Janice Daniels

Troy High School Gay Straight Alliance members Skye Curtis and Zach Kilgore said that during the afternoon meeting -- which both students said was an attempt to reach an understanding after the Mayor's anti-gay Facebook slur went viral, garnering nationwide attention last month -- the mayor, while discussing mental health and suicide issues that affect members of the LGBTQ community, suggested putting together a panel of psychologists to show that homosexuality is dangerous to a person's mental health.

"She definitely meant it in quite a negative connotation," Curtis told the local Patch media outlet.

"The mayor of Troy told my daughter this afternoon that she wants to bring in a panel of psychologists to explain to the high school's Gay-Straight Alliance that homosexuality is a mental disease," Rodney Curtis, Skye's father, wrote on his Facebook page.

A lesbian couple, Amy and Tina Weber were also present for the meeting and verified what the mayor had said.

Amy Weber said she was so disturbed by Daniels' comments that she attended the Troy City Council meeting Monday evening and asked for an audio copy of the meeting between the Troy High GSA and the mayor, which the mayor recorded, during public comment.

When asked about the comment, however, Daniels said she said no such thing.

"That is a misrepresentation entirely," Daniels said in an interview with Troy Patch Monday evening. "I would like to meet with Skye and her parents to discuss these kinds of issues. Rather than have all this division, we need to come together, because I never said that."

"Her tune changed completely," Kilgore said. "Before, she was very for an anti-bullying event because she thought we could turn this into a positive thing. What we found out today was that she was not planning on doing that.

"She turned it into an anti-suicide thing, which is great, but she wanted to completely ignore the issue that started this."

“That bullying leads to suicide," Curtis continued. "Then we started talking about who could possibly speak, and she alluded to the fact that she wanted to bring in a panel of psychologists who would testify that homosexuality was a mental disease."

“This was implied by her," Kilgore clarified. "She didn’t explicitly say it. Somebody said something to the effect of, 'we can't tell these kids that what they're doing is wrong.'"

"And she said, 'well, I can get a panel to testify,'" Curtis said. "Which is really horrifying, because if we're trying to prevent suicide, telling a room full of gay kids that they have a mental disease probably isn't a way to prevent suicide."

Troy Patch

“It’s shocking that Mayor Daniels continues to promote homophobia in her community," said Michael Gregor, Director of Communications for Equality Michigan, in an email statement to LGBTQ Nation on Tuesday.

"The comments made, if true, are both disrespectful and dehumanizing to gay and lesbian people who are represented by the mayor. It is exactly this type of behavior that contributes to harassment and violence targeting gay and lesbian people, especially teenagers. No public official should be creating such a harmful environment," Gregor said.

Rick Snyder

The bill has attracted sharp criticism from the media, university leaders, business leaders, and progressive organizations throughout the state.

HB 4771, which the Governor vetoed, would have prohibited unions from including similar coverage in collective bargaining agreements. Both bills passed the legislature on December 13 -- lawsuits on behalf of affected families will likely be filed soon.

Anti-gay Republicans Representative Dave Agema (sponsor or the bills) and Attorney General Bill Schuette have been trying to strip away health care coverage for gay and lesbian families since February, said Emily Dievendorf, Director of Policy for Equality Michigan.

"Governor Snyder’s support for this bill is appalling. Today, the Governor told unmarried public employees that they can no longer care for their partners or children. He has put hardworking gay and lesbian couples and their children into harm’s way by eliminating important health care coverage. He has spent the last two years talking about creating a welcoming state with a attractive business climate, and this bill flies in the face of those goals," Dievendorf said.

"All families in our state, including gay and lesbian families, should have fair access to health care coverage. Governor Snyder caved to the radical social agenda coming from the legislature. He has rejected our shared commitment to economic growth. In order to compete in today’s global business environment, we must build a culture that prioritizes fundamental fairness. This law will only serve to hurt Michigan."

The bill affects many public entities that currently provide coverage for domestic partners of employees, including:

• University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University and 11 of the 12 other public universities;
• State of Michigan (33,000 eligible employees under contracts that went into effect in 2011);
• At least eight cities, counties and school districts, including Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo.

"The decision to take healthcare benefits away from families just in time for the holidays is mean-spirited and cruel. Governor Snyder had an opportunity to show real leadership and put an end to the political games; instead he approved an extreme policy that sets our state back, jeopardizes our economy and puts our families at risk," said Kary Moss, executive director of the Michigan ACLU.

