State Settles Same- Sex Adoption Case

Dido Has Stories She Might Tell You

Famika Edmond Named Black AIDS Institute Ambassador

EQUALITY MICHIGAN SHARES 'BIGGER AND BOLDER' AGENDA Four Key To-Dos for the LGBTQ Community Across the State

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2 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com VOL. 2713 • MARCH 28, 2019 • ISSUE 1104 PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP 20222 Farmington Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48152 Phone 734.293.7200 PUBLISHERS Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson EDITORIAL Editor in Chief 8 Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 x 102 [email protected]

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Contributing Photographers 24 20 Andrew Potter, Andrew Cohen ADVERTISING & SALES NEWS OPINION Director of Sales 4 BTL History Wheel 10 Parting Glances Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 x 101 [email protected] 8 Planned Parenthood of Michigan Fights Back 10 Viewpoint Against Title X Gag Rule Sales Representatives Ann Cox, 734.293.7200 x 103 11 Creep of the Week [email protected] 12 Michigan Department of Civil Rights Announces 2 Grand Rapids Hearings in Response to National Advertising Representative Discrimination Allegations LIFE Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863 16 Dido Has Stories She Might Tell You MEMBER OF 12 Famika Edmond Named Black AIDS Institute Michigan Press Assoication Detroit Ambassador 20 Jim Toy Birthday Bash National LGBT Media Association National & Chamber 13 State Settles Same-Sex Adoption Case 20 Silky Nutmeg Ganache at Necto April 5 Q Syndicate

14 Hoyer Announces House Vote March 28 Against 21 Art + Feminism Comes to Ann Arbor Trump’s Trans Military Ban 6 Cover: Shares ‘Bigger 22 Happenings and Bolder’ Agenda. 14 Prominent US Activist Denied Entry to Cuba “Between The Lines Newspaper” BTL photo: Andrew Cohen 24 The Frivolist: 5 Ways Laziness Is Costing You 15 HRCK Kicks Off ‘Equality Act’ Campaign With Follow us @YourBTL

Our rate cards are available online. All material appearing Sally Field and Son Sam Greisman 25 Puzzle & Crossword in Between The Lines is protected by federal copyright Email your op–eds to law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without [email protected] the permission of the publishers. Between The Lines is supported by many fine advertisers, but we cannot accept COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS responsibility for claims made by our advertisers, nor Sign up online to receive our E–Digest can we accept responsibility for materials provided by 26 Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Great Lakes advertisers or their agents. Chapter to Host Community Forum in Ypsilanti Copyright 2019 26 Royal Oak Center for Relationship and Sexxual Health to Host Suicide Discussion Event www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 3 June - Protest By Anti-Gay Parents in Troy March - Trans Issues Take Center Stage in 0 S – Backfires:A poster at Troy High School that read Lansing: Putting concerns of the L, the G and ‘ 0 2 0 “Gay People are Everyday People” multiplied the B aside, advocates for civil rights E 0 instead of coming down after parents fought issues stormed Michigan’s Capitol to meet with H 5 the Troy School District for over a year to have senators and state representatives in the state’s T the poster removed from an English classroom, first Trans Lobby Day. Organized by Transgender claiming it promotes sexuality and a homosexual Michigan and the Triangle Foundation, the all-day lifestyle. The school’s English department event on March 17 was co-sponsored by ordered 25 more copies instead of taking it down. organizations throughout the state. The The poster, distributed by the Ferndale-based Trans Lobby Day represented a number of Affirmations LGBTQ Community Center, originally firsts in Michigan. It was the first for the went up in 2003 at the request of the student LGBTQ community and possibly a group Human Equal Rights Organization, which first encounter with gender identity was doing a project on tolerance. It portrayed five and expression issues for some teenagers surrounded by photos of professionals lawmakers. such as caterers, mail carriers, musicians and teachers.

August - Dream Cruise Party Invites LGBTQs: Up until August 2005, the LGBTQ community had been FLASHING left out of the Dream Cruise mix, restricted to private house parties. But Victory Home Loans in Birmingham BACK TO changed that by adding an LGBTQ element to the event. Senior Vice President Chris Campbell, who is gay, hosted an LGBTQ party in THE PAST: the company’s parking lot the night before the Dream Cruise’s official start with a special performance by singer Barbara Payton (pictured). October - New Affirmations LGBTQ Community Center Breaks Ground: After four years of meetings, fundraisers, September - Marriage Amendment Does consultations with architects, building Not Reach the Workplace: In a victory for inspectors, governmental red tape and Michigan same-sex couples, a state judge ruled gallons of coffee, the Building Committee in September 2005 that public employers are not at Affirmations LGBTQ Community Center prohibited from offering domestic partner benefits finally got a chance to celebrate Oct. 23 at to employees. The request for a declaratory a groundbreaking ceremony that included judgment was filed by the ACLU of Michigan special guest appearances from many on behalf of 21 same-sex couples who were dignitaries, most notably former Gov. in danger of losing health care benefits after Jennifer Granholm. Affirmations raised $5 Proposal 2, the anti-gay marriage ban, passed in million toward the construction of a new November 2004. Pictured: Moms and plaintiffs center building to be finished by the fall of in the Proposal 2 lawsuit, Kathleen Moltz and 2006. Dahlia Schwartz, with Jay Kaplan, attorney for the LGBTQ Project of the ACLU.

Ford Motor Company representative Sandra Ford Drives the Extra Mile on LGBTQ Issues Ulsh presenting a check to Affirmations Executive Director Leslie Thompson. BUILT FORD 2000 - On June 8, Ford, General Motors, 2004 - Ford Motor Company Fund and the Chrysler Division of DaimlerChrylser announced a $250,000 gift to the Capital TOUGH? announced same-sex health care benefits. Campaign of Affirmations LGBTQ - Ford sponsored Lambda Car Club D2K Grand Community Center, the largest gift ever A tense two weeks came to a happy ending International Invitational. from a Fortune 500 company to an LGBTQ in December 2005 when Ford unequivocally - Ford received its first corporate “Outie” Award organization. stated its support for the LGBTQ community in for Significant Strides for Progress at the 2000 - Volvo Cars of North America, LLC received words and actions, distancing themselves from Out and Equal Leadership Summit. the Advertising Research Foundation the extremist, right-wing group, the American - Ford and Ford GLOBE presented the David Ogilvy Award and the Association Family Association, that had threatened to Corporate Equality Award at the HRC Detroit of National Advertisers Multi-Cultural boycott the company. Ford executives™ had dinner. Excellence Award for its “Starting a Family” met with AFA representatives on Dec. 1 then - Ford’s first LGBTQ-friendly recruiting ad in advertising campaign targeting LGBTQ discontinued their advertising for Jaguar and a national magazine appeared in the Diversity consumers. Land Rover in LGBTQ publications, raising - Ford sponsored PrideFest in Michigan for the fears that Ford had made a deal with the anti- Careers in Engineering and IT in conjunction first time. - DiversityInc announced that Ford ranked gay AFA to avert a boycott. Ford executives with an article on LGBTQ engineers. - Ford Marketing undertook the most in its annual Top 10 Companies for LGBTQ claimed it was a business decision. Following comprehensive study of LGBTQ consumers by Employees list. a meeting with seven LGBTQ leaders and 2001 - Ford expanded same-sex domestic a major corporation. - Ford added “Gender Identity” as a category Ford executives on Dec. 12, Ford released a partner benefits to include vehicle programs, protected against discrimination, the first of the statement on Dec. 14 that Ford would continue legal services, and more. 2003 - DiversityInc named Ford the number Big 3 to take this step. its support for LGBTQ organizations and events, - Ford ranked as 18th on the 2001 gfn.com 50, one company for diversity, and the number two - Ford received a 100 percent score in the HRC and that the automaker would place corporate a list of the “50 Most Powerful & Gay-Friendly company for LGBTQ employees. Corporate Equality Index. advertising in LGBTQ publications for all eight Public Companies in Corporate America” - Ford brands Jaguar and Volvo begin the first of its brands, including Jaguar and Land Rover. published annually by the Gay Financial LGBTQ-targeted advertising by a Ford brand 2005 - Ford ranked second in the annual Ford’s statment put to rest the worries of LGBTQ Network. with ads in The Advocate. DiversityInc list of The Top 10 Companies for leaders that the corporation was backing off its - The Gay and Lesbian Values Reports scored - Ford named winner of 2003 Gay & Lesbian GLBT Employees. support for LGBTQ consumers, employees and Ford nine out of 10 points on its 2001 GLV Alliance Against Defamation Fairness Award. - Ford received a perfect score of 100 percent community groups. Index. on the HRC Corporate Equality Index. 4 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com CAGE FREE 24 / 7 HAPPY HOUNDS

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www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 5 COVER STORY

Rep. Robert Wittenberg (District 27), Equality Michigan Interim Director Erin Knott, Rep. Andy Levin (District 9), EQMI Board of Directors Chair Michael Rowady, and Sen. Jeremy Moss gathered on Sunday, March 3 at the Ferndale Elks Lodge for EQMI’s fundraising event to announce their 2019 breakthrough goals. BTL Photo: Andrew Cohen Equality Michigan Announces Breakthrough Goals for 2019 Organization Shares ‘Bigger and Bolder’ Agenda, Four Key To-Dos on Behalf of the LGBTQ Community Across the State BY KATE OPALEWSKI secretary of state, EQMI’s Interim Executive Her departure marks the sixth executive recent high-level changes with grace and Director Erin Knott said 2019 is a pivotal director to come and go since 2007. Jeff strength.” here’s no doubt the LGBTQ community year for work to build movement leaders and Montgomery resigned from the Triangle When asked what it’s been like taking on can celebrate the political gains made in empower their supporters and community Foundation – formerly EQMI’s name – in this new responsibility, Knott said, “It’s been 2018, but the Trump administration’s members across Michigan. 2007, Kate Runyon in 2008, Alicia Skillman a balancing act of doing the fundraising that’s Tattacks on the LGBTQ community have “We’ve set an agenda that’s bigger and bolder in 2010, Denise Brogan-Kator in 2012 and needed, focusing on the administrative work escalated since then – particularly toward than anything that you’ve seen from Equality Emily Dievendorf in 2015. that needs to happen and supporting my transgender people. And last year’s midterm Michigan in the past,” Knott said, during an Michael Rowady, EQMI’s 501(c)(3) board teammates here. But the primary purpose is election results, while encouraging, do not EQMI fundraising event on Sunday, March 3, chair, confirmed a search will be conducted getting up and doing the work on behalf of reduce the imminent threats the LGBTQ at the Ferndale Elks Lodge. for a new executive director later this year by the LGBTQ community across Michigan, our community faces; there is a lot of work yet to do. Knott stepped into her existing position both the board of directors and the Equality supporters, our allies. And that work’s not Recognizing that, Equality Michigan – a in January when the organization’s board Michigan Action Network, the 501(c)(4) arm stopping just because we’ve had some leadership statewide, LGBTQ-centered, anti-violence unanimously decided not to renew former of the organization. changes.” group – is planning for rapid progress on the Executive Director Stephanie White’s contract. Rowady had this to say about Knott, who is Despite Knott’s positive attitude, questions issues that matter most to the organization’s This decision, according to a press release, was an established political operative, Kalamazoo from community members continue to arise members and supporters. With a more made as a result of EQMI’s efforts to retool for Vice Mayor and EQMI’s previous political regarding the sustainability of EQMI with its politically balanced incoming legislature and 2019 and years to come. White held the position director. frequent turnover in employees, executive a pro-equality governor, attorney general and since October 2015. “[She] has led the organization through directors and board members resigning.

