Rachel Crandall
1776-2026: The Moments That Defined Trans Rights in America
This story was originally published by Uncloseted Media, an LGBTQ focused investigative news outlet.Related read: 1776-2026: The Moments That Defined Lesbian, [...]Read more about 1776-2026: The Moments That Defined Trans Rights in America
Can a Megachurch Pastor Serve All Detroiters?
Detroit’s mayoral election has become a flashpoint for the city’s LGBTQ+ community, as a megachurch pastor’s bid for office forces voters to weigh faith, fear [...]Read more about Can a Megachurch Pastor Serve All Detroiters?
We Have Always Existed — and We Will Not Be Erased
The struggle for our existence began in August 1966 at Gene Compton's Cafeteria in San Francisco. Fed up with constant police harassment, transgender women [...]Read more about We Have Always Existed — and We Will Not Be Erased
No Room for Creeps: Stand for Trans Dignity on Transgender Day of Visibility and Every Day
I’m writing this column on International Transgender Day of Visibility. Michigan’s own transgender activist Rachel Crandall Crocker founded TDoV in 2010. She [...]Read more about No Room for Creeps: Stand for Trans Dignity on Transgender Day of Visibility and Every Day
Attend Community Events for Transgender Day of Visibility
Get set to commemorate International Transgender Day of Visibility, founded by Michigander Rachel Crandall Crocker. On March 28, Five15 in Royal Oak will [...]Read more about Attend Community Events for Transgender Day of Visibility
Biden Declares the Easter Bunny Transgender, Conservatives Go Wild
I am writing this on March 31, the 15th annual Transgender Day of Visibility. All over the world people are celebrating the lives of transgender people, [...]Read more about Biden Declares the Easter Bunny Transgender, Conservatives Go Wild
Celebrate Michigan-Founded International Transgender Day of Visibility
As any card-carrying member of the Michigan LGBTQ+ community likely knows, International Transgender Day of Visibility was born right here in the Great Lakes [...]Read more about Celebrate Michigan-Founded International Transgender Day of Visibility
Go to Church (or Temple), Observe Trans Day of Visibility, Catch a Queer Film, See an Aerial Drag Performance
Spring has sprung and it’s time for all the cute little cubbies and big, strong bears to emerge from hibernation — sunshine and good times await. On tap in the [...]Read more about Go to Church (or Temple), Observe Trans Day of Visibility, Catch a Queer Film, See an Aerial Drag Performance
Sept. 2, 2004: The Financial Burden of Trans Life
My passion to advocate for the rights and dignity of transgender people was born on a newspaper delivery route.
Despite Right-Wing Backlash, Michigan Is Better Than Ever For Trans People. These Two Women Made That Progress Possible.
When Rachel Crandall Crocker and Susan Crocker met in the ’90s, there were so few organizations for transgender people that they had to start one on their own. [...]Read more about Despite Right-Wing Backlash, Michigan Is Better Than Ever For Trans People. These Two Women Made That Progress Possible.
A Kind of Defiance: In Lansing, an Overlooked – and Leading – History of Queer Activism
It’s only natural for a state capital to become a center for political activism. But in the case of Lansing, both local and state-level queer activism have [...]Read more about A Kind of Defiance: In Lansing, an Overlooked – and Leading – History of Queer Activism
Two Michigan LGBTQ+ Trailblazers Recognized as Game Changers by Tigers, Red Wings and Comerica Bank
Rachel Crandall Crocker, founder and executive director of Transgender Michigan, was recognized earlier this week as a Game Changer by the Detroit Tigers, the [...]Read more about Two Michigan LGBTQ+ Trailblazers Recognized as Game Changers by Tigers, Red Wings and Comerica Bank
Biden Issues Transgender Day of Visibility Proclamation
Michael Lavers | Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media AssociationPresident Joe Biden on Thursday issued a proclamation that recognizes the [...]Read more about Biden Issues Transgender Day of Visibility Proclamation
Trans Violence in Detroit Is All Too Common. These Advocates Are Working to Change the Narrative.
Hayden Davis. DeDe Ricks. Ray Muscat. Naomi Skinner. Four lives lost to violence in the Detroit area in 2022. Other than the abrupt and horrifying way their [...]Read more about Trans Violence in Detroit Is All Too Common. These Advocates Are Working to Change the Narrative.
