Western Michigan University
As McMorrow Exits, Amanda Treppa Brings Authentic Queer Energy to State Senate Race
When asked how her identity as a bisexual woman informs her campaign for Michigan’s District 10 state senate seat, Amanda Treppa is unequivocal. "It [...]Read more about As McMorrow Exits, Amanda Treppa Brings Authentic Queer Energy to State Senate Race
Sara Davis Buechner Spent a Lifetime Mastering Classical Music — and Refusing to Disappear
For many people — especially queer and trans folks — classical music can feel like a closed world: formal, intimidating, full of rules. Not meant for us.As the [...]Read more about Sara Davis Buechner Spent a Lifetime Mastering Classical Music — and Refusing to Disappear
'No Limits': Michigan's Chuckie Benson Charts His Own Path in Historic Theater Tour
When Chuckie Benson returns to Michigan this month, it will be a homecoming where both his hometown and college community can see how he’s grown — both as a [...]Read more about 'No Limits': Michigan's Chuckie Benson Charts His Own Path in Historic Theater Tour
Kathy Pelleran-Mahoney, Running for Michigan State House of Representatives, District 102
The 2024 Pride Source Media Voters Guide Candidate Survey sought the responses from Michigan candidates running for office in the Nov. 5 election. We asked [...]Read more about Kathy Pelleran-Mahoney, Running for Michigan State House of Representatives, District 102
‘Ruth Would Be Mighty Proud’: As Ruth Ellis Center Turns 25, the Mission of Its Namesake Lives On
When Krystina Edwards was a young resident at Ruth Ellis Center, safe from the dangers of Detroit’s red light district, she felt hope for the first time in a [...]Read more about ‘Ruth Would Be Mighty Proud’: As Ruth Ellis Center Turns 25, the Mission of Its Namesake Lives On
From Michigan to Hollywood: Meet the Gay Metro Detroiter Performing on the 'Creed III' Soundtrack
When Geoffrey Johnson first picked up an oboe as an elementary school student, he never imagined that he’d one day be playing the iconic double-reed symphony [...]Read more about From Michigan to Hollywood: Meet the Gay Metro Detroiter Performing on the 'Creed III' Soundtrack
A Friend to Everyone': Violet ‘Vy’ Reed, Dead at 84, Served LGBTQ+ Community as Longtime Affirmations Volunteer, MCCD Member
It's a special person who manages to leave behind a legacy of kindness and warmness when they pass on. Longtime Affirmations volunteer and Metropolitan [...]Read more about A Friend to Everyone': Violet ‘Vy’ Reed, Dead at 84, Served LGBTQ+ Community as Longtime Affirmations Volunteer, MCCD Member
For the First Time Ever, This Tiny Town in Michigan Will Have a Pride Festival
Allegan, Michigan is quintessential small-town America. There’s a main street and restaurants serving happy diners along the Kalamazoo River. It’s a place where [...]Read more about For the First Time Ever, This Tiny Town in Michigan Will Have a Pride Festival
Queer Things To Do: See a (Very) Gay Play, Build a Sex Room, Attend a Gender Embodiment Workshop
Ah, summer. So hot. So fast. Before you can blink, we’ll be cruising right into fall. For now, there’s plenty of time to dive into one (or all) of these things [...]Read more about Queer Things To Do: See a (Very) Gay Play, Build a Sex Room, Attend a Gender Embodiment Workshop
Did a Homophobic Michigan Senate Block This Openly Gay Whitmer Appointee?
Former State Rep. Jon Hoadley, appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the board of Western Michigan University, was denied that opportunity by the [...]Read more about Did a Homophobic Michigan Senate Block This Openly Gay Whitmer Appointee?
