Williams Institute
LGBTQ+ Seniors in Michigan Navigate a Housing System That Wasn't Built for Them
America's housing crisis lands hardest on the people least equipped to absorb it. For LGBTQ+ seniors, finding affordable, affirming housing carries stakes [...]Read more about LGBTQ+ Seniors in Michigan Navigate a Housing System That Wasn't Built for Them
Trump Falsely Links Trans People to Terrorism as Community Faces Escalating Threats
This article originally appeared in Uncloseted Media and is republished with permission.In December, Kathy Brennan was in San Francisco on a video call with her [...]Read more about Trump Falsely Links Trans People to Terrorism as Community Faces Escalating Threats
Breaking Barriers to Mental Health Support — Take Action This Suicide Prevention Month
Trigger Warning: This article discusses suicide, suicidal thoughts and mental health crises. If you're experiencing thoughts of suicide, please see crisis [...]Read more about Breaking Barriers to Mental Health Support — Take Action This Suicide Prevention Month
What Is Going on With Sarah McBride?
U.S. Rep. Sarah E. McBride (D - Delaware), is the first openly transgender person elected to the U.S. Congress. A historic and groundbreaking achievement, [...]Read more about What Is Going on With Sarah McBride?
A Mother's Love, A Son's Journey: The Birth of Stand with Trans
In 2013, being a transgender teenager often meant navigating a world of isolation, fear and closed doors. According to the Williams Institute, an estimated [...]Read more about A Mother's Love, A Son's Journey: The Birth of Stand with Trans
Gov. Reeves Tells Transgender Mississippians to Go Cis Themselves
Gov. Tate Reeves and his fellow Republicans want to help the children of Mississippi.This is great news! There are so many choices! So many ways to better the [...]Read more about Gov. Reeves Tells Transgender Mississippians to Go Cis Themselves
House Panel Considers Bills Making It Easier for Transgender Michiganders to Change Their Names
Members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies spoke about the additional costs and indignities a person goes through to change their name in Michigan during [...]Read more about House Panel Considers Bills Making It Easier for Transgender Michiganders to Change Their Names
Transpapers: A Free, Michigan-Made Resource for Trans Empowerment Across the U.S.
Transpapers is more than a free name-change resource. It’s a tool for trans empowerment. Or, as stated by its developers, “almost fully automated trans [...]Read more about Transpapers: A Free, Michigan-Made Resource for Trans Empowerment Across the U.S.
The Impact of 2023 Legislation on Transgender Youth: A Scorecard for Michigan
When Owen Bondono transitioned 15 years ago, he said in some ways it was safer for him back then than it is for his students who are transitioning today.“People [...]Read more about The Impact of 2023 Legislation on Transgender Youth: A Scorecard for Michigan
10 Myths About LGBTQ+ Families
Debunking those nagging stereotypes once and for all.
MiGen Ad Campaign Encourages Older LGBTQ+ Adults to Get Vaccinated Before Summer Fun
MiGen, formerly Sage Metro Detroit, is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get the word out about flu vaccines and Covid boosters [...]Read more about MiGen Ad Campaign Encourages Older LGBTQ+ Adults to Get Vaccinated Before Summer Fun
For Out Pleasant Ridge Mayor, the Road Ahead Is Linked to the Past
Since becoming mayor of Pleasant Ridge in 2021, Bret Scott has married twice, soon to be three times. More precisely, he’s officiated at two weddings. Though [...]Read more about For Out Pleasant Ridge Mayor, the Road Ahead Is Linked to the Past
Michigan’s Trans Community More Visible and More Engaged Than Ever
In some ways, Michigan serves as an example to other states on how to advocate for and protect trans individuals. After all, the state Supreme Court ruled just [...]Read more about Michigan’s Trans Community More Visible and More Engaged Than Ever
Detroit Police Speak Out After Trans Woman Found Shot and Killed on City's East Side
In another horrific attack affecting the LGBTQ+ community, a transgender woman was shot and killed in Detroit on Monday evening. Her body was found on the [...]Read more about Detroit Police Speak Out After Trans Woman Found Shot and Killed on City's East Side
How to Ban Conversion Therapy: It’s Not as Hard as You Might Think
The 2021 Netflix documentary about conversion therapy, “Pray Away,” was a turning point for Doug Booth, a political activist and openly gay man living in Grand [...]Read more about How to Ban Conversion Therapy: It’s Not as Hard as You Might Think
Roe v. Wade Was Just Overturned. Now What?
It is an all-hands-on-deck moment in Michigan and our nation. Today’s opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade should be a siren blaring in [...]Read more about Roe v. Wade Was Just Overturned. Now What?