Transformative: Considering the Long-Term Impact of Our ‘Jeopardy!’ Champion Amy Schneider
You don’t have to watch “Jeopardy!” to have heard about Amy Schneider’s record-breaking, two-month, 40-game winning streak on the show. She’s been on the cover [...]Read more about Transformative: Considering the Long-Term Impact of Our ‘Jeopardy!’ Champion Amy Schneider
Another Somber Transgender Day of RemembranceBecause Trans People Are Still Being Killed
After writing for Between The Lines and Pride Source for the past 22 years, I've lost track of exactly how many Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) vigils [...]Read more about Another Somber Transgender Day of RemembranceBecause Trans People Are Still Being Killed
MCC-D Launches 'Grace Bacon Day' in Honor of the 'Mother of the Michigan Transgender Community'
Depending on who you ask, Grace Bacon is known as either the mother or grandmother of the Michigan transgender community. But, however you recognize Bacon, one [...]Read more about MCC-D Launches 'Grace Bacon Day' in Honor of the 'Mother of the Michigan Transgender Community'
Macomb County's First-Ever Pride Will Show Local LGBTQ+ Community They Live in an'Accepting and Welcoming Place'
For the first time ever, Macomb County Pride (MCP) will take over downtown Mount Clemens this weekend. The event, set for Friday, Oct. 15 to Sunday, Oct. 17, [...]Read more about Macomb County's First-Ever Pride Will Show Local LGBTQ+ Community They Live in an'Accepting and Welcoming Place'
Michigan LGBTQ+ Leaders to Headline Transgender Day of Empowerment Conference May 17
The 13th annual Transgender Day of Empowerment conference will take place virtually May 17 through 22. "TDOE is a celebration of self, by understanding our [...]Read more about Michigan LGBTQ+ Leaders to Headline Transgender Day of Empowerment Conference May 17
Biden Administration Says Health Care Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ People Is Illegal, Michigan Leaders React
The Biden administration announced yesterday that Donald Trump-era policies discriminating against LGBTQ+ people in health care are being rolled back. The [...]Read more about Biden Administration Says Health Care Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ People Is Illegal, Michigan Leaders React
Michigan Transgender Day of Visibility Founder Reacts to Biden's Recognition
Transgender Michigan Founder and Executive Director Rachel Crandall-Crocker was having coffee yesterday — an iced coffee with almond milk, to be exact — at her [...]Read more about Michigan Transgender Day of Visibility Founder Reacts to Biden's Recognition
Transgender Michigan to Host Virtual Day of Visibility Open Mic, Chat Events
On March 31, the 11th-annual International Transgender Day of Visibility will be observed. While every year since its inception the event has drawn [...]Read more about Transgender Michigan to Host Virtual Day of Visibility Open Mic, Chat Events
Transgender Michigan Hosts its Health Fair Virtually
In light of the novel coronavirus pandemic, many nonprofits and community organizations have been forced to cancel regularly scheduled programming and events [...]Read more about Transgender Michigan Hosts its Health Fair Virtually
Q&A with 43rd District Judge Candidate Rudy Serra
As the Aug. 4 primaries get closer, voters will not only choose to vote Democrat or Republican but they'll cast their ballots for nonpartisan positions, too. [...]Read more about Q&A with 43rd District Judge Candidate Rudy Serra
Annual Transgender Pride in the Park 2020 Goes Virtual
For over two decades now, Transgender Pride in the Park has served Southeast Michigan's LGBTQ community as a community celebration of Pride while also being [...]Read more about Annual Transgender Pride in the Park 2020 Goes Virtual
Transgender Michigan Helpline Continues to Take Calls Amid Pandemic
Rachel Crandall-Crocker is a licensed master social worker and the executive director of Transgender Michigan. In addition, she's the primary volunteer for the [...]Read more about Transgender Michigan Helpline Continues to Take Calls Amid Pandemic
Michigan Transgender Month of Visibility Event Highlights
March is the Transgender Month of Visibility and as it continues, groups across the U.S. will host events of all kinds to recognize and support transgender [...]Read more about Michigan Transgender Month of Visibility Event Highlights
Transgender Michigan Holiday Party at Affirmations
For many in the LGBTQ community the holidays are a time to spend with chosen family rather than biological relatives. For this reason, the holidays can be a [...]Read more about Transgender Michigan Holiday Party at Affirmations
Transgender Michigan's Birthday Bash and Halloween Party at Affirmations Nov. 2
Picking out Halloween costumes and having a birthday are usually recipes for a fun day, but putting them together is certainly a recipe for a good time. That's [...]Read more about Transgender Michigan's Birthday Bash and Halloween Party at Affirmations Nov. 2
Aimee Stephens Goes to Washington