6 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com In response, Knott said the board is “being Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield. When learn how to grassroots lobby at the Capitol in policy for gender markers on drivers licenses incredibly mindful about what they need to do asked about the expansion of LGBTQ rights Lansing or in municipalities where NDOs are and state IDs. to right the ship” to ensure they’re never in a after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s first State of the to be voted on. This particular training, Knott “We’re exploring the possibility of a third similar position again. State address in February, Shirkey told Michigan said, will help members of the community who option regarding gender,” Knott said. Knott’s current teammates consist of Serena Radio he believes his chamber has higher have experienced various forms of violence, In addition, EQMI is working to ensure that Johnson, director of victims services; Jey’nce priority issues. And during a live interview including domestic violence, sexual assault, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights can Poindexter, transgender victims advocate; and on Off the Record in January, Chatfield said, hate violence, harassment and discrimination to continue taking the complaints of LGBTQ Genny Maze, lead victims advocate. Other “I’m never going to endorse a law or allow a “effectively tell their stories in whatever capacity discrimination that the organization will be staff positions were cut as part of “substantial bill to come for a vote that I believe infringes that they feel safe so that it impacts lawmakers.” helping members of the community learn how adjustments” EQMI made to their budget on someone’s ability to exercise their sincerely to file. including consolidating services and by finding held religious beliefs.” Knott said the organization is going to services that better meet their needs that aren’t Knott has publicly said to both of them that Crisis Services work with the governor’s office, the Michigan as expensive. they are not on the right side of public opinion. As they have in the past, the advocacy and Department of Health and Human Services “We know that our financial health is in “The public is behind us and believes in political arms of the organization will continue and the Department of Insurance and question,” Knott said, who said she wants to fully-inclusive benefits for all Michiganders, working together to gather those important Financial Services to make sure that Michigan’s be transparent with EQMI’s supporters and the including those from the LGBTQ community,” stories. Last year, EQMI’s Victim Services Medicaid programs do not discriminate against general public. “We know that our expenses she said. “We are going to get the Michigan Program – which provides 24-hour, seven days transgender recipients and that their medical outpaced revenue that was coming in.” House to pass a fully-inclusive bill to amend a week, crisis support and advocacy services care is provided. In an effort to fix that, Knott said, “We’ve Elliott-Larsen. That’s the benchmark for this for LGBTQ, SGL (Same Gender Loving), and “It’s not about cosmetic surgery, it is tightened our spending.” year, to get a vote in the state House.” HIV-affected people – was able to serve over medically necessary and we’re going to change “In previous years, we had a budget that The first time the legislature tried to amend 400 LGBTQ people. that,” she said. was much bigger than we were able to cover ELCRA to include and “Our goal for 2019 is to grow the program Knott said that EQMI will work with their with revenue coming in and that focused us gender identity was in 1983. Since then, a budget by 65 percent to provide accredited partners in the legislature to reintroduce a bill to take time away from the mission,” she said. number of additional bills have been introduced support to over 600-plus LGBTQ people in to ban conversion therapy. “But we’ve made some adjustments. We have to add protections for the LGBTQ community crisis,” she said. “Plain and simple. This is a barbaric policy the right people in place. In 2017 and 2018 without passage. This makes Michigan one The organization has already expanded their principal that happens,” she said. “Other states we were out of balance, we recognize that. It’s of 31 states that do not have fully-inclusive reach across the state to cities like Bay City, are doing it, heck, other cities across the U.S. not going to look like it has in previous years.” protections for LGBTQ people. Although there Grand Rapids, Holland and Traverse City, are doing it. It’s time for Michigan to pass a When donor Henry Messer died in 2014 are more than 40 municipalities that provide a maintaining regular pop-up office hours where conversion therapy ban.” he left $3 million to EQMI in two parts. The “patchwork framework” of non-discrimination the community has direct access to Johnson, And if the organization can’t get the first was a $1 million gift to be disbursed over ordinances, Knott said, “That really doesn’t Poindexter and Maze, a staff of three that legislature to move on this, Knott said they four years for general operating expenses. The work so well” when, for example, an LGBTQ Knott said is doing more than the work of can work with the governor’s office, particularly second part of the bequest was $2 million in couple can go out to dinner in one city without three employees. as it relates to Medicaid programs. an endowment fund housed at the Community being discriminated against, but in another “There is so much opportunity, unfortunately, “There’s ways in which the Department Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Interest city in the same county, that LGBTQ couple for us to go deeper,” Knott said, who is faced of Insurance and Financial Services can put earned on the endowment is available to the may be asked to leave the restaurant because with finding a way to provide additional some rules in place so that if you are a recipient organization for general operating expenses. of how they identify. support for her staff so they are able to serve of Medicaid funds, you can’t be engaging in The original plan was to use the $250,000 “It’s unjust and it’s unfair and we’re going more members of the LGBTQ community, conversion therapy practices.” per year over four years – in part – to build to change that this year,” she said. “Our focus especially the transgender community. EQMI hopes to make a lot of progress fundraising capabilities so that when the four will make sure that we are prepared going into “The fact that trans women of color are in the next few years, but none of this is years of disbursements ended the organization 2020 and beyond. In order to change the lived getting gunned down in the streets, they’re possible without support from members of would be in a position to replace those funds. experience of LGBTQ people, we need to do getting physically attacked just because of the community. According to available financial reports, four things.” who they are – we need to be amplifying that “We need people to join our movement,” operating income from donors and grants call, that crisis, like ring the bell that this is an Knott said. “I need to build my network of did increase substantially, increasing over 50 emergency.” folks that I can mobilize. Whether it’s a lobby percent from $406,000 in 2016 to just over Building Political Power day that comes up later this year. Whether it’s $600,000 in 2018. But that was not enough to To build the kind of political power EQMI a rapid response event we need to turn out for replace the $250,000 spent åper year from the needs to make changes, they will work at Community Education a particular committee hearing. I need people Messer gift. strengthening “farm teams” across the state Part of going deeper means educating to flood the phone lines. ... We need stories and In late 2018 the board realized the of Michigan. the community. EQMI plans to engage obviously, we need the financial resources to organization had expanded and was staffed at “We need to change who is making decisions companies, universities, schools and maybe be able to do this work. We can’t do it without an annual operating budget of about $800,000 up and down the ballot. I think we’ve done even governmental units on diversity inclusion the support of the broader community and with only the capacity to raise about three this, but there’s more room for improvement,” workplace education through facilitated our allies. I’m trying to make the pitch so that quarters of that. Knott said. employee trainings. EQMI will work in people understand why investing in Equality Despite budget concerns, the organization But how is the organization going to get partnership with organizations like the ACLU Michigan, particularly after marriage, is so continues to focus on its policy and its electoral there? EQMI plans to engage more members of Michigan, community centers across the critical for this work going forward.” work. Knott said EQMI will renew and increase of the community to support LGBTQ city and state and PFLAG to hold Michigan town investments in year-round programming to township elections. halls and community forums to explain what Board of Directors build a base of active, civically engaged LGBTQ “2019 is a year that often times we don’t think Whitmer’s historic executive directive means. people and allies to help propel their work about civic engagement because it’s municipal And, EQMI will help its supporters learn how to Currently serving on the EQMI board is forward. elections. Those folks are the farm team, like file complaints with the Michigan Civil Rights Michael Rowady, chair; David Worthams, vice First, to help achieve their breakthrough me. We need to be electing more pro-equality Commission. chair; Mira Krishnan, treasurer; Tim Atkinson, goals, EQMI will work toward changing the lawmakers at the municipal level,” Knott said. secretary; Buzz Thomas, member at large; minds of decision makers. Cultivating LGBTQ individuals to run in Chuck Otis; Richard Vaughn; and Jeff Hastedt. “There are two people in positions of power local races requires training, which EQMI is Legislative and Executive The EQMI Action Network consists of Trevor that control the legislature that have said an prepared to do. Knott said they will host three Branch Advocacy Thomas, chair; Cheryl Gilliam, vice chair; Mira amendment to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights perspective LGBTQ candidate trainings across Krishnan, treasurer; Tim Atkinson, secretary; Act is not going to see the light of day,” she said. the state. EQMI will also hold an advocate EQMI is currently working in partnership Ronald Moore, member at large; and Chuck They are Republican Majority Leader of training day to help members of the community with the ACLU of Michigan and Secretary of Otis. the Senate Mike Shirkey and the Republican State Jocelyn Benson to create a more inclusive www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 7 Protests against the gag rule in June 2018 at former Attorney General Bill Schuette’s private gubernatorial fundraiser, attended by Vice President Mike Pence. BTL photo: Eve Kucharski Planned Parenthood of Michigan Fights Back Against Title X Gag Rule

