On Thursday, October 7th, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates will host the 11th annual Out & Equal Workplace Awards Dinner at the Los Angeles Convention Center as part of this year’s Out & Equal Workplace Summit. The “Outie” Awards recognize individuals and organizations for exceptional achievements on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Entry forms are now available for the fourth annual Venango Digital Film Festival. VDFF is seeking short films of any genre or subject to compete for cash prizes. Prizes of $300, $200, and $100 will be awarded to the top entries in the open division, plus a youth division cash winner and a People’s Choice Award will be given. Deadline for entry is August 6, 2010. The entry form and full contest details are available at www.vdff.org.
July 8, 2010, Los Angeles, CA - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today congratulated the openly LGBT actors as well as the creative teams of several LGBT-inclusive television programs that received nominations for the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
In a scene reminiscent of the recent racist smear campaign against public servant Shirley Sherrod, the Potter County Tea Party in rural northern Pennsylvania has launched an attack on a local public library simply for being the site of a screening of the award-winning PBS documentary filmOUT IN THE SILENCE, and is attempting to vilify a conservative Christian pastor who appears in the film.
New York, NY, July 12, 2010-- In a full page ad running in today’s Variety Magazine, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) the Black AIDS Institute and the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) call on the ABC Television Network and its popular morning program The View, to correct misinformation put forth on the June 22 edition of the show.
NEW YORK, July 14, 2010 – As jury selection for the murder trial of Lawrence “Larry” King’s attacker, Brandon McInerney, is began on July 14 in Ventura County, Calif., GLSEN is deeply saddened by the loss of two young lives to homophobia.
“I know that when you’re in the midst of a great movement of change it seems like it is glacial, but any fair assessment, from my perspective, having lived longer than at least more than 75 percent of you that I see in this room, is that it is extraordinary what has happened in such a short period of time.”
– U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at her official “LGBT Month” event, June 22.
Win The Road Home, by award-winning author Michael Thomas Ford. Erie Gay News is giving away 5 copies! To enter the contest, fill out the form here from July 16 though August 6.
It’s the "Season of Love" at the Erie Playhouse as they present the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Rent August 5-28. The musical follows a group of young artists who live in New York's East Village during the 1990s. http://www.siteforrent.com/home.php Rent is a passionate story of friendship and love that challenges many tough subjects like AIDS, poverty, homophobia and drug addiction.
The car won’t start. The bicycle has a flat tire. Your neighbor left for work 20 minutes ago. The bus line is 14blocks away. The number for the cab company has been busy forever. Your pulse quickens, sweat beads on your forehead, you furrow your brow, and you realize you may have to….WALK! Loosen your tie and put on those sneakers and “Walk Like a Man”. It’s going to be different today!
If you are interested in sharing your story, please send your submission to the address listed below. By submitting your story, you agree to have your story published and also that you allow us to use the information in the anthology as a tool. No monetary royalty will be given to those who have submitted stories. The AGLBTOA Anthology Committee reserves the right to edit for spelling and grammatical errors. We also reserve the right to withold stories that we do not feel are fit for the audience of the anthology from the book.
Earlier tonight, Bilerico.com broke the story that at today's anti-gay National Organization for Marriage rally in Indianapolis, a NOM supporter called for the murder of gay couples. The supporter's sign states that the "Solution to Marriage" is that gay people should "be put to death" and quotes Leviticus 20:13 ("Their blood shall be upon them"). In case his quotation was not clear enough, the sign includes an image of two nooses. The sign states the NOM supporter's name and address: Larry Adams, from Cross Bearer Ministry in Indianapolis.
Social group for lesbian, bisexual and transgendered women. Meets the 2nd Sunday of month at Presque Isle Gallery Coffeehouse. Contact: Laurie Finch. Phone: (814) 452-6645, cell 450-8804). Email: lbtwomen-owner@eriegaynews.com. For details on these events, visit http://womynoferie.wetpaint.com/
HELENA, MT — Seven committed same-sex couples on July 22 filed a lawsuit against the state of Montana for failing to provide legal protections to same-sex couples and their families in violation of the Montana Constitution’s rights of privacy, dignity and the pursuit of life’s basic necessities and its guarantees of equal protection and due process. The goal of this lawsuit is ensure that same-sex couples are able to protect their families with the same kind of legal protections that opposite-sex couples are offered through marriage.
