Jay Kaplan
All people →All coverage of Jay Kaplan
DOJ Memo Contradicts Michigan's Proposed Anti-Trans School Sports Legislation
Last Month Michigan Sen. Lana Theis, along with 12 Senate Republicans, introduced Senate Bill 218 that would bar transgender students from being able to [...]Read more about DOJ Memo Contradicts Michigan's Proposed Anti-Trans School Sports Legislation
Michigan Attorney General Nessel to Appeal LGBTQ Discrimination Lawsuit
Earlier this month Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher M. Murray heard two cases regarding the denial of services to LGBTQ patrons in light of held [...]Read more about Michigan Attorney General Nessel to Appeal LGBTQ Discrimination Lawsuit
Settlement Reached in Historic Aimee Stephens Case
Aimee Stephens, who died in May at 59 from kidney disease, did not live to see the Supreme Court rule in her favor and decide that she and other LGBTQ people [...]Read more about Settlement Reached in Historic Aimee Stephens Case
First We Grieve, Then We Vote: Jay Kaplan Reflects on the Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Editor's note: This interview was conducted before the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett As staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan's [...]Read more about First We Grieve, Then We Vote: Jay Kaplan Reflects on the Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
It's Not Who We Are': Livonia Mayor Condemns Anti-LGBTQ Signs in Resident's Yard
As the November election gets closer, it's not uncommon to see lawn signs announcing support for preferred political candidates across the state, but when a [...]Read more about It's Not Who We Are': Livonia Mayor Condemns Anti-LGBTQ Signs in Resident's Yard
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Hosts Zoom Town Hall, Urges Community to Flip Ballots Over
A virtual town hall meeting hosted by Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack, who is running for reelection, and Supreme Court candidate [...]Read more about Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Hosts Zoom Town Hall, Urges Community to Flip Ballots Over
Religious Alt-Right Group Targets LGBTQ-Owned Detroit Bakery
Editor's Note: A former version of this piece misstated that attorneys trying the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission were hostile toward [...]Read more about Religious Alt-Right Group Targets LGBTQ-Owned Detroit Bakery
Why It's Legal for Religious Institutions to Discriminate Against LGBTQ Employees — and Why That Might Change
The Ministerial Exception, Explained The separation of church and state, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, has been a subject of debate time and again by the [...]Read more about Why It's Legal for Religious Institutions to Discriminate Against LGBTQ Employees — and Why That Might Change
Michigan LGBTQ Organizations to Host June 18 Virtual Event to Explain Supreme Court Decision
Unexpected Ruling On Thursday, June 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. a virtual rally will be held to celebrate and explain Monday's Supreme Court decision that workplace [...]Read more about Michigan LGBTQ Organizations to Host June 18 Virtual Event to Explain Supreme Court Decision
Michigan Plaintiff Instrumental in Pro-LGBTQ Supreme Court Ruling
In today's historic 6-3 Supreme Court decision, LGBTQ people across the U.S. came one step closer to full equality when justices ruled that workplace sex [...]Read more about Michigan Plaintiff Instrumental in Pro-LGBTQ Supreme Court Ruling
Obituary: Aimee Stephens
Aimee Stephens did not start out wanting to be a warrior for transgender rights. She simply wanted to be Aimee Stephens. When she announced she was transgender [...]Read more about Obituary: Aimee Stephens
ACLU Town Hall Outlines Trump's Anti-LGBTQ Acts
As the 2020 presidential primaries continue and November draws nearer, it's vital for LGBTQ voters to familiarize themselves not only with the pro-LGBTQ [...]Read more about ACLU Town Hall Outlines Trump's Anti-LGBTQ Acts
Secretary of StateJocelynBenson, Trans Advocates Announce Revised Policy for Changing Sex-Indicator on ID
FERNDALE – Today, alongside transgender allies and activists, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that her administration has revised the policy for [...]Read more about Secretary of StateJocelynBenson, Trans Advocates Announce Revised Policy for Changing Sex-Indicator on ID
One-Day Community Ed Event on How to support, embrace and celebrate transgender Youth
Two Michigan organizations are holding a free, one-day event, open to the public, to teach parents/caregivers how to become more affirming and supportive of [...]Read more about One-Day Community Ed Event on How to support, embrace and celebrate transgender Youth
Larkin Neely Pleads Guilty With Mental Illness to Murder of Gay Man Kevin Wirth
LANSING — After two years of uncertainty, last week Larkin Neely reached a plea agreement with the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office for the 2017 murder of [...]Read more about Larkin Neely Pleads Guilty With Mental Illness to Murder of Gay Man Kevin Wirth
3 Perspectives on Marriage (In)Equality Today
Securing a cake, arranging a florist, booking a venue and tailoring day-of wedding outfits are all vital, if stressful, steps in the process to a wedding [...]Read more about 3 Perspectives on Marriage (In)Equality Today
Aimee Stephens Goes to Washington
The ACLU of Michigan hosted a party for their client Aimee Stephens at Affirmations Wednesday, Oct. 2, as she prepared to take her landmark case to the Supreme [...]Read more about Aimee Stephens Goes to Washington
A High-Stakes Fight
Standing on the precipice of the first-ever transgender-specific case to face the Supreme Court of the United States, it'd be understandable if plaintiff Aimee [...]Read more about A High-Stakes Fight
Peter Meijer Bars Drag Syndrome from Tanglefoot Site: Discrimination or Protection?
