Kofi Adoma
How Ruth Ellis Inspired My Early Activism Helping Queer At-Risk Youth
My friendship with the late Ruth Ellis predates my time with Between The Lines, Pride Source's print publication. But just barely. I first interviewed her [...]Read more about How Ruth Ellis Inspired My Early Activism Helping Queer At-Risk Youth
Ruth Ellis Center Tackles LGBTQ+ Housing Insecurity Head-On with Brand New Clairmount Center
The Ruth Ellis Clairmount Center, a brand new facility in Detroit’s Piety Hill neighborhood, is giving LGBTQ+ youth facing homelessness in Southeast Michigan [...]Read more about Ruth Ellis Center Tackles LGBTQ+ Housing Insecurity Head-On with Brand New Clairmount Center
A 'Transformative' Legacy: Ruth Ellis Center Executive Director Jerry Peterson Exits Post After 9 Years
As Jerry Peterson resigns his position as executive director of the Ruth Ellis Center (REC) after nearly a decade, he speaks of leaving Detroit, the city he has [...]Read more about A 'Transformative' Legacy: Ruth Ellis Center Executive Director Jerry Peterson Exits Post After 9 Years
Remembering John Kavanaugh: An Unabashed Hellraiser Leaves One Helluva Legacy
Early coordinator of the Detroit Gay Liberation Front, a founder of the Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit, and a constant gadfly for change within the [...]Read more about Remembering John Kavanaugh: An Unabashed Hellraiser Leaves One Helluva Legacy
Singing for the Unsung: 9 Black LGBTQ+ Michigan Trailblazers You Should Know
February is, of course, Black History Month. It’s a good opportunity to celebrate and learn more about Black history, but it can be challenging to piece [...]Read more about Singing for the Unsung: 9 Black LGBTQ+ Michigan Trailblazers You Should Know
REC to Celebrate Ruth Ellis Day on Feb. 28
The Ruth Ellis Center's annual Ruth Ellis Day celebration is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 28. Like most events these days, the celebration will be virtual and [...]Read more about REC to Celebrate Ruth Ellis Day on Feb. 28
Jeffrey Montgomery Documentary Creators to Host Panel Discussion Dec. 15
As the crew behind the upcoming documentary "America, You Kill Me" — the story of activist Jeffrey Montgomery — continues to work on the long-awaited project, [...]Read more about Jeffrey Montgomery Documentary Creators to Host Panel Discussion Dec. 15
The Strains of COVID-19: REC Staff on Dealing With a Pandemic
At the best of times, LGBTQ youth often find themselves in precarious housing situations, making up roughly 40 percent of the homeless population of those aged [...]Read more about The Strains of COVID-19: REC Staff on Dealing With a Pandemic
Pushing Through the Pandemic: Ruth Ellis Center Expands Services While Other Nonprofits Shutter
As the novel coronavirus pandemic's second wave continues its resurgence in full force, sending much of Europe back into lockdown and last week recording more [...]Read more about Pushing Through the Pandemic: Ruth Ellis Center Expands Services While Other Nonprofits Shutter
Kofi House: Ruth Ellis Center Unveils Plans for Lesbian-Specific Facility
Walking through any LGBTQ-friendly metropolitan area in the U.S. it's not hard to find a variety of gay bars. However, if one changes their destination to a [...]Read more about Kofi House: Ruth Ellis Center Unveils Plans for Lesbian-Specific Facility
Remembering Ruth Ellis
Annual Ruth Ellis Day Community Celebration Potluck Sunday, Feb. 24 4 to 6 p.m. At the home of Dr. Kofi Adoma A casual, smoke-free, alcohol-free [...]Read more about Remembering Ruth Ellis
Ruth Ellis Day Celebrated at Ruth Ellis Center
A small crowd of about 15 passed by the Ruth Ellis Center Drop-In Center in Highland Park Sunday for the annual Ruth Ellis Day celebration. The Ruth Ellis Day [...]Read more about Ruth Ellis Day Celebrated at Ruth Ellis Center
Race Matters -If you agree, group needs your help
DETROIT – The year was 1999; the place Oakland, Calif. Alice McKeage was attending a Creating Change conference and dropped in a session sponsored by The [...]Read more about Race Matters -If you agree, group needs your help
Anti-gay pastor announces Senate run
