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Tyler Glenn on Resisting Suicide, Losing His 3 Religion & Being ‘Unapologetically’ Gay John Allen Paving the Way for LGBTQ Youth A Conversation with Chelsea Clinton AUTOAUTO WWW.PRIDESOURCE.COM OCT. 20, 2016 | VOL. 2442 | FREE AVAILABLE ONLINE! JUST TYPE IN YOUR ZIP CODE AND SEE THE CANDIDATES SUPPORTING FULL EQUALITY COMMUNITY ELectiON 2016 ONLINE Cover photo: Courtesy of Rob Widdis As we reflect on the LGBTQ movement AUTO in the U.S. and our significant 18 Former Chrysler Executive Talks Workplace Inclusivity achievements over the past several 20 Gay Racecar Driver Gears Up for Indy 500 years, John Allen reminds us that if BTL’s Bi-Annual Guide to Progressive candidates we want to succeed we must continue who support LGBT equality, the environment, labor NEWS to lead. He knew a long time ago not and women’s rights. Now online @ 6 Community Demands Justice for LGBTQ Prisoners to expect LGBTQ youth to do what he 7 Freedom House Seeks Help for LGBT Refugees wouldn’t do personally. www.MiVoterGuide.com. The print version is now 8 Village of Holly Votes 6-1 Against Human Rights Ordinance available where BTL is distributed and will be 12 John Allen Paves Way for Brighter Future for LGBTQ Youth See page 12 inserted as pullout section once again Nov. 3. 14 Chelsea Clinton Speaks with Gay News 16 Hypocrisy: Anti-LGBT Activists Stick with Trump Despite Video THE INTERVIEW EVENTS O ct 27: Freedom House Annual Dinner OPINION 10 Parting Glances 10 Viewpoint: Craig Covey on Elections 11 Creep of the Week: Donal Trump Again! LIFE 28 Tyler Glenn on Resisting Suicide, Losing His Religion & Being ‘Unapologetically’ Gay Chelsea Clinton talks 30 Happenings with Gay Press 33 Puzzle and Comic Mission Includes Seeking 34 Classifieds See page 14 Help for LGBT Refugees See page 7 35 Deep Inside Hollywood Vol. 2442 • OCTOBER 20, 2016 EDITORIAL CREATIVE ADVERTISING & SALES ONLINE AT ISSUE 986 Editor in Chief Webmaster & MIS Director Director of Sales Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 x 12 Kevin Bryant, [email protected] Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 x 22 “Between The Lines Newspaper” PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP [email protected] [email protected] 20222 Farmington Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48152 Contributing Writers Entertainment Editor Sales Representatives Phone 734.293.7200 Charles Alexander, Michelle E. 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Between The Lines is supported by many fine advertisers, Todd A. Heywood but we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by our advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for materials provided by Jason Michael advertisers or their agents. AJ Trager, [email protected] Copyright 2016 Pride Source Media Group www.PrideSource.com October 20, 2016 | BTL 3 NEWS Detroit Police Officer Dani Woods Recipient of Equality Michigan Award BY BTL STAFF Officer while working at the 9th Precinct, offering her knowledge and experience to DETROIT – Detroit Police Officer Dani new officers as they join the ranks; conducted Woods is this year’s MacAllister Award undercover operations at the Vice and Narcotic winner, presented by Equality Michigan. units; performed administrative duties; and “Officer Woods has been such a dynamic, never ceased to obtain training to enhance her long-time agent of change within the Detroit duties and make herself a considerable asset Police Department and in the community at to the Detroit community. She has a great large,” said Stephanie White, EQMI executive rapport with the community and has been an director. invaluable ally to EQMI over the years in their “Detroit’s LGBTQ community has been victim services work. incredibly lucky to have Officer Woods EQMI recently announced the first two working inside of the system over the years to of four award recipients: this year’s Henry ensure our cases and issues are taken seriously Messer Youth Activist Award winner, Aiden and handled with greater care and respect.” Ramirez-Tatum, and the Catalyst Award Officer Woods is a Detroit native and 16- winner, Congressman Dan Kildee (D-Flint.) year veteran with the DPD. She is currently EQMI will honor the awardees on Dec. 2 assigned to the Chief’s Neighborhood Liaison at DTE Energy Headquarters in downtown unit where she coordinates and oversees the Detroit. This political mixer and awards operations of the Citizen Radio Patrol. Officer reception is hosted by EQMI and presented Woods was appointed as the first LGBT by AT&T and DTE Energy. Join more than Liaison Officer for the police department. She 200 celebrants for a powerhouse evening of formulated the first LGBT Advisory Board political mingling, cocktails, fine cuisine, Committee under the appointment of Chief live entertainment, and a celebration of the James E. Craig and is a driving force in the achievements of the policymakers, businesses LGBT community in her efforts of “Bridging and community activists who have helped the Gap” between law enforcement and the make 2016 such a dynamic year of political LGBT community. battles for LGBTQ equality. Officer Woods has not limited her career to For more information and to purchase tickets, visit only patrol calls. She became a Field Training http://bit.ly/eqmi2016. Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown Celebrates Same-Sex Marriages HUNTINGTON WOODS – It’s been more than two years since hundreds of LGBT couples in Michigan were rushing to local courthouses to recite marriage vows on March 22, 2014, a day after a federal judge struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriages. One of four county clerks, Lisa Brown, officiated over 140 same-sex marriages. She and her colleagues worked overtime to make this possible for couples such as Frank Colasonti, Jr. and James B. Ryder; James B. Ryder and husband Frank Colasonti, Jr. with BC Cabangbang and Gary Murphy; Cathy Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown in March 2014. BTL and Laurie Fisher; Rev. Beth Rakestraw and File photo Andrew Potter Beverly Fernsemer; and Roland Smith and Paul Mattson. Tickets are $50. All proceeds from the On Oct. 27, Brown will introduce the event, sponsored by Optimal Care, Inc., community to the five long-time couples will benefit SAGE Metro Detroit (www. who married on that momentous day while SAGEMetrotDetroit.org.) The organization’s celebrating her experience officiating them. mission is to build awareness and promote The event from 7-9 p.m. is hosted by change so that LGBT older adults may age Nina and Howard Abrams at their home in with dignity and authenticity. Huntington Woods. Co-hosts include Nancy To RSVP, call Kathleen LaTosch at 248-812-9202 Katz and Margo Dichtelmiller and Jennifer or email [email protected]. and Kathleen LaTosch, with special honorary co-hosts Gil Evans and Don Nadel. 4 BTL | October 20, 2016 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com October 20, 2016 | BTL 5 NEWS Community Demands Justice for LGBTQ Prisoners BY KATE OPALEWSKI LANSINg – Around 30 Michiganders protested Oct. 12 outside the state’s Department of Corrections Headquarters on Michigan Avenue in Lansing. The rally, “Can’t Cage Our Humanity,” was organized to demand justice for LGBTQ prisoners. “They cannot treat human beings like animals. We’re pissed and showing our support. This is a really serious situation,” said Duncan Tarr, a protestor and student at Michigan State University. Tarr points to the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson where LGBTQ prisoners filed grievances in April against homophobic prison guards for sexual harassment. Retaliation began almost immediately. According to the protest groups’ Facebook page, bogus disciplinary tickets have been issued against the grieving prisoners. Three of seven prisoners were transferred to other units or facilities. The grievances were all eventually rejected for “insufficient evidence” despite multiple witnesses, and the homophobic prison guards have been able to continue their illegal behavior. The online post reads: “We hear reports of the exact same thing Protestors demand justice for LGBTQ prisoners during a rally on Oct. 12 outside the Michigan Department of Corrections Headquarters in downtown Lansing. BTL happening at other Michigan prisons. Sexual Photo: Jan Stevenson harassment of prisoners is a violation of the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act, and just plain wrong.” do so. - Guards who sexually harass prisoners voluntary option of a designated unit or facility Since their last rally in May, Tarr said Despite that, LGBTQ prisoners continue should be removed from their units when and yard where they are safe from sexual nothing has changed. to file grievances, said Tarr, and more tickets they’re under investigation, per MDOC’s harassment and assault. At that time, WILX News 10 reported that have been issued for offenses such as sexual own policy. - Appropriate medical care. the complaints were taken seriously by the misconduct for things like tucking in a shirt. - These homophobic guards already have - Trans prisoners should be able to keep MDOC and were sent to their inspector, which Prisoners have been given excessive sanctions, dozens, or in some cases over a hundred, hormones in their quarters.