"The bill serves no other purpose than to single out a small minority of people and deprive them of critical protections as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. We are prepared to challenge this law on behalf of Michigan families in the coming weeks," Moss said.

At least 33 gay men were arrested in county parks in 2010 under Michigan's soliciting law but many simply were talking or holding hands, critics told county commissioners Tuesday.

Miriam Aukerman, West Michigan staff attorney for the ACLU, which is investigating the allegations, said in half the reports she examined law officers initiated the contact with those they later arrested.

“In these cases, it’s the officers who are making the approaches,” Aukerman said. “It’s the officers who are doing the accosting and soliciting.”

Aukerman said the practice of sending undercover deputies in search of gay men seeking companionship has a long history.

Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma on Tuesday defended his deputies, whom he said are merely trying to keep county parks safe for everyone.

MLive.com

According to Michigan law, it is illegal for someone to use a public place to invite another to commit a "lewd or immoral act."

Aukerman compared the behavior described in police reports to what happens on any weekend night in bars and restaurants all over the country as people — single and otherwise — seek companionship.

She said an interpretation of the state statute is being misused for the purpose of targeting gays.

Stelma conceded there may be some ambiguity in the state law his deputies are charged with enforcing, but said, “Our community has invested heavily in the parks and they expect us to keep them safe, family-friendly places and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”

“This is one of many acts going on against the gay community,” said Collette Seguin Beighley, a board member of Equality Michigan and director of Grand Valley State University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center. “We just keep hanging out the unwelcome sign in Michigan."

TROY, Mich. -- Reports claiming Troy Mayor Janice Daniels was fired from her job at Century 21 Town & Country are not true, according to the manager of the real estate office where Daniels worked.

Janice Daniels

On Wednesday, the online LGBT publication Get Out and Live and The Oakland Press both reported that Troy Mayor Janice Daniels, who has been under fire since Friday for an anti-gay remark she made on her Facebook page, had been "let go" from her job at Century 21.

"That is absolutely false," Dan Kersten, manager of the Century 21 Town & Country office in Troy, said Wednesday evening.

"She has not been let go. She voluntarily put her license in escrow, so she’s not able to practice real estate.”

Kersten's statement matches the statement Daniels made Monday when she showed up to a student-led protest at City Hall, where she added, "I have suffered consequences, too."

“I’ve only met Janice a couple times, and I don’t know her very well," Kersten said. "She’s pretty much part time. She doesn’t even have a desk.”

Kersten said he did not know if or when Daniels would return, and chose not to make a statement regarding Daniels on behalf of Century 21 Town & Country.

The overflow crowd packed both council chambers and the adjacent meeting room with dozens of citizens lined up for public comment. Speaker after speaker took Daniels to task, while residents outside protested and called for her resignation.

The controversy stems from a June 25 Facebook post unearthed last week by the blog “Keep Troy Strong” -- in the post, Daniels wrote: "I think I am going to throw away my ‘I Love New York’ carrying bag now that queers can get married there."

"How can any citizen of Troy ever look at this mayor the same way?" asked resident Jeff Williams.

Williams, 26, went on to address the mayor directly, telling her “You don’t represent my values. I’m ashamed to have you represent the city.”

Earlier, as Daniels entered the Troy municipal building, a crowd of about 40 persons chanted for her removal.

The mayor paused and lectured the crowd on the meaning of forgiveness by saying, "True forgiveness means that you wipe the slate clean and allow the person to improve themselves from that point forward, so this is a very good lesson for all of us!"

After numerous persons pointed out that her demeanor appeared to indicate she wasn't truly sorry for her actions, the mayor responded with, "I'm a good person, I really am. I said one word that you don't like. One word."

After the Facebook post became public, Daniels told MLive.com, "I may have said something like that ... I probably shouldn’t have used that kind of language, but I do believe marriage should be between one man and one woman.”

Daniels added that while she’s opposed to gay marriage, and has moral issues with homosexuality, she doesn’t hate gay people.

“I love all people. I am human. That was probably a poor choice of words.”

Before the public comment session began, Daniels reiterated her apology, calling the incident "a poor choice of words."

But several residents told her that apology was insufficient and insincere.

One of the mayor's colleagues, City Councilman Dane Slater, said, "I'm gonna be the first to let you know that you are not the victim here. You sent me a memo apologizing but it gave me the sense that you think you're the victim here, and you are not the victim. The city is the victim."