BY EVE KUCHARSKI the majority of whom are people of color, surrounding Title X funding. Emily Hispanic or Latino, and the gag rule will Clancy is Planned Parenthood’s East ore than 40 years old, Title worsen existing racial, socioeconomic and Michigan community organizer. She said X has long been the nation’s geographical health disparities.” that frequently she talks with people who only federal grant program that In total, of the $286 million Title are completely unaware of Title X’s impact Mprovides family planning and preventative X distributes to providers, Planned on their own health. health services to roughly 4 million Parenthood receives almost $60 million “People are often surprised to learn people across the U.S. Perhaps the best- annually. In a previous article for BTL that, ‘Oh, I probably used Title X when known organization funded by Title X on the same issue, Planned Parenthood I went to Planned Parenthood because I is Planned Parenthood. It, along with of Michigan Director of Media and couldn’t pay for my visit,’” Clancy said. other health care providers, has received Communications Ruth Lednicer said “It’s not something like Medicaid and funding via Title X since it was passed in that what many who support the Trump health insurance that you know that you’re 1970 and today, of the 4 million people administration’s push to end Title X utilizing those services. So, when I go into who benefit from Title X funding, the funding for Planned Parenthood might what Title X is and how it really helps century-old Planned Parenthood serves not understand is that there are already our patients who can’t afford our whole 1.5 million across roughly 1,600 clinics, processes in place that prevent public visit, then people see how they may have providing regular health services like funding from being used for abortion benefitted as well.” ultrasounds, prenatal care, birth control services. Lednicer added that confusion about and STD testing. However, due to the “There is a law in place called the Hyde the abortion services provided by Planned Trump administration’s recent passage Amendment which prohibits federal funds Parenthood is frequent, too. of a Reagan-era gag rule that bans Title to be used to pay for abortion. So, whether “Abortion is less than 5 percent of X funds from reaching service providers you’re on Medicaid, Title X or privately what we do. The number one thing that who provide abortion services, the myriad insured, you’re going to be paying out of people come to us for is birth control other services Planned Parenthood pocket for that. What federal funds do followed very closely thereafter by STI provides are at risk. At the beginning of pay for is all the things that President testing and treatment. We also do cancer the month, Planned Parenthood filed a Nixon put in place, which is for people screenings and pap smears, breast exams, lawsuit against the rule. to have control over reproduction and to HIV testing,” Lednicer said. “The Trump-Pence administration’s have access to family planning,” Lednicer However, the biggest difference gag rule is unethical, illegal and harmful said. “We actually see 70 percent of the between most other providers is that to public health, which is why Planned Title X patients in the state of Michigan. Planned Parenthood provides abortion Parenthood is joining together with the So, without us here there’s nowhere else as an option when pregnant patients come American Medical Association to sue they can go.” in to use services. to protect patients’ rights and access to “We do all the things that people need health care,” said Dr. Leana Wen, president for reproductive health and well-being,” of Planned Parenthood. “... Title X serves Misconceptions Lednicer said. “I said to someone recently, women and families with low incomes, And that’s not the only confusion ‘Can you imagine, as a man, going to see 8 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com a doctor for treatment and there’s three options for treatment and you’re only told two?’ That We’re not closing, we’re says so much about how we value women.” “ not going away. There’s no LGBTQ Impact danger to anyone’s care Angela Vasquez-Giroux is the at this moment and at the communications and media specialist for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan. moment that there is, we She said that as of May 3, 2019, the rule will will do everything in our officially take effect, but Planned Parenthood won’t be affected until the 2020 fiscal year power to make sure that begins. “So it wouldn’t mean that on May 4 our everyone who needs care doctors would have to stop offering services, will still get it. it’s just that it would take effect for the next fiscal year of funding, Vasquez-Giroux said. ” - Angela Vasquez-Giroux “We still have the funding for this year, it’s in the bank account, but for the following year. supporters in Lansing to hear from our One thing we do want to stress is that we’re champions, our community leaders and our not closing, we’re not going away. There’s no legislative champions and then going through danger to anyone’s care at this moment and at a series of breakout sessions on a whole variety the moment that there is, we will do everything of our issues.” in our power to make sure that everyone who Those breakout sessions will include the needs care will still get it.” topics of abortion, birth control, Title X and While that is good news for those who utilize more. the organization’s services in the short-term, “We’ll be dissecting all the information Vasquez-Giroux pointed out that there are surrounding it because I think it’s really kind six rural Michigan counties where Planned of a confusing rule and people aren’t sure about Parenthood is the only Title X provider. Should how they can help and we’ll be giving people lack of funding shutter those locations, she some tips for how they can take action,” she said that filling that gap with another provider said. won’t be simple. Clancy added that for those who might not “So, people will say, ‘Oh, some other provider be able to attend the event but would like to stay will step in,’ but they won’t because that’s a very informed, she recommended texting “STAND” difficult program to administer and that’s why to 22422. there’s not a great diversity of organizations who “That is just a text update system and when participate in this program because it’s not easy something moves around the ruling and it to do,” she said. “The other thing is that, we are will alert you when new messaging material the only Title X provider in the city of Detroit is available,” she said. “[Planned Parenthood and we’re talking about problems of access. And also] created this whole website dedicated to [when] you think of access in terms of income Title X and patients sharing their stories and and then being part of marginalized group like videos that really just kind of break it all down. I the LGBT community and about things like highly recommend our supporters breaking that transportation, in Detroit, all those things kind down and taking time to educate themselves of intersect. The thought of someone having no on what this is.” other place to go for basic reproductive health Lastly, Vasquez-Giroux recommends care in the city of Detroit, it terrifies me.” reaching out to local politicians to inform Planned Parenthood is also a provider of Pre- them of the multi-state lawsuit and spreading Exposure Prophylaxis pills which are used to awareness. treat HIV. As of 2018, the city had an infection “We’ve talked to a lot of elected people at rate that was four times that of other counties the capitol and in Washington and it’s not a in Michigan which could increase should the partisan issue, this is something that everyone Detroit location close its doors. recognizes is an accessible program. So hearing from constituents I think is really important,” Getting Involved she said. “The other thing is that one of the best ways that people at large can support Planned When asked how supporters of Planned Parenthood is to come see us for services, we Parenthood’s overall services could get involved, take insurance and we are a quality health care Clancy cited an upcoming Lansing event provider. That’s another way to just show your designed to bring awareness about the issue support and get your exam taken care of in to the public and to the Michigan legislature. one fell swoop.” “Right now I am really kind of spending the next couple of weeks planning for our big Powering Change Action Summit that’s going Visit istandwithpp.org to find out more to take place in Lansing on April 16,” Clancy about Planned Parenthood’s national said. “Title X will definitely be a huge part of awareness campaign, or go online to the conversation and the way we’re envisioning plannedparenthoodaction.org for more this day going is gathering hundreds of our information about the organization. www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 9 Parting Glances BY CHARLES ALEXANDER Go for Gluten-Free Communion Wafers ccording to a tad too many fundygelical church know- it-alls, we LGBTQs are doomed to spend an eternity in hell. (Purgatory be damned!) So agree President Trump Aand VP Mike Pence, America’s hand-me-down present political and past-tense, self-styled saints. By the way, sinners means you, me and a now retired Lady T Tempest. But not necessarily in that order. It also means that, try hard as our doomed LGBTQ lost lot might wish it, or encourage it, there will be no backroom confessional worship available – or allowable on the qt – for us lost sinners in heaven; so far, that is: unsaved but not unhappy. And we will miss the golden opportunity of forever singing God’s praises day after day after day after day after day after ... well, you get the heavenly off-key, on-key, drift. But things may be soon changing for us doomed Noah’s Ark rainbow rejects. A newly formed, ecumenical religious group called St. Peter’s Approval Method, or SPAM, has developed a surefire – but not hellfire – strategy for LGBTQs to get past the pearly gates into bona fide, cloud seven condo heaven. It’s hoped, by advocates for this SPAM born-again coalition, that at long last we’ll be blessed with equal “praise God” rights too long denied us; although, it’s occasionally been considered an Viewpoint enterprising option over the redemptive centuries by the blessed virgin mother’s celibate priesthood. (Need one say more?) SPAM spokesperson Adam Edenfig, one of America’s 23 Adoption Case Settlement is people living gay and out as a Jehovah’s Witness, admits to developing the necessary strategy and steps for LGBTQs to Win for LGBTQ Michiganders follow that will get get everyone gaily singing into heaven. And before the world ends in a big bang left behind. Boasts Edenfig, “Not many may know this, but to begin with BY JAY KAPLAN we gay Watchtower JWs don’t believe in hell or GOP politics for that matter. So, as a gay Watchtower queen I’ve never had to his past Friday came the announcement that the ACLU The state of Michigan, represented by then-Attorney General worry about hellfire. I’ve never been into Log Cabin theocratic of Michigan and the state of Michigan settled a lawsuit Bill Schuette responded by saying that the same-sex couples flame kink anyway.” that we, the ACLU, had filed – challenging the state’s turned away by these specific faith-based agencies could just Tpractice of allowing state-contracted, taxpayer-funded foster go to other agencies who wouldn’t discriminate against them. According to Edenfig, here’s how the SPAM Admission Strategy System works, “We take the one thing from each care and adoption agencies to use religious criteria to exclude However, as a result of the 2018 elections, current Attorney American, home-brewed faith that sets it apart as ‘special’ for same-sex couples. General Dana Nessel reconsidered that position and is now sure salvation and make certain that our LGBTQ friends wanting Our plaintiffs, Kristy and Dana Dumont and Erin and requiring that all contracted foster care and adoption agencies to be saved subscribe to each of these rituals as required. (God Rebecca Busk-Sutton, wanted to become foster parents with the not discriminate against same-sex couples in their provision knows its worth a try. What in hell have we got to lose anyway?) intention of adopting children who are wards of the state, but of services. Elections do have consequences, and in this case, “We at the SPAM don’t mean to brag, but for each LGBTQ they were turned down by two faith-based agencies Bethany some very positive ones for the LGBTQ community. sinner who follows our Redemption Plan we have an attorney Christian Services and St. Vincent Catholic Charities. The We applaud the state of Michigan for recognizing that team we call the Salvation Six – including one straight Harvard adoption agencies have contracts to with the state of Michigan discrimination has no place in our child welfare system. This Law School Grad – to document a suitable-for-heaven admission to act on behalf of the state but turned the plaintiff’s down move will support the nearly 12,000 children in foster care in proof ID form. because of their own religious objections to accepting same- Michigan – particularly those who are in group homes because A sure guarantee of admission. And printed as true with sex couples. of the lack of available families or those currently waiting to be words in Gothic letters and New Testament red.” The state of Michigan actually has the agencies it contracts adopted by a loving family. It also sends a powerful message “First and foremost is baptism,” says Edenfig. “LGBTers need with sign a statement that pledges they will not discriminate that discrimination will not be tolerated, nor taxpayer-funded to be baptized twice. By sprinkling and by immersion in water. based on a number of categories, including sexual orientation. in Michigan. But not necessarily in that order. Just for old times’ sake, a touch Despite the fact, that the two faith-based agencies signed Same-sex couples like the Dumonts and the Busk-Suttons, of patchouli can be added to the holy water. Robe choice is the statement and proceeded to discriminate. Though the who want to open up their hearts and homes to a child in optional but festive. Nude baptism’s a no-no. state was aware that it was violating the language of the need, should be judged on only one thing: their capacity to “Baptism in a Mormon temple would be an additional contracts, it took no action. We filed our lawsuit in federal provide love and support to a child, not whether they pass a salvation touch for probable admission guarantee. Although you court in September 2017, arguing that the state’s refusal to act, religious test. Allowing agencies to turn away qualified families violated the federal Constitution because it singled out LGBT does nothing to provide more families for children in need of families for discrimination while crossing the line between See Parting Glances, continued on p. 11 the separation of church and state. See Viewpoint, continued on p. 11 10 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com We applaud the state of Michigan for recognizing that discrimination has no place in our child welfare system. Creep Of The Week This move will support the nearly 12,000 children in foster BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI care in Michigan ell, the Mueller report is out and to number of foster/adoption agencies to hear Donald Trump tell it the entire ® Viewpoint care for children. However, the fact is thing contained only a hand-lettered Regardless of what the Mueller Wnote on wide-ruled notebook paper that read, Continued from p. 10 that there is a shortage of families for kids report says, or doesn’t say, that in Michigan, not a shortage of agencies. “I like you, do you like me? Circle YES or NO.” Currently, there are close to 80 agencies, I, like many people, believe the entire report doesn’t change the fact that we a loving, stable home – it merely reduces including faith-based agencies that are needs to be released. But I also never believed the pool of eligible families for these kids. willing to accept all qualified families, that Mueller alone could save us. Trump’s have a dangerously unstable and Whether agencies are faith-based or secular, including LGBTQ families. As experience presidency is such a colossal mess that one incompetent leader at the helm. when they choose to accept taxpayer dollars in other states has demonstrated, when man, even one man with a team of lawyers to provide a critical government service, agencies have chosen to discontinue and a huge budget behind him, cannot save us. Trump is unfit for office. they must put the interests of children providing foster care services, other Now Trump and his supporters feel above everything else. agencies, including faith-based agencies, vindicated, getting matching “NO It’s important to note that when religious seamlessly took over that work and services COLLUSION” tattoos on their pasty white history of disappointing the very people it needs criteria are used in the child welfare system, to children continued uninterrupted. butt cheeks. If you’d like to see a pic of Jared support from. If Democrats are to win, my it is not only same-sex couples who are at Freedom of religion is a core American Kushner’s, just hit him up on WhatsApp. advice: knock it off, Democrats. risk. In South Carolina, because of such a value but that freedom does not give Regardless of what the Mueller report says, or Look, you don’t need to go very far back in policy, the largest agency in the state accepts anyone the right to a government contract doesn’t say, that doesn’t change the fact that we history to see how we got to this point. In fact, only Protestant Christians and has turned that deprives children in the foster care have a dangerously unstable and incompetent you can’t go very far back in history because the away Catholic and Jewish families. This system of families who could care for them. leader at the helm. Trump is unfit for office. is still a baby as far as countries denies children countless families who Last week’s case settlement was a strong But he is also pretty popular with Republicans. are concerned. could provide them that loving home. statement by the current administration Why? Because he’s fulfilling his main campaign We’ve seen the Democratic Party scrambling As part of their legal arguments, St. in Michigan that it’s the welfare of children promise: “I will hurt the people you don’t like!” to get back to being the party of the people. But Vincent Catholic Charities, which was that should come first. Mexicans? Check. LGBTQ people? Check. there is so much work to do. It’s frustrating to permitted to intervene in the case, stated Muslims? Check. The poor? Check. African- a lot of younger and more liberal folks that that if they were not permitted as a Jay Kaplan is a staff attorney with the ACLU Americans? Check. The list goes on. Democrats aren’t unanimously calling for contracted agency to turn away same-sex of Michigan since 2001. He can be reached Here’s the thing. The Republican Party has single-payer health care, reparations for racial couples that they would have to shut down at [email protected] been preaching for decades that government injustice, breaking up corporate juggernauts and that this would result in an insufficient is bad, that it can do nothing positive and that and impeaching Trump. the smaller it is the better. So their appeal to the But change is slow. And difficult. The average Republican voter is, “Government ain’t Democratic Party isn’t a Jet Ski we can just flip gonna do shit for YOU, but at least it’s gonna to change directions, it’s a huge cruise ship that ® Parting Glances “Sunday is of course the day when most do shit to THEM.” That’s how you get people takes a long time to turn around. And in the meantime, deck chairs and tables are sliding Continued from p. 10 Americans do pew sitting, but according to vote against their own interests. to Seventh-day Adventists, JHVH (short It’s pretty bleak stuff. back and forth and crashing into people as the for Heaven’s equivalent of Donald Trump’s But let’s not lose our collective minds. Or ship navigates some hella rough seas. Also, everyone on the ship has norovirus. So, it’s a might have to give an elder – maybe one title) didn’t authorize the change from try not to, at least. Because we really need to literal shit storm. of those young, biking-about missionaries Saturday to Sunday. It’s the Mark of the keep them if we want Trump the hell out of That said, it’s survivable for most people. But – a generous tip for admission to the – you know who – beast. (Oh, no! Mary. office in 2020. it sucks. And the best way to get through this neighborhood Angel Moroni baptismal It can’t be!) Something to remember: Democrats took mess is to work together. Even when we feel sick tubs. “Our SPAM plan of keeping both days control of the U.S. House in 2018. That’s not and tired, literally and figuratively. “You could also take an oath of celestial of worship is the real test for convincing nothing. It’s not enough, mind you, but it’s a Any Democrat vying for the party’s loyalty on the Book of Mormon and those admission. If any unsaved gay guy, for start. nomination would make a far superior leader famous, self-polishing golden tablets. The example, can show he earned our NT red Also, as Mark Harris wrote on Twitter, than Trump. Even the terrible ones. Seriously, Latter-day Saints also do proxy baptisms Salvation 6 Attorney proof by observing “Without collusion, I’m concerned that the the bar really couldn’t be set lower. for the dead. (Farfetched but nonetheless each Sabbath, it almost goes without saying only thing Democrats will be able to use against Trump is an ignorant and cruel man. So worth considering for willing to that even St. Peter can’t say no to a gay Trump in 2020 is literally every other issue.” it’s no surprise that he’s governing that way. give proxy salvation long-shot a try.) If somebody. In other words, try something like health The country is looking to the Democrats to you have plural LGBT spouse or spouses, “From one repentant Peter to another care (suggested slogan for Democrats: “We counteract this. But “love thy neighbor” is a so much the better.” St. Peter, repeat after me, ‘Welcome aren’t the ones actively trying to kill you!”), hard sell, even though I think some famous guy Edenfig says the final strategy for home, homo no more!’ It’s that simple,” the environment (same slogan applies), social said it once. As someone so brilliantly posted guaranteed admission of LGBTQs to says Edenfig. “Ask Mike Pence. He should security (suggested slogan: “No cat food for on Twitter during the first time (or was it the denied evangelical, quasi-fundamentalist, k n ow.” Grandma!”), public schools (“Stupid is painful, 2nd? Or 3rd? Or ...) Republicans were trying Trump-blessed heaven may prove so let’s not”), equality (“We’re the only party to take away health care: it’s hard to convince challenging for many and a few Charles Alexander is prolific both as a that thinks LGBTQ people are human”), someone that they should care about other sports-minded dykes. BTL columnist (700-plus columns) and as voting rights (“Stop this anti-voting bullshit!”), people if they, you know, don’t. “Going to church service on both a well-known LGBT community artist (1000 criminal justice reform (“Let’s stop murdering Trump cares only about himself. He is a Saturday and Sunday is challenging. No images). He is a Spirit of Detroit black men and locking the rest of them in prison disaster. Democrats are the only party offering time to party. Or, for , to play Award recipient and an Affirmations LGBT for no good reason”), etc. disaster relief. So all hands on deck. softball. CENTER Jan Stevenson awardee. Connect And yet, the Democratic Party has a long with him at [email protected]. www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 11 NEWS Michigan Department of Famika Edmond Named Black AIDS Civil Rights Announces 2 Grand Rapids Hearings in Institute Detroit Ambassador Response to Discrimination BY EVE KUCHARSKI people on HIV/AIDS advocacy and on you’re opting out of certain services. And Allegations advocating for one’s own health when visiting people have to know that they still should be n a national scale, The Centers for health providers. She said that she took an getting tested and checked out. They may be BY BTL STAFF Disease Control and Prevention have interest in that more when she had her own taken aback and made to feel like they aren’t reported that new HIV diagnoses HIV/AIDS health scare. meant to have these questions.” Ohave remained relatively stable in recent “A couple of years ago when I was in my In addition to her existing knowledge about GRAND RAPIDS – The Michigan Department of Civil Rights has scheduled years – as of 2017, new diagnoses hovered late 20s I had a scare myself. My husband HIV and AIDS, Edmond underwent a five-day two fact-finding hearings in Grand Rapids roughly around 39,000. Despite that stability, was very free loving and was having outside training sessions in New Orleans Sponsored on March 28 in response to allegations of however, people of color, in particular black, relationships outside of our marriage and I by BAI to emphasize not only goals for 2019 discriminatory conduct against people of Hispanic and Latino men who have sex with had to get tested. It was the worst two weeks but to get to know other women around the color. The hearings will be held on Thursday, men, are disproportionately affected by the I ever had before I found out that everything country in similar situations to her own. She March 28, 2019, at Greater Grand Rapids virus; of all the women in the U.S. who have NAACP located at 1530 Madison Ave. SE, HIV, 72 percent are black. The Black AIDS Grand Rapids. Institute is one organization working to stop “We are present because of the two recent those trends of infection, in particular in videos as well as other such events from the communities of color. Though the national past 18 months. Each of these instances are group is Los Angeles-based, this year they’ve disturbing and should not be happening,” introduced a volunteer-centered national said Dr. Agustin V. Arbulu, director of Women’s Ambassador Program dedicated to MDCR. “We want to hear more from the taking the virus head-on across the nation community and assess what our next steps and reducing its spread. For Detroit, Famika may be as it relates to the ongoing issues Edmond answered the call. between communities of color and the “The Black Women’s Ambassador program Grand Rapids Police Department. Following is dedicated to amplifying the voices and these hearings, the department staff will the leadership of black women around the determine our next steps.” country and having conversations about HIV Anyone with an interaction with the treatment and prevention,” she said. “This Grand Rapids Police Department who would cohort of women comes from around the like to share their experiences is invited to country including Puerto Rico and includes attend one of the two hearings. Speaking women who are living with HIV and who are time may be limited due to time constraints. HIV-negative, women of the trans experience Written statements will also be accepted and cisgender women. These women will be during the hearings. leading both [in-person] educational outreach Written statements will be accepted and through social media in their communities electronically starting at 1 p.m. March while they receive support from the Black Famika Edmond. Photo by Nina Lavoy 21, 2019, and ending at 1 p.m. on Friday, AIDS Institute to support their work.” April 4, 2019. Statements must include a Edmond, who is a community outreach name, address and a telephone number or specialist at the Detroit Health Department came back OK,” she said. “After that, it made said that though she doesn’t have HIV herself email address for contact. Statements can when not volunteering, said that she was me more aware of why we have to be aware of it has impacted her life, and meeting people be emailed to Community Engagement drawn to BAI’s ambassador project because who we’re having sex with, what their status is, from the program has given her perspective Liaison Gwendolyn Moffitt at MoffittG@ of its inclusion and overarching goals. This what our status is. And then, I also had a few on fighting it and increased her excitement Michigan.gov. role will officially last a year during which family members that were also positive. We about her new role. The Michigan Department of Civil time she’ll be responsible for curating a had to bury one and one is still with us right “[I’m excited about] being able to get Rights, the operational arm of the social media account dedicated to providing now, so it has impacted me as a caregiver and information, awareness out there to black Michigan Civil Rights Commission, is HIV/AIDS awareness, leading community in my [personal] situation.” women. Because with me doing the type of charged with investigating and resolving conversations about the virus, linking She now advises anyone who suspects they work I do, that, unfortunately, is a demographic discrimination complaints and works to community members to resources and more. may have HIV/AIDS or another STD or STI, we can’t hit because they’re not considered prevent discrimination through educational She said her first community-driven event will particularly those in the LGBTQ community an at-risk population,” she said. “So being programs that promote voluntary kick off in April. like herself, to be firm with their health care able to have that platform not just being able compliance with civil rights laws. The “The first thing I’m going to be doing is providers in accessing the resources. to talk about medical intervention but also Department also provides information and a table for the National HIV/AIDS Youth “I had just had an experience recently about sexual health and reproductive justice, services to businesses on diversity initiatives Awareness Day,” Edmond said. “So I will be myself,” she said. “I do date women and all of those topics, trying to lump that all in and equal employment law. putting on a table that day [April 10. And my doctor is aware of that and she felt like together.” that’s] where I’ll be putting my literature out because I have dated women and have had The entrance to the facility is on the Cottage from BAI. And then in the month of May, I’m a hysterectomy that she didn’t have to give Follow Edmond on social media to learn more Grove side of the building. Session one will actually going to be doing a pamper and prep me a pap smear or any kind of HIV or STD about specific events she’s hosting and to get be held from 1 to 4 p.m., while session two party. So people come, get prettied up and I’m testing, even though I was requesting it. And it HIV/AIDS resources. To find out more about will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more going to be able to have the opportunity to baffled me because if you’re using your vagina Edmond and the women in her cohort go online information on the Michigan Department of give them the education while they’re there.” or your penis, you should be getting checked. to blackaids.org/amassador-program-for-black- Civil Rights, go to Michigan.gov/mdcr. Even before she joined with BAI, Edmond I felt like a lot of times, especially with lesbian women/ said that she spent part of 2018 educating women, they figure in a same-sex relationship

