Ruth Ellis Center

The Ruth Ellis Center provides short and long-term safe space and support services for runaway, homeless and at-risk LGBTQ youth in Detroit and Southeastern Michigan.

[ruthelliscenter]

As many of you have heard, Ruth Ellis Center tragically lost a member of our family and community this past weekend. Amber Monroe, a gentle spirit who loved to dance, learn and advocate on behalf of her trans sisters of color, was fatally shot and killed in the early morning hour of Saturday August 8, 2015. Amber, at the young age of 20, very much honored her right to live in her truth and she fought for that everyday. Her smile and unmistakable laugh will live on in our hearts. She, like so many of the youth who come to Ruth Ellis Center was filled with love, determination and undeniable strength, even in the face of relentless hate. In support of Amber's family, Ruth Ellis Center will be assuming costs associated with Amber's funeral . To make a donation in support of Amber's funeral visit http://www.ruthelliscenter.org/for-donors/ruths-angels . Please include "Amber Monroe" in the memo line. Should funds raised exceed funeral costs, Ruth Ellis Center will designate the additional funding to support programming specific to trans women of color. As the Ruth Ellis Center community grieves, we want to thank so many of you for the outpouring of support. Ruth Ellis Center is currently planning a vigil in support of Amber and ALL trans* lives lost to violence. More information to come. ‪#‎AmberMonroe‬ ‪#‎LGBTQ‬

[ruthelliscenter]

We hope you will join us on Sunday, July 19th at 4:00 pm for "Nick Cave: Here Hear" Dance Lab at the Ruth Ellis Center. The event is general admission on a 'first come" basis. Space is limited.

Don’t miss the chance to see Nick Cave’s soundsuits in action during a series of live performances in the city of Detroit. Cave has partnered with local dancers and musicians, and given each group a “box” of supplies they will use to create a live performance. All performances are FREE and open to the public.

The first performance will be held at the Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park, and will be choreographed by Marcus White/White Werx with music by DJ John Jammin Collins.

Special thanks to event partner Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) for helping to organize the events and provide open rehearsal space.

Please join us for the performance - and invite your friends to help spread the word!

[ruthelliscenter]

Please join us tonight, beginning at 6:30PM, for the Detroit premiere of  Treasure: From Tragedy to TransJustice,Mapping A Detroit Story,  a film by dream hampton. The film will be at the Detroit Film Theatre, located at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The program will include introductory information and an afterglow following the film.

‘Treasure’ is a feature documentary about 19 year old trans woman Shelly 'Treasure' Hilliard whose murder involved police coercion, Jim Crow drug laws, the criminalization of sex work and transphobia. It is about a young Detroit trans community activated by her death, and her family, who are suing for justice.

‘Treasure’ is about the diverse and affirming activist community that Treasure belonged to. Anchored by The Ruth Ellis Center, Treasure and her friends received support, counseling and were trained to lead social justice workshops. ‘Treasure' is also about Shelly's family, who are filing a civil suit against the suburban police department who set in motion her murder.

This event is free and open to the public. It is recommend for people 14 years and older.

Presented by Friends of Detroit Film Theatre and the Ruth Ellis Center.

For more information, please visit http://www.treasuredoc.com/

[ruthelliscenter]

For the first time ever, the Ruth Ellis Center will have a free photo booth at Motor City Pride! YOU can take a selfie anywhere at Pride and have it printed at the Ruth Ellis Center booth, absolutely free, courtesy of our friends at PNC Bank and Pixelprint. Just use #ISupportREC when you post your pic to Instagram , then stop by the Ruth Ellis Center booth on Saturday and Sunday and get it printed! Don’t have Instagram? We can take a picture for you!

[ruthelliscenter]

Friends of Detroit Film Theatre and the Ruth Ellis Center present Treasure: From Tragedy to TransJustice, a film by dream hampton. The program will include introductory information and a panel debrief with the Director of the film.

‘Treasure’ is a feature documentary about 19 year old trans woman Shelly 'Treasure' Hilliard whose murder involved police coercion, Jim Crow drug laws, the criminalization of sex work and transphobia. It is about a young Detroit trans community activated by her death, and her family, who are suing for justice.

‘Treasure’ is about the diverse and affirming activist community that Treasure belonged to. Anchored by The Ruth Ellis Center, Treasure and her friends received support, counseling and were trained to lead social justice workshops. ‘Treasure' is also about Shelly's family, who are filing a civil suit against the suburban police department who set in motion her murder.

