Display the flag proudly

I want to share three articles from the latest edition of Between the Lines, the LGBT newspaper for Michigan.

The cover story is an interview with Gretchen Whitmer, the Democratic candidate for Governor in next year’s election. Most of the interview is her steadfast support of Michigan’s LGBT citizens and our rights. Also note this Democratic candidate did an interview with an LGBT newspaper.

The next story is about Debbie Stabenow and her recent tour of the Ruth Ellis Center. Stabenow is one of the two Democratic senators from Michigan and is up for reelection next year. She says the GOP has a bullseye on her back. The Ruth Ellis Center provides a platter of health and social services for LGBT youth in southeast Michigan. I help serve supper on Wednesdays and occasionally watch the youth dance, but there is much more to the center than that, so much more that the Center is known nationally for its work. I am delighted Stabenow visited and asked thoughtful questions during her visit. She showed support no GOP candidate would have. This action alone is enough to show me her character and prompt my endorsement (and this is beyond simply voting against whoever is the GOP candidate). Alas, the visit happened at a time I wasn’t there and I suspect when the youth weren’t either.

The third story is about the Ferndale City Council chamber. Ferndale is a suburb along Detroit’s northern border and has become very LGBT friendly. For a few years Motor City Pride was held in Ferndale and the LGBT Affirmations Community Center is on a major street in downtown.

In the City Council chamber behind the council members are flags of the United States, state of Michigan, Oakland County, City of Ferndale, and POW-MIA. Recently they added one more – the LGBT rainbow flag.