Bisexual Teacher Who Quit After Being Ordered to Remove Pride Flag on Why He May Never Teach Again in Michigan
Growing up, Russell Ball always knew he wanted to be a teacher. “Teaching was my first calling,” Ball, 43, told Pride Source recently. “I went to Western [...]Read more about Bisexual Teacher Who Quit After Being Ordered to Remove Pride Flag on Why He May Never Teach Again in Michigan
Marshall Kilgore Opens Up About Being a Black Bisexual Man Running for Kalamazoo City Commission
Marshall Kilgore couldn't make it to Motor City Pride this year. Instead, the 22-year-old candidate for Kalamazoo city commission stayed close to home, [...]Read more about Marshall Kilgore Opens Up About Being a Black Bisexual Man Running for Kalamazoo City Commission
Anti-LGBTQ Former House Speaker Lee Chatfield Named CEO of Southwest Michigan First
Southwest Michigan First, a Kalamazoo-based economic development organization, has named former House Speaker Lee Chatfield as CEO. According to Crain's [...]Read more about Anti-LGBTQ Former House Speaker Lee Chatfield Named CEO of Southwest Michigan First
Election Q&A: Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education Candidate Marshall Kilgore
As the November election draws nearer, Americans won't be voting just for a presidential candidate, both state and local candidates will be voted upon, too. [...]Read more about Election Q&A: Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education Candidate Marshall Kilgore
Emergency Financial Assistance for Ryan White-Funded Agencies Now Available
Emergency Expansion of Ryan White Funding In response to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of HIV [...]Read more about Emergency Financial Assistance for Ryan White-Funded Agencies Now Available
Grosse Pointe Pride Features 2 Notable Grosse Pointe South High School Graduates
An Unlikely Pair, an Unlikely Pride Equality Michigan Chairman of the Board Michael Rowady and up-and-coming New York drag queen Sierra Misst might seem like [...]Read more about Grosse Pointe Pride Features 2 Notable Grosse Pointe South High School Graduates
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
Oakland County Swears in its First Openly-Gay Circuit Court Judge
Oakland County saw its first ever openly gay circuit court judge join the bench this week at the swearing-in ceremony of Jake Cunningham last [...]Read more about Oakland County Swears in its First Openly-Gay Circuit Court Judge
Jake Cunningham - Oakland County Circuit Court Judge
A graduate of the Western Michigan University Law School, Cunningham has spent the past three-and-a-half years serving as a judicial staff attorney under [...]Read more about Jake Cunningham - Oakland County Circuit Court Judge
Starting with a Goal
Travis Guerrero 'Makes Bigger Change' as EQMI Field Organizer Travis Guerrero from Kalamazoo recently started working at Equality Michigan as a field [...]Read more about Starting with a Goal
Tracy Hall: I Am Who I Am
"When Women Run, Women Win" – Theme of Tracy Hall's re-election kickoff event Tracy Hall had always loved politics but never anticipated a career as an [...]Read more about Tracy Hall: I Am Who I Am
Circuit Court Judge Candidate to Voters: 'Flip Over the Ballot'
Jake Cunningham, candidate for Circuit Court Judge in Oakland County, has an important message for those voting this November: "Flip over the ballot." "A lot [...]Read more about Circuit Court Judge Candidate to Voters: 'Flip Over the Ballot'
Michigan Five to perform at Berman Stage
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – The Michigan Five, featuring some of the most outstanding and creative dance talent from colleges and universities throughout the [...]Read more about Michigan Five to perform at Berman Stage
OU Expands LGBTQIA Awareness, Education Efforts with 'Pride Month'
Oakland University's Pride Week, which celebrates OU's diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity, is expanding this year to include a full month of [...]Read more about OU Expands LGBTQIA Awareness, Education Efforts with 'Pride Month'
CARES honors compassionate artists in World AIDS Day contest
by Jessica Carreras Earlier this month, the Community AIDS Resource and Education Services organization hosted their annual World AIDS Day juried art contest, [...]Read more about CARES honors compassionate artists in World AIDS Day contest
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
Reach OUT
The Michigan Women's Commission is co-sponsoring the Michigan Women's Summit 2005: Challenges to Equity. The Summit is part of an effort by leading women's [...]Read more about Reach OUT
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
Whosoever Ministry Joins United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Selma Massey's journey to ministry was not an easy one. "I was reared as a Christian Scientist, which is not very popular with a lot of people," said [...]Read more about Whosoever Ministry Joins United Church of Christ
Marriage Strengthens Couple's Love During Flint's Water Crisis
