GLSEN’s Fall LGBT Youth Summit Oct. 18 at Affirmations (GLSEN of SE Michigan Press Release, Oct. 3, 2014) Get excited! Our Fall Youth Summit is coming up Saturday, October 18th, at Affirmations in Ferndale. The event runs from 10-4 so come one, come all! SCHEDULE 10:00-10:15—- Registration 10:15-10:25—- Introductions 10:25-10:35—- Ice Breaker 10:35-10:45—- Break…
GLSEN’s Fall LGBT Youth Summit Oct. 18 at Affirmations (GLSEN of SE Michigan Press Release, Oct. 3, 2014) Get excited! Our Fall Youth Summit is coming up Saturday, October 18th, at Affirmations in Ferndale. The event runs from 10-4 so come one, come all! SCHEDULE 10:00-10:15—- Registration 10:15-10:25—- Introductions 10:25-10:35—- Ice Breaker 10:35-10:45—- Break…
Ferndale Chief Responds to Report on Traffic Tickets and Race (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 30, 2014) After receiving complaints from multiple people who felt they may have been racially profiled, The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) researched the demographics of people issued traffic tickets in the City of Ferndale. What they found was that in…
Ferndale Chief Responds to Report on Traffic Tickets and Race (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 30, 2014) After receiving complaints from multiple people who felt they may have been racially profiled, The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) researched the demographics of people issued traffic tickets in the City of Ferndale. What they found was that in…
50 Years of MDCR: Stories of Civil Rights in Michigan (Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 21, 2014) Fifty years ago, The Michigan Department of Civil Rights was created as part of the new State Constitution adopted in 1963. The Commission is charged with investigating alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color or…
TransPride in the Park Breaks Attendance Record (Julia Music, Aug. 16, 2014) Transgender Pride in the Park on Aug. 9 at Geary Park in Ferndale was met with perfect weather and record attendance. As I have every year since Trans Pride moved to Ferndale I was met with smiling, welcoming faces but this year there…
TransPride in the Park Breaks Attendance Record (Julia Music, Aug. 16, 2014) Transgender Pride in the Park on Aug. 9 at Geary Park in Ferndale was met with perfect weather and record attendance. As I have every year since Trans Pride moved to Ferndale I was met with smiling, welcoming faces but this year there…
Guest Column: Transparency in Diversity & Inclusion Work (Kathleen LaTosch, July 7, 2014, orig. http://latoschconsulting.com/2014/06/30/ill-show-you-mine-transparency-in-diversity-inclusion-work/) “The first step is admitting you have a problem,” so goes the old Alcoholics Anonymous adage. In diversity and inclusion work, it’s important to not only acknowledge this truth internally, but publicly as well. Disproportionality in hiring practices, promotional opportunities,…
Ferndale Pride’s Gay in May Kicks Off Festival Season (Crystal A. Proxmire, June 1,2014) Ferndale Pride took place May 31, kicking off the summertime festival season with a “Gay in May” theme. The festival celebrates diversity and raises money for The Ferndale Community Foundation and Michigan AIDS Coalition. With booths for organizations and businesses, a…
Judge Rules: Gay Marriage Ban Struck Down (Crystal A. Proxmire, March 21, 2014) Judge Bernard Friedman has ruled in favor of the Hazel Park couple who sued the State of Michigan and Oakland County for the right to marry and to adopt each others’ children. The Judge did not issue a stay, meaning that there…
$800,000 Bequest Left to Affirmations (Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 19, 2014) Affirmations Community Center has been named the beneficiary of an anonymous bequest of nearly $800,000, reports Between the Lines. A press release by Affirmations did not disclose the amount, but did state that the gift was “transformational.” Reports suggest that money will be used…
Lisa Brown and other Catalyst Award Winners Announced (Equality Michigan Press Release, Feb. 14, 2014) Equality Michigan today announced the recipients of their annual Catalyst Awards, being presented at the organization’s Annual Dinner on February 22 at Motor City Casino. Equality Michigan’s Catalyst Awards recognize individuals and organizations for excellence in service to Michigan’s LGBT…
Affirmation’s Executive Director Announces Departure (Affirmations Press Release, Nov. 19, 2013) Antonio David Garcia, Executive Director of Affirmations, has announced his resignation, effective February 1, 2014, in order to allow time for the Center to transition to new leadership. Dave advised the Board of Directors at its monthly board meeting that: “I have been fighting…
Royal Oak Human Rights Ordinance Passes (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Originally printed 11/6/2013, Issue 2144 – Between The Lines News) “I cannot stress too much how important tonight is to the City of Royal Oak,” said Mayor Jim Ellison as he addressed the crowd at the victory party for several local campaigns including the proposal…
Easy Night for Most Oakland County Mayors and Other Election Results (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 6, 2013) Election Day is over and in cities across Oakland County candidates are dealing with the wins and losses of the democratic process. For most of the Mayors facing re-election, the night was an easy one though, since most…
“It’s important that we support people who don’t come to our church. Part of our commitment is to our community. Some of these kids have been kicked out of their homes just because they are gay or transgender, and that’s not right. We should help them,” Cox said.
First Shore-2-Shore Bike Ride Raises Awareness For LGBT Equality Across Michigan (Crystal Proxmire,Originally printed 9/12/2013, Issue 2137 – Between The Lines News) For four days the riders of the Shore-2-Shore Equality Ride pedaled their way across the state, riding from Affirmations Community Center in Ferndale to Camp It in Fenville to raise money for…
A federal judge today ruled that a state law that would have barred many public entities from providing health insurance to the domestic partners of their employees is unconstitutional.
For the third year in a row, Ferndale Pride’s focus was on a family-friendly festival with plenty of music and ways for the community to connect. But there was also a strong political element to the festivities, reminding people of the struggles LGBT people face and the need for allied and politician support
Conference Addresses LGBT Issues in Education – SOGI 2013 (Crystal A. Proxmire, orig. Between the Lines, March 21, 2013) Oakland University’s conference area was packed with counselors, teachers and school administrators for the second annual SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Issues in Education Conference earlier this month. The daylong series of speeches and workshops…