Jan Stevenson
All people →
How Between The Lines Carries Forward Michigan's Rich Queer Press History
Long before Between The Lines became Michigan's leading LGBTQ+ publication, Metro Detroit had a rich tradition of queer journalism spanning more than five [...]Read more about How Between The Lines Carries Forward Michigan's Rich Queer Press History
Catching Up with Leslie Ann Norlin-Thompson, Longest-Serving Executive Director of Affirmations
Our "Where Are They Now?" series will get you up-to-date on the lives of LGBTQ+ community advocates who have contributed to Michigan with years of [...]Read more about Catching Up with Leslie Ann Norlin-Thompson, Longest-Serving Executive Director of Affirmations
As Affirmations Turns 35, Hope and Dynamic Support Remain at the Center
On the bustling corner of Nine Mile and Allen Street in the heart of Ferndale, a block from Woodward, sits the cheerful, brightly lit headquarters of [...]Read more about As Affirmations Turns 35, Hope and Dynamic Support Remain at the Center
25 and Out!
I am 52 years old and incredibly corny. As I write this, my final column, I keep hearing television variety show sign-off songs in my head, whether it’s Carol [...]Read more about 25 and Out!
Community Tributes Pour in for Mary Sappington, Longtime Publisher of Queer Nightlife Magazine Metra
For over 40 years she told us where to find the best in queer nightlife in metro Detroit, Northern Ohio and Windsor. Mary Sappington, who died Jan. 14 at age [...]Read more about Community Tributes Pour in for Mary Sappington, Longtime Publisher of Queer Nightlife Magazine Metra
Would Martin Luther King, Jr. Have Become an LGBTQ+ Advocate? His Daughter Yolanda King Thought So.
Preserving and recording Black history has always been important to me. In fact, back in 1999, it was a series I did on Black History Month for Wayne State [...]Read more about Would Martin Luther King, Jr. Have Become an LGBTQ+ Advocate? His Daughter Yolanda King Thought So.
Former Pride Source Publisher Survived Cancer With Her Wife By Her Side. Now Comes True Retirement.
Ringing the bell after her final chemotherapy infusion was a long-anticipated moment for Susan Horowitz, one that signaled the end of 19 weeks of grueling [...]Read more about Former Pride Source Publisher Survived Cancer With Her Wife By Her Side. Now Comes True Retirement.
Why LGBTQ+ Advocate Judy Lewis Has Dedicated Her Career to Helping Michigan's Older LGBTQ+ Community
This article is part of the News is Out “Out and Aging” series, made possible with support from AARP.Longtime queer community advocate and all-around rockstar [...]Read more about Why LGBTQ+ Advocate Judy Lewis Has Dedicated Her Career to Helping Michigan's Older LGBTQ+ Community
March 16, 2006: Affirmative Action, Women’s Rights and Images
The poem serves as an intentional call to action for women to recognize their potential, follow their dreams and embrace and garner enough self-love to pass
Aug. 22, 2002: A ‘Wilde’ Celebration Planned for Local Theater Community
While a handful of theaters embraced our coverage from the beginning, others did not.
Final Show For Late Artist, Pride Source/Between The Lines Columnist to Open This Week
He left us in December but his memory will always linger on in metro Detroit’s queer community.The work of artist and longtime Between The Lines columnist [...]Read more about Final Show For Late Artist, Pride Source/Between The Lines Columnist to Open This Week
The Year of Opal
It is with humility, pride and a bit of awe that I celebrate my 24th year with Between The Lines and Pride Source this month. The traditional theme for a 24th [...]Read more about The Year of Opal
The Complete Timeline of LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Expansion in Michigan, 50 Years in the Making
Pop open the Champagne and sparkling juice. The day so many in the LGBTQ+ community tirelessly battled for has arrived. Gov. Whitmer has made good on her [...]Read more about The Complete Timeline of LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Expansion in Michigan, 50 Years in the Making
Photographer Charzette Torrence, Dead at 59, Helped Shape the Visual Image of Black Queerness in Detroit
Whether she was photographing national LGBTQ+ figures like Ellen DeGeneres or people in her local Michigan community, Charzette Torrence used her unique eye to [...]Read more about Photographer Charzette Torrence, Dead at 59, Helped Shape the Visual Image of Black Queerness in Detroit
Brother Thomas Zerafa, Activist for LGBTQ+ and Numerous Progressive Causes, Dies at Age 71
This year, Brother Thomas R. Zerafa, activist and prolific volunteer for LGBTQ+ and numerous progressive causes, would have celebrated his 50thanniversary of [...]Read more about Brother Thomas Zerafa, Activist for LGBTQ+ and Numerous Progressive Causes, Dies at Age 71
