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Gov. Whitmer Honors Trans Day Of Remembrance With Promise To Keep Fighting
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer marked Trans Day of Remembrance with an Instagram reel honoring transgender lives lost to violence while calling out the growing wave of [...]Read more about Gov. Whitmer Honors Trans Day Of Remembrance With Promise To Keep Fighting
LGBTQ History: Dana Nessel Becomes Michigan's First Openly Gay Attorney General
Michigan voters made history election night by choosing Dana Nessel to become the state's first openly gay attorney general. She tweeted early Nov. 7 that her [...]Read more about LGBTQ History: Dana Nessel Becomes Michigan's First Openly Gay Attorney General
BTL Endorses Dana Nessel for Michigan Attorney General
The role of the Michigan Attorney General is a powerful, important position in the state. The office represents the people of Michigan in criminal and civil [...]Read more about BTL Endorses Dana Nessel for Michigan Attorney General
Non-discrimination Policies Trigger Recall, Lawsuits
Small Community East of Lansing Caught in the Middle of Battle for Equality in Schools By Todd Heywood Leaders of the Williamston Community Schools in Ingham [...]Read more about Non-discrimination Policies Trigger Recall, Lawsuits
Despite legal setback, fight for benefits will continue
Friday's decision by Michigan's Court of Appeals denying domestic partnership benefits to same-sex partners of public employees is an insult and a direct [...]Read more about Despite legal setback, fight for benefits will continue
Families, activists vow to fight court DP benefits decision
By Sharon Gittleman LANSING – Thousands of Michigan kids and their moms and dads will soon find themselves without health care, because of a Michigan Court of [...]Read more about Families, activists vow to fight court DP benefits decision
Viewpoint: Same-sex benefits reversal 'distressing'
By Jay Kalpan Most of you by now have heard about the Michigan Court of Appeals' decision, which reversed the Ingham County Circuit court decision that the [...]Read more about Viewpoint: Same-sex benefits reversal 'distressing'
The Gay Moralist: How liars killed our benefits
By John Corvino It was a classic bait-and-switch. When gay-rights opponents sought to amend Michigan's constitution to prohibit, not only same-sex marriage, [...]Read more about The Gay Moralist: How liars killed our benefits
August 2006 highlights
She/he Said "The thing is, I'm not ashamed; that's the one thing I went to say. I don't think it's wrong, I'm not devastated going through this. I'm more [...]Read more about August 2006 highlights
April 2006 Highlights
She/he Said "Maybe what a gay icon is, is a person who is rooted for – in other words, cheered on – by people who feel different." – Liza Minnelli as quoted [...]Read more about April 2006 Highlights
Over 200 families at risk of losing benefits, says CMU Life
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman MOUNT PLEASANT – An April 27, 2005 report by Central Michigan University Life stated that 217 employees at nine state universities are [...]Read more about Over 200 families at risk of losing benefits, says CMU Life
City of Kalamazoo halts DP benefits
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman KALAMAZOO – On April 18 the city of Kalamazoo decided to stop offering benefits to the same-sex partners of its employees beginning [...]Read more about City of Kalamazoo halts DP benefits
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
Oral arguments heard in suit against Ann Arbor Public Schools over DP benefits
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman LANSING – Accusing Ann Arbor Public Schools of "pursuing its own domestic agenda," Thomas More Law Center attorney Patrick Gillen [...]Read more about Oral arguments heard in suit against Ann Arbor Public Schools over DP benefits
AG says opinion authorizes discrimination against university employees, too
By Dawn Wolfe On March 23, Republican Attorney General Mike Cox issued an opinion stating that the anti-gay Proposal 2 could be used to deny domestic [...]Read more about AG says opinion authorizes discrimination against university employees, too
Unintended Consequences?
Things are getting pretty weird – and not weird like Michael Jackson showing up late for court in his pajamas weird. This is a much more insidious right-wing [...]Read more about Unintended Consequences?
EMU's DP benefits under fire
By Dawn Wolfe YPSILANTI – In response to a decision by Eastern Michigan University's Board of Regents to expand tuition credits to the same-sex partners of [...]Read more about EMU's DP benefits under fire
Woman Sues Dearborn For Violation Of Rights
The city of Dearborn is being sued by a Detroit woman who alleges the city violated her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act during a traffic stop [...]Read more about Woman Sues Dearborn For Violation Of Rights
You're not the boss of me.'
Usually this statement is heard coming out of the mouths of bratty kids or rebellious teenagers, not the Attorney General and Secretary of State. However, [...]Read more about You're not the boss of me.'
U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Jury Findings In Shirvell Case
Former Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell seen stalking Chris Armstrong. BTL File Photo 2010 The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Feb. [...]Read more about U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Jury Findings In Shirvell Case
Michigan Court Of Appeals Smacks Former Anti-gay Assistant Attorney General Down For Homophobic Bullying
Former Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell seen above stalking UofM student body president Chris Armstrong. BTL file photo As if a $4.5 million civil [...]Read more about Michigan Court Of Appeals Smacks Former Anti-gay Assistant Attorney General Down For Homophobic Bullying
Where in the World is Dave Agema?
UPDATE: Agema has issued a statement to the Detroit Free Press announcing he has sent GOP political operative Chuck Yob (a former GOP Committeemen) to the [...]Read more about Where in the World is Dave Agema?
Christian Activists Oppose Local Non-Discrimination Law
William Wagner speaking out against Sharia Law in Oct. 2012. He Opposes a Delphi Township Human Rights Ordinance. An ordinance to prohibit discrimination in [...]Read more about Christian Activists Oppose Local Non-Discrimination Law
Snyder On Attracting LGBT Families To Michigan: 'A Fine Act'
If the State legislature were to make moves to make Michigan more attractive to LGBT families, it would be "a fine act" as far as Governor Rick Snyder is [...]Read more about Snyder On Attracting LGBT Families To Michigan: 'A Fine Act'
Is There Room For The 'R' In LGBT?
