Xpress: November 2012

XPRESS GUIDE TO DINING OUT • HEALD: HALBERG’S LOCAL KITCHEN & BAR 11/12

R E I M E R P E U S IS

PRESS

WHERE THE GAYS ARE

DETROIT AREA NEIGHBORHOODS

HIV NUMBERS RESURGENCE THANKS TO FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY

THE INTERVIEW:

MONTGOMERY XPRESSMI.COM

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NOVEMBER 2012 8 Letter to our friends Publisher's notes on the launch of Xpress newsmagazine for the LGBT community.

10 Where the gays are Historical look at the gay neighborhoods from Detroit to the dispersed suburban communities in southeast Michigan.

16 The Interview: LGBT community icon Jeffrey Montgomery talks about how his own personal tragedy brought him to the forefront of the battlefield.

24 Resurgence of HIV False sense of security and complacency, especially amongst the younger set, has helped push the HIV numbers up again.

40 Hate crimes in Michigan The state has nothing on the books to provide sexual orientation protections, despite efforts dating back to at least 1997.

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15

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44 Compendium A collection of LGBT news notes from around the country.

47 Dining Out directory A guide to selective restaurants in the tri-county area.

51 At The Table Rick Halberg's Local Kitchen & Bar in Ferndale.

51 Views from inside Our editorial opinion page where this month we share the mission of Xpress and future plans.

FACES 15 Charles Pugh 21 Lisa Baker 27 Veronica Lujic 39 Amy Weber 43 Adam Polselli

PUBLISHER David Hohendorf E: DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com O: 248.792.6464 ext. 800 C: 248.736.7047

AD MANAGER Jill Cesarz E: JillCesarz@DowntownPublications.com O: 248.792.6464 ext. 600 C: 248.860.8414

SALES STAFF Leo Calhoun E: LeoCalhoun@DowntownPublications.com O: 248.792.6464 ext. 601 C: 206.290.9106

NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody E: LisaBrody@DowntownPublications.com O: 248.792.6464 ext. 700

NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Allison Batdorf, Hayley Beitman, Hillary Brody, Eleanor & Ray Heald, Austen Hohendorf, Garrett Hohendorf, Laurie Tennent (Laurie Tennent Studio), Dawn Wolfe

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Ann Burns, Sara Celina, Michael Collins, Harris VanCleef, Amy Weber, David Zawicki

GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer

Xpress is a member of Downtown Publications 124 West Maple Road Birmingham MI 48009 P: 248.792.6464 Downtown Publications include Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield Black Book of Non-Profits The Guide • Xpress

PRESS

SOCIAL MEDIA xpressmi.com facebook.com/xpressmichigan twitter.com/xpressmichigan The contents of Xpress are copyright protected. Reproduction requires permission of the publisher.

DISTRIBUTION: 20,000 copies of Xpress are distributed free at over 300 high foot-traffic locations throughout portions of Oakland, Macomb, Wayne counties each month.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Paid mail subscriptions are available for a $12 annual fee. For paid mail subscriptions, go to our website (xpressmi.com) and click “subscriptions” on the home page and place your order online or scan the QR code here.

VIEWS FROM OUTSIDE: We welcome your feedback on both Xpress and general issues of concern in the LGBT community. The traditional “letters to the editor” in Xpress are published in our Views from outside section and can include letters received via e-mail to: XpressLetters@DowntownPublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009. Letters must include your full name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS

The publication you are now reading is the premier issue of Xpress, a monthly full-color newsmagazine directed to the LGBT community in parts of Oakland, Macomb and Wayne County, including the city of Detroit.

Until now the group at Downtown Publications has devoted its energies to a monthly newsmagazine (Downtown) mailed to homes in the Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township area of Oakland County, along with a couple of annual directory-style publications.

However, I was approached 18 months ago by select members of the LGBT community who asked if Downtown Publications would consider focusing its editorial skills on a publication of this nature.

During the past year, we have networked with members of the LGBT family, including gay, lesbian and straight/ally business owners. Our preparatory work included focus group dinners with LGBT professionals from a variety of fields.

The product you now have in your hands is the result, although like any good idea, we expect evolutionary refinement in the months ahead.

Our goal with Xpress is to both celebrate the accomplishments of those in the LGBT community while at the same time bring our brand of longform journalism to explore issues still facing the lesbian, gay, bi and transgender members in the tri-county area. You will find a mix of both in our first issue, along with a restaurant guide, reviews and a monthly wine column. In the months ahead you will see us expand the editorial offerings as we grow, guided in part by an Editorial Advisory Board you will find listed on page six of this issue.

We are also unleashing a companion website (xpressmi.com) as this first issue hits the street, and you can find us on Facebook (xpressmichigan) and follow us on twitter (xpressmichigan).

Twenty thousand copies of Xpress are being distributed each month at over 300 high foot-traffic locations in the three-county area.

On a personal note, I am an old-style publisher. I understand the need to produce a profit to make a publication selfsustaining but at the same time I understand that publishing carries with it a responsibility to weigh-in on public policy issues and help shape the debate for the benefit of the public. So we are looking forward to adding our voice to help influence and advance the public agenda on behalf of the LGBT community with my nearly four decades of experience in publishing and the political realm as an advocate for a variety of issues.

Bringing Xpress to market is an exciting time for our publishing group. It represents for us both growth with the launch of a new publication and an opportunity to add another voice in the ongoing push for equality for the LGBT community in Michigan.

As always, I welcome your feedback.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

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N

ot as large as Chicago's Boystown, and it wasn't the Castro, but once upon a time during an almost giddy moment that lasted roughly twenty years, Detroit too had an early center of gay life. It was called Palmer Park, and it's a place that remains dear to the heart of former resident Greg Piazza.

Piazza, who is now retired after a twenty-plus career in fundraising, moved to the apartment-studded area at the northeast corner of McNichols and Woodward in 1974 after finishing his bachelor's degree at Wayne State University. When he moved in, Piazza declared, “I knew I had arrived—to be a young gay man and to live in Palmer Park was everybody's dream!”

Today, Piazza gives tours of his old neighborhood for People For Palmer Park, a volunteer organization “committed to the preservation, recreation, and revitalization of Palmer Park, for the good of all,” according to the organization's website.

WHERE THE GAYS ARE THE EVOLUTION OF THE METRO AREA GAY AND LESBIAN NEIGHBORHOODS

BY DAWN R. WOLFE

Streetscape at Whitmore and Alwyne in Palmer Park Apartment Building Historic District Detroit © Andrew Jameson / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / GFDL

Of course, Palmer Park was hardly the first gay neighborhood to grace the city of Detroit. According to Tim Retzloff, a PhD candidate with the Yale Department of History who has been studying metro Detroit gay and lesbian communities for more than a decade, the downtown area saw a boom in gay neighborhoods in the 1940s – 1960s, “and in the late 50's they started moving north. The Woodward artery was one of the main focal points,” a situation that remains true today. Indian Village has also had “a distinctive gay presence,” since the 1960s, Retzloff noted.

“By Palmer Park in the 70's, though, the community was becoming to a degree more visible, more cohesive, and more vibrant – in a sense, almost giddy,” Retzloff said. Retzloff's PhD thesis, which wasn't complete at the time of this interview, covers the changing face of the metro area's gay community over a period of more than forty years.

“Certain buildings had more cachet,” Piazza explained, talking primarily about buildings facing Palmer Park itself. “Six-sixty, 333, and of course, 1001 Covington were really up there.

You'd meet someone from 1001, for example, and think, 'Oh, he's from Ten-oh-one...'” That cachet attached itself to different buildings for a variety of reasons, including their location, history, and the architect who had designed them. 1001Covington, for example, had a clear view of an area that Piazza called the Green Beach, a grassy area just across the street in the park itself.

“The 'Green Beach' was our gathering and sunbathing place every summer,” Piazza remembered “that's where you showed off your new bathing suit – and your new boyfriend. And of course, Palmer Park had all of those lovely trails through the beautiful, dark woods.”

But while certain buildings were considered more desirable than others, the entire Palmer Park area was exclusive by design. When Piazza went apartment hunting after breaking up with his first boyfriend, “I went from building to building, dressed for business – very conservative – carrying my resume. People checked your references, they checked with your employer; it was a process. Of course, the best way to get in was through a referral.

Buildings never advertised vacancies – it was considered bad taste.”

A

fter he was settled into his first apartment on Merton, Piazza quickly earned himself a reputation with his management for being a “bad boy.” “I'd forgotten to sort my bottles and cans before putting them in the trash,” he laughed. He recalls his offenses didn't end with the tricky rules about trash disposal.

After he gave the key to his apartment to his exboyfriend so his ex could check on things and pick up mail while Piazza was on vacation, “I was confronted when I got back. The manager knew when my ex had been there, they knew the make and license number of his car, everything.”

The problem? Piazza's ex boyfriend was black. “You didn't get a lot of black folks in the Park,” in the 70's and early 80's, according to Piazza, but “we didn't talk about racism – we didn't want to talk about it.”

Racism was just one of the things dividing the overall gay community in the 1970s and early 80s. According to Piazza, for example, the expensive Palmer Park neighborhood was home to only a few lesbians. According to Judith Hill, a former president of the Michigan Organization for Human Rights, the Palmer Park area “was mostly gay men because they had a lot more money than the women,” who were struggling with unequal pay and more limited career mobility during those years.

Divisions in the gay and lesbian communities weren't limited to the segregation of higherincome gay men from lower income lesbians.

According to Hill, lesbians segregated themselves from each other as well. “(There was a division) between east side lesbians and west side lesbians,” Hill recalled. “I've always been a west sider, but it's been my impression that the more educated, upwardly mobile people lived on the west side and the more blue collar people on the east side. They migrated from around Jefferson on up to Roseville and then to Warren and Sterling Heights, (and) rarely did they mix with west side women.”

Piazza's experience with his apartment management's racism begs the question, if the Palmer Park neighborhood was too exclusive to permit African-Americans, how did gay men and women who could afford it make a place for themselves there?

“The owners and the (straight) elderly ladies who were living here thought that we were 'Such nice young men,'” Piazza explained. “We paid on time and we took care of our units,” even taking care of things like painting and replacing appliances. “And we organized to watch out for crime. That was great for the owners because we were watching out for their property.”

According to Retzloff, tolerance for the sake of the bottom line has been a feature of gay life in the metro Detroit region since at least the 1950s, when most of the city's gay bars were owned by straight men. “There's indications that the straight owners didn't like having gay bars (back then)” said Retzloff, “but what could be more lucrative?” Retzloff added that there was a tendency for the Detroit police to show some tolerance at the time, and instead of raiding the bars, undercover police would entice gay men outside to arrest them.

“Their attitude was, why would you try to hurt this businessman? He's got a wife and kids to feed,” Retzloff added.

Regardless of the reasons that gay men and lesbians were allowed to live in the park, and despite the problems with racism and, eventually, AIDS – “which hit this neighborhood like a brick,” Piazza still says his time in Palmer Park was magical.

“I remember sitting outside on a summer evening, it was so quiet, and then from somewhere I could hear the sound of someone playing a flute,” Piazza said, while pointing out the many units that included outdoor porches.

“Then, in another apartment, someone else picked up the tune on their piano and they played a duet. I remember thinking, 'This is it – this is the soul of Palmer Park.'”

But no matter how they loved their community, the mostly white, mostly male, residents of Palmer Park faced the same

problems in the mid-1980s and onward that have driven so many other people out of the city: higher crime rates, higher prices and fewer city services.

W

hen LGBT community icon and Oakland County Commissioner Craig Covey (D-Ferndale) moved to Palmer Park from Columbus, Ohio in 1985, Palmer Park was a far different place than the one that greeted Greg Piazza in 1974. For one thing, “It was pretty diverse,” racially, Covey said of his two years there, “and there was still a small gay community, but people were starting to flee” in the face of rising crime.

Covey, who came to Detroit to become the first executive director of the Michigan Organization for Human Rights, said he made his own decision to leave after two of his female friends were mugged outside his front door. “I learned that I couldn't even walk to Menjo's, just two blocks away,” Covey remembered. “People's cars were being stolen, there were two nasty murders, and a gay man was beaten all to hell.”

There was also a lack of services,” he added. “We had a garbage strike at one point when the garbage wasn't picked up for weeks.”

To Dr. Kofi Adoma, though, the exodus looked a lot like white flight. To Adoma, a cofounder of Karibu House, who has owned a home in the North Woodward Commons area since 1985, the gay exodus from Palmer Park seemed to be “the same thing (as) when my family moved into Highland Park when I was growing up. My family moved into Highland Park for the school system's music program – my brother is a musician with the DSO – and as the black families moved in, the white families moved out. It was the same thing in Palmer Park.”

Jeffrey Montgomery, who served as the founding executive director of the Triangle Foundation beginning in 1991, and went on to become a nationally-known icon of the LGBT rights movement in the 1990s and 2000s, said that there was a racial component to the 1980's exodus.

“I guess in context, we have to be honest and say it was basically white gay people (who left),” he explained. “There's reasons for that.

We had the economic ability to leave, (and) white people in general (had) the privilege of being able to live wherever we wanted. There's a pretty good size library full of about a thousand million books describing why people moved from Detroit in the 70s and 80s.”

While it was obvious that a lot of white gay men and women were leaving Palmer Park during the troubled mid-80's, at least one lesbian business owner was able to take her

business – and her racially-diverse clientèle – across the Eight Mile Road divide.

Jay Spiro, who founded Mejishi Martial Arts near the Palmer Park area in 1979, remembered that “crime was a huge issue in terms of us moving.” But rather than just pick up and go, Spiro and her staff planned the move from Detroit to Ferndale in partnership with her students. “We sat down with all of our students, black and white, and we lost nobody,” she said.

When Craig Covey, Jay Spiro, and the other mostly white gay men and lesbians left Detroit, they were seeking the same things anyone else was looking for—safe neighborhoods, convenient shopping and affordable housing.

They found all of this, and ended up creating much more, just to the north of Palmer Park in what was then the decaying city of Ferndale.

Today, no one who visits the thriving inner suburb of Ferndale can imagine that it was once practically a ghost town. “When I came here in 1981 from Highland Park, there was nothing, just nothing,” reminisced local activist Ann Heler. Now in her early 70's, Heler has been one of her community's heroes for more than three decades as a founder of neighborhood groups, an advocate for equal rights, and a supporter of everything from Craig Covey's successful political elections to Ferncare, a free clinic for area residents who don't have access to health insurance.

Spiro agreed. “When Mejishi moved to Nine Mile Rd. in 1983, there was a fifty percent occupancy rate,” she said.

That low occupancy rate didn't last very long.

As more gay and lesbian people moved to Ferndale, businesses opened to welcome them.

Those businesses, like A Woman's Prerogative (which closed in 2005) and Just 4 Us bookstores, the old Lavender Moon coffeehouse, and others made Ferndale a more welcome place for still more lesbian and gay people. Eventually, Ferndale became so accepting of its gay and lesbian residents that the city elected Craig Covey to its city council in 1999, and to the mayor's office as the first openly gay mayor in Michigan in 2007.

But ask Heler and she'll say that in the beginning, at least for her, “One of the key things that made Ferndale such a good place for gay and lesbian people to live was when a committee from our old Friends and Neighbors of Ferndale organization called police chief Joe Sullivan, in 1991 or 1992, and the first words out of his mouth were 'When can we meet?' We got entrée into the Ferndale police department faster than San Francisco, faster than New York City—faster than anywhere.

“Following that meeting, city council passed a resolution that any violence against anyone for

any reason would not be tolerated in our city,” Heler added emphatically. “That meant so, so much—it was a huge deal. When chief Sullivan came forward on our behalf … it still makes me cry. It was amazing— amazing.”

While Heler and others were working with the Ferndale police and people, gay and straight, were revitalizing Ferndale's business district, Heler said that there was another key component to Ferndale's transformation from a less diverse, more socially conservative city to the bustling, progressive town it is today.

“One of the things we did before we became political was that (people from) Friends volunteered everywhere,” Heler remembered.

