Judy Garland
Out Loud Chorus Celebrates 30 Years With a Trip Down The Yellow Brick Road
There's something about singing together that creates magic. For Out Loud Chorus, that magic has been building for three decades, and this weekend [...]Read more about Out Loud Chorus Celebrates 30 Years With a Trip Down The Yellow Brick Road
University of Michigan's 'Our Oz' Reimagines a Classic with a Trans Lion and a Queer Cast
Actors are often asked to leave behind their own identities and lose themselves in a character of someone else’s creation.But at the University of Michigan [...]Read more about University of Michigan's 'Our Oz' Reimagines a Classic with a Trans Lion and a Queer Cast
Michigan Husbands Become Second Same-Sex Couple to Ever Compete During Sweethearts Week on 'Wheel of Fortune'
“Wheel of Fortune” has been part of the evening routine for local couple Greg Ruvolo and Tom Bayer throughout their 18-year relationship and six years of [...]Read more about Michigan Husbands Become Second Same-Sex Couple to Ever Compete During Sweethearts Week on 'Wheel of Fortune'
Brandon Scott Jones Just Wants to Help Queer Youth Feel Seen
This year, Brandon Scott Jones is showing up in the most random of places. There’s his series regular role in “Ghosts,” portraying the spirit of American [...]Read more about Brandon Scott Jones Just Wants to Help Queer Youth Feel Seen
How Angela Lansbury's Death Is a Reminder That Our Beloved Gay Icons Live On in Their Legacies
Dame Angela Lansbury has died. Just days shy of her 97th birthday, the legendary lady of stage, screen and television took her final bow Tuesday. The proud gay [...]Read more about How Angela Lansbury's Death Is a Reminder That Our Beloved Gay Icons Live On in Their Legacies
Did Judy Garland's Death Really Cause Stonewall? Was There Even a Brick? Sorting Stubborn Myths from Reality
For years, people have debated what actually happened that night in June 1969 when the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City was raided and a new, [...]Read more about Did Judy Garland's Death Really Cause Stonewall? Was There Even a Brick? Sorting Stubborn Myths from Reality
5 Queer Things You Can Do Right Now: Judy Garland, Brandi Carlile, Drag Brunch and More
Whether you're settling in for the night or planning for a day on the town, there's music to be heard and queers to be found. That was a bad attempt at some [...]Read more about 5 Queer Things You Can Do Right Now: Judy Garland, Brandi Carlile, Drag Brunch and More
5 Queer Things You Can Do Right Now: Madonna, Bathroom Breaks and More
As cooped up as we've been all year, it's easy to feel like you've watched everything your streaming services have to offer. And who knows? Maybe you've gotten [...]Read more about 5 Queer Things You Can Do Right Now: Madonna, Bathroom Breaks and More
Rufus Wainwright Reflects on His 'Funny Little Boy' Past. And Looks Ahead to a Possible Grammy Win.
It all started with Rufus Wainwright in his bathrobe. The crooner, at the forefront of virtual pandemic performances in March 2020, performed a song a day at [...]Read more about Rufus Wainwright Reflects on His 'Funny Little Boy' Past. And Looks Ahead to a Possible Grammy Win.
Parting Glances: A CT Black History Remembrance
As an emerging gay teenager, I attended Cass Technical High School where I was fortunate to soon discover there were others like myself in the process of [...]Read more about Parting Glances: A CT Black History Remembrance
Jamie Lee Curtis Talks LGBTQ Compassion, Why She Became an Ally & the True Gay Icon of 'Knives Out'
Thirteen minutes with Jamie Lee Curtis was not quite enough time to find out why, even though it was "very important to me" to investigate the sexuality of one [...]Read more about Jamie Lee Curtis Talks LGBTQ Compassion, Why She Became an Ally & the True Gay Icon of 'Knives Out'
Parting Glances: In drag for Jesus, Lady T and Chance
GATORADE, Ariz.: I'm a skeptic concerning things supernatural; but the wonder-working weekend I spend reporting for BTL on the Drag Queens for Jesus confab is, [...]Read more about Parting Glances: In drag for Jesus, Lady T and Chance
Q&A: Dionne Warwick On Recently Learning About Auto-Tune, Her Friend Aretha & Not Judging Gay Fans
Dionne Warwick has laughs like no other. The memory-laden laugh for explaining, despite popular opinion, her friendship with Aretha Franklin; another for her [...]Read more about Q&A: Dionne Warwick On Recently Learning About Auto-Tune, Her Friend Aretha & Not Judging Gay Fans
Parting Glances: Black Gay Detroit Friends (Pt. 2)
The year I graduated as a commercial art major from Detroit's prestigious Cass Technical High School I did not attend my senior prom. As a gay male I had no [...]Read more about Parting Glances: Black Gay Detroit Friends (Pt. 2)
Viola Davis Talks Journey to LGBTQ Acceptance, Finding Her Power & Why Her Favorite Role Was As a Man
Viola Davis taps my hand when she really means what she says. Each time the actress reaches over to make contact, the big bar in the big skyscraper in big [...]Read more about Viola Davis Talks Journey to LGBTQ Acceptance, Finding Her Power & Why Her Favorite Role Was As a Man
UMS Explores the Comfort Zone with Three-Week Theatre Festival
Going out of one's comfort zone is never easy. Sometimes, it can even be difficult to find a productive way of doing that in daily life, but what is true about [...]Read more about UMS Explores the Comfort Zone with Three-Week Theatre Festival
Deep Inside Hollywood
By Romeo San Vicente Jane Lynch. Photo: KathClick Sara Ramirez moves to 'Madam' Hey, all you "Madam Secretary" fans: Did Bebe Neuwirth shake your Sunday [...]Read more about Deep Inside Hollywood
Creep of the Week: James Rutz
There are plenty of theories out there about what makes kids gay: over bearing mothers or fathers, early exposure to show tunes, letting girls wear pants. [...]Read more about Creep of the Week: James Rutz
Parting Glances: LGBT-Q Lining Memory Lane
I was in the Sunday habit, a few years back, of taking a suburban bus to Birmingham. Riding with me were regulars, most of whom were off to church, or gave [...]Read more about Parting Glances: LGBT-Q Lining Memory Lane
Stonewall Rebellion: It Wasn't Judy!
