Johnny Jenkins
Lessons From Michigan's LGBTQ+ Trailblazers for a New Year
Over the past year, our “Where Are They Now?” series has reconnected readers with some of Michigan’s most influential LGBTQ+ advocates — people who built the [...]Read more about Lessons From Michigan's LGBTQ+ Trailblazers for a New Year
Catching Up With Johnny Jenkins, a Detroit Activist Who Has Devoted Decades to Black LGBTQ+ Advocacy
Johnny Jenkins has spent decades at the forefront of LGBTQ+ advocacy, from navigating the early HIV/AIDS crisis as a young Black gay man in Detroit to helping [...]Read more about Catching Up With Johnny Jenkins, a Detroit Activist Who Has Devoted Decades to Black LGBTQ+ Advocacy
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
Leaving a Legacy: Urvashi Vaid’s Lasting Impact on Michigan’s LGBTQ+ Community
The Michigan LGBTQ+ philanthropy community is in mourning following news that longtime LGBTQ+ activist and philanthropist Urvashi Vaid died at age 63 earlier [...]Read more about Leaving a Legacy: Urvashi Vaid’s Lasting Impact on Michigan’s LGBTQ+ Community
A Renewed Focus on Diversity Shakes Up the Affirmations Board of Directors
Affirmations LGBTQ community center in Ferndale has recently announced the addition of two new board members. Both new members, Brandon Gleaton and Roxanne [...]Read more about A Renewed Focus on Diversity Shakes Up the Affirmations Board of Directors
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
Pugh Hits Rock Bottom in Fall from Grace
DETROIT – Former City Council President Charles Pugh avoided a potentially damaging trial and possible life sentence Wednesday by accepting a deal. Pugh plead [...]Read more about Pugh Hits Rock Bottom in Fall from Grace
LGBT leaders request meeting with Granholm
On Dec. 9, a group of LGBT activists sent the following letter to Governor Jennifer Granholm. They are awaiting a response from her office. Dear Governor [...]Read more about LGBT leaders request meeting with Granholm
Past Presidents Of Hotter Than July Honored At Annual Conference
Johnny Jenkins, Hank Millbourne and Kimberly Jones were recognized for their work as past presidents of Hotter Than July by Curtis Lipscomb, the current [...]Read more about Past Presidents Of Hotter Than July Honored At Annual Conference
Hotter Than July To Celebrate 20 Years Of Black Gay Pride Next Week
DETROIT – The 20th installment of Hotter Than July — Detroit Black Gay Pride — will take place next week. Kevin Griffin, Johnny Jenkins and Curtis Lipscomb [...]Read more about Hotter Than July To Celebrate 20 Years Of Black Gay Pride Next Week
Johnny Jenkins Leaves Affirmations, Opens Dessert Shop
Photo Caption: Johnny Jenkins (right) and his partner Frederick Douglas have started a gourmet dessert business called Creme Detroipolis. (BTL photo: Jason A. [...]Read more about Johnny Jenkins Leaves Affirmations, Opens Dessert Shop
Detroit Leadership Class Welcomes Affirmations' Director Of Programs
By BTL Staff DETROIT – Director of Programs at Affirmations, Johnny Jenkins has been selected to participate in the Detroit Regional Chamber's Leadership [...]Read more about Detroit Leadership Class Welcomes Affirmations' Director Of Programs
Michigan Healthcare Providers Discuss LGBT Focus Initiatives
By AJ Trager FERNDALE – Over 30 healthcare and LGBT professionals from around Metro Detroit met on July 15 at Affirmations to discuss how the healthcare [...]Read more about Michigan Healthcare Providers Discuss LGBT Focus Initiatives
Affirmations Helpline Revamped
The Helpline services are being integrated into the front desk where staff and volunteers can coordinate and more efficiently help people calling in. BTL [...]Read more about Affirmations Helpline Revamped
LGBT Community Center To Offer Alternative High School Program
FERNDALE - Affirmations Community Center is working with Michigan Educational Partnership (MEP) to offer an Alternative High School program beginning this [...]Read more about LGBT Community Center To Offer Alternative High School Program
LGBT Town Hall Meeting at Wayne State