“The city commission, neighborhood groups, social service organizations – everywhere anybody looked, there were the gay and lesbian people. They (older residents) might not have been inviting us to dinner, but they learned they could work with us.”

As Ferndale opened itself to sexual minorities, according to Covey, the city became more open to racial minorities as well. “In the late 80's and early 90's, Ferndale was about ninety percent white. Today the city is about eighty-five percent Caucasian and fifteen percent people of color, including ten percent African-American.”

Johnny Jenkins, the director of programs for Ferndale's LGBT center Affirmations, said that this diversity goes beyond the residents and is also reflected in the faces of those who own businesses downtown.

“There are a lot of African American-owned businesses. That's different from several years ago,” Jenkins said. “The Ferndale Downtown Development Authority reaches out” to minorities.

B

ut while Ferndale has done a fabulous job of welcoming the gay and lesbian communities, these days the town that straddles Nine Mile Road and Woodward is hardly the only game in town when it comes to places where sexual minorities are welcome.

Royal Oak, for example, has had an openly gay city commissioner since the election of prominent attorney Jim Rasor in 2009.

Birmingham, Huntington Woods and Detroit have joined Ferndale in passing local nondiscrimination ordinances that protect gay men and lesbians, and in some cases transgender residents.

According to research published in 2010 by Gary J. Gates, PhD and Abigail M. Cooke of the Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Berkley, Oak Park and Southfield are just a sampling of the metro Detroit area cities that host at least fifty selfidentified, same-sex couples. (No data is available on single gay men and lesbians). Or,

as Tim Retzloff put it, “Once upon a time there were neighborhoods that were more open and accepting. Now, it's whole suburbs.”

And the city of Detroit was still home to approximately 1,223 same-sex couples at the time of the Williams study. According to Jenkins, in fact, the Midtown area in particular is an “up and coming” racially-diverse area that's attracting gay and lesbian professionals.

Reid Beyerlein of Beverly Hills can attest to the fact that gays and lesbians, or at least gay and lesbian professionals, are dispersed throughout the metro area. Beyerlein, who cofounded the LGBT business networking organization Ties Like Me! with Robert Lalicki in the spring of 2005, said that “the majority of people who come to Ties live in the Woodward corridor from Eight Mile to Eighteen Mile, and in a two to three mile radius around that corridor. I would say we're merging outward more.”

It's definitely an understatement to say that the metro area's gay and lesbian communities have come a long way since the 1970s. From a culture based on the closet, the community has moved to a time where sexual minorities are openly advocating for, and starting to win, full civil equality. Today, straight families join their LGBT neighbors at Pride events, and gay and straight couples alike bring their kids.

In Ferndale, according to Heler, they've had trouble with their gay and lesbian bars – but not in the way you'd think.

“Today do we have gay bars?,” she asked, laughing. “No—we have gay-friendly bars. Have we opened gay bars? Yes! Did we open lesbian bars? Yes! But everybody comes to them! (Today), I'm sure that if a Martian dropped by that nobody would care—though I'm sure some people would try to find a way to market the fact.”

Perhaps that step in gay and lesbian neighborhoods will be the eventual dissolution of them as greater acceptance of sexual minorities makes it unnecessary to seek strength in numbers.

“I don't think you'll continue to see gay neighborhoods,” said Covey. “Just like with Hamtramck, where the Polish people who are leaving there are dispersing. I see gay people dispersing now because we don't need to live together for protection. I know gay people who have lived out in the country, moved to wealthy areas, are living in retirement communities, and the young ones are just becoming integrated.

The metro area used to have like 20 identified gay bars, and now we've got about six. That's because the younger generation, and some folks my age, we don't want to go to all gay bars all the time anymore; we're integrated into the straight clubs. The young people aren't separating themselves. In Ferndale you've got clubs where lesbians and gays and straight men mingle and nobody cares.”

14

Xpress

november 2012

FACES

Charles Pugh

C

harles Pugh has overcome a tumultuous childhood and unfortunate events to achieve success as Detroit's city council president.

Pugh was raised by his grandmother after his mother was murdered when he was just three and his father committed suicide a few years later. “I received a journalism scholarship to the University of Missouri and went to college to study journalism and never looked back,” Pugh recalled.

Working around the country, he finally made it back home to Detroit to report the news for Fox 2 News and WJLB Radio. “For 10 years, my job was to drive all over southeastern Michigan. I'm kind of a nomad so I loved the idea of waking up with a clean slate and getting out the door and interacting with people. Black, white, gay, straight, old, young, Republican, Democrat and everyone in between. That's what I love about journalism,” he said.

Through personal growth and a desire to do more in the city, Pugh tired of being a silent observer; he decided he could make a change rather than just report on it. “I decided that I wanted to run for city council and maybe mayor— I haven't ruled out running for mayor. I felt like that was the best way to have a real impact on the city.”

Pugh has made great strides since he submitted his name as a candidate for Detroit city council in 2009, but not without struggle.

“I was brand new to the job, so my challenge was to get over the learning curve quickly and I think I did that. I faced challenges head-on in an honorable, scandal-free way.”

The speaker, teacher and mentor is most proud of the fact that he decided to take a proactive stance for the city. “I quit two well-paying jobs that were the jobs of my dream to serve the city and fix these problems,” he said.

While Pugh is consistently engaged with his work, in order to help him remain strongly connected to the city, he rode the bus every Friday the first year he was in office so he could talk to citizens. “People said I've never in my life seen the council president on the bus, especially my bus.”

As a longtime Detroit resident, Pugh said he spends much of his free time exploring the city. “I'm forever devoted to Detroit, almost to a fault. If I live in southeastern Michigan, I will be living in the city. I will look amazing, be stronger, and even healthier.”

Whether as city council president or another position, he looks forward to leading the city and having a significant impact. “I look forward to growing as a man and becoming more visible and impactful,” he said.

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

Jeffrey Montgomery, a longtime mainstay of the LGBT scene, a founder and executive director of the former Triangle Foundation, which merged with Equality Michigan, and a noted gay rights activist, speaks with Hayley Beitman of Xpress about his work, the pivotal personal event that catapulted him to become a leader in the movement, and what he’s doing now.

XPRESS: Tell us a little bit about yourself, the founding of the Triangle Foundation, and what motivated you personally or professionally to become an activist in the LGBT community.

MONTGOMERY: I started all of this and became active through a personal tragedy. My boyfriend in the late 80’s was killed in an anti-gay murder. As though that weren’t tragic enough, I found out very shortly after that the police were not going to investigate the crime, and found out from the prosecutor’s office later that because of their attitude at that time, they would not investigate gay murders. They passed it off, they said it’s just another gay killing, and they don’t have the time or interest in it, and so that really jolted me.

Prior to that, I had not really been very active politically in the gay community. I hadn’t been active really much at all. I was kind of peacefully living my life really well I thought, and that just really jolted me awake. It changed my life forever and I decided right then and there that as far as I could do it, no one in my position would ever hear that again. I just thought it was important to begin an organization that would stand up for victims and survivors of anti-gay violence. So that’s what the Triangle Foundation started as, primarily an organization to deal with that issue.

XPRESS: How did the Triangle Foundation come about?

MONTGOMERY: Obviously I knew a lot of people and I knew a lot of gay people, but I really didn’t know anyone in the community that was a so called activist, or however you say it. I really had no idea how political or what organizations were going on. I was a pretty apathetic gay person back then so I started asking around, and after about a year of really looking around and talking to people and trying to figure out things, I did find two or three people who were also very much concerned about the issue that I was. We got together and decided that’s what we would do. We would start this organization and make it an anti-violence organization, and we went on from there.

THE INTERVIEW:

TRIANGLE FOUNDATION FOUNDER TALKS

XPRESS: What purpose was it meant to serve, and what significant advancements and achievements in equality do you feel were implemented during your time there?

MONTGOMERY: We primarily wanted this to address the issue of gay violence. We started progressively getting word out that we were there, that we were interested, that we hoped to be helpful and we got the word out pretty quickly. We did a good job of that.

We began to get people contacting us, and I found out that, as I suspected, there were many, many people who had been very frustrated by the lack of attention to anti-LGBT violence.

The curious thing was at the same time, people starting contacting us who had not necessarily been victims of violence, but perhaps they lost their job or perhaps they’d been denied housing, and they were certainly victims of non-violent discrimination. Those people were finding, as I had found out, that no one was around to deal with those issues, and they wondered if we would help them, so we quickly began to expand our reach and expand our attention to any kind of indignity and any kind of defamation and

any kind of discrimination along with the anti-violence we were doing. We quickly established ourselves as a very credible anti-violence organization. I was really quite surprised to find out that almost as quickly, we became the only organization that people could go to when they had suffered any form of discrimination or defamation, so we went on from there and expanded our attention beyond strictly talking about violence to any kind of anti-LGBT activity. We grew quite fast and our scope grew quite fast.

I think we were very successful in many ways. Within a few years we certainly changed the attitudes in the political environment, especially in the city of Detroit. We established the best relationships with the city council and with the mayor’s offices that really had been established by any kind of a gay organization. We began to lobby very actively in Lansing to try and get some laws in place that would protect gay people. We were quite successful in terms of making those connections, and in terms of getting the conversation going, although alas we weren’t successful in getting actual legislation passed because at that time Lansing was a very conservative place. We’re talking about the Engler years and pretty strong control of the Republicans over in the legislature, and so that was very frustrating. We made a great many friends up there and we got a lot of people behind us and we managed to get people all over the state talking about this, so while there is not specifically GLBT protection in the civil rights law nor in the hate crime law in the state, at least we’ve got a huge constituency now.

I think overall, in terms of public discourse and the media, one of the primary and most enduring results of my time at Triangle was that we changed the conversation in the state both in terms of policy discussions, in terms of public discussions and, more importantly, in terms of the discussions that were going around people’s kitchen tables.

We really got people in Michigan talking in a very different kind of way, in a very positive kind of way, about the need to protect and respect and appreciate the GLBT people in the state.

XPRESS: For 17 years, you were the executive director for the Triangle Foundation, as well as one of its founding members. What role does the foundation, now known as Equality Michigan, play in southeastern Michigan? Do you believe it has a voice on the national stage?

MONTGOMERY: Certainly Equality Michigan is the statewide group, they did inherit that from us and they’re still very active in Lansing and also in local communities. I believe they certainly have a voice in many conversations that take place across the country.

MONTGOMERY ABOUT THE LGBT PAST AND FUTURE

That’s another thing we did with Triangle by the way, we really got involved on the national level, not just in terms of being a regularly heard voice by our Michigan congressional delegation, but also in terms of working with other organizations around the country. We were one of the founder organizations of the National Coalition of AntiViolence Projects which is what it says, it’s a national network of groups across the country working on those issues and we helped get that formed, and they’ve become the real authority on that issue and were very active in the federal hate crime law act. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force for example, the human rights campaign, we really made an effort to make sure that those national organizations, working on all of those issues, were hearing from Michigan and hearing from us about what was going on on the ground here in our state and in our city so that we could help those other national efforts.

XPRESS: Federal officials, as well as major publications like The New York Times, have taken notice and acknowledged your work on LGBT-related homicide and “homosexual

panic” defenses. How was being recognized on such public and federal levels been a breakthrough point in your anti-violence activism?

MONTGOMERY: It’s kind of interesting. It certainly raised the level of (what people knew) about what we were doing, and it obviously gave us an opportunity to advocate on a much bigger level. But I think at the same time, and I don’t want to sound too grand here, but I think that we helped them as much as they did us. I was very involved in helping to bring to light the whole concept of the gay panic defense, which is a criminal defense that is used when people, for example, kill gay people. They often would say that they did it because the gay person came onto them and they had no choice but to kill them, which is, as you can see, a wicked and very dangerous kind of a defense. But until the work of Triangle and others, that defense often worked in these cases, and the people would either be exonerated or would be given much lesser punishment.

Early on with us, there was a case that people may recall what has become known as the Jenny Jones murder, where a young man was killed after expressing attraction for another man, and the man later killed him. The two men lived in the Detroit area, so we became very involved in that case just to make sure that the prosecutor and the media understood what this case was about, and that it was not just about a freaky talk show.

It built national attention because it had this TV connection and it gave us an opportunity to really help the media frame the issue and help advance the idea that gay victims are very worthy of defense, and also worthy of attention that their cases get. We helped the media quite a bit and the public to understand that issue.

We took a similar role around the time the trial took place for the murder of Matthew Shepard, and though both of those cases, as well as at least a couple of dozen others, we became quite a go-to source for people, media, and prosecutors around the country to come to for assistance in trying to deal with cases of these brutal anti-gay murders.

XPRESS: Your 1999 Matthew Shepard Memorial Lecture at Brown University and the A&E documentary about his murder trial won national recognition in pleading for justice, equality and the right to be left alone. How did he act as a symbol for all hate crimes, and what message were you hoping to spread?

MONTGOMERY: The message we were hoping to spread, of course, was that this was yet one more example of the brutality and the horrible nature of crimes aimed at people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. I

I WAS VERY INVOLVED IN HELPING TO BRING TO LIGHT THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF THE GAY PANIC DEFENSE, WHICH IS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE THAT IS USED WHEN PEOPLE, FOR EXAMPLE, KILL GAY PEOPLE….A WICKED AND VERY DANGEROUS KIND OF A DEFENSE. guess why that particular case, why Matthew Shepard himself, was sort of a breakthrough sort of moment is a very long discussion. I think in a very general way it’s because first of all, he was a very young student, very innocent looking, and because of the absolute brutality that was described in his murder. I think the sheer brutality and details of that whole event, including him being basically an innocent young man kind of abducted from this bar under false pretenses of (being offered) a ride home and he ended up being savagely and brutality beaten and then left tied to a fence in the middle of Wyoming for 18 hours before finally being discovered, and the country went through his agonizing (last) days in the hospital before he unfortunately died, people were just appalled by that and for the vast majority of the public, they were appalled because it was appalling.

The fact that it was all based on the fact that he was perceived to be and was gay, and therefore an easy mark, and that people thought they (the suspects) would get away with this crime because he was gay just threw people for a loop— they had no concept that this went on. It really just jolted people out of their ignorance on this issue and he became very much a symbol of all these efforts across the country. It always amazed me because we and our colleagues across the country knew from our work that those kinds of events take place on a daily basis in this country and not just in remote places like Wyoming where they could be passed off as happening in not very enlightened places. I don’t mean to offend Wyoming, but these things were going on in cities, suburbs and towns throughout the country in every state everyday, and so it was really quite interesting because although we

worked with this on a regular daily basis, suddenly the country thought ‘this is just terrible’, and it really motivated the vast majority of people well beyond the gay community to want to do something to deal with this issue. Hundreds of thousands of people turned out to vigils across the country for him, and followed the whole event from the attack all the way through to the convictions. It was just a really stunning turnaround of public opinion.

Although the public was outraged and demanded action on the Matthew Shepard issue, the legislatures across the country, as well as congress, although they said many, many good things about the need to deal with this issue, the fact of the matter is virtually no hate crime legislation came out in any sort of immediate aftermath of that attack because the political establishment was not prepared or not interested in dealing with that issue and here in Michigan, all these years later, we still have no hate crime protection for gay people or transgender people.

The federal hate crime law only passed a year ago, so it just shows you how far behind policy makers are and lawmakers are from what actual public opinion is. We’re seeing this now with the marriage issue. The majority of the people in this country believe that gay people should be able to get married, but legislators, including Michigan and in Washington, fail to keep up with what the public wants and what the public demands, so we’re still in the situation where there’s no hate crime protection in Michigan. The federal law is brand new all these years later and we’re still trying to get the political corrections to this very, very deeply serious situation where gay people can still be fired, refused housing, refused public accommodations, refused benefits simply because of who they love or who they are. We still have a great deal of work, a terrific amount of work to do on the political level, legislative level, at every level so that part of the whole thing is pretty frustrating because we know that the public is behind us on all of these issues but we’ve got to get these conservatives, and I’ll say it, mostly Republican decision-makers to really wake up and understand what their moral duty is in terms of providing equality and protection for all people, including of course, GLBT people.