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
Charles Alexander, Beloved Michigan Writer and Artist, Leaves Behind Enormous Impact on Local LGBTQ+ Community
Longtime Pride Source and Between The Lines columnist Charles Robert Alexander, also a beloved artist and community activist, died Dec. 10 following a brief [...]Read more about Charles Alexander, Beloved Michigan Writer and Artist, Leaves Behind Enormous Impact on Local LGBTQ+ Community
In Praise of Finding Comfort Within Queer Found Family After Club Q Tragedy
Just ahead of the 2018 midterms, I was attending a GOTV prep meeting for Mallory McMorrow’s first state Senate campaign when I received a text from my sister’s [...]Read more about In Praise of Finding Comfort Within Queer Found Family After Club Q Tragedy
Tom Giuseppe, Dead at 79, Invested in LGBTQ+ Media and Influenced Michigan's Queer Bar Scene
He ended up a controversial figure but was popular and beloved at his peak. Tom Giuseppe, former owner of the nightclubs Backstreet in Detroit and Cobalt in [...]Read more about Tom Giuseppe, Dead at 79, Invested in LGBTQ+ Media and Influenced Michigan's Queer Bar Scene
Michigan State Sen. Mallory McMorrow Doesn't Hold Back at Affirmations Wine Party: 'They F*cked With the Wrong Mom'
Affirmations LGBTQ+ community center in Ferndale welcomed a crowd of over 250 to their annual Wine Party — the first since the pandemic — on Saturday, April 30. [...]Read more about Michigan State Sen. Mallory McMorrow Doesn't Hold Back at Affirmations Wine Party: 'They F*cked With the Wrong Mom'
Remembering Treva Bell Bass, Detroit Radio Mogul and LGBTQ+ Philanthropist
Treva Bell Bass, who died November 8, was born into one of the most prominent and well-respected African American families in Detroit. Bass made her entrance [...]Read more about Remembering Treva Bell Bass, Detroit Radio Mogul and LGBTQ+ Philanthropist
Affirmations Telethon and Funding Campaign Raises $115,000, Jay Kaplan Wins Jan Stevenson Award
In just two months, Affirmations, the LGBTQ+ community center based in Ferndale, raised $115,000 during its annual Affirmation Pride Fundraising Campaign. The [...]Read more about Affirmations Telethon and Funding Campaign Raises $115,000, Jay Kaplan Wins Jan Stevenson Award
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
Chris Azzopardi Named Editorial Director at Pride Source Media Group
After serving as Pride Source Media Group's Entertainment Editor and the Editor of Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has been [...]Read more about Chris Azzopardi Named Editorial Director at Pride Source Media Group
Parting Glances: A 135-Year-Old Request Fulfilled
I celebrated the return of Spring three weeks ago by helping to fulfill a 135-year-old request by America's beloved poet, Emily Dickinson (1830-1886). That [...]Read more about Parting Glances: A 135-Year-Old Request Fulfilled
LGBT Detroit Honors Former BTL Co-Publishers Jan Stevenson, Susan Horowitz
It was a fitting farewell. LGBT Detroit honored former Between The Lines publishers Susan Horowitz and Jan Stevenson with the agency's 2021 Women's Herstory [...]Read more about LGBT Detroit Honors Former BTL Co-Publishers Jan Stevenson, Susan Horowitz
Letter from the Publisher: A Legacy to Carry On
I first met Jan Stevenson and Susan Horowitz while serving them a plate of pasta with a rainbow Pride bracelet around my wrist. I was working at Noodles & [...]Read more about Letter from the Publisher: A Legacy to Carry On
700 PGs later
I started writing my Parting Glances column in 1999. Its premise was simple enough: choose an important LGB — and occasionally T — historical event that [...]Read more about 700 PGs later
New Publisher Takes Over BTL Newspaper and PrideSource.com, Jan Stevenson and Susan Horowitz to Retire
FARMINGTON HILLS – As of Jan. 1, 2021, Between The Lines and all associated publishing media products have a new publisher. Benjamin Jenkins of Ann Arbor has [...]Read more about New Publisher Takes Over BTL Newspaper and PrideSource.com, Jan Stevenson and Susan Horowitz to Retire
BTL Publishers Urge Republican Sen. Mike Shirkey and Rep. Lee Chatfield not to Attend the White House
As national election results continue to come in President-Elect Joe Biden's favor, Republicans across the U.S. have continued to dispute electoral votes in [...]Read more about BTL Publishers Urge Republican Sen. Mike Shirkey and Rep. Lee Chatfield not to Attend the White House
LGBT Detroit Co-Hosts Voting Event with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, BTL Publisher Jan Stevenson
Voting in any election is an important display of civic duty, but in regard to LGBTQ equality, the upcoming presidential election in November could have [...]Read more about LGBT Detroit Co-Hosts Voting Event with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, BTL Publisher Jan Stevenson