DETROIT – On Jan. 13, Oakland University professor Shea Howell will moderate From Anger to Action, a panel discussion by LGBT community leaders on how to [...]Read more about LGBT Town Hall Meeting at Wayne State
Mission Possible: Spring Bash Keeps Affirmations Moving Forward
From left, Affirmations Community Center Executive Directory David Garcia with staff members Kat LaTosch, Meg Hollowell and Johnny Jenkins with dinner guest. [...]Read more about Mission Possible: Spring Bash Keeps Affirmations Moving Forward
Movement Building: Community Center Network Connects Across Michigan
Executive Directors Dave Garcia and Zach Bauer at the beginning of Hunger For Equality Strike this fall. BTL photo: Andrew Potter With an eye towards progress [...]Read more about Movement Building: Community Center Network Connects Across Michigan
Election Victories Celebrated, Equal Rights In Sight
A large, happy, relieved and celebratory crowd gathered at Affirmations Nov. 6 to watch the returns. They toasted Obama's win together. Photo courtesy of [...]Read more about Election Victories Celebrated, Equal Rights In Sight
100 Days and Still Hungry
Affirmations Executive Director Dave Garcia congratulated and thanked Deb Holbrook who covered six shifts during the 100 day Hungry 4 Equality strike. Photo [...]Read more about 100 Days and Still Hungry
Black Galvanized Sell-Out Crowd at ACLU
12345 DEARBORN – Dustin Lance Black rallied progressives not to settle for crumbs of freedom, but to continue the fight for full equality for everyone. [...]Read more about Black Galvanized Sell-Out Crowd at ACLU
Four Years of Working It Through: Affirmations Releases Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee Report
FERNDALE – After listening to the Oct. 25 presentation from the Affirmations Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee, Kofi Adoma had to speak. With tears in her [...]Read more about Four Years of Working It Through: Affirmations Releases Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee Report
Hungry4Equality Week 3
Monday – Carolun Simmons "We must be taken seriously as a part of our communities. We need more gay people to "come out" and make our voices heard. This [...]Read more about Hungry4Equality Week 3
Hunger Strike Week Two
FERNDALE – "Did you hear about the Hunger Strike at Affirmations?" That question is being asked all over the country, and especially here in Michigan where [...]Read more about Hunger Strike Week Two
Michiganders are Hungry 4 Equality
123456789101112BTL Photos 2-4: Crystal A. Proxmire. BTL Photos 4-12: Andrew Potter FERNDALE – For all Michiganders who are Hungry 4 Equality, now [...]Read more about Michiganders are Hungry 4 Equality
Eleven young leaders emerge
DETROIT – Eleven young people of color are the first wave of graduates of the new KICK LEAD program, which stands for Learn, Educate, Advocate and Drive. [...]Read more about Eleven young leaders emerge
Six month community collage project begun at Affirmations
By Crystal Proxmire FERNDALE – Affirmations will be full of art and love this spring and summer, with a six month community art project called Arts & [...]Read more about Six month community collage project begun at Affirmations
Saved by the Bell
Between LGBT-friendly health-care referrals, free HIV testing, the Transgender Health Fair and the upcoming Project Healthy Living Health Fair there is no [...]Read more about Saved by the Bell
Vigil, film and quilt panels remember those lost to AIDS
FERNDALE – When his partner, Kris Heck, passed away in 2001, Rick Henning of Warren got comfort from making a panel for the AIDS Memorial Quilt in the young [...]Read more about Vigil, film and quilt panels remember those lost to AIDS
Affirmations Relaunched
By Andrea Poteet 12345 It's come a long way from a helpline: With a new executive director, new staff members, expanded hours and exciting new programs, [...]Read more about Affirmations Relaunched
$100K grant to Ruth Ellis Center addresses bullying
by BTL Staff HIGHLAND PARK – The Ruth Ellis Center, one of the nation's three agencies solely dedicated to homeless, runaway and at-risk youth who are [...]Read more about $100K grant to Ruth Ellis Center addresses bullying