TRENTON, N.J., July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- In a state where the Governor and several conservative activists have endorsed the civil union law as a way to avoid marriage equality - saying the civil union law already provides equality to New Jersey's same-sex couples - Garden State Equality has just released a damning two-and-half-minute video in which state Senators who voted against marriage equality confess that the civil union law has failed.
NEW YORK, July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Logo announced today that it has acquired the off-cable syndication rights to the groundbreaking dramatic series "Nip/Tuck" in a four-year licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. This deal marks the premiere for the series in syndication. The agreement includes all 100 episodes spanning the complete seven seasons of the Golden Globe® Award-winning and multiple Emmy® Award-nominated drama.
When you read about the rich and famous “going spiritual”, e.g., going to meditation retreats, studying Buddhism in India, reading (and writing) Spiritual/New Age/Personal Growth books, what the hell is going on? Is this a true search for dealing with pain and suffering or is it mere New Age quackery? Is it just another way to make a buck, or is there really something valuable there?
NEW YORK, July 13 — A coalition of New York City elected officials and organizations today released a report that documents the hate-motivated violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Puerto Rico. This report comes out just a week after the most recent transgender victim was found shot to death in Loíza, Puerto Rico. In the past eight months, seven LGBT individuals have been killed on the island.
WASHINGTON – In a critical acknowledgment of the discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS, the Obama administration today, in its newly released strategy, emphasized the government’s responsibility to enforce nondiscrimination laws and made clear that education about the transmission of HIV is crucial to fighting the stigma that many living with HIV face. The administration’s strategy is aimed at reducing HIV infections, redirecting resources to alleviate health disparities of those infected with HIV and increasing the accessibility and quality of health care.
Over 20 people marched as a part of the GLBT community in the Millcreek 4th of July Parade, which was held on Saturday, July 3. Although this was the fifth year that there was a GLBT presence, previously, we had marched as part of the peace and justice contingent. The organizers for the parade were unfailingly gracious and supportive. Quite a few groups were represented, including Erie Gay News, LBT Women of Erie, PFLAG - Erie and Crawford Counties, Erie Gay Pride, and members, friends and supporters of the community.
Nyya, do you work with polyamorists? My girlfriend warned me she was poly when we met three years ago, and I said I was fine with it- I’m quite open minded- but now that she’s in love with a co-worker and wants us both, I’m finding it harder to accept than I thought I would.” B.D.
On Sunday, July 8, 80 people gathered at Butler's Alameda Park to share in a picnic sponsored by Persad Center's "Community Safe Zone Project" (CSZP) and Butler County PFLAG. CSZP is a program of Persad Center which provides GLBTQI community building projects and events to non-urban areas outside of Pittsburgh. Directed by Ted Hoover of Persad, this new program and Butler County PFLAG sponsored a showing of "Out in the Silence" in May.
Win a pair of tickets to Rent at The Erie Playhouse. We are giving away 4 pairs of tickets to the Erie Playhouse premiere of this rock musical. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from July 20 through August 3. Winners can pick up their tickets at the Erie Playhouse box office at 13 W 10th St.
On July 8th, the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh visited Craze nightclub in Erie for a town hall and training session about working with elected officials on Pennsylvania LGBT rights issues.
BOSTON – In two related cases, a federal district court in Massachusetts has ruled that critical portions of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) violate the federal Constitution. In striking down the section of the statute that bars federal legal protections to legally married same-sex couples, Judge Joseph Tauro found that the law violates states’ rights to define marriage and violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause by treating married same-sex couples differently from married different-sex couples. Prior to the passage of DOMA, the federal government always recognized the states’ right to define marriage. The cases were brought by the Massachusetts attorney general and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD).
WASHINGTON, July 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A coalition of Congressional leaders joined Immigration Equality and advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) immigrant families on Capitol Hill today to press for passage of an immigration reform measure which would end discrimination against the LGBT community. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus all expressed support for a legislative package which includes the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and the Reuniting Families Act (RFA). The UAFA and RFA include provisions to allow LGBT Americans to sponsor their foreign-born partners for residency in the United States.