12 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com Michigan Rainbow flag on the mast. Photo by Creative Photo Corner. State Settles Same-Sex Adoption Case BY BTL STAFF

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today announced a settlement with Limiting the opportunity the plaintiffs in Dumont et al. v Gordon et al. “ for a child to be adopted or (Case No. 2:17-cv-13080), a case centering on some state-contracted foster care and adoption fostered by a loving home agencies’ (agencies) refusal to work with same- not only goes against the sex couples or LGBTQ individuals wanting to foster or adopt children referred to the agencies state’s goal of finding a by the state Department of Health and Human home for every child, it is Services. “Discrimination in the provision of foster a direct violation of the care case management and adoption services contract every child placing is illegal, no matter the rationale,” Nessel said. “Limiting the opportunity for a child to be agency enters into with the adopted or fostered by a loving home not only state. goes against the state’s goal of finding a home for every child, it is a direct violation of the ” - Attorney General Dana Nessel contract every child placing agency enters into with the state.” case on terms consistent with the law and Two same-sex couples (plaintiffs) filed a existing agency contracts and that best serve complaint in September 2017 challenging the health, safety and well-being of children MDHHS’s contracts with taxpayer-funded, in need of state-contracted foster care case state-contracted foster care and adoption management and adoption services. agencies that refuse to provide contract The plaintiffs and the Michigan Department services involving same-sex couples. The of Attorney General, on behalf of its client complaint alleged that the plaintiffs approached MDHHS, entered into negotiations and St. Vincent Catholic Charities and Bethany agreed to settle the case. Under the terms of Christian Services directly to adopt children the the settlement agreement, MDHHS agrees to agencies had accepted through referrals from maintain non-discriminatory provisions in MDHHS. The plaintiffs claimed the agencies its foster care and adoption agency contracts. refused to work with them in violation of the MDHHS also agrees to enforce the non- non-discrimination provisions in the agencies’ discrimination provisions up to and including contracts with MDHHS. termination when a state-contracted agency According to MDHHS, each agency was discriminates against same-sex couples or providing foster care case management or LGBTQ individuals that may otherwise be adoption services for one or more children qualified foster care or adoptive parents for referred to them by MDHHS. Because the any child accepted by the agency for services plaintiffs were not seeking direct-placement under contract with MDHHS. The agreement or private adoption services and because they also specifies that MDHHS is not required to were not referred to the agencies through take adverse action against an agency on the MDHHS, the agencies could not reject them basis that the agency has decided not to accept under existing state law. a referral from MDHHS. When Attorney General Nessel took office Jan. 1, 2019, she reviewed the facts of the case MDHHS has established an online complaint with her team of legal experts and determined form for individuals who believe they’ve been a that MDHHS could be subject to liability on the victim of illegal practices by an adoption facility, claims of the plaintiffs. As a result, the attorney agency or provider. Individuals can fill out a general strongly recommended resolving the complaint at michigangov/mdhhs. www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 13 Hoyer Announces House Vote March 28 Against Trump’s Trans Military Ban

BY CHRIS JOHNSON discriminatory policy based on junk science. the resolution urges the Pentagon to refuse Although under the policy transgender troops The resolution cites Trump’s 2017 tweet to instate Trump’s ban and to “maintain an currently in the armed forces are expected to ouse Majority Leader Steny Hoyer pledging to ban transgender people from inclusive policy allowing qualified transgender be able to stay, a diagnosis of gender dysphoria (D-Md.) announced Thursday a military service “in any capacity” as well as Americans to enlist and serve in the armed and or obtaining transition-related care will be vote would take place forces.” disqualifying for transgender people to enlist. Hon the House floor next on a Kennedy in a statement said his Troops not grandfathered in who obtained a resolution against President Trump’s resolution affirms the United States “is diagnosis of gender dysphoria at a later time transgender military ban. founded on the promise that we are will be also be discharged. Hoyer, the No. 2 in the Democratic all created equal,” adding “our march The Kennedy resolution, which has 191 co- caucus, said in a statement the vote towards that ultimate goal of lived and sponsors, is likely to succeed on the House floor for take place on Thursday, March legal equality is being led by transgender with Democrats in the majority. In the previous 28, which is days before the ban is service members who volunteer to fight Congress, even when the House was under a set to take effect on April 12. for our nation and its promise.” Republican control, an amendment from Rep. “President Trump’s ban on “By implementing a ban that ignores Vicky Hartlzer (R-Mo.) seeking to bar the U.S. transgender Americans who are basic science, the sworn testimony of military from paying for transition-related care, serving or wish to serve their military leadership and mountains including gender reassignment surgery, failed country is discriminatory, and the of research, our president and his to garner enough votes to make it as part of the House will vote next week to reject enablers will inject intolerance into annual defense authorization bill. it and call on the Department of our military, demean their sacrifice Kennedy’s resolution isn’t the only Defense to not reinstate it,” Hoyer and cast doubt on our commitment to congressional action against the ban. New said. “Not only does it denigrate the that promise,” Kennedy said. “This legislation introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier service of patriots serving in the U.S. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has set a vote on a resolution resolution says to the thousands of (D-Calif.) in the House and Sen. Kirsten military, but it weakens our national against the trans military ban next week. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) trans servicemembers keeping us safe Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in the Senate seeks to security by undermining our ability and every other American that their codify openly transgender military service. to recruit and retain the talented government not only sees them, hears During a House hearing on the transgender personnel we need.” the implementation plan from former Defense them, and fights with them, but that they count policy last month, Speier told the Blade she’d The introduction of the non-binding Secretary James Mattis, which critics say relies in this country.” seek to include proposed her legislation as resolution was first reported by the on junk science in its justification for Trump’s According to the San Francisco-based Palm an amendment to the upcoming defense Washington Blade last month. The measure, policy. Center, an estimated 14,700 transgender people authorization bill. which is non-binding, was introduced by The House “strongly opposes” Trump’s ban, are currently serving in the armed forces. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III (D-Mass.), chair of the resolution says, and rejects “the flawed Hoyer brings the resolution to the floor after This article originally appeared in the Washington the Congressional Transgender Task Force, scientific and medical claims” in the Mattis the Defense Department unveiled plans to Blade and is made available in partnership with and rejects the Trump’s transgender ban as a implementation plan that justify it. Additionally, begin the transgender military ban on April 12. the National Gay Media Association. Prominent US Activist Denied Entry to Cuba

BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS Facebook posts he wrote about his trip before experience more fabulous he left San Francisco and asked him about times and share my prominent LGBTI activist from the 10,000 rainbow stickers and 1,200 Pride suitcases full of rainbows,” San Francisco claims the Cuban bracelets in his luggage that he planned to wrote Petrelis in his government has prohibited him from distribute across Cuba. Wednesday Facebook Aentering the country. Petrelis said an agent with the Cuban Interior post. “To my Cuban Michael Petrelis on Wednesday wrote on Ministry the following day came to the private friends I say, my love his Facebook page that an Interjet airlines home in which he was staying and again asked and respect for you is ticket agent at Cancún International Airport about the stickers and bracelets he brought into not diminished because in Mexico told him as he tried to check into his the country. Petrelis told the Blade the agent of your government’s flight to Havana that Cuban authorities “had then summoned him to a meeting. decision to deny me denied me entry into the country.” Petrelis said Petrelis said officials at what he described e nt r y.” the agent wrote the message he received on his as ministry barracks interrogated him for two LGBTI activists who A rainbow flag tied to the fence outside of Cuba Libro, a privately-owned coffee shop in Havana’s Vedado computer screen onto a piece of paper. hours and told him not to attend any protests, work independently of Mariela Castro and her neighborhood, on March 1, 2019. Michael Petrelis, a “We cannot allow him to travel to Havana including the “human rainbow” at the Cuban organization have sharply criticized the decision prominent LGBTI rights activist from San Francisco, because of migratory questions,” reads the Capitol that he had previously proposed. to deny Petrelis entry to Cuba. Tremenda Nota, says the Cuban government has prohibited him from handwritten message in Spanish, which Petrelis Petrelis said the agents directed him to bring his the Blade’s media partner in Cuba, has sought entering the country. (Washington Blade photo by posted to his Facebook page. “He will not be stickers and bracelets to the National Center for comment from Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Michael K. Lavers) allowed to enter the country.” Sexual Education, an organization directed by Rodríguez Parilla. Petrelis has traveled to Cuba three times, Mariela Castro, the daughter of former Cuban Petrelis tried to enter Cuba less than a month island. with his most recent trip in January. President Raúl Castro who spearheads LGBTI after voters overwhelmingly approved the Editor’s note: The Blade will update this story Petrelis told the Washington Blade in a series issues in Cuba. country’s new constitution that activists had with additional reporting from Tremenda Nota of exclusive interviews during and after his Petrelis told the Blade that officials again hoped would have extended marriage rights to when it becomes available. latest trip that a Cuban immigration official interrogated him at José Martí International same-sex couples. The Cuban government on interrogated him upon his arrival at Havana’s Airport before they allowed him to board his the eve of the Feb. 24 referendum blocked access This article originally appeared in the Washington José Martí International Airport on Jan. 2. flight out of the country. to the websites of Tremenda Nota and other Blade and is made available in partnership with Petrelis said the agent had printouts of the “I’m disappointed I won’t see my friends, independent media outlets on the Communist the National Gay Media Association.

14 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com Sally Field in ’s ‘Americans for the Equality Act.’ (Screenshot via YouTube) HRC Kicks Off ‘Equality Act’ Campaign with Sally Field and Son Sam Greisman

BY MARIAH COOPER fair shot at a job to support themselves and their family, and the security of a roof over uman Rights Campaign launched its their head. These are key ingredients in what new campaign “Americans for the we’ve long cherished as our ‘American Dream.’ Equality Act,” a video series which But until the Equality Act is signed into law, Hfeatures celebrities who support the Equality this dream may not be a reality for far too Act, on Monday. The proposed bill would many Americans in many areas of our wild amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and wonderful country. I believe we must all and gender identity. share our personal stories and struggles with The video series, filmed by award-winning our fellow Americans in order to help this great directors Dustin Lance Black and , dream become a reality for more of our loved kicked off with actress and LGBTQ advocate ones, coworkers, and neighbors.” Sally Field and her gay son, Sam Greisman, 50 percent of LGBTQ Americans currently as they have a video conference conversation live in one of the 30 states that do not provide on why the Equality Act is instrumental in statewide legal non-discrimination protections ensuring that the LGBTQ community has equal for LGBTQ people in the areas of employment, rights across state lines. housing, credit, education, public spaces and Other celebrities who will give their input services, federally-funded programs or jury in upcoming videos include Black, Barclay and service. his husband Christopher, , Shea Diamond, Alexandra Billings, Blossom Brown, In a recent survey by PRRI, poll findings Charlie and Max Carver, Gloria Calderon determined that seven out of 10 Americans Kellett, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jane Lynch, Jesse support laws that prohibit LGBTQ Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita, Justina discrimination. This includes the majority of Machado, Karamo Brown, Marcia Gay Harden every state’s population and the majority of and Nyle DiMarco. The series will continue as Republicans, Independents and Democrats. the legislation is under review in Congress. “The advocates and artists featured in HRC’s “This is an exceptionally important effort, ‘Americans for the Equality Act’ video series and I’m so proud to have had the opportunity amplify the chorus of voices urging Congress to both direct this series and participate with to pass the Equality Act,” HRC President Chad my family,” Barclay praised the campaign in Griffin said in a statement. “The harsh reality a statement. “So much of the progress of the is that LGBTQ Americans still face real and LGBTQ movement has hinged on our ability to tell our stories and move people — and that’s persistent discrimination in their everyday the same spirit with which we’ve approached lives, and Congress must pass the Equality Act this compelling project. I was moved by the to protect them. stories from the talented people participated in this campaign. We join them in working to This article originally appeared in the Washington make history again by passing the Equality Act.” Blade and is made available in partnership with Black added: “Every American deserves a the National LGBT Media Association. www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 15 With Her First Album in Six Years Out, the Musician Talks Confidence From Madonna & Her Real-Life Drag Name

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

If you want Dido to tell you a story, don’t be weird. It helps if you’re a fan. It especially helps if you’re a fan in a sea of other fans, “White Flag” sweeping you away to that soothingly introspective Dido place at one of her shows. Just don’t be some nosy journalist out to get a good Dido story – you won’t get a good Dido story. And don’t ask her to say her full, iconic birth name. She’ll playfully decline because the name, Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong, is “terrifying," she says. But when I recently jumped on the phone to discuss the British chill-queen’s first album in six years, "," Dido did tell stories (“Sand in My Shoes,” from her 2004 album "," is literally about sand in her shoes). In fact, according to a rep for the artist who called me after with some feedback, she apparently broke through her usual press-shyness, laughing her way through our talk about dressing like Madonna, getting over stage fright and being a “messy” producer.

Has a gay man ever told you your full name would make a good drag name? (Laughs) Oh, I love that. If I asked you to say your full name, would you? Do I have to? (Laughs) It’s just terrifying. I love getting other people to say it and it’s actually really funny because they always say it slightly differently, but I’ve never thought about it like that. But I feel better about it now! In dance clubs and collaborations with your brother Rollo’s dance act you cultivated an LGBTQ fanbase early. When did you realize you had a loyal LGBTQ following? I don’t know. I think it’s just always been there. Probably because everything I was doing at the beginning was in the clubs, and I think because I just started off in the dance music world, I didn’t really know any different. You grew up as a Madonna fan, like many gay boys. Yeah, like most everyone! She’s just amazing. Was your interest in her something you shared with your gay friends? With everybody. I was trying to dress like her in the “Papa Don’t Preach” video as soon as I could, as soon as I was allowed to cut my hair off and dye it blonde. But I remember going to see "Desperately Seeking Susan" with my mom, and I think even my dad came, and we were all just completely enamored with her. She was just the most awesome thing ever. What about Madonna appealed to you at that age? She just felt so strong and could sort of do everything, and so unique and so confident. She just has this confidence that as a teenage girl I was looking at like, Photo: Simon Emmett “Wow.” Everything she wore in the video, when you’re

16 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com a teenage girl and you’re just feeling really making records in any sort of methodical insecure and anxious and not comfortable in way; it just happened. I go through life and I your own skin, you see this woman being so write songs because that’s how I see the world, proud to be herself. I think she’s so inspiring. and it’s what I see when I look around the world and how I process any thought I have, And you dressed like her for a period of time, and then it sort of builds up into a record. It didn’t you? feels like they all sort of just appear. I did! Allegedly, according to my husband, I Do you read reviews? still do! (Laughs) I came down the other day and he was just like, “You know you’re dressed I read some of them, yeah. I read a couple as the ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ video right now?” really lovely reviews. And he was just laughing because my hair is I wondered what you thought of Uncut referring really white-blonde at the moment. to the dancier songs on this album as “mum at My next question was gonna be: When did you the disco.” realize that being Madonna wasn’t possible? But, (Laughs) I love it. well… I mean, I’m here for “mum at the disco” music. I can still dream. (Laughs) Could be a whole new genre of music! What song of yours do gay fans tell you they (Laughs) Can you imagine? I love it! I didn’t connect with most? read that, but yeah, I do think that should be a Originally it might’ve been “Take My Hand.” new genre, basically. I just think on this album That was the first song I wrote, I think, that I’m pretty unashamedly just doing the music ever got recorded and I remember that always I like and also, a lot of people on this album used to connect. – well, it’s basically me and my brother – were on the first record as well. So, it’s sort of nice. I After 20 years, how do you end up coming back mean, I haven’t changed my friends much in the to a sound that is quintessential Dido? last 25 years, so I think there’s a familiarity there. I don’t really know. I did this album in a It’s so nice that that can just be who you work very instinctive way, I didn’t really overthink with through your whole career. anything. Because when I was making the Is there a genre of music you want to explore record, I didn’t have a record deal. When I completely outside the musical identity you’ve was doing this album and I wasn’t even sure I was gonna put this out, I just thought, “We’re created for yourself? just gonna do it.” It inadvertently ended up I don’t know if I know how to. I think the very similar to when I made "" and nice thing about what I do is I do so many I didn’t think anyone was going to hear that different things on a record, so I can go from record. I think a lot of the feeling of starting dance music to more hip-hip stuff. I don’t feel again and that feeling around that time 20 restricted. If I wanted to do something in a years ago sort of crept into this record, just genre I haven’t done, I would do it because, in because I felt like what I’m having is a good a way, it all works as long as there’s a song at time here and I might put it out; there was a the core. For me, that’s always been the sort of point I even thought I’d give these songs to principle: to make whatever music you wanna someone else. I just didn’t know. make but have a good song. That’s what I tried I was learning all sorts of stuff about to do anyway. production, so a lot of them, I was producing and doing the beats more so than I’d done What’s the most unusual place that has given before on songs like “Hell After This” and you inspiration for a song? “Mad Love.” I was experimenting and people I wrote “Sand in my Shoes” literally on a plane started really enjoying that sound because it when I took my shoes off and they were full was a bit less professional than my brother of sand. One of those really stupid moments (laughs) – he’s much more professional (laughs). It was actually a really stressful flight with his productions; mine are way more because my dad had got really ill and I just haphazard. I have such low patience and arrived in L.A. and I wanted to go straight home. everything I do has to be in one take because While I was on the plane, I was just writing, I’m just like, “I don’t know, this edit button is because it’s all I know how to do to get through. just driving me mad,” and I’m always deleting I sort of took my shoes off and I literally had just stuff. I basically record everything in one run off the beach onto a plane and all this sand take, every beat and every bassline, so it’s a went everywhere and sort of followed. Anyway, mess. But I think it’s created a bit of fun on it was cool. It gave me the idea for the song. I this record as well. wrote that whole song on the plane. Are the long breaks you take between album What about songs on "Still on My Mind"? releases a necessary part of your creative process? The last song on the album, “Have to Stay,” we I think it is. It just sort of happens. I don’t recorded it as I was writing it and that’s what’s know how to write any differently because I’m on there, as in that’s all just a first thought. writing from such a personal point of view, (“Have to Stay” was written about Dido's son, like I have to go through the experiences to Stanley Gavin.) be able to write them. I’ve never approached See Dido, continued on p. 18 www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 17 ® because you just look so scared right now.” And Dido it was really scary for me! Then I performed Continued from p. 17 on stage for nine years, and I just have to say I genuinely have such cool fans and they make That probably doesn’t happen very often, does it? me feel we’re part of something together. Before the days of having recording devices No, and it was really cool: I had the idea for at shows, I remember journalists used to get the song and I knew what I was singing, and so annoyed with me, like, “Why do you tell the guy I was writing with was literally feeling all these stories when you’re on stage that out the chords and that’s why he doesn’t you would never tell us?” Like, “You tell stuff actually move chords for the first two verses, to your fans that you don’t ever say in an because he’s getting to grips with what I’m interview.” It’s not intentional. It just felt like a singing. So, it’s actually making it up as we go really friendly environment and I’m quite an along. I just love the feel of it. When I came to instinctive person and if I feel comfortable, record it properly, it never felt the same, so I I’m a very open person, so it was just really just kept that very original idea of it. funny. Because they’d come to the show and Because you’re used to recording in an intimate they were like, “I just did an hour interview setting with your brother, I imagine taking with you and you didn’t tell me anything and songs from the record this close to you and then you get on stage and tell all these stories.” With fans, the feeling that I get back is such a performing them in front of massive crowds two-way thing and such a magical thing. must feel a little different. It does. Do you feel comfortable now? Yeah. Now I’m older so I’m like, “Yeah, How so? whatever!” I sort of love it. When I first went on tour with “No Angel,” I was just like, “Oh my god, why So you’ll tell me a story then? are you making me sing these songs with other (Laughs) No. You’re gonna have to come people (around)?” Like, they are so personal. to a show. I just think I’ve always felt pretty I remember my manager saying to me, after comfortable singing the songs because I running on stage and running away as soon as always have felt a lot of love coming from the I’d sung, “It wouldn’t hurt for you to talk a little. fans, that they’ve made the effort to come out You could say your name. You could say what and see you and you’re sharing an experience, city you’re in. Anything, just the basics. Like, and it just feels good to sing the songs live. It ‘Hello, !’ Anything. Just say something always feels different every night.

