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4 AIDS WALK DETROIT STEPS OFF SUNDAY Lawmakers Planning Ways to Block Trump’s Trans Military Ban Grand Rapids Shelter Creates Designated Space for Trans Guests Peter Spadafore’s Run for Lansing City Council LGBT Immigrants FREEDOM THROUGH Among DREAMers Facing Uncertainty FEMININITY Fauci: More Resources Tyson Ritter on ‘Freeing’ Needed to End Global Experience as a Crossdresser HIV/AIDS Epidemic and Supporting His Lesbian Sister WWW.PRIDESOURCE.COM SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 | VOL. 2537 | FREE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS HAPPENINGS 18 Freedom Through Femininity NEWS 28 ‘One-Stop Shop’ for Trans Healthcare Offered This Weekend 4 Lawmakers Planning Ways to Block Trump’s Trans 28 MDARD Announce Grant Opportunity for Food Processing, 24 AIDS Walk Detroit this Sunday Military Ban Food Hub Development Be sure to check out the best LGBTQ events in the region. 4 Grand Rapids Shelter Creates Designated Space for 28 Affirmations LEAD Institute Accepting Applications through Trans Guests Sept. 22 5 Peter Spadafore’s Run for Lansing City Council 29 Birmingham Street Art Fair Benefits Common Ground 9 LGBT Immigrants Among DREAMers Facing Uncertainty 29 Stand With Trans Seeks Support Group Facilitators 9 Take Action: Michigan Civil Rights Commission Meeting 10 YWCA Project Provides SAFE Services in Genesee FRIVOLIST SUPREME COURT County 16 Lawsuit Seeking Gay Protections Under Title VII Reaches Supreme Court 16 DOJ Argues Before Supreme Court for Baker who Refused to Serve Gays 17 Fauci: More Resources Needed to End Global HIV/ AIDS Epidemic OPINION 12 Parting Glances 12 Viewpoint: Jay Kaplan 16 Lawsuit Seeking Gay Protections 13 Creep of the Week: Scott Lively Under Title VII Reaches Supreme Court LIFE 20 Prove How Jacked You Are (Even If You Don’t Look Like It) at These 7 Fitness Challenges 18 Tyson Ritter on ‘Freeing’ Experience as a Crossdresser and Supporting His Lesbian Sister 16 DOJ Argues Before Supreme Court 20 The Frivolist for Baker who Refused to Serve Gays 22 Cool Cities: Ann Arbor See Attorney Jay Kaplan’s 24 Happenings Viewpoint p. 12 26 Classifieds 27 Puzzle and Comic VOL. 2537 • SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 EDITORIAL CREATIVE ADVERTISING & SALES ONLINE AT ISSUE 1032 Editor in Chief Webmaster & MIS Director Director of Sales Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 x 12 Kevin Bryant, [email protected] Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 x 22 “Between The Lines Newspaper” PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP [email protected] [email protected] 20222 Farmington Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48152 Columnists Entertainment Editor Sales Representatives Phone 734.293.7200 Charles Alexander, Michelle E. 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Copyright 2017 Pride Source Media Group www.PrideSource.com September 14, 2017 | BTL 3 NEWS Lawmakers File Grand Rapids Shelter Creates Designated Space for Trans Guests Amendment to BY KATE OPALEWSKI Early this fall, Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids is set to open what appears Block Trump’s Trans to be the first, and so far only shelter space As a society, we should all be very bothered of its kind in Michigan designated for the that anyone has to face the dangerous reality of Military Ban transgender community. “ MTM has always served the transgender living on the streets and putting their life at risk population, but what became clear to BY CHRIS JOHNSON, WASHINGTON BLADE the Mission from those experiences and because they have nowhere else to go. in conversations with advocates for the Now that Congress has returned from transgender community was the need for a August recess, lawmakers are in discussions designated space to best serve this population. – Dennis Van Kampen about a legislative response to thwart President ” For the last year MTM has had a pilot Trump’s ban on transgender military service, program space where among others, the difference between a person ending up according to Capitol Hill sources and LGBT transgender guests were staying. on the streets or in a shelter is due to a lack advocates who spoke to the Washington Blade “It was successful and the need began to of relationships. MTM has become the safety on condition of anonymity. grow in such a way that we decided the next net in the community for anyone who is Action could come in the U.S. Senate as soon step was to create a