BY PERRY BRASS, LGBT HISTORY PROJECT Many things have been said and written about "Stonewall," the historic confrontation in June 1969 after a police raid at [...]Read more about Stonewall Rebellion: It Wasn't Judy!
Parting Glances: A Very Modest Demand for Governing Recognition
FORM REQUEST: We, the undersigned, do hereby petition the Michigan State House of Representatives and Senate to confer Honorary Second Class Citizenship on [...]Read more about Parting Glances: A Very Modest Demand for Governing Recognition
Screen Queen: Best Picture Winner 'Moonlight' & John Waters' 'Multiple Maniacs'
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Perhaps you stumbled onto the acclaimed, queer mind of Spanish auteur Pedro Almodovar via his latest work, 2016's [...]Read more about Screen Queen: Best Picture Winner 'Moonlight' & John Waters' 'Multiple Maniacs'
Parting Glances: Detroit's Black History Month Celeb
When Detroit-born, Cass Tech graduate Bernard Johnson died, age 60 in 1997, the New York Times carried a quarter-page obit celebrating his life as "a [...]Read more about Parting Glances: Detroit's Black History Month Celeb
Deep Inside Hollywood
By Romeo San Vicente Jennifer Jason Leigh, is set to co-star in the Maybury film "The Jacket." © 2003 Screen Gems Inc. Not a straight 'Jacket' Daring queer [...]Read more about Deep Inside Hollywood
Meryl Streep to Be Honored With Major LGBT Award
BY BTL STAFF Meryl Streep in 'The Devil Wears Prada' From The Hollywood Reporter: The actress' resume features some of the most essential films in the gay [...]Read more about Meryl Streep to Be Honored With Major LGBT Award
Parting Glances: Chance and Dr. J Go Drag
GATORADE, Ariz. – I'm a skeptic concerning things supernatural, but the wonder-working weekend I spend BTL-reporting on the Drag Queens for Jesus Halloween [...]Read more about Parting Glances: Chance and Dr. J Go Drag
Idina Menzel on Working Toward LGBT Icon Status, a Lesbian Elsa & Angry Gays Who Oppose Her 'Beaches' Remake
Photo: Max Vadukul Though it arrives nearly 20 years after her debut album, the timing couldn't be more perfect for a self-titled Idina Menzel release. [...]Read more about Idina Menzel on Working Toward LGBT Icon Status, a Lesbian Elsa & Angry Gays Who Oppose Her 'Beaches' Remake
Parting Glances: My Black History CT Remembrance
When Detroit-born, Cass Tech graduate Bernard Johnson died, age 60 in 1997, the New York Times carried a quarter-page obit celebrating his life as "a [...]Read more about Parting Glances: My Black History CT Remembrance
Audience Definitely 'Buying' What Ringwald is 'Cellaring'
By Tanya Gazdik You've got to really like someone to spend nearly two solid hours with them talking to you. Thankfully, Richard Payton is instantly likeable in [...]Read more about Audience Definitely 'Buying' What Ringwald is 'Cellaring'
Q&A: Isabella Rossellini On 'Joy,' Drag & When She Knew 'Death Becomes Her' Was a Gay Film ('Within Months')
Isabella Rossellini is leading me into the light. There, in front of an almost full-wall window in a hotel suite at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in New York [...]Read more about Q&A: Isabella Rossellini On 'Joy,' Drag & When She Knew 'Death Becomes Her' Was a Gay Film ('Within Months')
The Frivolist: Mr. Manners: 9 Ways NOT to Come Out at Holiday Time
Last year, I wrote a rather pointed column for the Frivolist called "9 Reasons Why Coming Out on a Holiday Isn't a Good Idea," which detailed the consequences [...]Read more about The Frivolist: Mr. Manners: 9 Ways NOT to Come Out at Holiday Time
You'll be smiling at Meadow Brook Theatre
In the final moments of "Beyond the Rainbow" at Meadow Brook Theatre, Judy Garland sits alone on an edge of the Carnegie Hall stage. A single spotlight draws [...]Read more about You'll be smiling at Meadow Brook Theatre
Boy George Talks Culture Club Comeback, 'Stupid' Madonna / Gaga Rivalry & How Trans Community Is Still Overlooked Despite Caitlyn Jenner