Housing Cooperatives Offer Safe Living Spaces for Queer Folks, Foster Unique Community
For Marissa Klee-Peregon, 27, Nimblewill Cooperative in Kalamazoo is a space where she can practice interdependence, instead of independence.A cooperative home, [...]Read more about Housing Cooperatives Offer Safe Living Spaces for Queer Folks, Foster Unique Community
National and Michigan-Based Homeless LGBTQ+ Resources
Youth homelessness is a national epidemic, and it's even more so for LGBTQ+ youth. According to the Williams Institute, 20 t0 45 percent of homeless youth [...]Read more about National and Michigan-Based Homeless LGBTQ+ Resources
A Major Step Forward': New Medicaid Policy Will Finally Recognize Gender-Confirming Surgeries as Medically Necessary
Aleisha, a trans woman of color with masculine facial features, has endured decades of suffering. Because her face "outs" her as a transgender woman, she's had [...]Read more about A Major Step Forward': New Medicaid Policy Will Finally Recognize Gender-Confirming Surgeries as Medically Necessary
The LGBTQ+ Generational Wealth Gap Is a Serious Issue. If You're Queer, Here's Why You Should Be Concerned.
It's no secret that LGBTQ+ people face a range of financial challenges that heterosexual people simply don't need to contend with. Less discussed are the [...]Read more about The LGBTQ+ Generational Wealth Gap Is a Serious Issue. If You're Queer, Here's Why You Should Be Concerned.
Study Finds High LGBQ Police Interactions, but Trainings, Community Relationships Could Help
The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law has found that LGBQ people have more interactions with the police than the general public according to their new [...]Read more about Study Finds High LGBQ Police Interactions, but Trainings, Community Relationships Could Help
Mombian: 2020 LGBTQ Parenting Year in Review
In a year like no other, LGBTQ families, like all others, struggled with the physical, mental and economic challenges of the pandemic. And with children of [...]Read more about Mombian: 2020 LGBTQ Parenting Year in Review
Election Night LGBTQ Hour-By-Hour Breakdown
It's a good bet that many LGBTQ people will be glued to their social media and news venues on Nov. 3. The Williams Institute, an LGBTQ think tank at UCLA, [...]Read more about Election Night LGBTQ Hour-By-Hour Breakdown
Fair Michigan Launches LGBTQ Voter Participation Initiative
Fair Michigan is a nonprofit LGBTQ advocacy organization that works to secure equal rights protections under the law based on sexual orientation, sex, gender [...]Read more about Fair Michigan Launches LGBTQ Voter Participation Initiative
Study Finds that Trans Women at Highest Risk for HIV/AIDS are Least Likely to Use PrEP
Since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2012, pre-exposure prophylaxis, more commonly known as PrEP, has been proven to be an effective [...]Read more about Study Finds that Trans Women at Highest Risk for HIV/AIDS are Least Likely to Use PrEP
LGBT Detroit Addresses Intimate Partner Violence and Healthy Relationships Amid Pandemic
Increased Risk Stay-at-home orders designed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus have had some unintended victims: namely, those at risk of intimate [...]Read more about LGBT Detroit Addresses Intimate Partner Violence and Healthy Relationships Amid Pandemic
Donating Blood in the Time of Coronavirus: Activists Say Gay Men Still Face Discrimination
The Need is Great Only about 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood. That's because of various restrictions like age and physical health [...]Read more about Donating Blood in the Time of Coronavirus: Activists Say Gay Men Still Face Discrimination
Over 300,000 Transgender People at Heightened Risk for COVID-19
It's no secret that the health impacts of the new coronavirus are not yet fully understood. In fact, it's still uncertain what makes different populations more [...]Read more about Over 300,000 Transgender People at Heightened Risk for COVID-19
Corktown's LGBTQ Health Survey Reveals Alarming Needs
By Patrick Yankee DETROIT – March 23 through 29 is LGBT Health Awareness Week, the perfect time to bring attention to the cycle of discrimination and health [...]Read more about Corktown's LGBTQ Health Survey Reveals Alarming Needs
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes Talks Voter Outreach
Sobering Statistic Despite major pushes to encourage voter turnout, a statistic that might alarm LGBTQ activists is that 21 percent of LGBTQ adults are not [...]Read more about Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes Talks Voter Outreach
Tenn. Governor Signs Anti-LGBTQ Adoption Bill Into Law
Gov. Bill Lee (R-Tenn.) has signed into law an anti-LGBTQ adoption bill. (Photo by Lynn Freeny via Flickr) Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed legislation [...]Read more about Tenn. Governor Signs Anti-LGBTQ Adoption Bill Into Law
Data at Forefront of Congressional Hearing on Anti-LGBT Bias in Housing, Credit