Denise Brogan-Kator, the executive director of Equality Michigan, said in an open letter published in Troy Patch.com prior to the city council meeting:

When I saw that Troy Mayor Janice Daniels had posted on her Facebook page this summer that she was going to throw away her I Love NY bag “now that queers can get married there,” I was shocked and offended. Her choice of the slur “queers” was evidence that a person who is now an elected official harbors deep animosity toward the gay community, and had no qualms posting about it.

She may not have been mayor at the time, but I doubt that winning the election has done anything other than reinforce her obvious belief that she is better than the people she serves.

Now, having heard her excuse, I am even more deeply concerned, because it is a familiar and dangerous one. Ms. Daniels claims she was “expressing her personal belief that marriage is between one man and one woman.” Meaning, it is okay to degrade and dehumanize people if you are doing it based on a sincerely held moral conviction.

Does that sound familiar to you, too? Just a month ago, our state senate tried to protect school bullies based on the same justification. They passed a bill that exempted not just students, but also school employees and others, from any responsibility for bullying if it was based on a “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction.” It was, in essence, a license to bully. It was a national embarrassment and a shameful day for our state.

And now Ms. Daniels has shamed the City of Troy by attempting to hide behind the same excuse.

Michael Gregor, Director of Communications for Equality Michigan, told LGBTQ Nation on Tuesday, "This is an example of people holding their elected officials accountable and also making a statement that homophobia, particularly by those same officials is completely unacceptable."

Gregor said that his organization is frustrated with the mayor's lukewarm apology and seemingly insincere efforts, and hopes she will take a lead role in passage of an anti-discrimination bill to help protect Troy's LGBTQ citizens as a means to affirm her support for equality for all of Troy's citizens.

Daniels said she has no intention of resigning.

Janice Daniels

In an interview with MLive.com, Daniels acknowledged that she was responsible for the entry.

“I may have said something like that,” she said. “I probably shouldn’t have used that kind of language, but I do believe marriage should be between one man and one woman.”

[...]

Daniels added that while she’s opposed to gay marriage, and has moral issues with homosexuality, she doesn’t hate gay people.

“I love all people. I am human. That was probably a poor choice of words.”

MLive.com

Linda Kajma, 60, a 37-year Troy resident who said she voted for Daniels' opponent in the Nov. 8 election, said she was upset by the comment, reported the Detroit Free Press.

"She passed herself off as a Christian and a person of integrity during the campaign, and now the real Janice is showing her colors," Kajma said.

The Facebook entry was posted prior to Daniels entering the race for mayor; she won the election and her term commenced last month.

Equality Michigan noted that while the mayor is entitled to her opinion on same-sex marriage, allowing that also Daniels' message on Facebook was posted prior to her election as Troy mayor, Daniels' use of the word queer was inappropriate.

“When we start attacking each other with slurs, and degrading others as human beings, it crosses it line,” said Denise Brogan-Kator, Executive Director of Equality Michigan.

“She is entitled to her own free speech. Her use of the word queer in the context she used it is extremely offensive. I’m outraged that someone in a position of public authority would have those views, and would express them. I think it’s important that it doesn't go unnoticed," Brogan-Kator said.

The House bill requires all school districts have an anti-bullying policy – policies that must be reported to the Michigan Department of Education. The education department would then need to report to the Legislature on the status of the implementation of the policies. But House Democrats said more reporting is needed to determine if the policies are working.

Michigan lawmakers faced national criticism when the Senate passed its version of the bill on Nov. 2 that contained controversial language inserted by Senate Republicans that allowed for exceptions to the law for “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction.”

Critics blasted the original Senate bill, calling it a "license to bully."

The House version was intended as a compromise, although House Democrats said the bill — even though it received bipartisan support — does not go far enough.

The Senate's passage of the House version was met with mixed response.

“We’re thrilled that we were able to eliminate the destructive ‘license to bully’ that the Senate first approved in October. National outrage provoked by the last-minute substitution to allow bullying based on religious beliefs is a clear indicator that our Senate majority is out of touch with the voters.” said Emily Dievendorf, Director of Policy for Equality Michigan.

“That being said, we’re disappointed by the weak version of the bill passed today. Directed by the biases of a few, our Senate missed another opportunity to do right by our kids. Today’s bill will do little to stem the tide of bullying because it doesn’t enumerate commonly targeted characteristics.