The Decision What began in Grand Rapids as an effort to promote advocacy of, and conversation about, artists with disabilities has turned into a controversy [...]Read more about Peter Meijer Bars Drag Syndrome from Tanglefoot Site: Discrimination or Protection?
Community Leaders Hold Town Hall on Issues Facing Trans Women of Color
Jey'nce Poindexter Mizrahi has logged a lot of miles traveling across Michigan since starting as Equality Michigan's transgender victim advocate in the fall of [...]Read more about Community Leaders Hold Town Hall on Issues Facing Trans Women of Color
Federal Judge Allows ACLU to Represent LGBTQ Support Group in School Discrimination Case
DETROIT – A federal judge in the Western District of Michigan granted the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan's motion to intervene and represent the [...]Read more about Federal Judge Allows ACLU to Represent LGBTQ Support Group in School Discrimination Case
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
Black Bear Brotherhood, Onyx Great Lakes Chapter, LGBT Detroit Host Community Forum on HIV in Black, Gay Community
Life, love and HIV within the context of the black, gay male experience was the topic of a town hall gathering on Friday, May 17, held at LGBT Detroit's [...]Read more about Black Bear Brotherhood, Onyx Great Lakes Chapter, LGBT Detroit Host Community Forum on HIV in Black, Gay Community
Southern Comfort' at Stagecrafters Takes on 'Love and Understanding'
Robert Eads was 51 when he was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1996. Despite him immediately seeking medical help, more than a dozen medical providers [...]Read more about Southern Comfort' at Stagecrafters Takes on 'Love and Understanding'
Judge Grants More Time for Settlement in Same-Sex Adoption Case
A federal district court judge has granted more time to reach a settlement in a case challenging state taxpayer funding for faith-based foster care and [...]Read more about Judge Grants More Time for Settlement in Same-Sex Adoption Case
Southern Comfort' Auditions at Stagecrafters Second Stage Theatre
Royal Oak's Stagecrafters Second Stage Theatre will be holding auditions for the musical, "Southern Comfort" on Sunday, Jan. 27, and Monday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. [...]Read more about Southern Comfort' Auditions at Stagecrafters Second Stage Theatre
Jay Kaplan Staff Attorney for ACLU of Michigan
In 2018 the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan had a full plate working to defend and advocate for LGBTQ civil rights across the state. Staff [...]Read more about Jay Kaplan Staff Attorney for ACLU of Michigan
Standing Up To Trump
#gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: [...]Read more about Standing Up To Trump
Aimee Stephens to Be Honored at ACLU Annual Dinner
Although her legal battle began in 2013, Aimee Stephens is still fighting for the right not to be fired simply for being transgender. A former employee of R.G. [...]Read more about Aimee Stephens to Be Honored at ACLU Annual Dinner
Michigan ACLU Same-Sex Adoption Services, Foster Care Case Moves Forward
Last week, a federal district court ruled that a challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan against the state of Michigan could go forward. [...]Read more about Michigan ACLU Same-Sex Adoption Services, Foster Care Case Moves Forward
Fourth Annual Stand with Trans Youth Empowerment Workshop
The fourth annual Stand with Trans Youth Empowerment Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 6. The workshop is open to gender expansive young children, trans [...]Read more about Fourth Annual Stand with Trans Youth Empowerment Workshop
Michigan Same-Sex Couples Challenge Adoption Agency Discrimination
Philadelphia Adoption Decision Resounds Nationally This year, it is arguable that Dumont v. Lyon is one of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan's [...]Read more about Michigan Same-Sex Couples Challenge Adoption Agency Discrimination
ACLU of Michigan to Hold LGBTQ Community Forum in Benton Harbor
Benton Harbor, Michigan – On Tuesday, May 1 at 6:00 p.m., Jay Kaplan of the ACLU of Michigan, in partnership with the OutCenter, will hold a free community [...]Read more about ACLU of Michigan to Hold LGBTQ Community Forum in Benton Harbor
Town Losing Time to Appeal Trans Rights Ruling Against Funeral Home
It's been a month since the landmark ruling from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals was decided. The 6th Circuit, which covers Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and [...]Read more about Town Losing Time to Appeal Trans Rights Ruling Against Funeral Home
Joy Geng: LGBTQ Activist
The year was 1991, and long-term plans were being set in motion. The Michigan Organization of Human Rights (MOHR) had created the MOHR Foundation as a separate [...]Read more about Joy Geng: LGBTQ Activist
From Broadway to Birmingham - 'Act One' makes its Michigan Premiere
Birmingham, Mich. – The Village Players of Birmingham opens its fourth production of its 95th season with James Lapine's tribute to a life in the theater: "Act [...]Read more about From Broadway to Birmingham - 'Act One' makes its Michigan Premiere
