anniversary
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman FLINT – On Aug. 14, The Rowan Education Network and The Genesee County Chapter of Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays [...]Read more about Flint LGBT organizations celebrate anniversary