18 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com 13

10 6 Cool Cities 3 18 Ann Arbor 11 17 9 YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD • YOUR MARKET 16 4 Pinpoint your ad dollars where they will do the most good . . . 14 Advertise in the next Cool Cities 20 TO PLACE AN AD CALL 734.293.7200 1 21 15 12 5 22 2

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www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 19 honor him again at its annual Jim Toy Birthday Bash held at Bona Sera Restaurant. Jim Toy Birthday “The Jim Toy Birthday Bash is a fantastic event to honor our namesake, the legendary Jim Toy, while also bringing our community together for an enjoyable evening celebrating an incredible man and his lifetime of advocacy and accomplishments on behalf of the LGBTQ community,” Bash event organizers wrote. Not only will the event serve to celebrate Toy, all proceeds from the Birthday Bash will benefit nown as the first publicly “out” man in the Jim Toy Community Center to further its mission of creating an “inclusive community Michigan, after coming out in 1970, where people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity are visible and live together in Jim Toy developed the first-ever equality, respect and happiness.” Kcampus center dedicated to supporting those in the LGBTQ community. And because of his almost 50-year career of service to the LGBTQ Bona Sera Restaurant is located at 200 West Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti. The event is from 6 to 8 movement through speaking, teaching, writing, administrating, organizing and protesting, Ann p.m. and tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. They can be purchased online by visiting Arbor’s LGBTQ Center dedicated its name to his legacy. On Thursday, April 4, the Center will secure.lglforms.com or by going online to jimtoycenter.org.

Silky Nutmeg Ganache at Necto April 5

eginald Steele might not be a memorable name for “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fans, but Silky Nutmeg Ganache certainly is. Previously known as Lasagna Frozeen, she changed her name after she saw a Food Network chef prepare a silky ganache — a glaze made from Rchocolate and cream. It was then that her new identity was sealed and she took to the stage with the brand-new name. Eventually, she earned a spot among “Drag Race” in season 11 of the show and is now on tour, scheduled to hit Necto’s Pride Night on Friday, April 5. “The life of the party, you always know when exuberant ‘Big Silk’ is in the building. But scratch the surface of this gregarious queen and you’ll find a softer side to Silk – one who was raised in the church, has a master’s degree in organizational leadership and is even on her way to becoming a doctor of philosophy,” wrote event organizers. “Let’s hope her accolades translate into success in the competition.” The performance starts at 9 p.m. Cover for the show is $5 for those who are 21 and up and $10 for Attendees will not only see Big Silk perform, they’ll get a chance to meet her, too, at a meet- those 18 and up. Meet-and-greet tickets are $25. Find out more about the show by visiting necto.com. and-greet after her show.

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20 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com Art + Feminism Comes to Ann Arbor BY EVE KUCHARSKI Wikipedia in teaching. Mandiberg had actually had a similar conversation earlier that day with curator Laurel Ptak. At he leather-bound encyclopedias found on library shelves the time, Ptak was doing research around cyberfeminism as can be a great resource, but type a quick query into a a fellow at Eyebeam, a center for art and technology in New search engine and Wikipedia’s likely to have the same York City. Mandiberg had encouraged her to hold an edit-a- Tanswer, just at one’s fingertips. A 2005 study done by the thon focused on art, technology and feminism. journal Nature even found that the user-updated free online This project also came on the heels of a very public debate encyclopedia’s results tended to have just as much accuracy about structural sexism in Wikipedia. The debate began when as Britannica. But as accurate as the site generally is, the writer Amanda Filipacchi wrote a New York Times op-ed on a representation of its editors isn’t; a fact not unnoticed by the problematic editorial practice being implemented by a number founder’s of the Art+Feminism campaign who report that fewer of Wikipedia editors: women were being removed from the than 10 percent of Wikipedia’s editors are women. “American Novelists” category and moved into a subcategory “Art+Feminism is a campaign improving coverage of cis and for “American Women Novelists.” Filipacchi’s piece generated transgender women, non-binary folks, feminism and the arts a maelstrom of writing on Facebook and other social media on Wikipedia,” campaign organizers wrote. “From coffee shops platforms, speaking out against this subcategorization. At and community centers to the largest museums and universities the same time, Wikipedians were having an entirely separate in the world, Art+Feminism is a do-it-yourself and do-it-with- conversation on Wikipedia about whether to change this others campaign teaching people of all gender identities and practice of subcategorization. These conversations were expressions to edit Wikipedia.” worlds apart. We wanted to help give people the training to Using events called edit-a-thons, attendees from all walks of shape the conversation directly on Wikipedia. life are taught how to properly source information, cite it and Wikimedia Commons. Photo by Léonie Butler. input it on Wikipedia articles. The collective hosts events across As important as it is for people to realize that 10 percent of women the world, and this coming March 30, will host one in Windsor, editing on Wikipedia are women, it’s arguably more striking that All of our trainings materials have been built collaboratively Ontario, at Hackforge and at the Shapiro Undergraduate Library their edits are the ones most likely to be reversed. What are some and iteratively over the past six years. It’s also important to note at the on April 2. BTL caught up with of your techniques to make sure that the edits that are submitted that we were building upon lots of lesson plans and training A+F members Siân Evans, Jacqueline Mabey, McKensie Mack, by edit-a-thon participants are longlasting? documentation that already existing within in the community. Michael Mandiberg and Melissa Tamani in advance of the Last year, we hired an instructional designer [Susana Aho] These two issues are not unrelated. You’re right that women’s events to chat about Art+Feminism’s beginnings, how events who helped remix some of our training materials. work and how to participate. edits are more likely to be deleted: according to a 2011 study by Lam et al, of the “user’s first seven edits, the average reverted Can anybody participate in an edit-a-thon? edit percentage for females is significantly higher than that for Having started A+F only a few years ago, are you surprised by how Yes! Absolutely. Although it is important to us that anyone males.” This means that a much higher percentage of women quickly edit-a-thons have been adopted around the world? who does attend adheres to our Brave Space Policy. [It can be are having their contributions negated by other editors, which Yes! We often joke that when we held our first event at is an extremely disheartening experience and contributes to found online at Wikipedia.org.] Eyebeam, we thought we’d have to beg 15 of our closest friends their continuing lack of presence. How do you hope that enhancing the visibility of women and of to show up and edit. It’s important to remember that Wikipedia is both an nonbinary artists will impact the art world? How did Art+Feminism come to be? encyclopedia and a community. So, part of our work is not just improving the content of the encyclopedia but also Here we would like to quote the great Okwui Enwezor, who The event was the result of a series of conversations between a equity within the community. We work with local Wikipedia passed away recently: number of artists, educators and librarians about the dearth of chapters and we have a Slack channel where we convene with “... people oftentimes ask me, ‘Can art change the world?’ I content about women and art on what is increasingly the most organizers on issues that come up when editing on Wikipedia. say, ‘I don’t know if art can change the world, but by trying to popular online research tool. We also invest heavily in our training materials and encourage expand the table of content of our field, we can have an effect.’ In October 2013, Siân Evans and Jacqueline Mabey editors to start small and work their way up to things like Providing visibility to the lives and work of women and discussed organizing an event around art and feminism, article creation. non-binary gender people not only introduces their views similar to the Ada Lovelace Day edit-a-thons; Evans wanted to and perspectives, but also introduces and values topics and do something concrete as the coordinator of the Women and The existing training videos provided by Art+Feminism are very knowledge that were relegated in the construction of art Art Special Interest group for Art Libraries Society of North comprehensive. What was the process like for creating those narratives. America, a professional organizations of art librarians. Mabey tools? mentioned this to Michael Mandiberg, because of their use of

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Call 734-293-7200 ext. 22 www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 21 Ariana Grande at Little Caesars Arena With hits like “Thank U, Next,” “Side to Side,” “Breathin” and “7 Rings” at only 25, pop star Ariana Grande has made a huge impact on the music world. Not only has she earned eight hits on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, she’s been listed in Time’s “100 Most Influential People” and delivered three platinum- selling albums. Catch her April 5 at Little Caesars Arena for the Sweetener World Tour. Find out more online at ticketmaster.org. OUTINGS Friday, March 29 LGBT Social Meet Up 6:30 p.m. Lgbt social meet up dancing where you hold your partner W. Nine Mile Road,Ferndale. 248-398- group is a group for all people. close. No partner needed. Jordan Mac 7105. goaffirmations.org. Hazel Park Community Center, 620 West Studio 444 W. Maple Suite E Troy, MI, 444 Woodward Heights,Hazel Park. 248-632- W. Maple Suite E,Troy. 248-288-7624. GSC Discussion and Support Group 4 8274. [email protected]. Calls only. [email protected]. p.m. Join us at our GSC Discussion and Support Group to discuss current events and get the chance to chat with other Saturday, March 30 Monday, April 1 students on campus. OC Lake Erie. LGBT Game Night 7 p.m. LGBT Game LGBT Community Chat 11 a.m. Saturday Rainbow League Bowling! 7 p.m. This LGBT Chat is an on going social discussion Night is an opportunity for all LGBT people and allies to come play a board is a fun bowling league and provides a group meets every week to discuss issues great opportunity for anybody to become LGBT people face. Coming out, dating and game, drink coffee and socialize with other LGBT individuals. Java Hut, 165 acquainted with bowling. Lodge Lanes, much more. Come join us every Saturday 46255 S. I-94 Service Drive,Belleville. at 11 am. Java Hut Ferndale Michigan, W Nine Mile,Ferndale. 248-632-8274. [email protected]. 734-697-9178. [email protected]. 165 W 9 mile,Ferndale. 248-632-8274. lodgelanes.com. rainbowbowlingleague. [email protected]. com. Spring Bash at MGM Grand Detroit 6 Tuesday, April 2 p.m. Come celebrate Affirmations 30 Stand with Trans 2018 Support Groups Thursday, April 4 years of service to the LGBTQ community! – Lake Orion / Oakland County 7 p.m. Free and open to parents of transgender Pride Night at Thunderbowl! 7 p.m. Meet MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 3rd Ave.,Detroit. & Greet First Thursday of every month, 877-888-2121. mgmresorts.com. kids. St. Mary’s In The Hills Episcopal Church, 2512 Joslyn Court,Lake Orion. unlimited bowling, shoe rental, private 248-391-0663. stmarysinthehills.org. room, private bar area, drink specials, Sunday, March 31 billiard room, 250 foot video wall. Come as you are! Thunderbowl Arena, 4200 Lavender Graduation 1 p.m. Our 7th Wednesday, April 3 Allen Road,Allen Park. 313-928-4688. annual Lavender Graduation Celebration thunderbowl.org. will congratulate and honor the OU Affirmations Senior Koffee Clatch! 1 p.m. LGBTQIA+ graduates of 2019. OC Banquet A discussion and networking group for Room A. hrc.org. people 45 and older. Various discussion Sunday, April 7 topics, social outings and potlucks are Stand with Trans Wyandotte Support Men’s Swing/Latin/Ballroom Lessons held throughout the year. With age comes Group for Trans Youth and Parents of 4 p.m. Same Sex Men’s Touch Dance wisdom but, for LGBTQ seniors, loneliness Trans Individuals 4 p.m. Free. For Parent lessons, Casual Attire This is touch can often come along. Affirmations, 290 Support Group information, contact