XPRESS: You led a delegation that marked the first time a Detroit mayor officially met with members of the LGBT community 20 years ago. Have you seen the LGBT community gain respect since then on national and state levels by building a network of advocacy?

MONTGOMERY: Yes, I think the GLBT

community has made massive strides in terms of getting respect and recognition, and at certain levels, even protection. Since Michigan does not have a general state law, I think around 20 communities have municipal ordinances prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and that’s a very important thing. In Michigan, it was decided if the legislature is not going to do this, we’ll do it city by city, and that’s been very successful in a number of other ways. I think the representation we get in the media both in the news media and popular media has been remarkable. The way the mainstream media deals with GLBT issues, especially here in Michigan and elsewhere, certainly is another world since we started Triangle and I think that we can take a lot of credit for helping that come about.

Then you look at popular media. There’s gay, lesbian, and increasingly, more transgender representation in television programs. Situational comedies, dramas, movies, plays, song lyrics, and actors are coming out of the closet on a daily basis, it seems, sometimes even athletes and politicians. I think the fact that there are now millions more people who are out, especially very publicly in very public roles, is another testimony to the progress the GLBT community has made over the last 20 years in terms of people realizing there’s no longer the kind of risk there was in doing that. Which is not to say that coming out is an easy thing, because it’s not. It’s still a very daunting moment in one’s life and can still be very dangerous because there are still people out there that are committing hundreds of hate crimes a day against people based on their sexual orientation. It’s a very volatile time right now because more people are coming out. There are more people realizing that they know gay people and they are closely associated with gay people, but the more people come out, the more people realize that stereotypes are wrong and that helps move these other issues forward. It’s a very dynamic process— the relationship between the individual decision to come out and the societal effect that that has as more and more people do it.

XPRESS: After leaving the Triangle Foundation, you became a founding board member of the national Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance. Tell us about the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance, and how it continues your advocacy work.

MONTGOMERY: Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance is an organization dedicated to one basic proposition, which is sexual freedom is a basic human right, although Woodhull’s

embrace of that concept goes across all different kinds of sexual situations. It certainly is not primarily a gay or LGBT organization, although obviously LGBT issues and sexuality issues are very much a part of the work that Woodhull does, but they deal with all kinds of issues of sexual freedom, not just in this country but also globally.

It was very exciting to be a part of finding people in all these various communities who shared my sense that sexual freedom was a very important issue, that it was really at much of the root at the discrimination that many gay people suffer from. Being able to work with other people in bringing this organization about was very exciting, I was so pleased to be part of bringing it together and for many years I was proud to be on their board.

About the time I left Triangle, I left that board because it was a time when I was kind of pulling back from various things, but their work goes on and their work is critical, and it has been very, very important especially now in the current political realm when we see politicians, especially from the right and conservatives and Republicans, waging this so called War on Women, which I think is a very important way of putting it. Trying to roll back laws on birth control, contraception, women’s right to choose, abortion, all of those issues are not only attacks on women and their freedom and ability and what should be their unfettered right to make their own decisions, but it’s so retrograde and in itself it’s very dangerous.

Woodhull takes on a myriad of issues and I think it’s an organization that this country really needs to pay attention to and really is helping.

The other thing that Woodhull does is goes to other organizations with specific agendas and it helps them understand how human sexuality

THE WAY THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA DEALS WITH GLBT ISSUES, ESPECIALLY HERE IN MICHIGAN AND ELSEWHERE, CERTAINLY IS ANOTHER WORLD SINCE WE STARTED TRIANGLE AND I THINK THAT WE CAN TAKE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR HELPING THAT COME ABOUT.

issues and sexual freedom issues are so important to the work that they do. That’s how we built these partnerships and how we advance issues.

XPRESS: As current media liaison and one of the senior strategists, how do you provide a public voice for sexual freedom?

MONTGOMERY: I think it’s important we talk about sex. I think that this is a very Puritan country. I think we have to help people feel comfortable about talking about sex because 200 and whatever it is year’s later in this country, people still have a very difficult time talking about anything to do with sexuality, not just to their neighbors or publicly, but even in their own relationships. Sexuality is a very difficult topic for people. The approach we take is the more we publicly talk about sex and demystify it and make it a conversation people can feel comfortable with, the better our chances are at being able to ward off and fight off the efforts that will limit people’s ability to engage in the kind of sexual relationships they choose with other consenting adults. I think it helps people have those discussions and helps take the wind out of some of these attacks on the prohibition of sex and attacks on sexual choices that don’t necessarily fit the model of what families look like and what relationships look like.

XPRESS: What does receiving the Vicki Sexual Freedom Award this September mean to you?

MONTGOMERY: It’s a moment of great, great pride. I was with them at the beginning and was excited about the existence of Woodhull and even after leaving the board, I’ve met so many great activists and thinkers and people doing a lot of really phenomenal work. It’s always been a source of pride just to know those people and be able to work with them and to be associated with the work that they’ve done, and help with the work that they’ve done.

I had no idea that my feelings would be even more intense when they decided to recognize me with the Vicki Award, which I’m very humbled by, and just very pleased to realize that my colleagues feel good enough and proud enough of the work I’ve done to recognize it. It’s always great to be recognized by your peers, even when it’s unexpected, I’m very pleased.

XPRESS: Since leaving the Triangle Foundation, please fill us in on what have you been working on. Do you stay involved with anti-violence activism? What are your plans for the future, either professionally or personally?

MONTGOMERY: I’ve been in a position for a

couple of years now where I have sort of taken a step back from daily activist work, but as it’s come about now, especially in this particular election cycle, I’m so frustrated and alarmed at the way GLBT issues are being talked about by some of the people running for offices. I’m very frustrated that there has not been more legislative remedy for a lot of these problems. I think that in the pretty near future I’m going to become much more re-engaged, but this time as sort of an independent voice and one that can help organizations and institutions that are out there to see their way through some of these issues. I’m looking forward to becoming more active again and help guide the leadership of our community and a lot of people in the non-GLBT community to further fight for these rights and issues and the next step in advancement of recognition of the GLBT community.

XPRESS: Where do you see the LGBT community in five to 10 years?

MONTGOMERY: I think there’s public discourse becoming much more positive and supportive of the GLBT community, which has swept at great speed over the last 20 years, and it’s is not going to stop. I think that as more and more of the public becomes supportive of our community and our issues and become more allies in helping to help us gain protection and recognition, that’s not going to stop at all. I think in five or 10 years, that’s going to have had further effect of reaching beyond a real critical mass of support for GLBT civil rights. On a practical level, I’m not really sure. This continued obstruction at almost every legal legislative level to prevent us from protection. In fact, now the Republicans in Michigan want to roll back our protection, the little that we have, as I said earlier, many cities have these human rights ordinances of some form or another, and now (some of) the representatives in Lansing want to take those back and repeal them. We’ve got this incredible forward support from the public and other institutions and organizations outside of our community while this legislature is doggedly digging in and wanting to not expand our civli rights at all— in fact they want to take them back.

There are a handful of states now where gays and lesbians can be married. At the federal level, they want to pass an amendment to the constitution that would invalidate those laws so we’re in a very weird place right now where advancement has been tough enough, but now there’s a huge effort to try to roll back these rights and that’s frustrating.

I don’t know in five or 10 years where that’s going to be. I would hope that as the side of the coin of greater public support gains traction that it will help to overturn some of these people and put the right people in those jobs in legislatures so that these issues can finally be put to bed and put to rest in terms of legal protection across the state and across the country.

XPRESS: What are successes would you still like to see come to fruition in your lifetime?

MONTGOMERY: In Michigan, the most important issue is getting civil rights protection from the Civil Rights Act specifically aimed at sexual orientation and gender identity. That’s an issue that many people in the state have been working on since the 1980s, and Triangle certainly became a very committed partner in those efforts in the 1990s and 2000s.

It’s very frustrating that that remains undone, had that been accomplished earlier, say the late 1980s, today there would not be a state ban on gay marriage because it would already have been covered by the Civil Rights Act. There’s a similar kind of law at the federal level called the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. Those to me are the two things that the gay community nationally and locally should be working hardest on of any issues that they have politically. I would love to make sure I see the day when we have that kind of overall civil rights protection because that would clear up so many of these other issues.

20

Xpress

november 2012

FACES Lisa Baker

L

isa Baker found the perfect match and a place that felt like home when she moved from Maryland to Michigan to become the Upper School Director of Roeper Schools.

As a young girl, Baker was active in the band and swimming, which she started teaching at the YMCA when she was only nine years old. At DePaul University, American University and Johns Hopkins University, she studied English, education and earned her masters degree in counseling.

“My draw to teaching was something I couldn't put off, escape or ignore. I compare it to the draw performers and actors feel—you are literally compelled. It's not something you have much choice in. Teaching, coaching and working with students has always been a part of my being.”

Her very first teaching job, Baker was known as the “stipend queen”, volunteering for everything she could.

She continued her involvement as an English teacher, department chair, college counselor, and as a development specialist.

“Professionally, Roeper felt like it could be home. I felt welcomed, as if my skills and what the school needed were skills that I had. The match was really good,” she said. “I get to live a fully integrated life at Roeper. People who have never had the experience of having to live a disintegrated life maybe don't realize how powerful it is when you can bring your whole self to something.”

Noticing her passion, Baker was urged by colleagues to consider an administrative position at Roeper. “I was flattered but too young to realize it might not be a good thing. People don't always like you.”

Baker said simply moving from a teaching role to an administrator role was a shift. “Everyone has their own idea of what the principal is and for the most part it's not a positive memory.”

She found a way to create an environment at Roeper where questions are welcome, discussion is rich and expectations are high. “Just take a picture of the place.

There are no two kids who are dressed the same, no two kids who look the same, they don't all think the same. They understand differences and really celebrate them.”

Baker lives in Pleasant Ridge where she balances her many roles. “Michigan is underrated; it's a beautiful state. The people are incredibly generous and kind and not shut down.”

Professionally, Baker has many goals on the backburner. She is curious about being the head of school and what that might be like, finding a way to give more students the opportunities Roeper provides and bridging gaps between high school and university, and private and public schools.

“I hope I'll be the leader of the school, and I'll be closing the gaps that I see and working in my own way at closing those gaps."

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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HIV NUMBERS CLIMB AGAIN FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY, COMPLACENCY CAUSING RESURGENCE OF INFECTION

BY ALLISON BATDORFF

When you troll for love online, you never know what you’ll find.

Ron, a middle-aged gay professional, thought he’d seen it all. Too busy for a social life, he browsed potential mates online, recognizing or reconnecting with many he knew from the metro Detroit gay community. But in the last few years, a trend has bothered him – offers of “bareback” or unprotected sex being held out as the proverbial carrot, a way to clinch a personal rendezvous.

“I was shocked,” Ron says. “I couldn’t believe they’d put themselves in danger like that with someone they barely knew.”

Twice it happened to Ron. Both times with younger men in their twenties. One educated, a nurse; the other barely eking through high school.

Neither one was concerned about HIV, AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections. Both vanished back into the Internet vortex, leaving Ron to wonder if they’ve ended up as a statistic. Particularly, this one: new HIV infections in gay men under 30, particularly black men, have climbed 48 percent in the five years. In Detroit, the numbers are even higher – 54 percent of new HIV cases involve young men having sex with men (MSM).

“It makes me mad,” Ron said. “People still die.

People still get sick. People still suffer from the side effects and expense and the downsides of getting HIV. But some guys don’t understand that anymore.”

These days, most talk about HIV and AIDS is sunny—for good reason. The news is full of new ways to stop the virus, and Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) changed the diagnoses from a death sentence to a “manageable, chronic illness” for most people who catch it early. Overall, in the United States, numbers of new cases (or incidence) is half of the high point in the early 1990’s when close to 90,000 people were infected every year.

But while AIDS – a later stage of the virus when the body can’t fight infection anymore – is down, unfortunately HIV rates among certain groups is climbing. Its spread among women and the elderly is unprecedented, but gay and bisexual men continue to be disproportionately affected by the virus, accounting for 61 percent of the 50,000 new infections occurring annually. HIV testing conducted in 21 cities indicated that 19 percent of MSM tested in 2008 were HIV-positive.

Perhaps a more harrowing statistic: 20 percent of them didn’t know they were infected.

“If we’re really going to have an impact, we have to address what’s going on with gay and bisexual men,” said the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Division of HIV /AIDS Prevention Associate Director for Health Equity Dr. Donna McCree. “Especially young and transgender men of color.”

In southeast Michigan, it’s the same story.

“We’ve been watching HIV increase among the young for years,” says Eve Mokotoff, a Michigan Department of Community Health epidemiologist. She cites the grim trajectory of new cases, increasing at an average rate of 11 percent every year since 2006. The city of Detroit accounts for the majority of these cases, as the rate of new diagnoses in Detroit is over six times higher than rates in the rest of southeast Michigan.

So what’s going on? With all of the information out there – the pamphlets, testing, commercials, red ribbons, free condoms – why are the numbers going in the wrong direction?

Some claim that the inundation of information is itself the problem, “combat fatigue” in the grueling 30-year battle with HIV and AIDS. But most others point to a multidimensional miasma where things like treatment complacency, “false hope,” and the folly of youth meeting deepseated cultural and socioeconomic issues far larger than individual risky behavior. For many new HIV cases, these factors swirl together in a confounding toxic cocktail that’s hard to tell where one begins and another ends.

Hank Milbourne, the Associate Executive Director of AIDS Partnership Michigan, calls it a “synergistic effect.”

“A lot of issues are at work here,” Milbourne said. “We’ve been concerned about this for a while.”

CURE AS CAUSE A look at the models used to advertise HIV medications, and you might think they’re selling toothpaste, not life-saving drugs, observes Royal Oak resident Ken Warnock.

“Everyone reads these journals with pictures of healthy, attractive people saying ‘I have HIV and life is great,'” Warnock said. “Young people are getting the message ‘we’re infected, so what? Take a pill and it’s all good.’ They’re not getting the message that HIV makes a profound impact on your life.”

Warnock knows. Racked with pneumonia when diagnosed “pos” in 2002, Warnock is back from the brink. Not one prone to pity, Warnock is active in the cause and positive about the direction things are headed. In general, being homosexual is easier, he said, with people fighting to protect same sex relationships and celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Anderson Cooper blazing the trail for equal rights. Still, his dating life is forever altered. He may have lost a job because of his diagnosis. Gloved waiters have served his food on plastic plates, afraid of catching whatever he had. He takes three pills a day, not one, and has suffered from side effects, and most recently, worries about bone density loss.

“It’s better now but there’s still a lot of ignorance out there,” Warnock said.

A recent CDC study found that complacency due to confidence in HAART has made MSM likely to have more sexual partners, and less likely to use a condom or know the HIV-status of their partners. This could be where the perception of HIV or AIDS as a chronic manageable disease might be a problem for these at risk men, says Affirmations Program Director Johnny Jenkins.

“In some aspects, it’s great. But as you can tell by the numbers, it’s also a detriment to a vulnerable part of our population,” Jenkins said.

Affirmations, an LGBT support facility in Ferndale, offers free, anonymous, rapid testing that delivers results in 20 minutes. They have a youth-only testing night but it’s still hard to get people in the door, Jenkins noted.

“Now, people know they can live 25-plus years with it. They consider themselves less at risk, which makes it a bigger challenge to encourage them to get tested,” Jenkins said.

Then there’s hedging bets. The good news is that HAART means that more people are living with HIV, not dying. In the United States, that number is now 1.2 million people. But here’s the dark flip side; that more people living with it means that more people can transmit it – and unless precautions are taken – more new infections.

THE HIV HANDSHAKE Most of us know that you can get HIV from unprotected vaginal sex or anal sex. You can get it from sharing needles. From your mother’s

blood or breast milk. To a lesser extent you can get it from blow jobs and bad blood transfusions and hospital accidents. You get it in blood, but not sweat or tears. Not from toilet seats, not from French kissing. Whatever door it walks through, HIV wants to get at our T cells. What retrovirus can resist our do-gooder T cells? They’re our bodies’ bright and busy emergency response team, the cells with orange vests and walkietalkies. One drop of blood in a healthy person will yield up 700 to 1,000 of them. Halve that, and a person is still considered normal, but likely infected. Halve that, and it gets dicey. If this number – the T cell or CD4 count – drops below 200, your body can’t fend off illness or infection, becoming vulnerable to opportunistic AIDSdefining illnesses like lymphomas, Kaposi's sarcoma, and recurrent pneumonia.