Case studies have found that school employees are unlikely to recognize and report incidents when bias bullying is not placed deliberately on their radar. Both Oregon and Washington passed weak bills like this one and had to go back and revise them years later when data showed the initial bills had failed. This kind of delay is not an acceptable response to Michigan's bullying crisis.” Dievendorf added.

The bill, HB 4163, was passed in the House on Nov. 10 by a vote of 88-18, and in the Senate on Tuesday by a vote of 35-2.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is reported to be "very likely" to sign the legislation.

The bill, HB 4163, passed in the House Bill by a vote of 88-18, and now goes back to the state Senate for consideration.

Michigan lawmakers have faced criticism nationwide since the Senate passed its version of the bill on Nov. 2. The House version is intended as a compromise, although House Democrats said the bill -- even though it received bipartisan support -- does not go far enough.

The House bill requires all districts have an anti-bullying policy – policies that must be reported to the Michigan Department of Education. The education department would then need to report to the Legislature on the status of the implementation of the policies. But House Democrats said more reporting is needed to determine if the policies are working.

“We owe our children more,” said Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit). “They deserve more protection than this bill offers.”

Detroit Free Press

Emily Dievendorf, Director of Policy for Equality Michigan, said that Michigan needs enumerated legislation that includes reporting requirements.

“We applaud the House Democrats for trying to add the language necessary to make this bill effective. Unfortunately, Republican pressure to pass a useless bill blocked those efforts. The research is clear and we have plenty examples of effective anti-bullying legislation, but House leaders have ignored them.

Dievendorf said that Equality Michigan opposes the bill because it will not provide comprehensive protection for Michigan students.

"HB 4163 does not incorporate best practices used around the nation and provides little direction for local school districts," she said.

“Equality Michigan calls on Michigan Senators to put partisan politics aside in favor of doing what’s best for all Michigan students when this bill comes to them. We can’t afford to waste any additional time on the weak version of this bill that doesn't address the destructive problem of bullying in our schools.”

Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) has called on the Senate to take immediate action of the the bill instead of taking a planned two-week break.

In a new video, Whitmer and Michigan children are speaking out against the anti-bullying bill passed last week that contained a last minute addition by senate Republicans that essentially nullified the bill by allowing an exception to the law for “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction of a school employee, school volunteer, pupil, or a pupil’s parent or guardian.”

"Shamefully, Michigan is one of only three states that has not enacted strong protections for our kids," Whitmer says. Watch:

The bill — “Matt’s Safe School Law,” named for Matt Eppling, an East Lansing 14-year-old who committed suicide after being bullied by classmates in 2002 — was passed in the state senate last week.

It would require school districts to develop anti-bullying policies, but the last minute addition included a clause that schools’ policies can’t “prohibit a statement of a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction.”

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan blasted the bill, calling it “a joke” that language in the measure appears to allow bullying on religious and moral grounds.

The bill is now pending consideration by the state House.

A petition has been launched at Change.org, urging the House to reject the exclusion in the bill's current language.

Anti-gay activists petitioned to repeal the ordinance through a ballot initiative.

Because state law does not prohibit such discrimination, 15 municipalities across Michigan have passed measures similar to Traverse City’s.

Statewide and national studies consistently show that gay and transgender people face high levels of discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. Last month, pro-equality advocates launched a campaign asking lawmakers to update the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

“We applaud Traverse City voters for choosing to treat residents fairly and equally. Voter turnout was the highest we've seen in Traverse City municipal elections in years -- which affirms that Michigan residents are more than willing to support pro-equality policy," said Denise Brogan-Kator, Executive Director of Equality Michigan, in a statement.

"All hardworking people in our state, including gay and transgender people, should have the chance to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. Nobody should have to live in fear that they can be legally fired for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance," Brogan-Kator said.

"While this is certainly a victory, we are concerned about legislation introduced in Lansing that would effectively void inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances. House Bill 5039 would roll back progress and limit a city’s ability to pass ordinances that are better than our outdated state law. We’re calling on local leaders throughout the state to stand up and oppose this bill.”

The bill was approved by a 26-11, party-line vote and now advances to the Republican-led House.

Matt Eppling

Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing), took to the floor angrily denouncing the legislation, and told the GOP majority that instead of trying to protect kids, "you're putting them in more danger."

Whitmer, outraged, told her senatorial colleagues, "You have explicitly outlined how to get away with bullying!"

Whitmer was referring to the change in the measure's language which includes a section noting it doesn't abridge First Amendment free speech rights or prohibit expression of religious or moral viewpoints — a provision the minority leader said could be used to justify harassment of LGBTQ students.