LGBT Detroit to Co-Host Virtual Voting Event Sept. 24 With Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, BTL Publisher Jan Stevenson
Voting in any election is an important display of civic duty, but in regard to LGBTQ equality, the upcoming presidential election in November could have [...]Read more about LGBT Detroit to Co-Host Virtual Voting Event Sept. 24 With Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, BTL Publisher Jan Stevenson
Affirmations LGBTQ Center Debuts Online Store, Offers Unique Logo-Branded Items
Affirmations LGBTQ community center in Ferndale has opened an online store featuring an assortment of merchandise with its logo and branding. The store is a [...]Read more about Affirmations LGBTQ Center Debuts Online Store, Offers Unique Logo-Branded Items
BTL Awarded $100,000 From Facebook
LIVONIA – On May 8, Between The Lines received a $100,000 grant from Facebook to support the paper's coverage of the coronavirus pandemic's impact on [...]Read more about BTL Awarded $100,000 From Facebook
Go Comedy! Improv Theater Interviews BTL Co-Publisher Jan Stevenson
As part of its LGBTQ True Colors series, the Go Comedy! Improv Theater has over the past several months collaborated with Between The Lines contributors and [...]Read more about Go Comedy! Improv Theater Interviews BTL Co-Publisher Jan Stevenson
Obituary: Brent Dorian Carpenter
April 19, 1964 – March 23, 2020 Author Brent Dorian Carpenter, a former reporter and columnist for Between The Lines, died March 23 from complications from [...]Read more about Obituary: Brent Dorian Carpenter
2020 Initiative to Amend Elliott-Larsen: Key Community Members Weigh Challenges
The History Five years ago, a ballot committee named Fair Michigan and headed by then-attorney Dana Nessel sought to amend Michigan's Constitution to ensure [...]Read more about 2020 Initiative to Amend Elliott-Larsen: Key Community Members Weigh Challenges
Happy Holidays and Some News from BTL
By Publishers Jan Stevenson and Susan Horowitz As we approach the holiday season we are excited to share with you our plans for the coming year. After 26 years [...]Read more about Happy Holidays and Some News from BTL
Affirmations board passes $750K budget for 2020
The Affirmations Board of Directors, with new interim president Cheryl Czach helming her first regular meeting Dec. 4, passed a proposed 2020 center budget. [...]Read more about Affirmations board passes $750K budget for 2020
Hundreds Flood Affirmations' Pitmann-Puckett Gallery to Celebrate the Life and Works of Gay Artist Charles Alexander
An overflowing crowd of hundreds filled the Pittmann-Puckett Gallery at the Affirmations LGBTQ center in Ferndale on Sunday. The occasion: a celebration of the [...]Read more about Hundreds Flood Affirmations' Pitmann-Puckett Gallery to Celebrate the Life and Works of Gay Artist Charles Alexander
28 Years and Counting
Though Affirmations has been helped by many dedicated volunteers over the years, ones like Vy Reed are few and far between. Started in 1989, the Ferndale-based [...]Read more about 28 Years and Counting
Apple Ads Fall Far From the LGBT Tree
By Scott Stiffler We buy their phones, wear their watches, and use their products to drive our businesses—but finding their iconic ads in the pages of your [...]Read more about Apple Ads Fall Far From the LGBT Tree
Mission Equality: Mission Accomplished
Equality All-Stars It may have been Friday the 13th, but the Equality Michigan Fall Reception was not the least bit unlucky for EQMI that night. With 400 in [...]Read more about Mission Equality: Mission Accomplished
A Life Well Lived'
At this point in his life, Charles Alexander is a venerable institution in Detroit's LGBTQ community. A look at the 83-year-old artist and activist's [...]Read more about A Life Well Lived'
A Look at Equality Michigan's Fall Reception
Equality Michigan's fall reception will take place Friday, Sept. 13 at the Roostertail in Detroit. The theme of this year's reception is Mission Equality. "We [...]Read more about A Look at Equality Michigan's Fall Reception
Flagstar Bank's Beth Correa 'On The Menu' at LGBTQ Chamber's New Business Breakfast Speaker Series
Beth Correa, SVP and Director of Corporate Responsibility at Flagstar Bank, knows a lot about how big businesses respond to their LGBTQ employees and [...]Read more about Flagstar Bank's Beth Correa 'On The Menu' at LGBTQ Chamber's New Business Breakfast Speaker Series
SAGE talks about multigenerational community building at 9th annual Older Adult Summit
In a new location inside the Education Building on Wayne State University's main campus, the 9th annual SAGE Metro Detroit Older Adult Summit drew a crowd of [...]Read more about SAGE talks about multigenerational community building at 9th annual Older Adult Summit