Beaumont Infectious Diseases expert Dr. Christopher Carpenter calls HIV a “sneaky virus."

“You can feel good, feel healthy, and still be infecting people,” Carpenter said. “Most viruses make you feel bad, so you stay home, and stop infecting others. Not with HIV.” The virus itself is sneaky, hiding its genetic makeup (the RNA) in protective capsid and cloaking it with attractive proteins. It bumps into the T cell as if by accident, and introduces itself by sliding its proteins into the T cell’s protein docking sites, called CD4 receptors. Hi. Fancy meeting you here. A protein handshake.

The handshake lasts awkwardly long as the virus fuses the T cell to it, and gets cozy. HIV then unpacks its reverse transcriptase to morph from an effectual single-strand RNA to the dangerous double-stranded DNA. But it still needs its host to cause real trouble. It filches some protein enzymes called integrase to give it the ability to copy itself. And protease, to finish off and break free. Once the virus has a ticket to ride, it finds another T cell and starts again. This process takes about a day-and-half per cell, with scientists estimating 10 years for a full HIV to AIDS progression for half the population. That said, HIV varies wildly from person to person.

Some people with HIV never develop full-blown AIDS, even without treatment.

But for 96 percent of most mortals, there’s HAART. It’s no cure and no vaccine, but HAART medications can confound the virus at almost every stage of the virus’s life cycle and are

classed accordingly. There’s also a postexposure prophylaxis to arrest the virus within 72 hours of exposure, and the Food and Drug Administration has also approved a preexposure prophylaxis (PreP) for high-risk cases or discordant couples where one is “pos” and the other is negative.

The cost is dear, with HAART expenses averaging around $18,000 a year. In most cases, public funding picks up the tab through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. In Michigan, ADAP meds cost an average of $1,149 per person, per month.

But HAART is no magic bullet, though many would like to believe otherwise. All drugs have side effects, Carpenter said, citing long-term concerns like heart disease, diabetes and bone density loss.

Following the drug regimen is also an issue; the virus gets stronger and smarter, and the drug-resistant mutations of HIV can spread, causing another health risk.

“There’s no real way to tell if someone is going to commit to their drug regimen,” Carpenter said. “I’ve had patients who take their medicine religiously, and that’s the one good decision they make that day. Others aren’t as serious.”

To head off drug resistance, the trend is to make it easy by squeezing all medicines into fewer doses. A three-in-one pill is commonly used today and a $28,000 a year four-in-one was just released this summer.

“If you’re newly diagnosed, you can take one pill once a day,” says Dr. Paul Benson, of Berkley’s Be Well Clinic. “I tell my patients to take their medication as if their life depended on it.” It does.

NO MEMORY; NO BIGGIE Understanding the risk of HIV or AIDS isn’t something you have to impress upon people who paid attention in the 90’s, says Jenkins.

The death of their friends made the point.

“People in their 30’s and 40’s remember how intense those times were,” Jenkins said. “You had people passing every two or three weeks because they weren’t taking care of themselves, because they didn’t have access to care, refused to get tested, whatever the reason.”

Benson, who has worked with the virus since the 1980s, said it was hard enough getting people to live “from one Christmas to the next.”

“An HIV diagnosis used to make people angry and afraid, stigmatized,” Benson said.

“These young individuals did not experience the tragic nature of losing so many friends.”

The Center for Disease Control reports about 7,000 people die from HIV and AIDS

every year, adding to the sobering death toll of over 300,000 people since the infection was first reported in 1985. In those days, advertisements about HIV and AIDS used tombstones, not toothpaste grins, to get the point across.

But don’t blame the young, says Bingham Farms child and adolescent psychologist Dr. Paul Jacobs. Believing you’re bulletproof goes with the territory, and young people always engage in risky behavior, with high rates of STDs across the board.

“Young people think they’re invincible,” Jacobs said. “We were all there at one point in our lives. White, black, whatever, they all think it can’t happen to me.”

THE STATE OF STATUS The reality is, for most of Kevin Johnson’s clients, risky sex is just one “challenge in an already challenging day.”

They are young, undereducated and poor, and most have been kicked out of their families for being homosexual. They are somewhat fatalistic, given the complexities of their lives.

“When you’re living on the streets having sex to survive, a condom is the last thing you’re thinking of,” says Johnson, a youth caseworker for AIDS Partnership Michigan. “You got young guys figuring out their sexuality. They get excited and tell their families. When the family ostracizes them or runs them out, they rebel.

They might have sex with anyone.”

Johnson works with many of the tri-county youth recently diagnosed “pos,” helping to navigate the labyrinth of federal programs for medication and treatment, and sometimes transportation and housing as well.

His job is to protect this population which is ripe to become preyed upon,and prone to having “survival sex” with anyone who will accept or take care of them, Johnson said.

Just about all of his clients meet partners online on sites like BGC (black gay chat), Jack’d, and Adam for Adam, he said.

“They are young and vulnerable, and Internet dating makes you even more vulnerable,” Johnson says. “You don’t know their partner’s last name.”

That Detroit doesn’t have a gay neighborhood doesn’t make it any easier, Milbourne said.

“It’s not always a gay-friendly city,” he says.

“We have to reach out to the community as a whole and hope the right people get the message.”

Finding people is just the first hurdle; the second is getting them into treatment, and then the third is keeping them there.

“It’s a challenge overall because life gets in the way…especially with young people,” Milbourne says. “They test positive and three

months later, we can’t find them.”

McCree echoes the complexity of the problem. She wrote the book on this sudden explosion - a textbook called “African Americans and HIV /AIDS: Understanding and Addressing the Epidemic.”

“There is a lot outside of individual risk factors that we look at,” McCree said. “Getting the test is a no-no in some cultures. People worry about losing their jobs, their families, and their anonymity. Their church might throw them out if someone sees them. Beyond that, there are educational barriers, socioeconomic barriers and homophobia.”

Besides the medications, the most effective weapon in the treatment arsenal has been one of mindset. This decade saw a change in tactics from safe sex containment to treatment as prevention.

The concept is simple: find the people who have HIV or are most likely to get it. Don’t judge. Don’t blame. Just get them the medication and treatment they need. The CDC calls it “high-impact prevention” among highrisk populations, specifically MSM and young transgender persons of color. Messages like “Testing makes you stronger” and ads showing families piling into minivans and saying, “Let’s get tested,” are having some success, McCree said. Testing is key, she said.

“You need to know your status to protect yourself and others,” McCree said. “Even if you’re taking precautions, your partner might not be. The bottom line is that HIV is completely preventable and we need to get people–all people–to keep having the conversation. This is something no one needs to have.”

Modern times call for modern methods, and advocates report success reaching out to young people through social networking and text messaging.

“Texting is a primary way of communication for my clients,” Johnson says. “75 percent of (my) communication is via text. It does help.”

The days of the “just use a condom” speech are long gone, Benson said. “It’s like the predeparture briefing you get on the airplane – you hear it but you’re not listening at all.”

Nowadays, people have a “Chinese menu” of safe sex choices, Benson said, with partner reduction, condom use and male circumcision some of the options available. The new generation needs to be recruit advocates from these at-risk populations for a global cure, he said.

“I’m convinced that the science is there to eradicate this disease,” Benson said. “It’s not going to be clean, it’s not going to be cheap, it’s going to be a lot of work, but we have a lot to be optimistic about.”

FACES

Veronica Lujic

V

eronica Lujic moved from Canada to the United States to follow her artistic aspirations, opening State of the Art Framing & Gallery and becoming the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Chairperson.

“My parents have always been supportive. Even when I said I wanted to be an artist they were like, are you sure? Once I did, they kind of jumped on the bandwagon,” she said about her warm upbringing.

Lujic attended the University of Windsor, studying fine arts. “I thought maybe I could teach but I didn't want to go back to school right away.”

While designing custom commission pieces, she got a call from the Professional Picture Frames Association who suggested a woman in Southfield was looking for a full-time designer.

In 2005, she opened State of the Art Framing & Gallery, offering framing and custom-built furniture in Ferndale. Unfamiliar with city policies and ordinances, a representative from the Ferndale DDA approached Lujic to introduce the new business to the city.

“Once we opened, we realized we needed to become more involved in the community and to get to know our neighbors and create a more synergistic environment to help each other,” she said.

Four months after opening, Lujic participated in Tour of the Town and was encouraged to join the DDA's promotions committee.

About a year later, Lujic was approached yet again to sit on the board. “It's great to capture that new energy of new people coming into the city who have just opened a business. The passion you have when you first open, you can harness that, not just for your business, but for the whole downtown,” she noted.

Throughout her first year as a board member, Lujic learned exactly how the DDA revitalizes downtown Ferndale by helping businesses grow and expand. “I'd like to think if someone looked at me four years ago and now, they'd say you've come a long way in how you deal with certain situations. I've certainly grown over the process.”

As an active member of her community, living a block away from her storefront allows her to stay involved. “There is so much to do here and you always run into someone you know. It's a big city with a small town feel.”

While Lujic loves to paint, she finds her time and hobbies are limited. “I would love to say I am still able to find time to paint but the only thing I do that's remotely creative is working in my yard.”

About the future, Lujic ponders, “I'd love to try a new endeavor, something different that I haven't done before. I like to take on a challenge. I've got a few irons in the fire, I just haven't decided which one I want to take out yet.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Birmingham $1,590,000 Totally rebuilt home on one of the most sought after streets in Birmingham. Many custom built-ins and moldings. Marble and hardwood floors. Family room off kitchen features Limestone fireplace, French doors to Florida room with Slate floors. Large open kitchen with island. Spacious master suite.

First and second floor laundry. Three car garage. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. Co-Listor Erin Keating-Dewald. 212018261.

Bloomfield $849,000

Birmingham $750,000

Custom designed, one owner home in Chestnut Run. Private Street. Great family home! First floor master suite with spacious master bath and private room off master suite. Lovely landscaped back yard with pond.

Brick patio plus deck. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 211114274

Fabulous Gem in Birmingham on a lot and a half ! Finished loft, bath and partial kitchen over three car garage not included in sq ft. Mahogany floors & library with fireplace. Home has been extensively renovated in last few years with high end amenities. All newer landscaping with putting green.

First floor master suite with bath, separate shower and WIC leads to private patio. Finished lower level. Four bedrooms with three baths. 212096467

Ronni Keating

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Birmingham $3,275,000 Stunning, custom in-town residence is the epitome of style and sophistication. Offering over 9000 sq ft of functional living space with details that exceed expectations. Sumptuous master suite, gourmet kitchen (as featured in a national publication as a "dream kitchen") finished lower level elevator and loft space. Home features premium finishes both inside and out. All this plus a fantastic "close to town" location. Sellers to consider all reasonable offers.

Four bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 212001452.

Gourmet Italian Designed Kitchen

Stunning Formal Living Room with Bar

Stylish Family Room with Custom Details

Sara Lipnitz

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Oakland Township $2,450,000 Beautifully tucked within 7+ acres of Oakland Township grandeur. This spacious European Country House has premium appointments & high-end detailing throughout. Lovely guest house with private entrance is complete with chefs kitchen. Nature, wildlife & ultimate tranquility are hallmarks of this magnificent estate. Beautifully developed outdoor areas including gorgeous porch & patios. Full complement of sophisticated mechanical/electrical componentry includes elevator & 100KW generator. Six bedrooms with 9.3 baths 212054504

Oakland Township $1,895,000

Washington Township $785,000

Exquisite home in the prestigious private 100 acre sanctuary of Orchard Ridge. All of the exceptional appointments you would expect! Superb kitchen entertainment area. Lovely formal dining room with butler pantry. Two story living & great rooms. Five fireplaces. Fully finished lower level with media room, sauna, spa, bar, bistro area, game room & guest suite. Beautifully articulated grounds with gardens, pond, waterfall & gazebo. Fabulous views.

Land contract terms. Five bedrooms with 6.2 baths. 212007745

Beautifully tucked away on over 2 1/2 acre cul-de-sac lot. Updated throughout with impeccable taste. Open kitchen to great room with granite counters & topof-the-line appliances. Brazilian Mahogany hardwood floors. Finished walkout with kitchen. Fabulous yard with in-ground salt water pool; 1,000 square floor pool house with heat, gas fireplace, bar & bath; cabana wired for TV; hot tub; waterfall; & fire pit. Four car detached garage in addition to the two car attached.

Three furnaces & air conditioning. Six bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 212057949

Mike Cotter & Paula Law

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Birmingham $1,299,000 Stunning home adorned with all of the finest finishes and materials. Grand two story limestone foyer opens to walnut floors throughout. Flowing first floor features John Morgan kitchen with double islands, enormous family room with custom built ins, elegant formal dining and living rooms. Finished daylight 2400 sq ft lower level with full bath and additional bedroom. Four bedrooms with 4.2 baths.. 212091279

Bloomfield $995,000 Enjoy breathtaking views from this Mini Estate, complete with shared lake lot across Franklin with deeded boat dock and lake privileges on Lower Long Lake! Total renovation in 2002 includes; custom moldings, hardwood floors, magnificent Chef 's kitchen with oversized island and breakfast room overlooking patio and manicured grounds. Master suite with fireplace. Elegant foyer, paneled library, spa room with sauna and jacuzzi. Lower level has a kitchen, bedroom, living area, full bath and recreation room. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 212069887

Renee Lossia Acho

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Birmingham $1,295,000 Spectacular condo at Birmingham's Waterfall Hill. Sophisticated home features open floor plan with hardwood floors throughout, large floor to ceiling windows, with lots of natural light. Architecture is conducive to either contemporary or traditional lifestyles. First floor master with spa bath, and two walk in closets. Granite kitchen with top of line appliances. Finished with the highest quality materials. Three bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 212099696

Coventry Lake Frontage $1,275,000 Gorgeous Tobocman Contemporary on three beautifully manicured acres on Coventry Lake. This home features over 7500 sq. feet of living space with floor to ceiling windows that let in natural light and beautiful views. The open floor plan is perfect for entertaining or daily life. Interior details include beautiful wood trim, travertine floors, state of the art kitchen with wine cooler, two dishwashers, master bath with steam shower and large tub. Three bedrooms with 3.2 baths. Co-listor Susie Sillman. 212095042

Cindy Obron Kahn

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Brighton $1,799,000 Spectacular 12,000 sq ft lake front Estate on beautiful Hidden Lake with Brighton Schools. Elevator, large designer perfect kitchen (high end appliances) with hearth room, great room with fireplace, first floor master suite, 1600 sq ft bonus room or in-law suite. Walk out lower level finished in Up North Lodge style with fireplace and second kitchen. Porte Cochere and five car garage. Seven bedrooms with 6.3 baths. 212057089

Metamora $939,900 Beautiful English Country home on 27 acres with Flint River frontage. Charming keeping room with fireplace, magnificent living room with fireplace and bay window. Spacious Chef 's kitchen with granite and wood counters, breakfast room with bay window. Huge master suite with fireplace, second master suite and in-law suite with kitchen. Spectacular Florida room with lap pool, English gardens, pond and pole building. Five bedrooms with 5.1 baths. 212072343

David Busch

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Lake Angelus Frontage $1,999,999 Beautiful South Shore Ranch home sitting on a point with 3.2 acres and fabulous views of pristine Lake Angelus. Newer cooks kitchen and updated baths. Granite, marble and hardwood, everything you would expect in a home of this quality. Four car garage. Long driveway with private yard. Full home generator, new furnaces and air conditioning units. Five bedrooms with 4.3 baths. 212088083

Lake Orion Frontage $849,900 Fabulous newer construction with exquisite views of Lake Orion. Built on a no wake zone. Interior decorator's own home. Custom marble and granite in every room. Beautiful master suite, views from every room. Gourmet kitchen on both levels, 19' ceilings in walkout lower level. Custom landscaping.

Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 212090360

Lee Embrey

SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com

Birmingham, Michigan

248.644.7000

Equal Housing Opportunity

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

ER D UN

CT A TR N CO

Birmingham $1,245,000 Beautiful new construction from Maplewood Homes. High end woodwork, mahogany paneled staircase, additional service stairs, high end Omega cabinets, kitchen command center, all suite bedrooms, great second floor lay-out with private 4th bedroom and 2nd floor laundry. Luxurious master suite. Final touches being completed. Four bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 212090917. Presented by Lisa Sturdevant

Birmingham $1,599.000

Birmingham $1,139,000

Magnificent downtown Birmingham Colonial home. Not a single detail has been missed. Mahogany entry door, 10 ft ceilings, neutral decor, 12' crown molding and oak wood floors throughout. Spectacular cantilevered staircase with ebony finish oak hand rail and custom wrought iron balusters. Premium gourmet custom kitchen with cherry wood cabinetry and granite countertops. Three bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 212079369.

Presented by Dan Gutfreund

Spacious New England Colonial in the heart of Birmingham. Ten foot ceilings, open floor plan, 85 foot wide lot, attached three car garage. Bring your decorating and renovation ideas to update this classic early 90's home or purchase completely renovated for $1,599,000. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 212101266. Presented by Linda Eriksen

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Glen Arbor $799,900

Waterford $795,000

Premium Lake Michigan Condo right on the beach! Beautiful wooded setting with white sand and Lake Michigan right out your back door.

Large windows give you this great view inside or out. Freshly painted and new carpet throughout all neutral colors. Condo is available furnished or unfurnished. Enjoy the spectacular sunsets over Lake Michigan and a close to the lovely town of Glen Arbor. Four bedrooms with 3 baths. 212068518 Presented by Candice Cuyler

Immaculate Lake Oakland Estate's Lake Front! Prestigious area of custom built homes. Almost 5,300 sq ft with two story great room, first floor master, spectacular granite kitchen with eating bar and large nook overlooking lake. Walkout with 4th bedroom, full bath, kitchen, pantry, custom bar and fireplace. Lake side view with seawall, dock, lawn and pavers for entertaining. Three bedrooms with four baths. 212099509 Presented by Michelle Yurich

Hummer Lake Frontage $689,000

Birmingham $629,000

A slice of Paradise on this 42 acre retreat on Hummer Lake. Great fishing on this 12 acre private lake. Two level Brick Ranch with 5,500 sq ft of living space including a private guest wing. Two par 3 golf holes. 30 x 50 Pole Barn. Walk out lower level and terraced garden. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 212065181 Presented by Bev McCotter

One of Birmingham's finest homes. Newer construction finished in 2010, this 3,000 sq ft brick Colonial home has all the fine details one would look for. Gourmet kitchen open to the family room, private master suite on the second floor with large bath and jetted tub. Finished fourth bedroom with full bath in the loft. Additional 350 sq ft finished over the two car garage with full kitchen and bath. Four bedrooms with 4.1 bath. 212102259 Presented by Dan Gutfreund

Birmingham, Michigan | 248.644.7000 | skbk.com

Gracious Custom Home LD O S

BLOOMFIELD Magnificent 1.4 acre hill top property with mature trees, lovely landscaping and waterfall. Two first floor masters. Nanny's suite. Custom millwork throughout.

Inviting sun porch with fireplace. Marble foyer. Lower level walkout with sauna, library, kitchen and fireplace Four bedrooms with 4.3 baths. 212067636. $895,000. Maureen Francis

Fabulous Executive Home TROY First floor master suite, Chef's kitchen with island and breakfast room, open to hearth room. Beautiful hardwood floors, two story great room with French doors to patio. Custom library paneling. Spectacular move-in condition home. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 212092290 $769,000. Kathy Lyons

Walters Lake Frontage INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP Rare, one of a kind, original, authentic Log home with guest house overlooking all sports lake. Main house has soaring 16 ft Fieldstone fireplace in a two story vaulted great room. Four bedroom guest house with two separate entrances. Eight bedrooms with four baths. 212098475. $429,000. RW Watson

Woodpecker Lake Frontage WEST BLOOMFIELD Wonderful family home with panoramic view of the lake. Beautifully maintained with large kitchen and breakfast room opening to family room with brick hearth and natural fireplace. Lower level walkout.

Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 212090055. $299,900.

Ann Greenberg

West Beverly Charmer BEVERLY HILLS Classic Mid-Century Brick and Aluminum. Family room off eat-in kitchen with granite countertop.

Partially finished basement, hardwood floors, wet plaster. Door from Family Room to rear patio, lovely garden, mature trees. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths.

212071237. $289,000. Kathy Smith

Turn Key Newer Construction SOUTHFIELD This home is well situated in quite enclave of similar homes. Highlights include hardwood floors, two story sun infused great room, first floor master suite and first floor laundry. Fantastic back yard with deck.

Neighborhood walking trail. Expansive lower level.

Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 212096523. $200,000.

Darlene Jackson

Maceday Lake Frontage WATERFORD You will enjoy over 5,000 sq ft of living space with view of all sports Maceday Lake from all levels.

Dramatic two story foyer, two brick fireplaces, premium appliances, island kitchen with beautiful cabinetry. Unique master bedrooms on both first and second floors. Four bedrooms with four baths.

212093793. $875,000. Dawn Williams

Turn Key Home BIRMINGHAM Completely redone from top to bottom. Gourmet kitchen with top end appliances, plantation shutters, hardwood floors throughout, huge bonus room/4th bedroom, extensive landscaping, lighting and patio design. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 212090435. $699,000. Kris Barich & Molly Henneghan

Stunning With Custom Features ROCHESTER Former builder's model brimming with granite, hardwood flooring, two story great room with open floor plan. Fabulous butler's pantry, serene library overlooking back yard. Spacious closets throughout.

Beautiful perennial garden. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 212075213. $370,000. Susan Johnson

Large Deep Lot FARMINGTON HILLS The epitome of a family home! Main floor office/den, laundry, formal dining room, large family room with stone fireplace off kitchen, large updated kitchen with granite counters, breakfast area with door walls to patio. Professional landscaping. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 212091617. $299,000.

Chris Johnson & Bill Tracy

Picture Perfect Home ROYAL OAK Extended updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, doorway to deck, beautiful private slate patio. Lots of upgrades; electric,copper plumbing, newer windows throughout and refinished hardwood floors. Finished basement with fireplace. Three bedrooms with 1.1 bath. 212103876. $215,000.

Candice Cuyler

Entertainer's Delight WATERFORD Unique Ranch with great layout. Bright kitchen opens to living room and vaulted dining room that overlooks large private backyard and paver patio area.

Hardwood floors and Plantation shutters throughout give this home a nice touch. Three bedrooms with two baths. 212082275. $199,999. Susan Kissick

You Are Invited The upscale monthly newsmagazine for the LGBT community.

To join Equality Michigan in a celebration of the Michigan LGBT communities’ accomplishments in 2012 at the

2012 ANNUAL STATE EQUALITY CELEBRATION

Celebrating the accomplishments of the community and exploring the issues facing gay, lesbian, bi and transgender residents.

Saturday, October 27

Quality editorial providing a strong environment for your corporate message.

At The Detroit Club

Over 300 free distribution points for 20,000 copies monthly in portions of Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties, including Detroit.

712 Cass Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

Special Host Reception 6 pm Catalyst Awards & Celebration 7 pm

Want to know more about how you can reach this important market in an upscale, full-color newsmagazine?

Tickets available at equalitymi.org or by calling 313.537.7000, ext 105

Call Advertising Representative Leo Calhoun at 248.792.6464, ext. 601.

LeoCalhoun@DowntownPublications.com

$125 General Event Attendee $250 Host Reception Ticket* $75 Student Ticket (24 & Under) $125 Sponsor A Young Person**

Or Advertising Manager Jill Cesarz at 248.792.6464,ext. 600.

JillCesarz@DowntownPublications.com

All tickets include access to a strolling dinner and wine.

Valet and liquor drink tickets available for purchase on the day of event. *Host Reception Tickets include valet parking and adult beverages. **Consider covering the cost of a young person’s opportunity to attend this empowering experience!

December issue on the streets November 21.

Ad deadline November 9.

Xpress is a member of DOWNTOWN PUBLICATIONS 124 West Maple Road Birmingham MI 48009 Xpress • Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield Black Book of Non-Profits • The Guide

19641 Seven Mile Rd • Detroit, MI 48219 313.537.7000 • EqualityMI.org 38

Xpress

november 2012

FACES

Amy Weber

F

ilmmaker Amy Weber will take the conversation of bullying to a new level as she inspires change, not just awareness, through her upcoming film “The Bully Chronicles”.

“For the first time, the story actually is through the bully's perspective.

The crew follows the bully and gives the bully a camera to see what's underneath all the tortured layers that make him a bully,” she said.

As a victim of bullying herself, Weber hopes her upcoming film will offer valid and effective solutions for bullies and victims.

Weber said a teen involved with the movie packaged the idea in one sentence, “the movie Bully showed us that we have a problem. The Bully Chronicles is going to show us how to solve the problem.”

The cast will be comprised of both local talent who have experienced bullying themselves and well-known actors who have publicly disclosed their personal experience with bullying by getting behind the movement. “I just hired a casting director out of LA. We're looking at pretty major names to possibly star in the film. It's very important to a lot of Hollywood actors and players, a lot of people are asking to be a part of it.”

Radish Creative Group, Weber's production company in Royal Oak, will produce the movie that is being filmed all over the Royal Oak,

Bloomfield and Birmingham area, including Seaholm High School.

“I live in Birmingham, so to shoot at a local high school and to get that high school involved in such a major film, it feels incredible that we're finally going to be able to bring this vision and see it become what it so desperately needs to be,” she said. “It's an incredible feeling to have a dream and to develop it on paper and to be able to have the tangible means to take it and see it all the way through so that it won't just be a dream for us anymore, it will be an effective tool and hopefully be one of the catalysts for change toward a more peaceful world for our youth,” she said.

Weber raised and met the budget she set to fund casting, equipment, crew, wardrobe and props, and is aiming to shoot the film in November or December. The trailer that Weber used for fundraising was originally put up to give people an idea of what the film will be like, but has recently been taken down so viewers don't get too comfortable with the characters who will be different in the film.

Weber, who has lived in Birmingham with her partner and two children for over seven years, hopes the film will put an end to bullying once and for all.

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

For generations, school children have said it at the beginning of their school day.

Municipal meetings begin with it. It speaks to who we are as an American people.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Not some, not half, and certainly not based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Yet for many, notably in Michigan, where there is no legislation protecting gender identity or sexual orientation and too often, liberty and justice are not being attained nor protected, as hate crimes are increasing at an alarming rate against those in the LGBT community.

“There are people who are twisted enough, ignorant enough, who are filled with enough hate, and want to harm people who are different from them,” criminal defense attorney Neil Rockind said. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream of racial equality, and visionaries like Rockind, who works to protect those whose rights are infringed upon, share King's dream that the United States can one day provide liberty and justice for all.

All. Black, white, Hispanic, mixed, gay, straight, bisexual, transexual, of any and all religions. Just as Martin Luther King Jr. dreamt that Georgia would one day see an era of brotherhood, that Mississippi would be transformed into an oasis of freedom and that all children could one day join hands and walk together as sisters and brothers in Alabama, those who seek equality for all cringe at the lack of hate crime legislation in the state of Michigan, and debate the rise of hate crimes among the LGBT community.

A hate crime, as defined by the federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, also known as the Matthew Shepard Act, is when someone “willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person.”

According to the U.S. Hate Crime Laws Map updated by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force on March 12, 2012, Georgia and Michigan are two of five states that do not include specific hate crime protection under state law, while Mississippi and Alabama are two of 15 states that do not include protection based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Out of 30 states that include hate crime protection based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the remaining 20 lag behind in legislation and equality.

Equality Michigan, an organization that works to achieve equality and respect for all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, has played an active role in trying to implement an LGBT-inclusive state hate crimes law in Michigan, was an early advocate and author of the federal hate crimes legislation and continues to engage voters, companies and elected officials in advocating for passage of state legislation through work with local LGBT organizations and other LGBT-inclusive projects such as community centers, youth organizations, the ACLU and labor unions.

Emily Dievendorf, director of policy at Equality Michigan, said not having an inclusive hate crime law “has done more than insult the value system that Michiganders share, it has allowed for actual and heinous, often gruesome harm to be done to Michigan citizens without any path to swift and appropriate recourse.”

In 1976, Michigan passed the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, a version of the federal Civil Rights Act, to prohibit employers from discriminating against employees or potential employees based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status or marital status. However, neither the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, nor the Ethnic Intimidation Act, includes protection based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

The Ethnic Intimidation Act of 1988, Michigan's version of a hate crime law, prohibits intimidation based on characteristics with the exception of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The Ethnic Intimidation Act states, “a person is guilty of ethnic intimidation if that person maliciously, and with specific intent to intimidate or harass another person because of that person's race, color, religion, gender, or national origin, causes physical contact with another person, damages, destroys, or defaces any real or personal property of another person, threatens, by word or act, to do an act described in subdivision or, if there is reasonable cause to believe that an act described in subdivision or will occur.”

According to Dievendorf, efforts to amend Michigan’s Ethnic Intimidation Act date back to at least 1997, when state Representative Lynne Martinez (D-Lansing) introduced a bill to add sexual orientation to the law.

HATE NO LEGISLATIVE GENDER IDENTITY, FROM THE STATE

BY HAYLEY

CRIMES PROTECTION FOR SEX ORIENTATION OF MICHIGAN BEITMAN

“In the 2000s, the effort expanded to include gender identity as well, and was introduced multiple times in the House by openly gay Representative Chris Kolb (D- Ann Arbor),” she said. “We hope that decision-makers understand the depth of the problem of violence and commit to addressing and preventing hate violence against LGBTQ and HIV-positive communities.”

Although dozens of attempts have been made to amend the original 1988 Ethnic Intimidation Act, which still lacks protection for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, Dievendorf said the amendments have either not left committee or not received an actual floor vote. Michigan Senator Bert Johnson (D-Detroit) ran into this problem on June 6, 2012, when he introduced Senate Bill (SB) 1174 to amend the law to include gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

“Unfortunately, in order to amend a statute you have to obtain cooperation and need both sides of the House of Representatives, Senate and Governor. The houses are presently (held by the) Republican Party and certain members, I believe, have possessed religious views that frown upon sexual orientation as a protected class.

Historically, they have revealed they don't view sexual orientation as a protected status.

Quite clearly I disagree with that and most of my peers disagree with that, but I'm not in the Michigan House or Senate,” Rockind noted. “Some things take time. There has been a lot of discussion about it. It's like pushing a stone up a hill; you have to stop and then you meet resistance, but you have to keep pushing. Slowly but surely in the end, American society and the legal system does what is right. That's one of the great things about the United States, we seem to in the end to do the right things and get to the right place. But we don't always take the most direct path. Ultimately, I believe that at some point there is going to be a proclamation that being LGBT is equally protected as race, gender, religion and national origin.”

While Michigan's hate crime law doesn't include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, the federal hate crimes law, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is LGBT-inclusive.

“There was opposition to include the categories and it was unsuccessful. A lawsuit was brought against the federal hate crimes law saying the existence of the law violates First Amendment rights and that's simply not the case. The law mentions there's an exception for protected speech,” said Jay Kaplan, staff attorney for ACLU of Michigan's LGBT Project.“The ACLU supports the idea to have criminal penalties but also wants to make sure such legislation protects First Amendment rights, even that are offensive to other people.”

To protect these inalienable rights, the federal hate crimes law affirms protected speech by stating, “nothing in this division shall be construed to allow prosecution based solely upon an individual's expression of racial, religious, political, or other beliefs or solely upon an individual's membership in a group advocating or espousing such beliefs. Nothing in this division, or an amendment made by this division, shall be construed to diminish any rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.”