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman SOUTHFIELD – During an appearance that felt as much like a religious revival as a political event, anti-gay Detroit pastor Keith [...]Read more about Anti-gay pastor announces Senate run
Robert Clark: The next chapter
In our past three Black History Month profiles, we've looked at local leaders past and present. In this final installment, we look toward the future and [...]Read more about Robert Clark: The next chapter
Dani Woods Presents Keynote Speech at HTJ Opening Ceremony
12345678Around 60 people came out to Palmer Park in Detroit on Tuesday for the Hotter Than July opening ceremony and candlelight vigil. Music was played [...]Read more about Dani Woods Presents Keynote Speech at HTJ Opening Ceremony
Community Activists Will Discuss Groundbreaking Book on Black LGBT Health
The co-editors, Lourdes Dolores Follins and Jonathan Mathias Lassiter, of the academic text, "Black LGBT Health in the United States: Intersections of Race, [...]Read more about Community Activists Will Discuss Groundbreaking Book on Black LGBT Health
Kofi Adoma: Creating history one organization at a time
She considers Mother Ruth to have been one of her greatest mentors. In the third installment of this year's Black History Month profiles, we take a look at [...]Read more about Kofi Adoma: Creating history one organization at a time
John Allen Paves Way for Brighter Future for LGBTQ Youth
As we reflect on the LGBTQ movement in the U.S. and our significant achievements over the past several years, John Allen reminds us that if we want to succeed [...]Read more about John Allen Paves Way for Brighter Future for LGBTQ Youth
Montgomery Remembered as a 'Pioneer' at Memorial Service
Jeffrey Montgomery's older brother James led the service on Saturday. BTL photo: Jason A. Michael DETROIT – He was not only an activist and advocate for LGBT [...]Read more about Montgomery Remembered as a 'Pioneer' at Memorial Service
Ruth Ellis spoke for truth, love
Enough, name calling and cruel rhetoric. Recently the name of Ruth Ellis has been called forth in these pages. I write to say that I knew Ruth Ellis and I know [...]Read more about Ruth Ellis spoke for truth, love
Upcoming Mental Health Training Is Joined By Sex Therapist
By BTL Staff Natasha Lewis-Grinwid FERNDALE – Clinical educators will come together to conduct a two-day intensive training on clinical issues related to [...]Read more about Upcoming Mental Health Training Is Joined By Sex Therapist
Empowerment Day Seeks Solutions To Transgender Discrimination
By Paulette Niemiec Rose Mary Priest, board member of PFLAG, said "My philosophy is to get out there and advocate, not just for my children, but for all those [...]Read more about Empowerment Day Seeks Solutions To Transgender Discrimination
Remembering Ruth Ellis
Kofi Adoma is a founding board member of the Ruth Ellis Center. DETROIT - The first snow had hit the Detroit area, and the guests at the fundraiser this [...]Read more about Remembering Ruth Ellis
Ruth Ellis Bio-pic To Be Screened At Center
DETROIT - Kofi Adoma, a close friend of Ruth Ellis in her later years, grew to appreciate just how extraordinary Ellis' life had been as an out, black lesbian [...]Read more about Ruth Ellis Bio-pic To Be Screened At Center
The Classes Continue: Clinical Issues And Sexual Orientation Therapist Trainings at Affirmations
Knowledge is power, and a series of continuing education classes being offered at Affirmations Community Center is working to empower psychologists, social [...]Read more about The Classes Continue: Clinical Issues And Sexual Orientation Therapist Trainings at Affirmations
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
Karibu House E-Newsletter Summer Edition
Co-Gender Rap Resumes in October The KH board wishes to thank everyone who was able to make it one or more of the monthly discussions at the ACLU office over [...]Read more about Karibu House E-Newsletter Summer Edition
Historic tele-gathering
By Dr. Kofi Adoma The now historic State of the SGL/BT Community international teleconference was conceived by Ifalade Ta'Shia Asanti as way of connecting the [...]Read more about Historic tele-gathering
OBITUARY: Rev. Darren McCarroll
