Leslie Thompson
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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
Ferndale Affirmations LGBTQ Center 2020 Cash Update
As Affirmations celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, the LGBTQ community center in Ferndale also went through a slew of leadership and financial changes. [...]Read more about Ferndale Affirmations LGBTQ Center 2020 Cash Update
$30,000 Raised for Services at Affirmations No Place Like Home Fundraiser
In under 10 minutes last Friday, community members pulled together just over $10,000 for the Affirmations LGBTQ community center. As soon as that sum was made [...]Read more about $30,000 Raised for Services at Affirmations No Place Like Home Fundraiser
Affirmations Looks to Restructure With Resolve
A new community chat was announced at the center on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. The center is located at 290 W. 9 Mile Road Ferndale. Check [...]Read more about Affirmations Looks to Restructure With Resolve
Reckless reporting hurts
In the media world, there's investigative journalism – and then there's reckless reporting. At a time when organizations are hurting more than ever for [...]Read more about Reckless reporting hurts
Giving against the odds
by Jessica Carreras Like many other Michiganders this year, John Secor got the call on Sept. 2: he was out of a job. An editor and writer in the newspaper [...]Read more about Giving against the odds
Affirmations announces big cuts for new year
by Jessica Carreras FERNDALE – Affirmations, metro Detroit's community center for LGBT people and their allies, has been hit hard by the economy – and the [...]Read more about Affirmations announces big cuts for new year
November 2006 highlights
She/he Said "We're all God's children and if you're a real minister, and a real child of God, you're going to accept anybody … . I try to stay away from [...]Read more about November 2006 highlights
A nest to impress - or just a nest?
By Dawn Wolfe Are our homes reflections of who we are, or just a place to crash after a busy day? Do the colors we choose and that perfect chair, sitting in [...]Read more about A nest to impress - or just a nest?
Michigan bracing for amendment fight
FARMINGTON – The Coalition for a Fair Michigan is beginning what many community leaders are calling the most monumental battle yet in the LGBT rights [...]Read more about Michigan bracing for amendment fight
Numbers and names
FERNDALE – Over 50 people attended the Fifth Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance at the Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit in Ferndale Nov. 20. The [...]Read more about Numbers and names
Thompson welcomes all at Affirmations
I have been a volunteer at Affirmations for eight years and I have known Leslie Thompson since the first day she came to Affirmations. Leslie has done a [...]Read more about Thompson welcomes all at Affirmations
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
NCOD celebration at Affirmations
Leslie Thompson, Executive Director of Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center addresses the crowd at the 2003 National Coming Out Day Speak Out on [...]Read more about NCOD celebration at Affirmations
Affirmations: A Brief Agency History
1989-90: First board of directors assembled by Gary Roberts and Jeff Vitale. Roberts is the first president of the board which includes Sue Pittman, Christine [...]Read more about Affirmations: A Brief Agency History
Affirmations Celebrates 25 Years Of Service At Silver Jubilee
BTL Staff Report 123456 DETROIT – For 25 years, Affirmations has provided a home for the LGBT community of southeast Michigan. That history was celebrated [...]Read more about Affirmations Celebrates 25 Years Of Service At Silver Jubilee
Diverse Metro Communities Work Together To Raise Funds For Foster Children
By BTL Staff DETROIT - It doesn't take just one village to raise a child; sometimes it takes several. That's why representatives of several of the metro [...]Read more about Diverse Metro Communities Work Together To Raise Funds For Foster Children
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
Royal Oak results mixed for LGBT residents
By Sharon Gittleman ROYAL OAK – Three pro-gay City Commission candidates heard bad news on Election Day in Royal Oak. Gary Lelito, Andy Prentice and Bill [...]Read more about Royal Oak results mixed for LGBT residents
Ferndale election results
FERNDALE – By 9:30 p.m. Nov. 4 it was clear that Mayor Robert Porter and Councilman Craig Covey, both endorsed by Pride PAC, had secured reelection in [...]Read more about Ferndale election results
Leslie Thompson Headlines Fundraiser For Dyslexia
Lesbian comedian Leslie Ann Thompson will headline a comedy show Nov. 9 at O'Mara's raising money for the Michigan Dyslexia Institute, Metro Detroit [...]Read more about Leslie Thompson Headlines Fundraiser For Dyslexia
Hungry4Equality: Week 6
"I think it's absurd that I can be the hardest working and most productive employee, yet still be fired based on my sexuality when it has absolutely nothing [...]Read more about Hungry4Equality: Week 6
A changing of the board at Affirmations
By Crystal Proxmire FERNDALE – With four members departing and a new president at the helm, the Affirmations Board of Directors is poised to support the [...]Read more about A changing of the board at Affirmations
Lets make that change, okay?
By Leslie Thompson Viewpoint This is not the first time that there has been a suggestion or discussion around the merger of Affirmations and Triangle [...]Read more about Lets make that change, okay?