The motivation for congress' passing the national law was the incidences of violence which were found to pose a serious national problem, disrupt the tranquility and safety of communities, were affecting interstate commerce, devastating the victim and the family and friends of the victim.

The Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act defines a hate crime as when someone “willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person.”

Since there is no protection under state law, federal law takes precedence over state legislation in certain circumstances. “If a case is elevated to federal prosecution, the federal law takes precedence. If that does not occur, no hate crime related charges are brought,” Dievendorf said. “The individual is prosecuted under the law governing whatever act they committed, such as assault or murder.”

Currently state and local authorities are responsible for prosecuting hate crimes, although federal assistance may be granted by the FBI or U.S. Attorney’s Office in the form of financial, technical, forensic, prosecutorial or other assistance. Cases where the offenders committed crimes in more than one state are give priority under the law.

Any person found guilty “shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if death results from the offense; or the offense includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.”

Experts differ statistically, possibly because the LGBT community has a tendency to underreport crimes as a whole. “Some LGBT people and people living with HIV suffer consequences when their status is revealed.

Many fear that their claims won’t be taken as seriously as that of a heterosexual in a similar situation,” Dievendorf said. “Part of underreporting stems from a heterocentrist culture, especially intake paperwork information forms that don’t recognize the nuances between individuals whose sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression don’t fit into the boxes that the individual is supposed to check.

Bisexuals are often erroneously lumped in with heterosexual females, for example.”

Dievendorf also said the 2010 merger of the Triangle Foundation and Michigan Equality to form Equality Michigan may have caused a slightly decrease in Michigan reporting. “The merger of Triangle Foundation with Michigan Equality to form Equality Michigan caused momentary confusion and had a slight decrease in reporting,” she noted. However, individuals making reports are coming back, with 159 reports in 2010, 83 incidents of violence during the first half of 2011, and a drastic increase in severe violence in 2011, with Equality Michigan recording the hate crime reports as the reason experts give for the increase in reported incidents.

“There was a 336 percent increase in physical violence (48 reports in 2011 compared with 11 reports in 2010). There was also a 1,500 percent increase in reports of sexual violence, from 1 case in 2010 to 15 reports of sexual violence (4 percent of total violence types) in 2011. There were four cases of attempted murder (1 percent) and three cases of homicide (1 percent). There was one reported homicide in 2010 and no reported cases of attempted homicide,” Equality Michigan reports showed.

“Despite these drastic increases in severe violence, the larger part of reported incidents continued to be harassment (54 reports consisting of 13 percent of total reports).”

To address the drastic increase in severe violence, Equality Michigan partnered with the Ruth Ellis Center. “We continue to address increased violence amongst transgender women, severe cases of hook-up violence, and hate crimes to ensure that the community is

made aware of the realities of hate violence across the state,” Dievendorf said.

Looking at different data from Michigan Incident Crime Reporting, the only year that showed an increase in hate crimes against the LGBT community was 2009. “This could be due to the fact that in 2010 we implemented a new process for hate/bias crime verifications and we are now receiving more accurate statistics,” department crime specialist Wendy Easterbrook said. In 2008, there were 73 hate crimes reported, 88 reports in 2009, 68 reports in 2010, and 69 reports in 2011.

Wayne County, Oakland County and Genesee County experienced the most recorded number of hate crimes in the past five years. In 2008, Genesee County reported 13 hate crimes; Wayne County reported 11; Oakland and Washtenaw counties reported nine each. In 2009, Wayne County reported 21 hate crimes; Oakland County reported eight; and Genesee and Macomb counties each reported eight. In 2010, Oakland County reported 13 hate crimes; Wayne County reported eight; and Washtenaw County reported six. Last year, Wayne County reported 19 hate crimes; Oakland County reported 11; and Ingham County reported eight.

Michigan Incident Crime Reporting also found by type of crime, non-aggravated assault has been the most common type of violent hate crime for the past five years, followed by intimidation and stalking. In 2008, there were 23 non-aggravated assaults, 17 reports of intimidation and stalking, and 12 damages to property. In 2009, there were 29 non-aggravated assaults, 22 reports of intimidation and stalking, and 19 aggregated and felonious assaults. In 2010, there were 26 non-aggravated assaults, 13 reports of intimidation and stalking and 12 aggregated and felonious assaults. Last year, there were 21 reports of intimidation and stalking, 18 non-aggravated assaults, and 11 aggregated and felonious assaults.

The majority of these offenses have been motivated by an offender's anti-male homosexual bias or anti-homosexual bias, according to Michigan Incident Crime Reporting. In 2008, there were 45 anti-male homosexual motivated crimes, 27 anti-homosexual motivated crimes, and 12 anti-female homosexual motivated crimes. In 2009, there were 46 anti-male homosexual motivated crimes, 34 antihomosexual motivated crimes, and 13 antifemale homosexual motivated crimes. In 2010, there were 57 anti-male homosexual motivated crimes, 20 anti-homosexual motivated crimes, and 16 anti-female homosexual motivated crimes. Last year, there were 47 anti-homosexual motivated crimes, 42 anti-male homosexual motivated crimes, and eight anti-female homosexual motivated crimes. Since 2008, an

offender's anti-bisexual bias was the least likely reason for an act of violence.

“What is noteworthy, as noted by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), is not the numbers but the voracity of the crime trends,” Dievendorf said. “The increase in murders in 2011 suggests a continuing increase in the severity of violence facing LGBTQH communities.”

The 2011 Report on Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Communities showed the highest number of hate crime murders ever recorded in the United States, despite a decrease in the number of reported hate crimes. Equality Michigan and other experts suggest that an increase in the number of murders and decrease in reports of violence is not because hate crime numbers are decreasing but because organizations have less time and resources for community support.

The report also showed that young people between the ages of 18 and 30 years old were more likely to experience hate violence and 2.4 times more likely to experience physical violence, compared to people over the age of 30.

Royal Oak psychologist Joe Kort, MSW, who has a PhD in clinical sexology and sex therapy, said these NCAVP statistics make sense. “We're out and more visible,” he said. “While the statistics make sense, the reasons an offender would inflict such pain does not.”

“They are being attacked for who they are to the core, not extra weight or how they dress.

Growing up gay and lesbian is extremely traumatic before the coming out process. If you're Jewish or black, you're raised around sameness and peers—you're not being born into an enemy camp. You celebrate it. It's a great thing, who you are, and we don't get that. It's more severe because it goes to who they are,” he said.

Equality Michigan found that white gay nontransgender men represented the largest group of violent hate survivors in 2011, while the report from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs found transgender people were 28 percent more likely to experience physical injury in a hate crime incident.

Kort said this is due to exposure and that people aren't as familiar with the transgender community. “People are more accepting of LGBT than transgender; it's so new to think about. People's arguments to discriminate are the same; it's punishment for not expressing your gender the right way. If you don't express it in the right way, you're punished. If you're a feminine male or masculine female, they discriminate. But when you go there totally, people can't tolerate it.”

FACES

Adam Polselli

A

dam Polselli was a curious kid from Bloomfield Hills who let his love for computers take him on a journey to San Francisco to become a web designer for Rdio, an upcoming music subscription service.

Before heading west, he spent his entire life in Bloomfield Hills, attending Lasher High School and the University of Michigan. “I loved growing up in Bloomfield. It's a really positive community with really successful people. With the balance of the community and my support group, I always felt like I could do anything with my life.”

As a quiet teenager, the computer his mom got for him in middle school consumed much of his time. “I've always been the curious type who likes to know how things work. By the time I was 14 or 15, I had a grip on it and was designing all the time.”

Polselli, who was consumed engineering and building websites, majored in film instead of design. “It was so new that I didn't know if I could have a career in it. I always did web design on the side but never took it very seriously.”

After college, Polselli moved to San Francisco and found his break into the industry as a full-time advertising designer.

Through Twitter, he landed his current job at Rdio which allows him to combine his love for music with his ability to design. “It's pretty

awesome. I'm literally designing a music player,” he said. “I absolutely love music and everyday I get to sit down and listen to music and think of better ways to listen to music. It's really been a dream job.”

In addition to web design, Polselli enjoys exploring color and composition through photography. “A lot of web designers are also photographers. There just seems to be this overlap of having a keen eye for detail. It helped develop an eye for design.”

The web designer is proud of how far he has come in such a short period of time. “I'm 25, and when I was 21 and graduating I had no vision for my future. I was a little lost and this is definitely something I've always dreamt of.”

Polselli said he feels lucky to have such a huge support system in Bloomfield Hills and enjoys returning to his roots when he can.

“My plan is just keep moving my career forward. I'd like to eventually find myself in a lead design position or thinking about starting my own company. There's lots of opportunity for that and it's something I'm definitely interested in doing one day.”

In the future, Polselli said he sees himself making new friends, getting better at design and eventually starting a family. “That one's always tough to say,” he said.

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Ashley Polselli, sister

COMPENDIUM

Compendium is just as the title would imply—a collection of short items of note from the LGBT community nation-wide. We have recapped the following news items and then credited the first publication where the item was noticed, although in many cases the items has also appeared elsewhere. In some cases, we have actually done some additional leg work when recapping these items.

For those who want added information, at the Xpress website (xpressmi.com) Compendium items provide a direct link to the full news item you find here. Compendium items are compiled by staff reporter Hayley Beitman.

New DOMA challenges Vermont has now filed briefs in the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, along with the states of Connecticut and New York, asking that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) be overturned on constitutional grounds. The briefs were filed in support of a New York woman who is contesting estate taxes charged to her when her partner died. The Obama administration has already announced that the U.S. Justice Department will no longer defend DOMA, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

Several federal judges across the country have rule it unconstitutional on the grounds that DOMA denies federal benefits such as Social Security and tax exemptions.

Florida Agenda floridaagenda.com

Boy Scout funds stopped One of the Boy Scouts of America's largest financial supporters, Intel, has announced that it will no longer provide funding for the group. In a September press release from the company, Intel said future funding would be halted 44

because of the Boy Scouts' longheld policy barring gay troops and leaders from the organization.

Intel's announcement followed an Eagle Scout's petition drive on change.org urging Intel to stop the funding, estimated in 2010 to be $700,000. Some 30,000 people signed the petition. The Boy Scouts' anti-gay policy is the subject of several dozen change.org petitions, including one asking UPS to stop its funding for the group.

Windy City Times windycitymediagroup.com

LGBT church set on fire The pastor of a historic church in southern Ohio believes his church was set on fire by an arsonist because it allows LGBT congregation members. Bishop Scott Davis, who opened the church last year, has received death threats and said he believes South Bloomingville Christian Church was set on fire because it is a LGBT church. Although there were no major injuries, two fire companies attempted to put out the fire that destroyed all except the front entrance of the church. Davis has been conducting services on the back lawn of the church while he is rebuilding and a vigil was held on in late August to note the fire. Local authorities are investigating.

Gay People's Chronicle gaypeopleschronicle.com

Transgender inmate wins U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf ruled that a transgender inmate serving life in prison for murder will receive taxpayer-funded sexreassignment surgery. Wolf ruled Michelle Kosilek suffers from gender-identity disorder and recognized surgery as a legitimate treatment for the inmate who was born male and lived as a woman in a male prison. Robert Kosilek

murdered his wife Cheryl in 1990 before receiving hormone treatments to become Michelle Kosilek. Kosilek has tried to castrate herself, commit suicide and reported suffering intense mental anguish by being a woman trapped inside a man's body. Wolf is the first judge to rule sex-reassignment surgery for a transgender inmate's gender-identity disorder instead of hormone treatments or psychotherapy.

EDGE Boston edgeboston.com

Transgender complaint Four women are arguing their rights were violated when they were forced to share a cell with a preoperative transgender woman in prison. Jabrina T. Barnett, Maria Cachola, Katiria Chamorro and Yazmin Gonzales argue the failure of prison workers to verify a transgender women's gender put them in danger when they shared a cell with the transgender woman at the Riverside Correctional Facility.

They filed a lawsuit after the transgender woman, Jovanie Saldana, made sexual advances and inappropriate sexual comments.

Saldana's gender became apparent when she complained she was allegedly forced to perform oral sex on a prison guard.

Philadelphia Gay News epgn.com

Student sues Columbia Columbia University was sued by a homosexual Chilean doctoral student who claims he was fired from his job for complaining about being sexually harassed by his supervisor. Alberto Leguina Ruzzi asked to work with Dr. Qais AlAwqati when he applied for a grant to Columbia. Leguina alleged AlAwqati used the cell phone application Grindr to send a picture of himself a week after he started working at Columbia University

Xpress

Medical Center and asked if he would date an older man. Leguina was fired and told to return to Chile

by Chilean supervisors because of feedback from Al-Awqati. He is not only suing for monetary damages but also to raise awareness of sexual harassment in the workplace.

The Washington Blade washingtonblade.com

Stylist's murder charges The man who is believed to be responsible for robbing and murdering an openly gay stylist was arrested and charged with premeditated murder and residential robbery by San Francisco police.

District Attorney George Gascón announced that James Rickleffs will be charged for killing Steven "Eriq" Escalon, who was found bound and gagged with duct tape in his apartment. Rickleffs is being held in San Francisco County Jail on no bail.

Rickleffs was arrested for murder after finding substantial forensic evidence including a laptop, jewelry and financial documents that had been stolen from Escalon's home.

The Bay Area Reporter ebar.com

Dems against DOMA House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was expected to file a friend of the court brief before the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of the Edie Windsor case with 145 House Democrats to challenge the Defense of Marriage Act. Plaintiff Edie Windsor is a 83-year-old lesbian New York widow who paid $363,000 in estate taxes after her spouse, Thea Spyer, died because Section 3 of DOMA prohibits recognition of samesex marriage. The couple met in 1963, married in 2007 in Canada, and Spyer passed away in 2009. The brief states DOMA collects estate taxes upon married same-sex couples.

The Washington Blade washingtonblade.com november 2012

Marriage equality The Austin City Council unanimously endorsed marriage equality, becoming the first group of government leaders in Texas to do so. Equality Texas, the NAACP, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Anti-Defamation League, the Human Rights Campaign and a petition signed by over 1,800 Austin residents backed the council's document condemning the Defense of Marriage Act, which is the current ban on same sex marriage. Traditional Texan views are changing, with an openly gay man running for Dallas mayor in 2007 and the first openly lesbian mayor of Houston elected in 2009.

The Raw Story rawstory.com

‘Bisexual’ unblocked Google Inc. unblocked the term “bisexual” from its search formula, according to BiNet USA that started the campaign to get Google to unblock the term. The term "bisexual" will now be allowed, which means terms like "bisexual quotes", "bisexual rights", and "bisexual parenting" will automatically be suggested.

Google has banned the term “bisexual” since 2009, which led to a drop in rankings for all bisexual searches because Google did not auto-suggest or auto-complete any search with the term. Unblocking the term will make it easier for users to find bisexual organizations, content or support of any nature.

Windy City Media windycitymediagroup.com

Same-sex blessing A same-sex prayer was approved for LGBT unions by the Episcopal Church, and accepted by its House of Deputies and House of Bishops in a 111-41 vote. xpressmi.com

The Episcopal Church is now the largest Christian denomination to offer a same-sex union after leaders voted in favor of the union.

However, the church still defines marriage as between a man and woman. The approved blessing will not include the words marriage, husband or wife, and will require permission from the bishop to be used. The church will also include gender identity and expression to their nondiscrimination policy, but clergy who do not wish to officiate a same-sex blessing will not be penalized. The same-sex union will begin December 2 and will be reviewed over the next three years.

Philadelphia Gay News epgn.com

Snap it and Send it Family Equality Council is encouraging Snap It & Send It, a unique and nationwide campaign created to bring attention to school forms that don't recognize LGBT families. Family Equality Council, the national organization that connects, supports and represents parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and their children, noticed that forms which ask for the name of a child's “mother” or “father” fail to recognize all family structures. Snap It & Send It encourages families and students to speak up through modern technology about forms they come across through schools, soccer clubs, girl scouts, day care providers and doctors' offices and take a picture and send it.