NEW YORK, July 14, 2010 – GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, will honor the hit ABC show “Modern Family” at the Respect Awards – Los Angeles, Presented by Centropolis Entertainment, on Oct. 8 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Also being honored are Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and the GLSEN Educator of the Year, presented by Sodexo.
WASHINGTON, July 20 — The White House Middle Class Task Force and Council on Women and Girls today unveiled recommendations from the Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force aimed at ending pay inequity and discrimination. The recommendations are related to the 2009 passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which helps women who face wage discrimination recover their lost wages. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey joined leaders of women’s and labor groups for the release of the recommendations, which include ways to better inform employees about their rights and improve coordination among enforcement agencies. Advocates and officials also urged the Senate to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which will help ensure people who do equal work receive equal pay.
Since 1894, the taunt “Sticks and stones may ‘break’ my bones but words will never hurt me,” has resounded across playgrounds and school hallways. Time has taught us bones will heal but emotional wounds not so easily.
NEW YORK, July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Logo, the entertainment network for gays, lesbians, their families and friends announced today that pop icon Kylie Minogue will host the 100th episode of NewNowNext PopLab, the destination for up-and-coming party music in all its forms, on Tuesday, August 3 at 7/6C.
Los Angeles, CA, July 23, 2010 - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today released its fourth annual Network Responsibility Index (NRI), a report that maps the quantity, quality and diversity of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people on television. Primetime programming on the five broadcast networks was evaluated as well as original primetime programming on 10 of the highest-rated cable networks.
Freedom to Marry sat down with a number of political leaders this spring, including Kirsten Gillibrand and Cory Booker, to hear why they support the freedom to marry. The videos are now online.
WASHINGTON, July 6 — Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle today vetoed a bill that would have granted same-sex and opposite-sex couples the right to enter into civil unions. The legislation passed the state House on April 29 by a 31–20 vote and the state Senate on Jan. 22 by an 18–7 vote.
We are writing to express how extremely troubled we are that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has not yet been scheduled for a vote by the full House of Representatives. We believe a floor vote must be scheduled for ENDA immediately.
Youngstown, Ohio Pride Center’s summer picnic is August 28, 2010 at Lake Milton in the Craig Beach area from noon till 6pm (?). We are asking picnicners to bring a covered dish or a dessert. Hotdogs and hamburgers and soft drinks will be provided by the Mahoning Valley Pride Center. Call for info Terry (330) 788-1142 or email questions terranceesarco@yahoo.com
New York, N.Y. and Washington, D.C. - July 13, 2010 - As media trends accelerate towards citizen-journalism and blogger-created news content, a new national survey again validates that gay and lesbian adults online today are among the nation's most loyal and heaviest blog readers and social network users.
Noted country singer Chely Wright recently came out as a lesbian, a first for a performer in that genre. Check out the interview below. Also, Chely Wright sings "Like Me" from her new album,. "It’s clear in this song that it’s about me in a relationship with a woman," she told Ellen DeGeneres. She calls it "the musical centerpiece of all these songs we’ve been working on."
ABERDEEN, MS – Itawamba County School District officials agreed to have a judgment entered against them in the case of a recent high school graduate who sued her school for canceling the prom rather than let her attend with her girlfriend. The agreement ends a precedent-setting lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of 18-year-old Constance McMillen, who suffered humiliation and harassment after parents, students and school officials executed a cruel plan to put on a “decoy” prom for her while the rest of her classmates were at a private prom 30 miles away.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans, announced that its founder and Executive Director, Alexander Nicholson, will testify today as the lead witness in the lawsuit brought by the Log Cabin Republicans to challenge the constitutionality of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. The case, which is being tried in federal court in Riverside, California, seeks to have the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law declared unconstitutional and all discharges under the law enjoined.
I attended a church-related college which required every student to take a freshman course in introduction to Christianity. It was called something like Religion 101. The professor was an older man who was strict and dogmatic in his religious beliefs.
