Articles By: Speak Equal

I am the founder of a small, human rights organization based in West Michigan called Speak Equal, an Iraq war vet, an Aquinas College graduate, a writer, and an all-around dedicated community organizer. I am a self-confessed news junkie, a lover of politics and debate, a derby wife, and a traveler. I love what I do, and am lucky enough to do what I love.

AIDS Awareness Month: A Plea for Personal Responsibility Over Blaming Bisexual Men

The following post was originally published by Arielle Loren via Clutch Magazine. The piece is a powerful one, advocating for education, safe sex, and honesty regarding our sexual activities. Arielle Loren is a staunch advocate for taking the “blame game” out of sex and erradicating the...

December 14th, 2010 | World | Read More

A breakdown of civil unions in Illinois

The civil unions bill that now awaits the governor’s promised signature will provide same-sex couples in Illinois with sweeping protections and benefits, many of which were previously unattainable or required an expensive array of legal paperwork. At its essence, the bill says that two people who...

December 14th, 2010 | LGBT | Read More

Happy Monday (vol. 57) — FCK Censorship

We are here. We are queer. Get used to. We are already serving our country. We are not sexual deviants. We are not sinners. We are not godless. We are not a disease your children are going to catch. We have rights and freedoms and have worked to secure them just as hard, if not harder than anyone else. Get...

December 13th, 2010 | Happy Monday | Read More

Pentagon Channel: Watch DADT hearings LIVE

Starting live at 9 am EST. If your connection isn’t strong, check it out on C-Span as well! Got something you wanna say? Click on the menu bar at the bottom of the page and join the live chat!

December 2nd, 2010 | LGBT, NewsBites | Read More

Senate passes bill to allow Civil Unions in the state of Illinois

In a landmark 32-24 vote, legislation recognizing civil unions among gay and lesbian couples passed the Illinois Senate Wednesday afternoon. The bill now moves to Gov. Quinn, who has pledged to sign it. More to follow. SOURCE

December 1st, 2010 | LGBT, NewsBites | Read More

Equality Michigan Under New Leadership

DETROIT – Alicia Skillman, executive director of Equality Michigan for the past two years, resigned Nov. 22, effective Dec. 31. Former board chair Denise Brogan-Kator has taken the reins as the chief executive officer, and will lead the organization during the search for a new permanent director. “I...

November 24th, 2010 | LGBT, NewsBites | Read More

Nov. 20 — International Transgender Day of Remembrance

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight...

November 10th, 2010 | World | Read More

20th Annual OUTMusic Awards — NYC

LOS ANGELES (November 1, 2010) – The journey to the road of equality in the music industry for LGBT artists began today when nominations for the 2010 Annual OUTMUSIC Awards (www.outmusicawards.com) were announced at a press conference attended by national and international media at the Beverly...

November 10th, 2010 | Music | Read More

Military wife supports repeal of DADT

This past August I was one of about 150,000 military spouses randomly selected to participate in the “don’t ask, don’t tell” survey sent out by the Department of Defense under the direction of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. As a military wife these last 27 years, I felt fortunate to have...

November 10th, 2010 | LGBT, NewsBites | Read More