Arlene Kish identifies as a transgender conservative. Republicans. Where do they fit in the LGBT community and are they needed to achieve full equality? That [...]Read more about Is There Room For The 'R' In LGBT?
Andrew Shirvell Gets Unemployment Benefits
By BTL Staff Andrew Shirvell will get a little help paying off the $4.5 million judgment against him for defaming gay University of Michigan Student Body [...]Read more about Andrew Shirvell Gets Unemployment Benefits
Armstrong's Harasser Ordered to Pay $4.5 Million in Damages
A U.S. District Court jury decided Thursday evening that former Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell must pay $4.5 million to gay student [...]Read more about Armstrong's Harasser Ordered to Pay $4.5 Million in Damages
State one step closer to denying benefits to unmarried partners
BTL staff UPDATED: 2 p.m. Oct. 20, 2011 LANSING- The Michigan Senate Committee on Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing approved House Bills 4770 and 4771 [...]Read more about State one step closer to denying benefits to unmarried partners
Dave Agema
Creep of the Week There's one thing you can say about the state of Michigan: it's too friendly to gays. I mean, yes, it's still legal in Michigan to be fired [...]Read more about Dave Agema
Fighting for family
By Tara Cavanaugh Jeffrey McLoughlin holds his adopted son Avon while playing with his adopted daughter Anala. Anala and Avon are half siblings. McLoughlin's [...]Read more about Fighting for family
Jay Kaplan's 10-year journey fighting for LGBT rights
By Tara Cavanaugh and Ruchi Naresh The American Civil Liberties Union has long been an advocate for LGBT equality. Michigan's ACLU chapter has a special tool [...]Read more about Jay Kaplan's 10-year journey fighting for LGBT rights
2010 Highlights and lowlights
While lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people saw gains at the federal level in 2010, Michigan saw the ugly side of anti-gay animus with straight pride [...]Read more about 2010 Highlights and lowlights
Highlights and lowlights of 2010
While lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people saw gains at the federal level in 2010, Michigan saw the ugly side of anti-gay animus with straight pride [...]Read more about Highlights and lowlights of 2010
Oakland U moves forward on DP benefits
ROCHESTER – Oakland University has come one step closer to restoring domestic partnership benefits to LGBT employees, though that won't be what they're [...]Read more about Oakland U moves forward on DP benefits
Republican sweep a challenge for LGBT equality
On Nov. 2, Republicans captured control of all three branches of Michigan state government, effectively securing their power over all state business for the [...]Read more about Republican sweep a challenge for LGBT equality
Editorial: Shirvell is nuts, but he's not alone
It took too long for Attorney General Mike Cox to finally fire Andrew Shirvell. Shirvell had quickly become a national symbol for everything that's wrong with [...]Read more about Editorial: Shirvell is nuts, but he's not alone
Vote as though our lives depend on it - sometimes they do
We are fortunate to live in a country where individuals have the right to vote. Each November, we can go to the polls and cast our ballots. Our job is to [...]Read more about Vote as though our lives depend on it - sometimes they do
Race for attorney general job turns ugly
This article ran in full on MichiganMessenger.com. The race for Michigan's next attorney general went from spirited to ugly Oct. 18. Debbie McIntosh, the [...]Read more about Race for attorney general job turns ugly
Speak Out: Fight back against bullying
by Eric Rader Over the past few weeks, the country has been reminded that bullying can be deadly. In Texas, a 13-year old boy killed himself because of [...]Read more about Speak Out: Fight back against bullying
UM student harasser Shirvell takes leave of absence
by Jessica Carreras Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell, who made national news after word spread of his anti-gay blog attacking University of [...]Read more about UM student harasser Shirvell takes leave of absence
Creep of the Week: Andrew Shirvell
Hopefully by the time you are reading this, Michigan assistant attorney general Andrew Shirvell is out of a job. Shirvell recently took a paid leave of [...]Read more about Creep of the Week: Andrew Shirvell
UPDATE: UM student heckler Shirvell takes leave of absence
by Jessica Carreras Andrew Shirvell at a May 8 rally in Ann Arbor, which he attended for the sole purpose of heckling openly gay U of M student body president [...]Read more about UPDATE: UM student heckler Shirvell takes leave of absence
Mike Cox's last stand
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has done it again. The passage of Proposal 2 in 2004, which amended the state constitution to define marriage as between one [...]Read more about Mike Cox's last stand
Dem AG candidate to Cox: Fire Andrew Shirvell
by Jessica Carreras Andrew Shirvell at a May 8 rally in Ann Arbor, which he attended for the sole purpose of heckling openly gay U of M student body president [...]Read more about Dem AG candidate to Cox: Fire Andrew Shirvell
Cox chastises employee for anti-gay blog
Attorney General Mike Cox last week responded to revelations that one of his employees has a peculiar pastime: attacking openly gay University of Michigan [...]Read more about Cox chastises employee for anti-gay blog
Bernero takes the primaries in landslide vote
by Jessica Carreras LANSING – Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, who was most gay groups' top pick for the Democratic candidate for governor of Michigan, soared to [...]Read more about Bernero takes the primaries in landslide vote
Primary a winner for Michigan LGBT voters
LGBT-endorsed candidates made a strong showing in Tuesday's primary election in Michigan, with 80.5 percent of them winning their races. Several out, LGBT [...]Read more about Primary a winner for Michigan LGBT voters