22 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com 4th Annual Motown Honors at Gigi’s Cabaret Gigi’s Cabaret Detroit has long been a drag staple in the city and on Sunday, April 14, some of the city’s best performers will be celebrated at The 4th Annual Motown Honors. Featuring Edie Franklin, Diva Cliche, Latoya Ross, Sabin, Ka’Juan D. Hill and Jamar Boykins, the event will be hosted by Shauntrelle Blu and feature dinner, drinks and a show. Admission is $10. Find out more about ticketing and reservations online at facebook.com/ gigiscabaret or call 313-584-6525.

facilitator Kim Tooley, 734-747-4363. Michigan Philharmonic Presents Dorsey, a prim, self-righteous woman. St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 2803 ‘PhilPalooza2’ April 6, 7:30 p.m. Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam 1st St.,Wyandotte. 734-747-4363. Highlighting our local stars playing cool Road,Williamston. 517-655-SHOW. info@ standwithtrans.org. music with an urban vibe. To help us williamstontheatre.org. celebrate and “raise the roof,” we have Stand with Trans 2018 Support Groups several of our favorite guest artists and Stagecrafters Presents ‘Boeing Boeing’ – Adrian-Lenawee County 6:30 p.m. more. Michigan Philharmonic, Plymouth March 29, 8 p.m. Meet Bernard, a Free and open to the community. For Arts & Recreation Center, 650 Church Parisian bachelor whose well-ordered Trans Youth Support Group information, St.,Plymouth. michtix.com/events/phil- life spins out of control when his three contact facilitator Socorro Sevilla, MSW: palooza-2. stewardess fiancées unexpectedly land in [email protected] Hilltop the same city at the same time. Baldwin Counseling, 115 W. Maumee St.,Adrian. Intervention to Durable Recovery: The Theatre, 415 South Lafayette, Royal Oak. 313-909-5408. standwithtrans.org. Power of Family April 16, 7:30 p.m. Best- 248-541-8027. stagecrafters.org. hilltopcounseling.org. selling authors, educators and clinicians Debra Jay and Jeff Jay will provide Theatre and Dance at Wayne Presents March 29, 8 p.m. Traveling from Monday, April 8 practical, helpful, hopeful information ‘Venus’ about how to do an intervention and how her home in southern Africa for what she Stand with Trans 2018 Support Groups to build a recovery team that unites the hoped would be a better life, Saartjie – Macomb County 6:30 p.m. Macomb person with addiction. St. Joseph Mercy Baartman became an unfortunate star Teen/Youth Support Group: All youth Hospital Education Center Auditorium, on the 19th Century London freak show are welcome to attend this free group. 5305 Elliott Drive,Ypsilanti. 734-485- circuit. Venus is a tragic-carnival, Studio Come and meet other trans youth and 8725. dawnfarm.org. Theatre at the Hilberry, 4743 Cass teens and support each other through Ave.,Detroit. theatreanddanceatwayne. your journeys. Dakota High School, 21051 People Like Me: Mutual Aid and com. 21 Mile Road,Macomb. 586-723-2700. Recovery from Substance Use chippewavalleyschools.org. Disorders April 23, 7:30 p.m. Dawn Farm Detroit Repertory Theatre Presents staff member Todd Diana will provide “Aubrey” March 29, 8:30 p.m. Aubrey Tuesday, April 9 an overview of mutual aid addiction Gagnier, a heroin addict, haunted by her recovery programs, research supporting role in her lover’s overdose death, seeks Serving Up Knowledge: Bold Beauty the efficacy of mutual aid participation, out the grave digger and coffin maker. 12 p.m. Bring a for the Trans Community and include a panel discussion. St. They become each other’s best hope to lunch and join us for our session on Bold Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center live. Detroit Repertory Theatre, 13103 Beauty for the Trans Community. Open to Auditorium, 5305 Elliott Drive,Ypsilanti. Woodrow Wilson,Detroit. 313-868-1347 all OU students! OC Rooms 128-129. 734-485-8725. dawnfarm.org. [email protected]. detroitreptheatre. com/aubrey/. Thursday, April 11 Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship April 30, 7:30 p.m. Mamma Mia! Presented by Theatre Toastmasters International SpeakOUT! Father Gregory Boyle; founder of and Dance at Wayne April 5, 8 p.m. LGBTQ Meeting 7 p.m. Professional Homeboy Industries and best-selling Over 54 million people all around & personal communication skills author, will share how compassion, the world have fallen in love with the development. Jim Toy Community Center, kindness and kinship are the tools to fight characters, the story and the music 319 Braun Court,Ann Arbor. 734-995- despair and decrease marginalization. that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate 9867. [email protected]. Towsley auditorium, 4800 East Huron feel-good show. Bonstelle Theatre, speakout.toastmastersclubs.org. River Drive,Ann Arbor. dawnfarm.org. 3424 Woodward Ave.,Detroit. 313-577- 2960. theatreanddanceatwayne.com/ Friday, April 12 mammamia/. Gender and Sexuality Center Semester Ann Arbor Civic Theatre Presents Send-Off! 12 p.m. Make crafts, socialize THEATER “Farenheit 451” April 25, 7:30 p.m. and celebrate the end of the semester Young Frankenstein March 29, 7:30 In a dystopian none-too-distant future, at our last event of winter 2019! OC Gold p.m. This monster musical comedy is “firemen” don’t extinguish fires, they start Room B. GSC@Oakland University.edu. an adaptation of Mel Brooks’ legendary them. Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin oakland.edu/gsc/events/. cult classic film. Following the grandson Ave.,Ann Arbor. 734-764-2538. smtd. of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, umich.edu. Frederick Frankenstein inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. Watch Angels in America: Part Two – MUSIC & as hilarity abounds! The Marlene Perestroika April 26, 8 p.m. Following Boll Theatre, 1401 Broadway,Detroit. the events of Part I: Millennium [email protected]. udmercy.edu. Approaches, Perestroika continues the MORE complex and fantastical examination of 57th Ann Arbor Film Festival March 29, Detroit Public Theatre Presents homosexuality, race, and AIDS in 1980s 5 p.m. The six-day festival presents 40 ‘Girlfriend’ March 29, 8 p.m. Romance America. Fighting illness and losing hope, programs with more than 180 films from unfolds in a new musical wound around Prior Walter is hesitant to become the over 20 countries of all lengths. Michigan the tender love songs of Matthew prophet as demanded. Hillbery Theatre, Theater, 603 E. Liberty St.,Ann Arbor. Sweet’s landmark album, Girlfriend. Two 4743 Cass Ave.,Detroit. 313-577-2972. 734-668-8397. stamps.umich.edu. teenage boys – one a social outcast, wsushows.com. the other a quintessential jock – realize Sarah Vowell April 4, 5 p.m. By Stagecrafters Baldwin Theatre Second examining the connections between the there’s more to their relationship. Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Stage Presents “Southern Comfort” American past and present, she offers April 26, 8 p.m. Southern Comfort is personal, often humorous accounts of Woodward Ave.,Detroit. 313-576-5162. dso.org. based on the true story of Robert Eads, everything from presidents and their a transgender man with ovarian cancer, assassins to colonial religious fanatics, Williamston Theatre Presents ‘The who lives in rural Georgia with his chosen as well as thoughts on utopian dreamers, Gin Game’ March 29, 8 p.m. Winner of family of transgender friends. Baldwin and Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty the 1978 Pulitzer Prize for Drama! Weller Theatre, 415 South Lafayette,Royal Oak. St.,Ann Arbor. 734-668-8397. Martin is playing solitaire on the porch 248-541-8027.stagecrafters.org. of a seedy nursing home. Enter Fonsia www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 23 The Frivolist: 5 Ways Laziness Is Costing You

BY MIKEY ROX that you can keep. Using coupons, cash-back deals, and aziness is the byproduct of many catalysts shopping only sale items at the supermarket – fear, depression, general unhappiness can reasonably save you upwards of $30 or – and it can negatively affect all facets of more on a large order if you’re hitting the Lyour life. From costing you money to ruining savings at all angles. You might think of that relationships, here are five ways laziness can as an amount not worthy of your effort, but turn your world upside down if you let it. what if you think of the savings as reward for your time dedication. How much do you 1. Financially make an hour at your full-time? Do you get paid $30 per hour at work? Do you think you There’s a rather exhaustive list on Forbes.com deserve to pay yourself $30 an hour at home? on the ways laziness can bleed your bank Same principle applies to vacations. I spend account dry – from failing to negotiate better several hours searching for savings on every deals to putting off opening a retirement fund getaway and vacation I take. If at the end I’ve – but these expensive oversights begin on a spent, say, three hours rounding up deals and micro-level, like buying memberships you I’ve saved $200, I can celebrate a job well done don’t justify with enough use, for instance. that I’ve managed to make nearly $67 an hour And then there’s the bad habit of simply for myself, money that will now be better paying full price for things you buy because spent on the actual trip for dinners, drinks, you don’t “feel like” looking for discounts or or an experience I’ll remember for a lifetime. convince yourself you don’t have the time. With regards to the latter, let me change your mind. Consider, as an example, planning 2. In Love a trip to the supermarket or, on a larger scale, My marriage didn’t work for many reasons – vacation. If you dedicated time to researching both faults of our own – but one of my biggest savings and discounts, you will find money gripes with my husband was his laziness.

24 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com 3. Health-wise that game with them then instead of being Your sedentary lifestyle manifests truthful about not wanting to be around them itself in ways that directly impact in the first place? This mentality bleeds right your health, like weight gain, into romantic relationships, too, with the depression and early death. Any swiping right and left and serial dating and study ever done on exercise the ADD of settling down ruining prospects will tell you that staying active of happiness that we’re disallowing ourselves. improves your physical, mental And for what – casual sex and binges? and emotional health in myriad We can do better than that. ways. But even if you don’t get too fat to feel good about yourself 5. Professionally anymore or kick the bucket in an untimely fashion, the money you Laziness at work can get you fired, but it also will spend on medical services to prevents you from progressing. Your goal should put a patch on the damage you’re be to show your company your capabilities and doing to yourself could take you that you want to move up the ladder. And if into a debt with no escape or at the you think you’re doing a killer job at that but very least limit your quality of life not being recognized or compensated for it, because you’re consistently in the schedule a talk with your boss to talk about doctor’s office when you would more responsibilities and, yes, a raise. You may have been better off in a gym. not get it immediately, but at least it’ll be on the table because you were motivated to address the situation. If the answer is no, reflect on what 4. Personally you have to offer, if those skills are better suited We’re so involved with ourselves somewhere else, and pursue something greater. these days (when our faces aren’t You’re singly in control of that. It’s just a matter For most of our union, I was chef, maid, I realized that his laziness was a result of not buried in a device) that we’re all but convinced of how much effort you want to put into your caregiver to our dog, planner of date nights being in love with me. As complicated as our that we don’t have time for relationships. The own overall life satisfaction. and vacations, and the instigator of what situation was, the root problem was as simple memes are right – like the one where we make little sex we had, especially in the later years, as that. If he could have admitted that about plans but cancel at the last minute because we and that took a major toll on my self-worth six or seven years earlier, we would’ve saved never intended to follow through anyway. Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and and eventually my general outlook on life. ourselves a hell of a lot of heartache… and Why though? Don’t our “friends” deserve a LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been After years of trying to change his behavior money. couple hours of our time and attention? If not, published in more than 100 outlets across the (a futile effort in any relationship), I gave up. are they even our friends? Why do we play world. Not because I wanted to, but rather because

