Attack on Wayland, Michigan teen may be a hate crime

by Lynn Turner
The Kalamazoo Gazette, Michigan

WAYLAND -- A Wayland Union High School freshman was allegedly attacked by two other girls Tuesday on the last day of school in what police say may be a hate crime related to the victim's sexual orientation.

The three students, all 14, were cleaning out their lockers after fourth period, about 1:30 p.m., when the suspects surrounded the girl and the fight broke out, Wayland Police Chief Dan Miller said. The fight lasted about 30 seconds before school staff broke it up.

The victim, who had some facial bruising and was treated by emergency medical technicians at the school, identifies herself as a lesbian, Miller said.

"I guess some say she's pretty outspoken, and the other two girls didn't like that,'' he said. "We were told by the two suspects it was over the sex-orientation issue that they don't believe in.''

full article

Michigan Residents Taking Stand Against Hate Crimes

by Katherine Jones
WLNS TV

Violence against homosexuals is on the rise. That's according to some gay rights groups who say the violence has doubled in the last year. Group leaders want the public to take a stand against these crimes. A community which thrives on diversity was rocked with hate just last month. Graffiti scarred the heart of a town many see as a magnet for people from all walks of life.

Dan Farough, Executive Director of Progress Michigan: "That's not what Old Town is about, we're not about hate speech, we're about tolerance, we're about diversity and bringing people together."

full article

Michigan gay activist Jeffrey Montgomery

Jeffrey Montgomery says he used to be a "mind your own business" kind of gay guy.

But that was before his boyfriend, Michael, was fatally shot outside a gay bar in Detroit.

"The police just didn't care. They had no intention of investigating what, to them, was just another gay homicide", he says.

Shocked and appalled, Montgomery began transforming himself into a "mind our own business" kind of gay guy.

That transformation led him in 1991 to help found the Detroit-based Triangle Foundation, named after the pink triangle that gay men were forced to wear in Nazi concentration camps.

Sixteen years later, the Triangle Foundation has a $1 million budget, 10 staffers and a new branch in conservative Grand Rapids.

Now, sadly, the executive director who became the face and voice for so many gay and transgender people too fearful -- or just too preoccupied -- to stand up for themselves has decided it's time to pass the baton.

In 2006 Montgomery was awarded the Liberty Bell Award. He was nominated by the Stonewall Bar Association. He has a national reputation and regularly provides commentary and witness on the evolving gay culture and the myriad issues related to the safety and equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

In May 2003, Gov. Jennifer Granholm honored Montgomery's work with a special tribute, calling him a "hero and a living legend." He has received accolades too numerous to mention and serves on many boards and organizations, including being a co-chair and spokesperson for the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs.

Kill a Fag week: Michigan Technical University

Anti-gay threats written in chalk were discovered on the campus of Michigan Tech University in Houghton last Friday. They were written in the middle of the night the same week that a slate of gay pride activities was scheduled at the University.

The threats involved the killing, mutilation, and shooting of gay people. The activities on campus at MTU last week included the wearing of "Gay, Fine By Me" T-shirts, meant to send a message of tolerance to students there. Obviously, some homophobe was threatened. If the message that anti-gay prejudice is real wasn't getting across before, it surely has now.

Said Vice President of Student Affairs Les Cook: "This is probably the most pervasive incident we’ve had on campus since I’ve been here. We take these kinds of things serious and we are trying to provide our support. It’s an issue. It’s not healthy for our community and we’re hoping we can resolve things quickly."

Authorities are still trying to find out the identity of the vandals.

Arts community bands together for LGBT 'Out 'N About' initiative

The Flint, Michigan community is rallying together to celebrate the arts of the LGBT community and its allies. The collaborative is called "Out 'N About."

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/features-2/118970940544990.xml&coll=5
.

Arcus grants nearly $3 million to LGBT projects

The Arcus Foundation recently announced the details of their Spring 2007 grant awards and the numbers are impressive. The Foundation, founded and funded by Jon Stryker, granted out $2,951,105 to LGBT projects, in Michigan and around the world, making the Arcus Foundation one of the largest funders of LGBT projects in the country.

The foundation also awarded $4,157,989 to various organizations that work towards the protection and conservation of great apes.

http://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=26903
.