The bill -- named for Matt Eppling (above), an East Lansing 14-year-old who committed suicide after being bullied by classmates in 2002 -- requires school districts to develop anti-bullying policies, but the last minute addition included a clause that schools' policies can't "prohibit a statement of a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction."

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan blasted the bill, calling it “a joke” that language in the measure appears to allow bullying on religious and moral grounds.

“There should never be an excuse or reason or justification for anyone to bully, intimidate, or harass a student. I cannot imagine any real moral conviction or religious teaching that says it acceptable to inflict pain, humiliation, and suffering on another person, especially a child,” Flanagan said.

Bob McCann, Communications Director for Sen. Whitmer, told LGBTQ Nation that none of the Senate Democrats knew about the change in the language, as it was introduced only a half hour before the vote.

McCann noted that any "good intention the GOP may have had was ruined by the change in the bill's language" and lamented that the measure "nullified all of the hard work that supporters, particularly all of the kids who came to Lansing to lobby for the bill, had put into getting it through the legislature."

“Shockingly, Senate Bill 137 will do more harm than good, said Emily Dievendorf, Director of Policy for Equality Michigan.

"Senate Republicans left our students behind in favor of partisan politics and passed a bill that actually allows more bullying," she said. "Students and parents expect lawmakers to lead the charge against bullying, but instead Republicans made ideology more important than school safety.”

Whitmer also read a letter from Kevin Eppling, Matt's father, in which he wrote, "I am ashamed that this could be Michigan's bill on anti-bullying, when in fact it is a 'bullying is OK in Michigan law.'"

Kevin Epling issued a plea Thursday for the House to reject the Republicans' bill.

"I'm ashamed of this law," he said in a video posted on YouTube. "They have tarnished the person whom it is named after. It does not reflect our beliefs nor Matt's beliefs."

Whitmer's statement before the Senate is here; watch:

It is the latest in a flurry of litigation between Shirvell and Chris Armstrong, the openly gay former University of Michigan student body president, whom Gordon is representing.

Andrew Shirvell

Shirvell filed the lawsuit late Friday in U.S. District Court, and is seeking more than $75,000 in damages, reported the Detroit Free-Press.

Armstrong has sued Shirvell for defamation for statements Shirvell made on a website attacking Armstrong because he is gay.

For six months, Shirvell waged an online campaign against Armstrong, and used his blog to continuously attack and harass Armstrong, calling him a “racist, elitist and liar,” and “Satan’s representative on the student assembly.”

Armstrong was the first openly gay student body president at U-M during his term last year, and has since graduated. Armstrong’s suit claims Shirvell “developed a bizarre personal obsession” with him in early 2010 after claiming the student was a radical homosexual activist.

Both Armstrong and Gordon have also asked the state bar to strip Shirvell’s law license. Shirvell has counter-sued Armstrong, and followed that with the suit now against Gordon.

“As my complaint makes clear, I have uncovered a significant amount of information during the past year that shows that Deborah Gordon has deliberately set out to destroy me by any means necessary,” Shirvell said in a news release.

In the lawsuit, Shirvell details a number of connections he says Gordon has with people at the attorney general’s office, including with the investigator the department, under then-attorney general Mike Cox, used to investigate Shirvell.

In November 2010, Shirvell was fired for “abusing” the powers of his office, for using his work computer to write his blog and for lying to investigators.

"Shirvell has a history of trying desperately to smear people, so this is no surprise," Gordon said on Tuesday. "His complaint is absurd and without any factual or legal basis."

Shirvell recently lost a motion in federal court seeking to have a good chunk of Armstrong’s suit against him tossed out.

House Bills 4770 and 4771, approved by the House of Representatives in a 64-44 vote in September and then by the Senate Committee on Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing last week would prohibit any government entity in the state from providing such benefits.

Several public entities, representing tens of thousands of workers, currently provide such benefits for domestic partners of employees, including the State of Michigan, at least 10 public universities, at least 5 city and county governments, and at least 3 public school districts.

U-M Latin professor Sara Ahbel-Rappe said that if bill 4770 passes there will likely be a large exodus of professors who leave the university, reported Ann-Arbor.com.

“It’s a total slap in the face. It tells me that I don’t deserve the same consideration” as heterosexual couples, she said. “People will leave.”