DETROIT – Rev. Darren McCarroll, a champion for social justice and longtime minister with the Unity Fellowship Church Movement, succumbed to a year-long [...]Read more about OBITUARY: Rev. Darren McCarroll
Affirmations hires executive director
FERNDALE- Affirmations community center has chosen a new exective director. Dave Garcia will take over the post as executive director on Aug. [...]Read more about Affirmations hires executive director
Letter: Black history month
As this year's Black History Month draws to a close, I'd like to take a moment to honor the African-American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people who [...]Read more about Letter: Black history month
DSO musicians bring holiday cheer and music to Ruth Ellis Center
Visitors to the Ruth Ellis Center, including Bernard Norris and Aaron Hall (third and fourth from left) dance to the music played by members of the Detroit [...]Read more about DSO musicians bring holiday cheer and music to Ruth Ellis Center
Just Dance
by Jessica Carreras Rafel Moore, a Ruth Ellis youth and voguer, strikes a pose outside of the drop-in center in Highland Park. Kaleidoscope 6-11 p.m. Sept. [...]Read more about Just Dance
LGBTs must defeat stigma, create dialogue to gain black acceptance
In reading "On the Same Side," I had a reaction (BTL July 23). I'm familiar with arguments typically used by black Americans to express opposition to gay civil [...]Read more about LGBTs must defeat stigma, create dialogue to gain black acceptance
Kofi in Koncert
Dr. Kofi Adoma, board member and co-founder of the Ruth Ellis Center, will be performing at the center on May 31 from 3-5 p.m. Adoma, who is known for her work [...]Read more about Kofi in Koncert
New members join Karibu House board
By Dawn Wolfe FARMINGTON – With the addition of ten new members with a variety of backgrounds, the board of Karibu House has grown from its original three [...]Read more about New members join Karibu House board
Challenging Stigma forum to cover mental, physical health issues
A panel discussion and community forum, "Challenging Stigma" will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 19 at Affirmations community center in Ferndale. It will be [...]Read more about Challenging Stigma forum to cover mental, physical health issues
Affirmations to host African American Health Fair
by Jessica Carreras This Saturday, Feb. 7, Affirmations is hosting an African American Health Fair. The event will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Affirmations [...]Read more about Affirmations to host African American Health Fair
Karibu House welcomes home Kwanzaa
DETROIT – Celebration and excitement permeated the annual Pre-Kwanzaa Brunch celebration on Dec. 13, starting with a heartfelt cheer for the "Year of Obama" [...]Read more about Karibu House welcomes home Kwanzaa
Karibu House acquires grants, begins expansion
By Cornelius A. Fortune DETROIT – Dr. Kofi Adoma, president of Karibu House, remembers a time back in 1997 when it seemed like the organization would [...]Read more about Karibu House acquires grants, begins expansion
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'
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
Karibu continues quest for people of color community center
DETROIT – Kofi Adoma has dreamed of seeing the creation of a community center for lgbts of color for more than a decade now. The center would [...]Read more about Karibu continues quest for people of color community center
Levin delivers federal grant relief for Ruth Ellis Center
By Jessica Carraras DETROIT – On Tuesday, the Ruth Ellis Center for LGBT youth celebrated a belated Christmas present: A $366,600 federal grant, punctuated by [...]Read more about Levin delivers federal grant relief for Ruth Ellis Center
HTJ! 2007 to commemorate the life of Ruth Ellis
Event will also celebrate Anthony Anthos DETROIT – Black Gay Pride Society announced Tuesday it will kick-off its annual pride celebration early this year [...]Read more about HTJ! 2007 to commemorate the life of Ruth Ellis
Karibu House hosts pre-Kwanzaa fundraising brunch
By Kimya Afi Ayodele Karibu House, Inc., hosted its annual pre-Kwanzaa brunch on Dec. 9 at the newly redecorated Art Exchange Gallery and Museum in [...]Read more about Karibu House hosts pre-Kwanzaa fundraising brunch