BY JIQUANDA JOHNSON Tia and KB Ivory were married on Sept. 23, 2016 in Flint. Photo courtesy of the Ivory couple It's fall 2016 and C'Aira "KB" Ivory realizes [...]Read more about Marriage Strengthens Couple's Love During Flint's Water Crisis
KGLRC Mentorship Program Provides Positive Role Models for LGBTQ Youth
Mentor Jonathan Elyea and mentee Manny Tsang met in 2013 by way of the KGLRC Triangle Mentorship Program. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Elyea As the executive [...]Read more about KGLRC Mentorship Program Provides Positive Role Models for LGBTQ Youth
LGBT Going Back To School, Campus Pride Index, Shame List and More
BY AJ TRAGER It's the first week of school for students in the state and across the country and by Thanksgiving break, many high school students will be [...]Read more about LGBT Going Back To School, Campus Pride Index, Shame List and More
West Michigan 2016 LGBT REACH Awards
BY BTL STAFF KALAMAZOO – The Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center handed out the 2016 REACH awards to six individuals and/or organizations who have excelled [...]Read more about West Michigan 2016 LGBT REACH Awards
Left-Coaster Turned Mitten-Stater: A Rising Star In Theater World
By Amy J. Parrent Theater artist Emilio Rodriguez's story of two teen boys in an LGBT homeless shelter will be included in the Michigan Playwrights' Festival [...]Read more about Left-Coaster Turned Mitten-Stater: A Rising Star In Theater World
Designing Below The Belt
BY AJ TRAGER Jerome Fulton, 28, has returned to Michigan after spending eight years in NYC to launch his first comfy and sexy underwear line designed for the [...]Read more about Designing Below The Belt
StoryCorps To Record LGBT Stories In West Michigan
BY BTL STAFF KALAMAZOO – In partnership with WMUK, a Michigan Public Radio affiliate, and the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center, StoryCorps will [...]Read more about StoryCorps To Record LGBT Stories In West Michigan
WMU Begins New Academic Year With Preferred Name Policy
BY AJ Trager KALAMAZOO – Just in time for the 2015 academic year, Western Michigan University has adopted a preferred name policy that allows students to be [...]Read more about WMU Begins New Academic Year With Preferred Name Policy
Progressive Activist Runs For Kalamazoo City Commission
BY AJ TRAGER KALAMAZOO – Erin Knott, Michigan State Director for Enroll America, has announced her candidacy for the 2015 Kalamazoo City Commission [...]Read more about Progressive Activist Runs For Kalamazoo City Commission
Study To Examine Experiences Of Trans Discrimination In Southwest Michigan
BY AJ TRAGER KALAMAZOO – A Western Michigan University Ph.D. student is seeking participants for dissertation research on transgender people's [...]Read more about Study To Examine Experiences Of Trans Discrimination In Southwest Michigan
Michigan ID Policy Exposes Transgender Men And Women To Risk Of Harassment, Violence
By BTL Staff Two of the six plaintiffs, Codie Stone and Tina Seitz presenting their first statements during the press conference held May 21 at the ACLU of [...]Read more about Michigan ID Policy Exposes Transgender Men And Women To Risk Of Harassment, Violence
Oakland University To Offer Gender Studies Minor
BY BTL STAFF ROCHESTER — A metro Detroit college will soon add an LGBT studies minor to its list of provided course study. Oakland University will add a new [...]Read more about Oakland University To Offer Gender Studies Minor
Live Music And Limber Legs For An LGBT Cause
BY BTL STAFF In order to support the National Marriage Challenge, Ann Arbor's Necto will be hosting a variety show and fundraising event, "S.C.O.T.U.S or [...]Read more about Live Music And Limber Legs For An LGBT Cause
KGLRC Announces 2014 REACH Award Winners
BY BTL STAFF KALAMAZOO – West Michigan LGBT people and allies were recognized at the annual honoring of the REACH Awards. These individuals and groups were [...]Read more about KGLRC Announces 2014 REACH Award Winners
Healthcare Coverage Round Two
By AJ Trager MICHIGAN – The second round of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is about to begin in Michigan, and the campaign "Get Covered [...]Read more about Healthcare Coverage Round Two
WMU To Award LGBT Alumna At Homecoming Event
By AJ Trager KALAMAZOO – In an upcoming Homecoming event, Western Michigan University's (WMU) Pride Alumni Association will honor the work and dedication of [...]Read more about WMU To Award LGBT Alumna At Homecoming Event
Decade Of Changes Buzzes Through Music Revue
By Sue Merrell "Beehive," which runs through Aug. 31, closes the season at Mason Street Warehouse. Photo: MSW "Beehive" at Mason Street Warehouse is buzzing [...]Read more about Decade Of Changes Buzzes Through Music Revue
Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center Appoints New Executive Director
BTL Staff Photo from the KGLRC KALAMAZOO – After a search that started in March, the KGLRC has chosen a new Executive Director to lead the center forward. Jay [...]Read more about Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center Appoints New Executive Director