Ex-Affirmations CEO hits Vegas
By Crystal Proxmire Thousands of fans across Michigan and beyond supported comedian Leslie Thompson during the Improv Up Yours Contest, a month-long comedy [...]Read more about Ex-Affirmations CEO hits Vegas
Local comedian wins Las Vegas dream
When Leslie Thompson retired as CEO of Affirmations in late 2010, her life took a hilarious turn. The 54-year-old lesbian has found new success doing stand-up [...]Read more about Local comedian wins Las Vegas dream
Leslie Thompson continues to be a leader - in comedy
By BTL Staff Former Affirmations CEO Leslie Ann Thompson is following her long-time passion of stand-up comedy on a full-time basis – and it's paying off. "I [...]Read more about Leslie Thompson continues to be a leader - in comedy
Pride Banquet Awards celebrate 25 years
"I will not be stopping. I will not be sitting on a rocking chair until we have all the rights and responsibilities that go along with being a partner." – John [...]Read more about Pride Banquet Awards celebrate 25 years
Leslie Thompson bids goodbye to Affirmations
Leslie's speech from her farewell party: First I would like to thank the Host Committee of Nancy Katz, Margo Dichtelmiller, Allan Gilmour, Eric Jirgens, [...]Read more about Leslie Thompson bids goodbye to Affirmations
Big Bash raises money for Affirmations
View a gallery of snapshots from the evening. When 21-year-old Angel Carrion left the stage at Affirmations' Big Bash last Saturday, the room was a swirl of [...]Read more about Big Bash raises money for Affirmations
The community that works together stays together
Board members, staff, and executive directors from Project YES, Ruth Ellis Center, Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center, Triangle Foundation, and the [...]Read more about The community that works together stays together
How could it get that bad?'
FERNDALE – Announcements of cut hours and services at Affirmations have sent shock waves through the community, leaving many to wonder what has been [...]Read more about How could it get that bad?'
Affirmations takes a step back
FERNDALE – An era of growth and expansion has come to a halt at Affirmations Community Center, where new leadership has taken a look at the organization's [...]Read more about Affirmations takes a step back
Affirmations' changing face
The recent retirement of CEO Leslie Thompson and the hiring of interim CEO Kevin Howley are just two of the changes taking place at Ferndale-based LGBT [...]Read more about Affirmations' changing face
Affirmations CEO resigns
by Jessica Carreras Affirmations Executive Director Leslie Thompson at the opening of the new community center building in 2007. BTL file photo. After nearly [...]Read more about Affirmations CEO resigns
Affirmations to hire interim CEO, begin search for permanent replacement
The Affirmations board of directors announced Sept. 2 that they were reviewing options to hire an interim CEO to replace current CEO Leslie Thompson, who [...]Read more about Affirmations to hire interim CEO, begin search for permanent replacement
Viewpoint: View From the West Wing
Whether it was in a civics/history class or on "Schoolhouse Rock" when the concept of our government was first introduced to you, there's nothing like a visit [...]Read more about Viewpoint: View From the West Wing
Hundreds attend White House Pride reception
By Lisa Keen WASHINGTON, D.C. – It was not exactly the same rousing, sustained cheer of last year that greeted President Barack Obama as he entered the East [...]Read more about Hundreds attend White House Pride reception
Golden Gays
by Jessica Carreras Alice McKeage is painting her garage. It's just one of the many projects she hopes to complete now that she has finally retired from Ford [...]Read more about Golden Gays
On the shoulders of giants
"If I have seen a little further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." This phrase, famously written in a letter from Sir Isaac Newton to his rival [...]Read more about On the shoulders of giants
LGBT leaders head to the White House
by Jessica Carreras At least three leaders of Michigan's LGBT community were invited to an LGBT Pride Month reception June 22 at the White House where they [...]Read more about LGBT leaders head to the White House
Dirty laundry again?
I don't know about you, but I'm tired of all the articles slamming the non-profit we know as Affirmations. I've been watching the various stories surface [...]Read more about Dirty laundry again?
Affirmations welcomes new board members
FERNDALE – On Dec. 2, Brandon Jones and Tina Seitz were appointed to join the Affirmations Board of Directors. Effective immediately, they join a 15-member [...]Read more about Affirmations welcomes new board members
2005
Jan. 12, 2005 – Over 200 people gather at the Capitol Building in Lansing to protest the passage of Proposal 2 in November of 2004 as the Michigan congress [...]Read more about 2005
2002
February 2002 – In a historic move, the United Way of Southeastern Michigan bestows Affirmations with a $50,000 grant. CEO Leslie Thompson promises to use the [...]Read more about 2002
Racism allegation arises at Affirmations
by Jessica Carreras FERNDALE – Former Affirmations Director of Communications and Development Michael Coleman has filed a complaint of racial discrimination [...]Read more about Racism allegation arises at Affirmations
Fight racism - not each other
Racism has long been a hot-button issue. Call someone a racist – or be accused of it yourself – and emotions are sure to start flying, whether the allegation [...]Read more about Fight racism - not each other