designated space for a experiencing homelessness, and that includes as this week when the chamber begins debate population that is so often vulnerable and the LGBTQ population.” on the fiscal year 2018 defense authorization marginalized,” said Dennis Van Kampen, All guests at MTM are offered safety, bill, a major defense policy bill that could be CEO at MTM, which according to the shelter, food and the basic essentials for a a vehicle for overriding Trump’s directive to transgender individual questions and to hear healthy life. Additionally, each guest has Mission’s website exists to demonstrate the about their first-hand experiences,” he said. the Pentagon to ban transgender people from compassion of Jesus Christ, through rescue the choice to enter a restoration program the armed forces. Poindexter said she was clear that “our based on their barriers to achieving stable and restoration for anyone experiencing trainings are not for people to feel they have As the Washington Post reported, Sens. hunger and homelessness. housing and finances. These services include Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Susan Collins to change their stance on their religious job readiness, housing readiness, addiction “Not only were they intentional, but beliefs or to completely understand what (R-Maine), who championed efforts in 2010 they are also committed and dedicated to recovery, housing first, computer labs, for the legislative repeal of “Don’t Ask, it means to be transgender. This is to help medical clinics, ministry and relationships making this happen,” said Jeynce Poindexter, them understand that you have a duty morally Don’t Tell,” filed an amendment Monday to transgender victims advocate at Equality and community. the defense authorization bill targeting the and ethically as a professional and a service It takes approximately $10 million in cash Michigan. Poindexter contacted Adrienne provider. When this community comes in transgender ban. Meanwhile, Rep. Jackie Goodstal, vice president of programs at MTM and gifts every year to sustain the building, Speier (D-Calif.) and Susan Davis (D-Calif.) contact with you in that role, your duty is to programs and services that we provide. MTM about a transender client she was working do your best to provide adequate support and are crafting standalone legislation along the with that is experiencing homelessness does this through a network of individuals, same lines. equally moral service to everyone.” corporate, foundation and church donors. and had been turned away from other area MTM also consulted with staff and The plan in the Senate could work despite shelters. However, as the needs increase so do the costs Republican control. With Collins support volunteers from the Grand Rapids Pride and MTM always welcomes new donors to “Many times we hear ‘We’re going to Center, who Van Kampen said have been and the entire Democratic caucus support do this,’ but people never follow up. She support the ministry. of the measure, 11 more Republicans would “really supportive from the start of this journey “Our mission and vision are clear. As did. It was the most beautiful thing. This is that MTM is taking.” MTM also received be needed to obtain the 60-vote threshold to a deliberate act of love and inclusion and Christians we are called to demonstrate the overcome a likely filibuster. Any number of direct feedback from other individuals who compassion of Christ to anyone experiencing diversity and respect and it gets no better are a part of the transgender community. the Republicans who objected to Trump’s than that,” said Poindexter, who traveled to homelessness, period. We are striving to help transgender military ban – either the substance “There is great value in diversity. What people leave homelessness for good. If a MTM with Serena Johnson, director of victim we have learned, however is that certain or the process – could be candidates, such as services at EQMI, to learn more about their larger model for other organizations develop Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Orrin Hatch populations are more comfortable and out of this, then we will be humbled,” said mission, to see the space that they currently therefore more successful when they create (R-Utah) or Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). use for housing transgender guests and to Van Kampen. But one LGBT advocate said even a vote that and maintain their own space,” said Van “There is a lot to learn from the life of provide feedback on the new space.