Ahbel-Rappe and six other professors authored a letter to Gov. Rick Synder asking him not to sign bill 4770 if passed by the senate. The letter calls the bill discriminatory and says it will negatively affect staff recruitment at the university.

U-M officials are also concerned about the bill’s effects. Nearly all of U-M’s competitors offer benefits to same-sex partners. So do most Fortune 500 companies.

“These benefits are important for the successful recruitment and retention of our top-flight faculty and staff,” said Cynthia Wilbanks, U-M’s vice president of government relations. “We’re in competition on a lot of levels, this would be an added competitive disadvantage.”

Wilbanks said the university is actively lobbying politicians in Lansing.

Will it be enough? “If the bill gets to the senate floor there will be a vigorous debate ..." she said, "but over a long career, I have learned not to speculate.”

Ann-Arbor.com

Sonya Alvarado, president of the Eastern Michigan University Federation of Teachers union, said the bill sends the wrong message to college students.

"The message we would be sending to our students if this goes through is a negative one," she said. "The university is about inclusion. The university is about open discussion. This bill just goes against everything that the university is about."

House Bills 4770 and 4771, approved by the Committee on Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing, would also prohibit any government entity in the state from providing such benefits, and prohibit unions from including them in collective bargaining agreements.

Emily Dievendorf, Director of Policy for Equality Michigan, released this statement:

“Republican lawmakers continue to attack hardworking gay and transgender people rather than focusing on real issues. They are ignoring best practices in business and promoting a hostile environment for gay and lesbian couples. We hope that voters questions where lawmakers’ real priorities are."

“Tens of thousands of public and private employees in our state have access to health care benefits for domestic partners – this legislation, if passed, would have a devastating impact. This is a crucial issue for Michigan – do we really want to be known as a state with such a regressive legislature that we deny equal access to health care benefits?

Michigan Republicans are ready to close the door for gay and lesbian couples who want to live here – even if it means dictating human resources policy for local governments.”

Several public entities, representing tens of thousands of workers, currently provide such benefits for domestic partners of employees, including the State of Michigan, at least 10 public universities, at least 5 city and county governments, and at least 3 public school districts.

The Michigan House of Representatives passed the bills by a vote of 64-44 in September.

Chris Armstrong (left), and Andrew Shirvell

“You’re basically at the beginning of the lawsuit trying to get to the end,” said U.S. District Judge Arthur Tarnow. “You’re wasting a lot of energy.”

Shirvell waged an online campaign against the University of Michigan’s openly gay former student body president, Christopher Armstrong. Last April, Armstrong, 21, filed a lawsuit against Shirvell, seeking more than $25,000 in damages.

Armstrong’s suit claimed Shirvell “developed a bizarre personal obsession” with him in early 2010 after claiming the student was a radical homosexual activist. The suit also says that Shirvell accused him of getting minors to drink alcohol and trying recruit others to become homosexuals.

Shirvell used his blog to continuously attack and harass Armstrong, calling him a “racist, elitist and liar,” and “Satan’s representative on the student assembly.”

Shirvell, who is representing himself, was appearing before Tarnow filing several motions to throw out the majority of a lawsuit filed against him by Armstrong. Shirvell claimed he was just exercising his First Amendment rights. In his counter-suit, he states that Armstrong pursued a “course of action” against him “to make an example out of (me) in order to deter others from criticizing (Armstrong’s) homosexual activist agenda.”

Shirvell maintains he’s the victim and that Armstrong is responsible for his recent professional troubles, including being fired by the state Attorney General’s Office in November 2010 for using his state computer to update the blog and then lying to investigators about it.

In court Wednesday, Shirvell argued that he made no effort to inflict intentional emotional harm on Armstrong and that none of his criticisms of the college student were over the line of acceptable criticism.

Tarnow dismissed the motions saying that a jury would decide on the merits of the suit and that after his review of its allegations, and that in his opinion there was more than enough to move it forward to a jury trail.

“They are so many allegations that even if one of these are (true) you’ll be going to trial,” the judge told Shirvell, repeatedly denied motions to knock out parts of Armstrong’s suit.

Tarnow told Shirvell he had proven the adage that it’s "not wise" to represent oneself in court.

Outside court, Shirvell told the Detroit Free Press that "he plans to keep fighting and will file more motions to try to get the suit tossed before it gets to the jury trial phase."

The Detroit Free Press also reported that "both sides have been fighting in court document filings over depositions and what questions each side must answer. Shirvell has asked Tarnow to compel Armstrong to answer questions about his sex life and religious beliefs."