As LGBT rights advocates continue to press the Equality Act to ban anti-LGBT discrimination, data was at the forefront of a congressional hearing Tuesday as [...]Read more about Data at Forefront of Congressional Hearing on Anti-LGBT Bias in Housing, Credit
Lawsuit Prompts Decision to Repeal NYC Conversion Therapy Ban
Corey Johnson, the openly gay Speaker of the New York City Council, introduced a bill on Thursday to repeal a law the Council passed in 2017 that prohibits [...]Read more about Lawsuit Prompts Decision to Repeal NYC Conversion Therapy Ban
Let's End Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination in Michigan
Summer just ended in Michigan; it's a bittersweet time. The season is an opportunity to celebrate how far LGBTQ people have come and a reminder of how far we [...]Read more about Let's End Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination in Michigan
Whitmerjoins LGBTQ Caucus Call to Expand Elliott-Larsen Protections
LANSING — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, along with Sen. Jeremy Moss (D–Southfield), and Reps. Jon Hoadley (D–Kalamazoo) and Tim Sneller (D–Burton) — members of [...]Read more about Whitmerjoins LGBTQ Caucus Call to Expand Elliott-Larsen Protections
LGBT People Urged to Be Counted in 2020 U.S. Census
The D.C.-based National LGBTQ Task Force was part of a coalition of more than 15 national civil rights and progressive advocacy groups that launched a campaign [...]Read more about LGBT People Urged to Be Counted in 2020 U.S. Census
DOD Unveils Plan to Initiate Trump Transgender Policy on April 12
With court orders barring President Trump from enforcing his transgender military ban out of the way, the Defense Department late Tuesday unveiled its plan to [...]Read more about DOD Unveils Plan to Initiate Trump Transgender Policy on April 12
Transgender Troops to Attend State of the Union as Trump Pursues Ban
As the Trump administration pursues a transgender military ban, at least four lawmakers have invited transgender people with records of military service to [...]Read more about Transgender Troops to Attend State of the Union as Trump Pursues Ban
Anti-LGBT Petitions Before Supreme Court Could Make for Dire Term
A number of anti-LGBT petitions are before the U.S. Supreme Court, although legal experts say adjudication of these cases — if justices agree to take them up — [...]Read more about Anti-LGBT Petitions Before Supreme Court Could Make for Dire Term
Massachusetts Rejects Effort to Undo Transgender Non-Discrimination Law
Transgender advocates achieved a key victory Tuesday night when voters in Massachusetts agreed to uphold a transgender non-discrimination law anti-LGBT groups [...]Read more about Massachusetts Rejects Effort to Undo Transgender Non-Discrimination Law
Michigan Outscores National Average in HRC Municipal Equality Index
Last month the Human Rights Campaign recognized Michigan as high above the national average in its annual Municipal Equality Index. The state earned 73 out of [...]Read more about Michigan Outscores National Average in HRC Municipal Equality Index
What's at Stake for LGBT Americans on Election Day
As voters head to the polls on Nov. 6 for the 2018 mid-term elections, they will decide a number of races (and one ballot question) that will directly impact [...]Read more about What's at Stake for LGBT Americans on Election Day
DHS Public Charge Proposal Could Affect LGBTQ Community
On Wednesday, Oct. 10, the Department of Homeland Security published a new regulatory proposal that will make it much more difficult for immigrants with [...]Read more about DHS Public Charge Proposal Could Affect LGBTQ Community
Massachusetts Anti-trans Ad Renews Fear-Mongering Over Bathroom Use
The campaign in Massachusetts seeking to repeal a law barring discrimination against transgender people in public accommodations is resorting to old tactics of [...]Read more about Massachusetts Anti-trans Ad Renews Fear-Mongering Over Bathroom Use
Is Marriage in Danger with Kennedy Gone from Supreme Court?
After announcing his retirement following 30 years on the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy leaves a profound legacy in favor of gay [...]Read more about Is Marriage in Danger with Kennedy Gone from Supreme Court?
Supreme Court Sidesteps Major Ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop Case
The U.S. Supreme Court sidestepped a major decision Monday in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, issuing a narrow decision based on the facts of the lawsuit in [...]Read more about Supreme Court Sidesteps Major Ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop Case
CDC Denies LGBT Questions Removed from Federal Health Survey
Despite a report the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention had removed LGBT questions from a federal health survey, the agency insists no decision has been [...]Read more about CDC Denies LGBT Questions Removed from Federal Health Survey