Photo: Dean Stockings The falsetto is gone. When Boy George sings now, a rich tone resounds. He refers to it as "the voice of experience." The voice, once [...]Read more about Boy George Talks Culture Club Comeback, 'Stupid' Madonna / Gaga Rivalry & How Trans Community Is Still Overlooked Despite Caitlyn Jenner
Little Bigger Than A Metronome Minute'
When Detroit-born, Cass Tech graduate Bernard Johnson died of pneumonia in January 1997 at age 60, the New York Times carried a quarter-page obit celebrating [...]Read more about Little Bigger Than A Metronome Minute'
Oz' Could Use More Imagination
By Jenn McKee Danielle Wade as Dorothy, Jamie McKnight as Scarecrow, Lee MacDougall as Lion, Mike Jackson as Tin Man. Photo: Cylla Von Tiedemann Theater magic [...]Read more about Oz' Could Use More Imagination
The Untold Story Of Elaine Stritch: An Intimate Portrait
A vase of lilies sits amidst medical paraphernalia used to keep Elaine Stritch's diabetes in check. Her caretaker has just arranged the flowers and set them [...]Read more about The Untold Story Of Elaine Stritch: An Intimate Portrait
Lea Michele Q&A On Playing Lesbian, Being Called 'Diva' & Cory Monteith's Gay Legacy
"No personal questions" is the caveat before getting on the phone with Lea Michele, TV's Rachel Berry. It's an acceptable exception given the "Glee" star's [...]Read more about Lea Michele Q&A On Playing Lesbian, Being Called 'Diva' & Cory Monteith's Gay Legacy
Jennifer Holliday On The Career She Never Had, Drag Queen Backlash & Death Threats
Jennifer Holliday wants to clear something up: When she performed her signature song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," on "American Idol," those facial [...]Read more about Jennifer Holliday On The Career She Never Had, Drag Queen Backlash & Death Threats
Hear Me Out: Top 10 of '13
10. Arcade Fire, 'Reflektor' Winning the big daddy of Grammys for "The Suburbs" didn't just change Arcade Fire's career - an Album of the Year trophy will do [...]Read more about Hear Me Out: Top 10 of '13
Literature And Bookstores In LGBT And American Culture
By Keith Orr Years ago, as a younger gay man, I remember walking by Common Language Bookstore. At the time it was a new store, owned and operated by two [...]Read more about Literature And Bookstores In LGBT And American Culture
Sirens At A Distance Sound
Parting Glances This Motor City Pride 2013 I am closing my eyes – I invite you to mentally close yours as you read – and counting back 44 years, 35 years, [...]Read more about Sirens At A Distance Sound
Reflections Of Elvis - Through A Glass, Darkly
By John Quinn The cult of celebrity is a defining characteristic of the common culture. It's not a new phenomenon – witness the teen-age Judy Garland mooning [...]Read more about Reflections Of Elvis - Through A Glass, Darkly
Danny Windsor Dies At 87
By Tim Retzloff MUSKEGON – Danny Windsor, a world-traveled entertainer and emcee at gay night spots in Detroit in the 1960s and purportedly a flying monkey [...]Read more about Danny Windsor Dies At 87
Hear Me Out: Best of 2012
10. Cat Power, 'Sun' Clocking in at just under 11 minutes, "Nothin' But Time" starts simple enough, with just piano and fuzzy static – then there's some man [...]Read more about Hear Me Out: Best of 2012
Deep Inside Hollywood
By Romeo San Vicente Clint wants Cruise for Beyonce. Can you blame him? If you want to get strict about it, there's nothing gay about "A Star Is Born" except [...]Read more about Deep Inside Hollywood
Remembering a BHM star!
Parting Glances When Detroit-born, Cass Tech graduate Bernard Johnson died, age 60 in 1997, the New York Times carried a quarter-page obit celebrating his [...]Read more about Remembering a BHM star!
Rumer talks 'boring' pop music, gay fans and porn name
Rumer is used to standing out. Her grade-school years were spent in clothes other girls weren't wearing, and now, as the U.K. crossover hits America, her life [...]Read more about Rumer talks 'boring' pop music, gay fans and porn name