Windy City Media windycitymediagroup.com

United Way stops funding The United Way of Greater Cleveland announced they will no longer provide funding for Boy Scouts of America because they prohibit gays and gay leaders from joining the group and refuse to

change their policy. Starting in June 2013, non-profit organization the United Way of Greater Cleveland will stop donations, including $100,000 to the BSA’s Greater Cleveland Council for Scoutreach program, which has approximately 1,600 members. United Way's recently adopted equality opportunity and diversity policy, as of September 2012, requires that all people will be given the same opportunity despite race, sex, age disability.

EDGE San Francisco edgesanfrancisco.com

Athletes join NOH8 Major League Baseball pitchers Matt Cain, Mat Latos and Yovani Gallardo posed for the California based NOH8 Campaign for marriage equality. All-Star and World Champion Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants, Mat Latos of the Cincinnati Reds and National League Silver Slugger 2010 winner Yovani Gallardo of the Milwaukee Brewers posed for the campaign that was started to recall California's marriage equality law after Proposition 8 passed on November 8, 2008. The NOH8 protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley shows the three professional baseball players photographed with duct tape over their mouths to symbolize Proposition 8 and other legislation silencing their voice.

EDGE San Francisco edgesanfrancisco.com

Library of Congress sued A gay man who suffered employment discrimination at the Library of Congress by being harassed and humiliated by a supervisor for over a year before he was fired from his job has filed a lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed in the

Xpress

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, stating that management analyst Peter TerVeer suffered discrimination in violation of Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 based on gender, gender stereotyping and religious beliefs. The lawsuit claims his supervisor John Mech and John Mech's supervisor, Nicholas Christopher, repeatedly quoted biblical passages condemning homosexuality and also violated Title VII by retaliating when TerVeer filed an internal library complaint.

The lawsuit states that TerVeer was hired in 2008 and was well received by Mech and peers until Mech found out he was gay in 2009.

The Washington Blade washingtonblade.com

DOMA challenged The U.S. Supreme Court will soon announce if it will hear DOMA and California's Proposition 8 cases challenging the Defense of Marriage Act. Justices will decide on Hollingsworth v. Perry, and Windsor v. United States, one of the cases challenging Section 3 of DOMA. The three possible outcomes are to take up the case (which takes four votes), decline to hear it, or put off the decision (which takes one vote). If the justices decide to take up the Proposition 8 case and and let stand an appeals court decision against the same-sex marriage ban, LGBT couples would be allowed to marry in California following a mandate from the U.S. Ninth Circuit of Appeals. If the Supreme Court takes up the case, the ban will remain in effect until the justices make a determination.

The Washington Blade washingtonblade.com 45

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Xpress

november 2012

DINING OUT

The Xpress guide to Dining Out is a quick reference source to select establishments offering a place for either breakfast, lunch or dinner. By no means is this meant to be a complete guide to all dining establishments; it is a selective guide to some unique places.

Dining Out is available at xpressmi.com and soon we will offer it in an optimized format for mobile devices which will allow you to actually map out locations and automatically dial a restaurant from the Xpress guide.

220: American. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.2150.

24 Grille: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Friday.

Reservations. Liquor. 204 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48220. 313.964.3821.

526 Main Dueling Piano Bar & Tequila Blue: American/Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 526 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.591.9000.

Andiamo : Italian. Multiple locations. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Friday; Dinner, Saturday, Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 129 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.582.9300. 14425 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights, 48313. 586.532.8800.

Lunch, Monday-Saturday; Dinner, Sunday.

400 GM Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243.

313.567.6700.

Angelina Italian Bistro: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1565 Broadway, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.1355.

Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine.

22651 Woodward, Ferndale, 48220.

248.548.0680.

Ashoka Indian Cuisine: Indian. Multiple locations.

Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 3652 Rochester Road, Troy, 48083. 248.689.7070. 2100 Haggerty Road, Canton, 48187. 734.844.3100.

Assaggi Bistro: Mediterranean. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday; Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 330 West 9 Mile Road, Ferndale, 48220. 248.584.3499.

Atlas Global Bistro: American. Brunch, Sunday. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner,

Monday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 3111 Woodward, Detroit, 48201. 313.831.2241.

Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.356.6600.

Barrio Tacos & Tequila: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 203 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.6060. bd’s Mongolian Grill: Mongolian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 430 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.398.7755.

Beans & Cornbread Soulful Bistro: Barbecue/Soul Food. Brunch, Sunday.

Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680.

Beau Jacks: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday; Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 4108 West Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630.

Bella Piatti: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 167 Townsend, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025.

248.642.2355.

Big Rock Chophouse: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor.

245 South Eaton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774.

Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880.

Bistro 222: European. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Beer & Wine. 22266 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, 48124.

313.792.7500.

BlackFinn American Saloon: American.

Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 530 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.582.9460.

The Blue Nile: Ethiopian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 221 East Washington, Ann Arbor, 48104.

734.998.4746. 545 West 9 Mile Road, Ferndale, 48220. 248.547.6699.

Blue Pointe Restaurant: Seafood. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

17131 East Warren, Detroit, 48224.

313.882.3653.

Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.626.2982.

Bourbon Steak: Steakhouse. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1646.

Brio Tuscan Grille: Italian. Multiple locations.

Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2801 West Big Beaver, Troy, 48084. 248.643.6045. Brunch, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. 17420 Hall Road, Clinton Township, 48315.

586.263.7310.

The Brookshire: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 600 East University, Rochester, 48307. 248.453.8732.

Bucci Ristorante: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 20217 Mack, Grosse Pointe, 48236. 313.882.1044.

Café Cortina: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, MondayFriday; Dinner, Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 30715 West 10 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, 48336. 248.474.3033.

Café Muse: Eclectic. Breakfast & Lunch, daily.

Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 418 South Washington, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.4749.

Cafe Nini: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 98 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms, 48236. 313.308.3120.

Café Sushi: Sushi. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 1933 West Maple Road, Troy, 48084. 248.280.1831.

Café Via: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 310 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8800 Cameron’s Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.1700.

The Capital Grille: Steakhouse. Lunch, Monday-Saturday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2800 West Big Beaver, Somerset North, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300.

Chen Chow Brasserie: Japanese. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 260 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.594.2469.

China Café: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations, parties of 5 or more.

Liquor. 24299 Novi Road, Novi, 48375.

248.449.4888.

Churchill’s Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.647.4555.

City Kitchen: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 16844 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe, 48230.

313.882.6667.

Cliff Bell’s: Eclectic. Brunch, Sunday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2030 Park Avenue, Detroit, 48226. 313.961.2543.

Coach Insignia: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243.

313.567.2622.

Como’s: Italian. Brunch, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late night until 4 a.m.

Reservations, parties of 6 or more. Liquor.

22812 Woodward, Ferndale, 48220.

248.548.5005.

Cork Wine Pub: Small plates. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations, parties of 6 or more.

Liquor. 23810 Woodward, Pleasant Ridge, 48069. 248.544.2675.

Crave Restaurant + Sushi Bar: Mediterranean. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 22075 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, 48124. 313.277.7283.

Crispelli’s Bakery Pizzeria: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 28939 Woodward Avenue, Berkley, 48072.

248.591.3300.

Cuisine: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop, Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110.

The Cutting Board: American. Lunch, Monday-Saturday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 28655 Schoenherr, Warren, 48088. 586.751.1788.

D’Amato’s Restaurant: American. Brunch, Sunday.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 222 South Sherman, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.7400.

A dish from Cork in Pleasant Ridge.

Xpress photo: Laurie Tennent

Da Edoardo: Italian.

Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 19767 Mack, Grosse Pointe Woods, 48236. 313.881.8540.

Da Edoardo Foxtown Grille: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2203 Woodward, Detroit, 48201.

313.471.3500.

Dakota Inn Rathskeller: German. Lunch, Wednesday-Friday; Dinner, ThursdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 17324 John R, Detroit, 48203. 313.867.9722.

Da Nang Restaurant: Vietnamese. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1 South Main Street, Clawson, 48017. 248.577.5130.

Detroit Beer Company: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1529 Broadway, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.1529.

Diamond Jim Brady’s Bistro Bar: American.

Brunch, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations, Sunday-Thursday. Liquor.

43271 Crescent Blvd, Novi, 48375.

248.380.8460.

Due Venti: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 220 South Main Street, Clawson, 48017. 248.288.0220.

Edamame Sushi Nu-Asian Kitchen: Asian.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

31632 John R, Madison Heights, 48071.

248.597.4500.

El Barzon: Mexican/Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Friday; Dinner, Saturday, Sunday.

Reservations, on weekends. Liquor. 3710 Junction Street, Detroit, 48210.

313.894.2070.

Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420.

Eurasian Grill: Asian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 4771 Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield, 48323. 248.624.6109.

Evie’s Tamales: Mexican. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 7 or more. 3454 Bagley, Detroit, 48216.

313.843.5056.

Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 323 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134.

The Fly Trap: American. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward, Ferndale, 48220. 248.399.5150.

The Fiddler: Russian. Lunch & Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

6676 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.851.8782.

Filippa’s Wine Barrel: Seafood/Steak. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 45125 Mound Utica, Shelby Township, 48317.

586.254.1311.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Cafe: Cajun.

Multiple locations. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.965.4600. 29244 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034.

248.351.2925. 23722 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores, 48080. 586.498.3000.

Foran’s Grand Trunk Pub: Irish. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 612 Woodward, Detroit, 48226. 313.961.3043.

Forest Grill: American. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9400.

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Fountain Bistro: French. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 800 Woodward, Detroit, 48226. 313.237.7778.

Fox Grill: American. Sunday, brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor.

39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.792.6109.

Frittata: American. Breakfast & Lunch, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. 236 South Main Street, Clawson, 48017. 248.280.2552.

Gemmayze Lebanese Kitchen & Lounge: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Saturday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 310 S. Main St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.399.4900.

Gim Ling: Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. 31402 Harper, St. Clair Shores, 48082. 586.296.0070.

Ginopolis’ Bar-B-Q Smokehouse: Barbecue.

Lunch, Monday-Saturday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 27815 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.851.8222.

Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Friday; Dinner, Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood, Detroit, 48217. 313.841.0122.

Giulio’s Cucina Italiana: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Friday; Dinner, Saturday, Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

31735 Plymouth Road, Livonia, 48150.

734.427.9500.

Godaiko: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 44175 West 12 Mile Road, Novi, 48377. 248.465.7777.

Golden Harvest: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6880 12 Mile Road, Warren, 48092. 586.751.5288.

The Hill Seafood & Chophouse: American.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Friday; Dinner, Saturday. Reservations, parties of 6 or more.

Liquor. 123 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms, 48236. 313.886.8101.

Hot Taco: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late night until 2 a.m. No reservations. 2233 Park Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.963.4545.

Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday; Dinner, Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 22848 Woodward, Ferndale, 48220. 248.691.7145.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 201 South Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.594.4369.

Inn Season Cafe: Vegetarian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations, parties of 6 or more. 500 E Fourth, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.547.7916.

Inyo Restaurant & Lounge: Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 10 or more. Liquor. 22871 Woodward, Ferndale, 48220. 248.543.9500.

Jeremy Restaurant & Bar: Seasonal. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1978 Cass Lake Road, Keego Harbor, 48320.

248.681.2124.

Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243.

313.567.6837.

Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse: Italian. Multiple locations. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Friday; Dinner, Saturday, Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.865.9300.

21400 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, 48124.

313.359.3300.

Jumps Restaurant: American. Breakfast,

november 2012

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AT THE TABLE

Rick Halberg opens Local Kitchen & Bar in Ferndale

By Eleanor Heald

R

ick Halberg has been a celebrity chef in the Detroit metro area restaurant scene for more than three decades. Now, at age 63, he’s intent upon reaching out to urban clientele in his newly opened Ferndale Local Kitchen & Bar. Halberg began his career in Aspen, Colo., then Tucson, Ariz., and Ann Arbor before his student years at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY. After graduating in 1977, he returned to his native Michigan, where he worked with the talented Yvonne Gill at Tweeny’s and at the Holly Hotel before opening RIK’s (no longer open) with Ira Mondry and the late Ken Fink.

He founded the popular Emily’s in Northville in 1994. It closed in 2006. A short flirt with a storefront Tuscan-style carryout, Tutto Bene, became a victim of the slumping economy the same year.

Among other restaurant endeavors, Halberg took a position as director of culinary services at Hiller’s Markets and operated Rick Halberg’s Home Cooking to Your Door.

In July, he opened Local Kitchen with active partner Brian Siegel, also a partner in Joe Dumars’ Fieldhouse in Shelby Township and the Michigan State Fairgrounds, Detroit. Several silent partners are backing Halberg’s new venture.

“The name Local,” Halberg says, speaks to his “being all about the community. Ferndale has a broad, culturally diverse population. From what I’ve experienced, it’s a melting pot that has welcomed me as part of the business community.”

Well-crafted comfort food Current food trends revolve around sustainability, organic growing and local produce from area farms. Yet, pricing cuts into Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday; Breakfast & Lunch, Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 63 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe Farms, 48236. 313.882.9555.

Kiernan’s Steak House: Steakhouse. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 21931 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, 48124. 313.565.4260.

Kitchen Hanzo: Japanese. Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 6073 Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.624.8666.

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these, as people have become more price conscious. An expertly edited one-page menu does not over reach and matches Halberg’s mantra, “Life is short…eat real food.” And judging by Local’s sensible prices, this is possible.

The menu uses one-word categories: start ($610), bread ($8.50-12), green ($6-10), plate/bowl

Fried green tomatoes, baked mac & cheese, and bbq beef brisket sliders. Xpress photo: Laurie Tennent

($15-24 or market price) and side ($6-8). Be thankful that Local is not another menu using the French word entrée (dish served before the main course) when the desired meaning is main dish.

An interesting side from north of the border is poutine, the French Canadian dish made with fries, fresh cheese curds and gravy (in Local’s case, mushroom).

Burgers on a challah bun are comfort priced at $8.50 and can be upgraded with a farm egg, crispy smoked bacon, cheese, mushrooms or onions for a pittance extra.

The kitchen is run by a team of sous chefs, Ricky McCormick, formerly at Café Muse in Royal Oak, and Lawrence Lumetta from the Roberts Restaurant Group.

Kona Grill: Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 30 East Big Beaver, Troy, 48083. 248-619-9060.

Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Brunch, Sunday. Lunch, Monday-Saturday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 327 South Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.652.9400.

La Dolce Vita: Italian. Brunch, Sunday. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday; Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 17546 Woodward, Detroit, 48203. 313.865.0331.

La Pita: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Libations The reverse side of the menu includes a wellconceived list of wines by the glass, principally wellpriced imports. A separate wine list has some enticing offerings, many under $40. If you are a wine aficionado, you’ll make Local your favorite wine bar – so many unique offerings, domestic and imported.

Try the Villa Rubini Schioppettino, a red from Italy’s Friuli region, $28, with Pappardelle Bolognese, $15, or Bistro Steak, $17.

There are craft cocktails, beers by the bottle and five Michigan-produced draft beers. Also on tap is M Lawrence “Green” from Michigan’s top bubble maker Larry Mawby on the Leelanau Peninsula.

Comfort environs A four-season patio with a wood-burning fireplace is featured at the front of the restaurant.

There’s a small bar seating 16 and a community table where people can choose to sit with others.

After all, this is a community spot, rustic, comfortable, a mix of contemporary, classical and country farm house in earth tones with splashes of red and blue.

Halberg faces the challenges of a small business owner. Yet, he knows the adage: if you don’t change, you fall behind. He is counting on interaction with the broader Ferndale community as a major key to his success. “I want to make authentic connections with people through food and service,” he concludes.

He already has a head full of ideas for the future: Sunday family style meals, a chef’s table in the kitchen and monthly wine dinners.

Local Kitchen & Bar, 344 W. Nine Mile Road (at Planavon), Ferndale. 248.291.5650. Dinner beginning at 5 p.m. daily. Reservations for six or more. Also 30-minute call ahead. Parking: street and metered public lot at rear of restaurant.

Eleanor Heald is a nationally published writer who also writes the wine column in a double byline with her husband Ray for Downtown. Suggestions for Quick Bites section can be e-mailed to QuickBites@downtownpublications.com.