From Gay Rights blog at Change.org, by Michael Jones: Put your Evita soundtrack on this morning, and head on down to the track "A New Argentina." There's a line in that song, "A new Argentina, the chains of the masses untied!" How apt, given that in the middle of the night, Argentina's Senate cast a historic vote breaking the chains of inequality that the country's gays and lesbians have faced when it comes to civil rights under the law. In a 33-27 vote, Argentina now becomes the first Latin American country to fully recognize marriage equality.
New York, NY, July 8, 2010- The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today praised NBC's decision to open the Today Show's "Modern Day Wedding" Contest to same-sex couples. This afternoon, after GLAAD met with NBC executives and shared our community's concerns, the network agreed to the changes.
For the only community worldwide deprived of its history at home, in public schools and religious institutions, GLBT History Month teaches our heritage, provides role models, builds community, and celebrates our extraordinary contributions. Each day in October 2010, an Icon is featured with a video, biography, bibliography, downloadable images and other educational resources. The resources for GLBT History Month 2010 Icons will be available at www.glbtHistoryMonth.com. The 124 Icons with resources for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are archived on the site.
From ACLU Blog of Rights: Pediatrics, the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, has published online a groundbreaking study from a research project that has measured the psychological health from conception to adolescence of children raised in a cohort of lesbian families. It is the largest and longest running longitudinal study of the children of lesbian parents, and will continue until the children reach adulthood. In U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study: Psychological Adjustment of 17-year-old Adolescents, lead author Nanette Gartrell and coauthor Henny Bos report that the children in the study were rated significantly higher (using a standardized survey instrument) than an age-matched national sample on the following measures: social, school/academic and total competence. In addition, they were rated significantly lower in social problems, rule-breaking, and aggressive and externalizing problem behavior. Read the study as a PDF.
Dreams of Hope is hosting an overnight arts camp from August 17 - 20th for LGBTA youth ages 13-17. The camp will be held at the Emma Kaufmann Camp on Cheat Lake near Morganton, West Virginia. Cost is $500 per camper, which includes: Three meals a day plus snacks, all camp activities (ropes course, swimming, water skiing, arts and crafts, special Dreams of Hope workshops and more!!!), round-trip transportation from Pittsburgh to camp and memories that will last a lifetime. You can register here.
Need based scholarships available upon request. For more information or to register go to http://dreamsofhope.org/camp.aspx. Registration deadline Aug. 1, 2010.
Special Thanks to our individual donors, MUKTI Fund and Persad Center for your support!
WASHINGTON, July 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A coalition of organizations and leaders from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), immigrants' rights, civil rights and faith communities issued the following statement today as members of Congress gathered on Capitol Hill to call for passage of immigration reform legislation that ends discrimination against LGBT binational families:
For quite a few years, Erie Gay News has listed birthdays for our friends and supporters on the left sidebar at the Erie Gay News web site. We believe that it is important to recognize people on their special day as a way of emphasizing that we are a friendly and caring community. We having expanded this by also posting birthdays for the current day to both our Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/ErieGayNews) as well as the Erie Gay News group on Facebook. Please feel free to add your birthday here!
MONTCLAIR, N.J., July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's procedural decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court, voting 3 to 3 not to take the marriage equality case directly and all but inviting our side to initiate a new case at trial, is, of course, profoundly disappointing. Today's decision represents a delay until the Court hears how the civil union law has devastated same-sex families and their children. And any time justice is delayed, justice is denied.
July 13, 2010—Pittsburgh, PA—The Western Pennsylvania Advocacy Initiative has announced that they have changed the name of the project to Equality Partners of Western Pennsylvania.
In the early sixties I spent a lot of time, like most teens, trying to figure out who I was. My best resource was the library. The section where I found the most relevant information was Criminology.
Issue #1 of
the print edition of the current run of Erie Gay News is out as of Thursday, July 22, 2010!
You can pick
it up at several locations. You can also read the articles here.
Venango Digital Film Festival
GLAAD
Out in the Silence
Erie Playhouse
AGLBTOA Coming Out
LBT Women of Erie
Report on Vioence
PFLAG Butler County
Delta Foundation
Immigration Equality
Pride at Work
Mahoning Valley Pride Center
Servicemembers United
Erie Sisters
GLBT History Month
Register here!
Add Your Birthday!