The ACLU of Michigan hosted a party for their client Aimee Stephens at Affirmations Wednesday, Oct. 2, as she prepared to take her landmark case to the Supreme [...]Read more about Aimee Stephens Goes to Washington
Michigan Founder of Transgender Day of Visibility to Be Honored at National Trans Visibility March
The first annual National Trans Visibility march will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Washington, D.C. in honor of members of the LGBTQ community who are [...]Read more about Michigan Founder of Transgender Day of Visibility to Be Honored at National Trans Visibility March
Free Hugs, Fundraisers and Festival Organizers: How Volunteers Make Pride What It Is
Alexandra Beninda (right) sitting next to Transgender Michigan founder Rachel Crandall-Crocker. Beninda is a volunteer at Ferndale Pride this year who will [...]Read more about Free Hugs, Fundraisers and Festival Organizers: How Volunteers Make Pride What It Is
Supporters Rally in Lansing for 10th Anniversary of the International Transgender Day of Visibility
Rachel Crandall-Crocker, co-founder of Transgender Michigan, said 10 years ago she had an idea. "Why can't there be a day that we can be proud of what we are? [...]Read more about Supporters Rally in Lansing for 10th Anniversary of the International Transgender Day of Visibility
International Transgender Day of Visibility Celebrates 10 Years March 31
Rachel Crandall-Crocker Now celebrated across the U.S. and in countries all around the world, the International Transgender Day of Visibility got its start 10 [...]Read more about International Transgender Day of Visibility Celebrates 10 Years March 31
Rachel Crandall-Crocker - Executive Director of Transgender Michigan
A registered social worker and licensed psychotherapist, Rachel Crandall-Crocker is also an international transgender activist and the founder and organizer [...]Read more about Rachel Crandall-Crocker - Executive Director of Transgender Michigan
Wayne State Holds First Trans Day of Remembrance Service
A small crowd of about 20 came out Monday, Nov. 19 to the Wayne State University Student Center Ballroom for what organizers believe was the university's first [...]Read more about Wayne State Holds First Trans Day of Remembrance Service
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2018 Events
The Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on Nov. 20 that honors the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender [...]Read more about Transgender Day of Remembrance 2018 Events
21 Years Advocating and Out
Rachel Crandall-Crocker has two birthdays: the day she was born and the day she began living her truth. Friday, Nov. 2, commemorates her second. That was the [...]Read more about 21 Years Advocating and Out
Queer-Friendly Halloween Celebrations
There's no Halloween like a Halloween with drag queens, burlesque shows and friendly LGBTQ company. With the season kicking into high gear this weekend, our [...]Read more about Queer-Friendly Halloween Celebrations
Transgender Michigan Hosts 8th Annual Transgender Health Fair
Trangender Michigan will host their 8th annual Transgender Health Fair on Saturday, Sept. 29. The fair will take place at Affirmations from 1 to 4 p.m. and Dr. [...]Read more about Transgender Michigan Hosts 8th Annual Transgender Health Fair
Flashing Back to the Past: the '90s
link to PDF page 1997 February – Addressing Anti-Gay Violence in Schools: The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network of Detroit released their report [...]Read more about Flashing Back to the Past: the '90s
Relaxation and Activism at Trans Pride in the Park
Ferndale's Geary Park was packed with members of Metro Detroit's transgender community on Saturday, August 11. Six hours of intense sun, vendors, and food [...]Read more about Relaxation and Activism at Trans Pride in the Park
Transgender Pride in the Park in Ferndale on Aug. 11
As the summer rolls to a close, so does pride season, but not before Transgender Michigan hosts its annual, Transgender Pride in the Park. On Saturday, Aug. 11 [...]Read more about Transgender Pride in the Park in Ferndale on Aug. 11
Transgender Day of Visibility Turns into Month-Long Celebration
Nine years ago, founder of Transgender Michigan Rachel Crandall-Crocker took her advocacy a step further – she created the International Transgender Day of [...]Read more about Transgender Day of Visibility Turns into Month-Long Celebration
Divine TransFormations
Reverend Starts Transgender Church In the recipe for a church, one needs a public space, a liturgy, a congregation and a little bit of audience [...]Read more about Divine TransFormations
Halloween Birthday Bash Celebrates TGMI's 20-Year Anniversary
BY DAVID RYALS More than 80 people came together at Affirmations in Ferndale on Nov. 3 for what Rachel Crandall-Crocker called the "greatest night of my [...]Read more about Halloween Birthday Bash Celebrates TGMI's 20-Year Anniversary
Transitioning city manager fired in Largo, Fla.
LARGO, Fla. – Steve Stanton didn't think it would be easy. But he also didn't believe that his decision to transition into Susan and have gender reassignment [...]Read more about Transitioning city manager fired in Largo, Fla.