Reservations, parties of 8 or more. Liquor.

22681 Newman Street, Dearborn, 48124.

313.563.7482.

La Saj Lebanese Bistro: Middle Eastern.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

13776 Southcove, Sterling Heights, 48313.

586.566.6600.

La Shish: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 12918 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, 48126. 313.582.8400.

The Lark: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations, required. Liquor. 6430

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Farmington Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.661.4466.

Lily’s Seafood Grill and Brewery: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 6 or more. Liquor. 410 South Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.591.5459.

Local Kitchen and Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more.

Liquor. 344 West 9 Mile Road, Ferndale, 48220. 248-291-5650.

Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbecue. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 8 or more.

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FOCUS ON WINE

Ravenswood – masterfully made zinfandel wines

By Eleanor and Ray Heald

Z

infandel aficionados know the winery name Ravenswood. They probably also know the founder and winemaker Joel Peterson as a zinfandel specialist since 80 percent of Ravenswood’s production is zinfandel. Don’t dismiss the remainder. There’s flavorful chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and a Meritage blend from Pickberry Vineyard.

Peterson maintains that zinfandel wines tend to sort themselves by county of origin. His County Series Old Vine Zinfandels originate from Lodi $13, Napa County $16, and Sonoma County $16. He compared two extremes: Lodi and Sonoma.

There are real climate differences between Lodi County and Sonoma County that show in the zinfandels. Vine age for both counties is about 85 years old. Lodi has very sandy soils that are not irrigated but tend to flood. Temperatures are quite warm during the day (90-100+ degrees F) and cool slightly at night to yield a small diurnal variation. Lodi fruit is harvested midAugust. These wines are less tannic, softer with less acid, lighter in color and forward. Flavors tend to be plum, blueberry and show a slightly over-ripe character.

Sonoma County is close to the Pacific coast, cooler at night with marine intrusion dropping the temperature into the 50s. Days get warm (in the 80s) with few heat spikes. Soils are mostly reddish, cobbly-volcanic loam (the best soil type for zinfandel). Vines are dry-farmed; grape clusters tend to be smaller and ripen later with harvest near the first week in September. Wines tend to be better structured, better acidity, lower pH, a lot of blackberry fruit flavors, greater density, longer on the palate, age better and are more spice driven than fruit driven.

Liquor. 202 East Third Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.4227.

The London Chop House: Steakhouse. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Friday; Dinner, Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 155 West Congress, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.0277.

Loon River Café: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 34911 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, 48312. 586.979.1420.

Los Galane’s Restaurant: Mexican. Breakfast, Friday-Sunday; Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 3362 Bagley, Detroit, 48216. 313.554.4444.

52

One other profound difference: in Sonoma from the late 1800s to 1920 farmers planted other varieties, known as mixed blacks, such as petite sirah (for color and tannin), carignane (for acidity and brightness), alicante bouschet (for color), syrah, grenache, and mourvedre in order to make a balanced, stable, claret-style wine.

All of the county wines are made essentially the same way: aged 14 months in 25 percent French oak barrels. Flavor differences depend on the place where the grapes were grown.

During a recent tasting at The Reserve in Birmingham’s Big Rock Chop House, Peterson described some wines.

“2010 Vintners Blend Chardonnay $10, Monterey County fruit partially barrel fermented. Classy but inexpensive.

2008 Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel $13, softer, fruit forward, blueberry and spice, hint of cherry pie character and a trace of Lodi earthiness which I personally identify as tomato stem.

2008 Napa County Old Vine Zinfandel $16, red raspberry, good acidity, distinctive structural tannins, pretty racy aspect.

2008 Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel $16, blackberry, vanilla, cherry.”

The Ravenswood price tier of vineyarddesignated zinfandels includes some of our personal favorites: Barricia, Sonoma Valley $35; Belloni, Russian River Valley $35; Big River, Alexander Valley $35; Dickerson, Napa Valley $35; Teldeschi, Dry Creek Valley $35; and Old Hill, Sonoma Valley $60. Each vineyard in this group of wines is chosen for its unique flavor characteristics.

Peterson says that “2008 Teldeschi $35, consists of head pruned vines planted by the

Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late night, 9 p.m.-closing. No reservations. Liquor. 525 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6051.

Mario’s Restaurant: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4222 Second, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.1616.

The Masters Restaurant: Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 1775 East 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights, 48071. 248.543.6299.

Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations, parties of 8 or more. Liquor.

Teldeschi family just after 1900 on Dry Creek Valley benchland. It demonstrates classic California zinfandel character of black cherry and vanilla with a succulent center and firm structure.

“I think all of Ravenswood vineyarddesignated zinfandels are of equal quality, but Old Hill Vineyard $60, is certainly most expensive and a special vineyard because historically it traces the evolution of the California wine business.

“It was planted in the late 1860s by William McPherson Hill and replanted around 1885. It is a throwback because Hill didn’t really know what he wanted to plant. He didn’t wake up one day saying ‘I want to plant zinfandel.’ He said, ‘I think this feels like a Mediterranean or Iberian climate, so I need to find out what Iberian grape varieties are and plant them.’ He experimented by getting vine cuttings wherever he could find them. The Old Hill Vineyard is a fingerprint of history in that it contains 30 other grape varieties beside zinfandel.”

Today, they are not all significant, but you can imagine his experimentation. Peterson picks the vineyard twice because the mixed blacks ripen at a different rate than the zinfandel. He ferments them separately and then blends to make the best wine possible while maintaining 75 percent zinfandel in order to legally call it zinfandel. The wine tends to be more spice driven than fruit driven, very structured with good acidity that rewards aging.

Eleanor & Ray Heald have contributed to numerous international publications including the Quarterly Review of Wines. Contact them by e-mail at focusonwine@aol.com.

6239 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.538.7080.

Mercury Burger & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2163 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48216.

313.964.5000.

Meriwether’s: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday; Dinner, Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 25485 Telegraph, Southfield, 48034. 248.358.1310.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 2850 Coolidge

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Highway, Troy, 48084. 248.637.6400.

Midtown Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 4710 Cass, Detroit, 48201.

313.974.7669.

Michael Symon’s Roast: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1128 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.961.2500.

Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Multiple locations.

Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.3663. 17600

november 2012

Haggerty Road, Livonia, 48152.

734.464.3663. 370 North Adams, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.340.5900.

Mon Jin Lau: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Friday; Dinner, Saturday, Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1515 East Maple Troy, 48083. 248.689.2332.

Monterrey Cantina: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 312 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067 .

248.545.1940.

The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 2395 South Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688.

Morton’s The Steakhouse: Steakhouse.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 888 West Big Beaver Road #111, Troy, 48084.

248.404.9845.

Moti Mahal Indian Restaurant: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor allowed.

411 South Washington, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.298.3198.

Northern Lakes Seafood Co.: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 39495 North Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.646.7900.

No VI Chop House: Seafood/Steakhouse.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 27000 Karevich Drive, Novi, 48377. 248.305.5210.

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 212 West Sixth Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947.

Ocean Prime: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Friday; Dinner, Saturday, Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Highway, Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500.

Ollie’s Lebanese Cuisine: Middle Eastern.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

33355 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights, 48312.

586-978-2000.

Opus One: American. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 565 East Larned Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.961.7766.

Oxford Inn: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 1214 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.543.5619.

Peabody’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.5222.

Pegasus Tavernas: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 24935 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores, 48080. 586.772.3200.

Pete’s Place Broadway Café: European.

Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 1225 Woodward Heights Boulevard, Ferndale, 48220. 248.399.1366.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.3122.

Pizzeria Biga: Italian. Multiple locations.

Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, MondaySunday. Reservations, parties of 8 or more.

Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034. 248.750.2442. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 711 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.2442.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Multiple locations.

Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2801 West Big Beaver, Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000. 17905 Haggerty Road, Northville Township, 48167.

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248.675.0066. 17420 Hall Road, Clinton Township, 48038. 586.263.0860. 18900 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, 48126.

313.429.2030.

Polish Village Cafe: Polish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2990 Yemans, Hamtramck, 48212. 313.874.5726.

Pronto!: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations, parties of 6 or more. Liquor.

608 South Washington, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.7900.

The Rattlesnake Club: American. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday; Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 300 River Place Detroit, 48207. 313.567.4400.

Redcoat Tavern: American. Multiple locations.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 31542 Woodward Royal Oak, 48073.

248.549.0300. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. 6745 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500.

Red Smoke Barbeque Restaurant: Barbecue.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

573 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.962.2100.

Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1727 South Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.858.7270.

Rochester Chop House & Oyster Bar: American. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 306 Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266.

Roma Café: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 3401 Riopelle Street, Detroit, 48207.

313.831.5940.

Ronin Sushi Bar: Japanese. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 325 West Fourth Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.546.0888.

The Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 6 or more. Liquor. 215 East Fourth Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.1141.

The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.5999.

Russell Street Deli: American. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations.

2465 Russell Street, Detroit, 48207.

313.567.2900.

Ruth’s Chris Streak House: Steakhouse.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. #151 755 West Big Beaver, Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424.

Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977.

Sangria: Spanish. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday; Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 401 South Lafayette, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.543.1964.

Seva Detroit: Vegetarian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, Sunday-Thursday. Liquor.

66 E Forest, Detroit, 48201. 313.974.6661.

Shangri-La Chinese Restaurant: Chinese.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 6 or more. Liquor. 6407 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.626.8585.

Shangri-La Garden: Asian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

27626 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.474.8183.

Shogun Chinese & Japanese Bistro: Asian.

Lunch, Monday-Saturday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 23195 Marter, St. Clair Shores, 48080. 586.350.0927.

Sindbad’s at the River: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 100 St. Clair, Detroit, 48214. 313.822.7817.

Slows Bar BQ: Barbecue. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 6 or more.

Liquor. 2138 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.9828.

Small Plates Detroit: American. Brunch, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1521 Broadway, Detroit, 48226. 313.963.0702.

Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 East Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.

Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

33210 West 14 Mile Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.8954.

Stage Deli: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 6873 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48322.

248.855.6622.

Steve’s Backroom: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 6 or more. Liquor. 24317 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores, 48080. 586.774.9337.

Steve’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.932.0800.

Sweet Lorraine’s Café & Bar: American.

Multiple locations. Brunch, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29101 Greenfield, Southfield, 48076. 248.559.5985.

17100 North Laurel Park Dr., Livonia, 48152.

734.953.7480.

Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.645.9123.

Sushi Hana: Japanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.3887.

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Sunday, brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 55 South Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066.

TAP at MGM Grand Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, Thursday-Sunday; Dinner, MondayWednesday; Late night until 2 a.m., daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1234.

Thai Basil: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 37273 6 Mile Road, Livonia, 48152. 734.464.5934.

Thai Orchid Cuisine: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 60 Cherry Street, Mount Clemens, 48043. 586.783.1727.

T.N. Thai Bistro: Thai/Sushi. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Beer & Wine. 17100 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe, 48230.

313.885.2695.

Toast: American. Multiple locations. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278.

Breakfast, Monday-Sunday.

No Reservations. 23144 Woodward, Ferndale, 48220. 248.398.0444.

Toasted Oak Grill & Market: American.

Xpress

Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 27790 Novi Road, Novi, 48377. 248.277.6000.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Multiple locations.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

318 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.541.1186. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. 519 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, 48226. 313.964.4010.

Townhouse: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241.

Town Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 116 West 4th Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7300.

Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 West Canfield Street, Detroit, 48201. 313.831.9470.

Tre Monti: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday; Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1695 East Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083. 248.680.1100.

Union Street Saloon: American. Brunch, Sunday. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 4145 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.831.3965.

Vincente’s Cuban Cuisine: Cuban. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1250 Library Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.8800.

Vince’s: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday; Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1341 Springwells Street, Detroit, 48209.

313.842.4857.

Vinotecca: Wine Bar. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 417 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.6256.

Vinsetta Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 28028 Woodward, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.543.2626.

Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market Street, Detroit, 48207. 313.393.1711.

Volare Ristorante: Italian Steakhouse. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 49115 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393.

248.960.7771.

Wasabi Korean & Japanese Cuisine: Korean/Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 15 East Kirby, Woodward, Detroit, 48202. 313.638.1272.

Waves: Cuban/Hawaiian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 24223 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores, 48080. 586.773.3279.

What Crepe?: French. Multiple Locations.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySaturday, Breakfast & Lunch, Sunday. No reservations. 172 North Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5634. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations.

Liquor. 317 South Washington, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.9391.

The Whitney: American. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

4421 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48124.

313.832.5700.

Zazios: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor.

34977 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.530.6400.

Zúmba Mexican Grille: Mexican. Multiple locations. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 304 North Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.1400. 163 West Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.2775.

53

VIEWS FROM INSIDE

Welcome to Xpress for the LGBT community But because this is our inaugural issue, we are using this space to tell you more about our plans for Xpress, the mission of this publication and our goals for the future.

entire region or state. Our distribution philosophy is simple. As a publication or an advertiser, to dominate, you must concentrate.

We have set out to accomplish something a bit different on the editorial front. Readers will find Xpress to be celebratory in terms of the accomplishments in the LGBT community, which is the focus of our Faces features each month. We will also offer more of what we call long-form journalism in each issue, plus a major interview with someone who has had impact on the LGBT community.

We call this last page in each issue Views From Inside, indicating that the opinions on this page are those of the publishing group as a whole. This is one way Xpress contributes to the public debate on LGBT issues, but more on that later.

We offer a round-up of news items from around the country in our Compendium section and we provide a selective guide (Dining Out) to restaurants in the tri-county area, along with features on restaurants (At The Table) and a wine column (Focus On Wine).

Normally as you pick up Xpress at one of our free distribution points each month, this page at the back of the newsmagazine will be reserved for the publishing group’s editorial opinion on current issues of concern for the LGBT community.

In the coming months we will be adding a few more regular features to Xpress and, over the course of next year, we will also offer a number of special sections which we will announce in the short-term future.

In future issues we anticipate receiving feedback from members of the public at large and more specifically from those in the LGBT community. The feedback we receive in the form of traditional letters to the editor or in email correspondence will appear at the front of Xpress each month and will be labeled Views From Outside. We encourage your opinions so that we can share the views of others with readers of Xpress and create a dialogue in the community, one of our primary goals. So please take time to read how to submit your opinions and comments at the bottom of page six in this issue.

We are not the only print publication circulating in the LGBT community, each with its own editorial mission. For starters, if you are into the club scene, you have no doubt seen what are referred to as “bar rags” – often short on or lacking any editorial content while heavy on ads. And then there is Between The Lines produced by Pride Source, frankly the only legitimate editorial product in the market for nearly two decades. Our hats are off to the co-publishers of this weekly product.

But Xpress has its own editorial vision that complements what others are doing while setting itself apart with its own business model. For starters, we are a monthly newsmagazine, which gives us the luxury of exploring LGBT issues in a bit more depth than a weekly newspaper. Our monthly frequency also gets businesses off the treadmill of having to meet four or five ad deadlines each month. We have adopted a magazine format and offer an improved stock, fullcolor publication at ad rates not readily available in this market prior to now. Our circulation is focused on select communities in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, rather than trying to reach out over an

PRESS

Overall, we will be offering a more upscale monthly newsmagazine with Xpress. To that end, you will not find the XXX video stores in our pages, nor the phone sex and hook-up ads, sex toy promotions and medical marijuana ads found in other publications. We have developed policies that allow us to reach our goal of presenting a more refined product each month and the initial response from LGBT ally businesses you find in this issue suggests that there is pent-up demand for a quality publication that reaches the lesbian, gay, bi and transgender consumers.

We are also looking forward to lending our energies in the struggle to achieve equality for the LGBT community on a number of fronts. The Xpress editorial opinion page (From The Inside), as mentioned earlier, is just part of our contribution to this effort. We have established relationships with lawmakers in Lansing and community leaders at the county and local levels. Our years of experience in the publishing and political realms allow us to gain not only access but attention when we work on behalf of LGBT causes.

The goal of Xpress is to reach the LGBT community with a complete monthly package of news and advertising information while lending our voices to the current political debate in an effort to move the LGBT agenda forward.

Welcome to Xpress, the upscale monthly newsmagazine for the LGBT community.

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