This event is free and open to the public. It is recommend for people 14 years and older.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

6:30PM

Detroit Film Theatre at Detroit Institute of Arts 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan 48202

[ruthelliscenter]

LGBTQ allies are important voices in bringing awareness to discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Help us provide services to lgbtq youth by becoming one of Ruth’s Angels at http://www.ruthelliscenter.org/for-donors/ruths-angels

[ruthelliscenter]

Check out ‪Cyndi Lauper‬'s video about ‪#‎40ToNoneDay‬. Then go to http://40toNoneDay.org, download/print a message and take an "unselfie" to show your support. It's up to all of us to end ‪#‎LGBTYouthHomelessness‬. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP22aG9rkBI

[ruthelliscenter]

Support the Ruth Ellis Center and become one of Ruth's Angels! The Ruth Ellis Center is one of a select few mission-specific agencies in the Midwest dedicated to providing safe space for runaway and homeless LGBTQ youth. Between 800 and 1,000 LGBTQ youth are experiencing homelessness in Metro Detroit. The Center’s nationally recognized programs served nearly 500 of them last year. The Ruth Ellis Center provides over 5,000 units of service annually, including safety net and basic needs services through the Second Stories Drop In Center, residential foster care, and specialized counseling and case management services to help runaway and homeless LGBTQ youth create pathways to safety and independence. YOU can help make THEIR dreams a reality! Become an Angel at http://www.ruthelliscenter.org/for-donors/ruths-angels

[ruthelliscenter]

Join Ruth Ellis Center's Executive Director Jerry on ‪#‎40ToNoneDay‬! Go to http://40toNoneDay.org, download/print a message and take an unselfie to show your support. It's up to all of us to end ‪#‎LGBTYouthHomelessness‬. 

[ftmdetroit]

Ruth Ellis center is the only licensed residential facility for LGBT in the nation. What can be done to help every city and youth in need to have a safe place? 

Help bring more attention to such a great place, and the need for more of them to exist by sharing this message brought to us by sidebysidecampaign.

Follow sidebysidecampaign on instagram.

As well as the  Ruth Ellis Center on

facebook & instagram

See more on how you can help and spread the message on their website, http://www.ruthelliscenter.org/

[renvengeofthefifth]

Andrew taking about the Ruth Ellis center and the ally coalition on huffpost live

[allycoalition]

Last night was the last date Bleachers’ latest run of shows and we are so grateful they brought the #FortyPercent campaign along with them.

We want to thank all of our volunteers for interacting with fans and spreading awareness that up to 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ.

We want to thank all of you that took a photo at home or at a show to spread awareness about the importance of safe spaces to your friends and families on social media.

We want to thank Bleachers for the unending support, and giving us some signed prizes to give out to those of you who took a photo. (You have a week to share yours under the tag and win! info: theallycoalition.org/FortyPercent)

And finally, we want to thank all of the wonderful groups that joined us along the tour who do amazing work for the LGBTQ youth in their communities. Check them out!

Youth Spirit Artworks of Berkeley The Ruth Ellis Center of Detroit Freedom Indiana  BAGLY of Boston

[micdotcom]

12 famous women who totally owned sexist, racist and transphobic interview questions

More and more women are rolling their eyes at pesky reporters who overlook their accomplishments in favor of their appearance — and it’s about time. Here are a few examples of ladies giving the best answers to the worst questions.

Mindy Kaling, Cate Blanchett, Scarlett Johansson and more

[smartgirlsattheparty]

#AskHerMore

[beyondmarriageequality-blog-blog]

Ruth Ellis lived in Detroit from 1938 until her death in 2000. She opened her home to the community on the weekends as a safe space from the 1940s through the 1960s, a time when African-American gay men and lesbians had few social venues.

Ruth also personally assisted young people with money for college, books, and food. She unselfishly gave everything that she had to whomever needed it.In the 1970s,

From 1946 to 1971, Ruth and Babe’s home becomes known as the “Gay Spot.” For generations of African American gays and lesbians in the Midwest, Ruth and Babe’s home provided an alternative to the bar scene that discriminated against blacks. Her home was a refuge of sorts to African Americans who came “out” before the civil rights movement and Stonewall. Ruth and Babe, offered lodging to black gay men newly arrived from the South. They also helped many of the young people through college. 

[ruthelliscenter]

We love our founder!

[ruthelliscenter]

Are you interested in giving back to the community? Volunteering at the Ruth Ellis Center is a great way to help! Learn how you and your skills can best help us by attending the Quarterly Volunteer Training on April 18. Click the link to sign up! http://www.ruthelliscenter.org/volunteer