Lettman: Detroit is a model for black LGBT future
DETROIT – Sharon Lettman, the new executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, is someone with a clear sense of purpose and vision. She's not [...]Read more about Lettman: Detroit is a model for black LGBT future
Between Ourselves
by Jessica Carreras Reynaldo Magdaleno Reynaldo Magdaleno is the board president of Karibu House and co-director of Detroit Latin@z. The Detroit resident is a [...]Read more about Between Ourselves
Viewpoint: Building our wings
by Mike Coleman "Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down." – Kobi Yamada I had not been familiar with Kobi, and wasn't [...]Read more about Viewpoint: Building our wings
Reflecting on Ruth
Photo: Jason A. Michael This month, Ruth Ellis was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. Also during October, the Ruth Ellis Center celebrates its [...]Read more about Reflecting on Ruth
Arcus gives Triangle $500,000 grant
by Jessica Carreras DETROIT – The LGBT advocacy organization the Triangle Foundation announced on July 21 that it is the recipient of a $500,000 grant from [...]Read more about Arcus gives Triangle $500,000 grant
Town hall: Take 3
DETROIT – The third and final installment of the groundbreaking town hall meetings on homophobia in Detroit is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 15. Like the [...]Read more about Town hall: Take 3
Healing Detroit: Moving from pain, reaching for power
Despite predictions of inclement weather and the stress of holiday shopping, 46 members of Detroit's black LGBT community, representing approximately 18 [...]Read more about Healing Detroit: Moving from pain, reaching for power
Celebrating words: From sexy verses, to new beginnings
By Cornelius A. Fortune Love, sex, politics, music and self-expression will share a mutual stage during EchoVerse Poetry & Slam: "The Rebirth," Nov. 7-8, at [...]Read more about Celebrating words: From sexy verses, to new beginnings
A dream worth achieving'
by Jessica Carreras SOUTHFIELD – It was Mother's Day all over again at the Triangle Foundation's State Dinner. Held Oct. 12 at the Westin of Southfield, the [...]Read more about A dream worth achieving'
Triangle State Dinner to focus on 'Heart of Movement'
This Sunday, Oct. 12, the Triangle Foundation will be holding their annual State Dinner Event. This year's event, held at 1500 Town Center in Southfield, will [...]Read more about Triangle State Dinner to focus on 'Heart of Movement'
Photographer Charlie T shows LGBT community 'Just As We Are'
by Jessica Carreras When Charzette "Charlie T" Torrence first started taking pictures of her friends, she had no idea what it would end up amounting to. But [...]Read more about Photographer Charlie T shows LGBT community 'Just As We Are'
Arcus spearheads change with K-Zoo Racial Justice initiative
By Sarah Mieras A recent Arcus Foundation program is creating new alliances in the struggle to understand and eliminate racial and economic injustice. The [...]Read more about Arcus spearheads change with K-Zoo Racial Justice initiative
TurnOut Detroit seeks to empower unregistered LGBT voters
By Brent Dorian Carpenter FERNDALE – On Saturday, TurnOut Detroit held a training session designed to rally unregistered LGBT voters, educate the public about [...]Read more about TurnOut Detroit seeks to empower unregistered LGBT voters
Celebrity photographer to open exhibit at Affirmations
FERNDALE – Charzette Torrence, Detroit native and renowned portrait photographer, will return to Michigan to present her latest exhibit on April 4 at the [...]Read more about Celebrity photographer to open exhibit at Affirmations
In Pride, June 2007
By Imani Williams Voices from an Urban Bush Sista What an honor it is to congratulate my sister and friend Michelle Brown on being chosen as this year's [...]Read more about In Pride, June 2007
Poetry Slam semi-finals continue this weekend
DETROIT – The Pic-Nap Poetry Series & Slam is presenting its second annual slam invitational this month. The last two semi-finals will take place at the Java [...]Read more about Poetry Slam semi-finals continue this weekend