39 “Casablanca” keyboardist 10 One who blows it 40 Bygone G.M. cars 11 Cara of “Fame” 41 Neil Jordan film with a cat and 12 Puts into piles mouse game 13 Queen’s “subjects” 43 Colette’s tea 18 Enlighten 44 With 55-Across, actress who played 19 Like a Liberace doll “the mouse” 25 Least enjoyable way to avoid STDs 45 Prince William, to Diana 26 He took on a pair of bears 46 Prefix with angle 27 Change one’s opinion 48 Attorney’s org. 28 What you touch getting to third 50 Bruin Bobby base? 51 Bacall of Hollywood 29 Flamboyant Flynn 53 Continues to get “Out” 30 Romeo and Juliet, for two 55 See 44-Across 31 Decoration for skin 57 Jackie’s designer 34 “I’m not eating that!” 59 When prompted 35 Frigid 60 What fluffers give 36 Ill-bred individuals 63 “... ___ queer, get used to it!” 37 North Sea feeder 64 Defeatist’s words 42 Drag queen’s blade 65 2012 Ben Affleck movie 44 Martin Crane’s support 66 “Not that I loved Caesar ___... “ 47 Cringe in horror 67 What a library does 49 Ranger headgear 68 Climax time in a Gary Cooper film 52 First indications of orientation Cat and Mouse Game 54 Green with a mostly unfabulous QPuzzle social life 21 Movie category of old Hollywood, Down 56 Big name in footwear Across with “the” 1 Boob, to a Brit 57 Pussycat’s partner 1 Fashion designer Oldham 22 Composer Erik 2 Where to find a date 58 “Go Set a Watchman” writer Harper 5 Erotic artist Tom, et al. 23 Treats meat 3 Area of Tennessee Williams 61 In days past 10 Where Galileo dropped his balls 24 “Mouse” in the cat and mouse 4 It lessens the bottom line 62 “The Opposite of Sex” director 14 Silver attachment game of 41-Across 5 Packing material Roos 15 Shining example 28 Rosie’s “The Flintstones” role 6 In a casual way 16 What muscle Marys pump 32 Halloween cry 7 Born, to Bonheur Find solution on page 27 and 17 Title character portrayer in 41-Across 33 Spousal nickname 8 “Ixnay” and “No way” at www.pridesource.com 20 In the manner of a nervous Nellie 38 Part of San Francisco’s BART 9 Water channel www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 25 COMMUNITY CONNECTION Royal Oak Center for Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Great Lakes Chapter to Relationship and Sexual Host Community Forum in Ypsilanti Health to Host Suicide

BY BTL STAFF Program Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s volunteers, the Alzheimer’s Association can Discussion Event Association Michigan Great Lakes Chapter. ensure families have the resources needed n the U.S. alone there are almost “Community Forums are hosted by the to face the many challenges associated 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s Association in communities with the disease,” wrote event organizers. BY BTL STAFF Alzheimer’s Disease and nearly 200,000 across the country, where families are “Community volunteers are essential in On Friday, April 5, therapist Dr. Joe Kort will host Iin Michigan alone. The Alzheimer’s invited to come together with Association helping the Alzheimer’s Association best an event at the Royal Oak Center for Relationship and Association is a voluntary health staff and volunteers to mobilize our serve the needs of families affected by Sexual Health to learn more about suicide and how to help organization dedicated to eliminating community in the fight against Alzheimer’s the disease, in driving awareness and in loved ones who may be considering taking their own life. the disease through research and the disease.” mobilizing the Ypsilanti community in the “Do you know that suicide was the tenth leading cause promotion of brain health; its Michigan The event will be held at the Ypsilanti fight against Alzheimer’s disease.” of death for all ages in the USA in 2013? Males take their branch is inviting Ypsilanti residents to Senior Citizens Center from 12:30 to 2:30 own lives at nearly four times the rate of females? If you learn more about the disease April 13. p.m. The goal of the meeting is to provide The Center is located at 1015 N Congress want to know and understand more about this topic “We understand the importance of resources to those individuals who might St. in Ypsilanti. Register by going online and how to help someone you love, then attend Dr. Joe Alzheimer’s disease care and support be going through the disease and for their to AlzCommunityForum.org or call 800- Kort’s ‘Let’s talk About Suicide’ discussion,” wrote event programs and services in Washtenaw family members. 272-3900. organizers. County,” said Ashley Elliston-Cowher, “Working together with Ypsilanti This event is not only free but will provide attendees with light snacks and refreshments. For those who cannot attend the event but would still like to learn more, the There are hundreds of businesses that event will be livestreamed on the Center’s Facebook Licensed Swedish Massage advertise in BTL and welcome everyone. page. Register online at crsh.com/workshops/let-s-Talk- Auburn Hill Invest in equality and work with About-Suicide. businesses that support Michigan’s LGBTQ Kansonn 248-672-0669 community! This event will be held at 7 p.m. and will last through 9:30 [email protected] p.m. The Center is located at 25600 Woodward Ave., No. 215, Royal Oak. Online at crsh.com.

26 BTL | March 28, 2019 www.PrideSource.com Find over 300 Non-Profit Listings Serving Michigan’s LGBTQ Online @ pridesource.com

AIDS/HIV Oakland University Gender Fair Michigan & Sexuality Center PO Box 6136 There are dozens of AIDS/HIV [email protected] Plymouth, MI 48170 Get Listed, Promote MICHIGAN'S LGBTQ ANNUAL MAGAZINE organizations and resources listed www.oakland.edu/gsc 877-432-4764, 313-556-2300 248-370-4336 Your Events at www.PrideSource.com. Here are fairmichigan.org 2018 - 2019 FREE • ONLINE • IN PRINT E N just three of them: Eastern Michigan Facebook.com/fairmichigan2016 You can add or update any O F G A G L S E M University listing by going to www. O E O N AIDS Walk Detroit LGBT Resource Center Know Your RIghts Project PrideSource.com and clicking T T Contact info@aidswalkdetroit. emich.edu/lgbtrc Outlaws U-M student group on Yellow Pages. Once you org or 248-399-9255 for more 734-487-4149 [email protected] submit your listing, our staff information. The walk takes place The Lawrence Tech LGBT 734-995-9867 will contact you to confirm INCLUDES your information. OVER 1,000 this year on Sunday, Sept. 15, 8:30 Resource Center LGBTQ-FRIENDLY You can add your event to BUSINESSES & a.m. at the Royal Oak Farmers ltu.edu/student_affairs/lgbt.asp ORGANIZATIONS Market Wayne State JIGSAW Older Adults the Pride Source Calendar Facebook.com/groups/ online and in print by going SAGE Metro Detroit to www.PrideSource.com Macomb County STD Clinic WayneStateJIGSAW 290 W. Nine Mile Rd. Ferndale, MI and clicking on Calendar, 27690 Van Dyke [email protected] 313-578-6812 then “Add Event.” Send Warren, MI 48093 sagemetrodetroit.org any press releases and SHOP THE RAINBOW 586-465-9217 Facebook: SAGE Metro Detroit From the Publishers of Support Equality Vendors http://health.macombgov. Community Centers announcements to editor@ www.Pridesource.com pridesource.com org/Health-Programs-HPDC- Michigan has nine active LGBTQ HIVAIDSCounselingTesting community centers, with a tenth Political planned in Lansing. Here are The LGBT and Allies Matrix Ryan White HIV/ three of them. Caucus of the Michigan AIDS Program Democratic Party 120 Parsons Street Find a digital version of PrideSource Magazine Jim Toy Community Center Facebook.com/TheLGBTA- Detroit, MI 48201 Ann Arbor CaucusoftheMDP online under Our LGBT Yellow Pages 888-226-6366 www.jimtoycenter.org. Stonewall for Revolution 248-545-1435 www.facebook.com/jimtoycenter www.facebook.com/ www.matrixhumanservices.org/ or follow them on Twitter @ stonewall4reolution programs/ryanwhite/ JimToyCenter. Find these resources online 319 Braun Court UNIFIED - HIV Health and Ann Arbor, MI Professional Groups Trans Sistas of Color Adoption Services Beyond 734-995-9867 Project AIDS/HIV Hotlines 3011 W. Grand Blvd. Suite 230 Detroit Regional LGBT 19641 W. 7 Mile Rd. in Detroit AIDS/HIV Organizations Chamber of Commerce Detroit, MI 48202 LGBT Detroit 313-537-7000 Ext 107 Alzheimer’s Association P.O. Box 32446 Animal Shelter 313-446-9800 Detroit [email protected] Detroit, MI 48232 Anti-Violence www.miunified.org www.lgbtdetroit.org. www.facebook.com/TSCOPD/ detroitlgbtchamber.com Archives/Collections Michigan HIV/STD Hotline www.facebook.com/lgbtdetroit 1-800-DET-LGBT Campus; Student and Alumni Groups 800-872-2437 @LGBTDetroit. Youth Cancer Support Groups 20025 Greenfield Road Choruses Detroit, MI Ties Like Me Ruth Ellis Center Community Centers Advocacy Phone: 313-397-2127 Professional networking events 77 Victor Street, Highland Park, MI Employee Resource Groups third Weds. 5:30 - 8 p.m. 48203 Equality Michigan Families and Parents Affirmations TiesLikeMe.org [email protected] 19641 W. 7 Mile, Detroit, MI Suits And The City Foster Care Ferndale Facebook: Ruth Ellis Center 313-537-7000 Lansing, MI Foundations and Funders http://goaffirmations.org 313-252-1950 equalitymi.org [email protected] Hotlines & Switchboards www.facebook.com/Affirmations/ Facebook.com/equalitymichigan www.suitsandthecity.org Labor Union or follow them on Twitter @ Ozone House Legal Organizations Campus GoAffirmations. 102 N. Hamilton Street Museums 290 W. Nine Mile Road Transgender Ypsilanti, MI Music Groups Ferndale, MI 734-662-2265 Currently there are 19 FtM Detroit National Organizations organizations listed as active online 248-398-7105 734-662-2222 https://www.facebook.com/ Political Organizations at www.pridesource.com/yellow FtMDetroit/ Professional Organizations pages. The following are some in Stand With Trans Legal [email protected]. Religious & Spiritual the southeast Michigan area: Farmington, MI Senior Living American Civil Liberties www.standwithtrans.org FtM A2 Ypsi Seniors U-M Ann Arbor Union of Michigan 248-739-9254 Social/Community Organizations [email protected] Spectrum Center Jay Kaplan, Staff Attorney, LGBT Sports https://www.facebook.com/ [email protected] Project Substance Abuse ftma2ypsi/ http://spectrumcenter.umich.edu 2966 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI Transgender Groups/Services 734-763-4186 www.aclumich.org Women’s Health 313-578-6800 Transgender Michigan Youth Services 23211 Woodward Ave. Ferndale, MI [email protected] www.transgendermichigan.org 800-842-2954 www.PrideSource.com March 28, 2019 | BTL 27 March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month The American Cancer Society has updated its colorectal screening guidelines. They may be found on the following link: www.cancer.org To learn more, click on “signs and symptoms of colon cancer.” Colon Cancer is a non-AIDS related malignancy. Non-AIDS related malig- nancies, such as colon cancer, are the Dr. Paul Benson’s number one cause of death in people living with HIV. These malignancies occur more frequently and at an earlier age in persons living with HIV as Be compared to the general population. Dr. Benson and his providers screen patients living with HIV for cancers Well earlier and more aggressively than the general population. Our standard of Medical care is the cutting-edge. Center Soon the American Cancer Society’s guidelines will catch-up for those living with HIV. They will recommend 1964 Eleven Mile Rd what we are already doing. Berkley, MI 40872 We have the knowledge and (248) 544-9300 experience to keep you healthy! Dr. Paul Benson, mascot Baxter, and the staff at the — Dr. Paul Benson doctorbewell.com Be Well Medical Center.

Kindness & Patient Care has been at the Top of Our Priorities since 1980 Dr. Benson is an Associate Professor at Michigan State University providing training to our next generation of physicians. He leads our team of professional and talented Providers:

Caleb Youngblood, PA-C, AAHIV-S Mark Rosen, PA-C Leon Bullough, NP-F Keyuna Nance, MSW

Be Well Medical-BTL_COLON Awareness_ full pg ad.indd 1 3/5/19 5:26 PM