Organized by Transgender Michigan, the event is large but simple. They brought in the burgers and dogs while guest brought a side dish to pass. A small auction and a jar for donations raised money to cover the cost.
A passionate group of volunteers quickly got together to create events that celebrate Ferndale’s diversity on Pride Weekend, while not conflicting with the larger Detroit event.
Off the bat there were over 20 volunteers, led by…
The Summit was put on by a coalition of groups and individuals, including: ACLU of Michigan, Adult Well Being Services, Affirmations, Citizens for Better Care, Equality Michigan, Jewish Gay Network, the Jim Toy Community Center, and S.P.I.C.E. Information collected at the summit will be used to guide the coalition in working to solve the problems faced by the aging LGBT population.
The transgender community came out in force on Saturday for the third annual Transgender Empowerment Day, held at Affirmations and organized by Transgender Detroit and Transgender Michigan. Various inclusive groups set up informational tables and presentations were done by the Department of Justice, a panel of transgender allies, and a transgender town hall meeting.
…“This is one of our essential services,” said Affirmations Interim Executive Director Kevin Howley. “We are working on grant writing right now to keep this program funded because it serves the community in so many ways. Knowing that 43 more counselors are out there with a better understanding of LGBT client needs makes it a worthwhile way to not only help people here who need it, but the community as a whole. It’s great to think of LGBT acceptance spreading this way.”…
Within a week of the announcement that Motor City Pride is moving from Downtown Ferndale to Hart Plaza in Detroit, Ferndalians are engaging in constructive dialogue about the move. Some hope for alternative events in Ferndale, some are calling for a boycott of the event, while others speak of ways to share the Pride throughout the area. Event organizers and City Leaders have come forward with their explanations of the change as they take in the reactions of those who are affected in the community.
“The plan for 2011,” Howley said…
Brown is excited and grateful to be part of COLAGE. That’s why by February 12, her 25th birthday, she hopes to raise $250 to go towards the program. Through the Cause Application on Facebook, anyone who wants to contribute can do so by going to Brown’s Birthday Wish page at http://apps.facebook.com/causes/activists/1839233 and making a donation.
The congregation was silent when Rev. Deb Dysert asked if anyone from Corey Jackson’s family or circle of friends wanted to share anything about the young man who took his own life on Oct. 18.
An era of growth and expansion has come to a halt at Affirmations, where new leadership has taken a look at the organization’s books and greatly reduced the hours that the doors of the recently-constructed community center will be open to serve the public, and the scope of services they will be able to provide, for at least the next year while the organization regroups.
…Through the end of November, visitors to the Pittman-Puckett gallery inside Affirmations (290 W. 9 Mile) can enjoy the super-sized acrylic paintings of Jack Whitehead. The works are original paintings done toward the end of the artist’s life while he was living in Florida and fighting kidney disease, though he is mainly known through the Detroit area as a fashion and automotive photographer….(read more)
Members of the University of Michigan Dearborn Gay Straight Alliance wanted to know everything they could about Craig Covey’s experience as the first openly gay Mayor in Michigan. That’s why they invited him to speak at their Oct. 7, 2010 meeting…. (read more)