Family-to-Family Education Program Spring 2012 Class

Family-to-Family is a free, 12-week education course starting Monday, March 5 for family members and caregivers of loved ones with mental illness, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  This course increases empowerment, reduces burden in the home, and increases family stability. The Family-to-Family program also provides education about mental illness, understanding of the mental health system, and self-care for the family member. Additionally, the program covers topics on current research, empathy skills, communication techniques, crisis strategies, and guidance on available resources.

GLAAD 'Stands Up For Ellen DeGeneres' after Designated Hate Group Demands J.C. Penney Fire Her

New York, NY, February 1, 2012 - GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today called on community members and allies to stand up for Ellen DeGeneres and tell J.C. Penney that the company made the right choice in selecting her as its new spokesperson.

Blacks Should Stand With Gays on Marriage Equality

From Baltimore Sun: The 400-year advancement of African-Americans from chattel, to sharecroppers, to second-class citizens under Jim Crow, to our current status as emancipated citizens in today's democracy is one of the most powerful and transformative — although incomplete — stories in world history.

FBI Definitions of Rape Catch Up to the Rest of Us

For more than 80 years, the FBI has only recognized one scenario as rape:  a man forcing intercourse on a woman who is physically resisting him. 

Bipartisan 'Mayors for the Freedom to Marry' Launches

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Freedom to Marry, the campaign to win marriage nationwide, is launching Mayors for the Freedom to Marry at a press conference held at the 80th annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington, D.C. Mayors for the Freedom to Marry is a bipartisan group of 80 mayors who have pledged to support the freedom of same-sex couples to marry.

Michael Dithers

Congrats to Greg Rabb on again elected to Jamestown NY City Council President, Katherine Brown remembered, Bear Bar Night went well; Mercyhurst events; Pride Planning; Get well wishes for puppy Diva; congrats to Joe Sinnott; Rick Santorum wants loads of C.U.M (snerk); and a lovely holiday present from Mom!

Ohio Mayors Join Freedom to Marry Campaign

Columbus, OH -- Six Ohio Mayors are among a growing list of local officials who have joined Freedom to Marry’s “Mayors for the Freedom to Marry” campaign, which supports marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Pennsylvania LGBTQ Youth Leaders Meet at Penn State; Reform Statewide LGBTQ Youth Organization

State College, PA— From January 13-15, 2012, Pennsylvania LGBTQ youth leaders as the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) held their second winter convening at Penn State University - University Park. This statewide organization of LGBTQ youth leaders met over three days to evaluate the structure and roles of individuals within the organization.

Gov. Christie sees LGBT future; Santorum wears George Wallace drag

This columnist has been preaching for over a year now, but particularly during this primary season, that America is changing — in favor of LGBT rights and equality. That change was never so true as in Monday’s announcement from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Here’s how AP reported it

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services releases update of steps to improve health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released a summary update of actions it has taken to promote the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people throughout HHS programs and activities

U.S. Defense Contractor Protects LGBT Employees From Harassment After 50,000 Sign Petition

WASHINGTON, DC – After more than 50,000 people signed a popular online petition urging DynCorp International to protect gay employees from harassment, the U.S. defense contractor announced it is adding sexual orientation and gender identity to its workplace nondiscrimination policies.

ABC Cancels "Work It" After Two Episodes

Los Angeles, CA, January 14, 2012 - Today ABC announced that the series “Work It” has been cancelled after two episodes. GLAAD and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy organizations including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) had spoken out against the series for its potential to cause harm to transgender people. The series debuted on January 3, 2012 to low ratings, and, according to Entertainment Weekly, dropped another 20 percent this week.

Erie-West Regional Meeting for LGBTQIA Youth

Please join us at Edinboro University for a meeting of the LGBTQIA groups of the Erie-West Region. Identity, Edinboro's LGBTQIA group, is hosting this meeting Thursday, February 16th in the Pogue Student Center at EUP (specific room number will be posted soon). Edinboro, Behrend, Allegheny, Mercyhurst, Gannon, Clarion, Clarion-Venango, Westminster, and any other willing campuses will be represented at this meeting.

Golden State Warrior’s COO Rick Welts and Houston Mayor Annise Parker to Receive 2012 Out & Equal Advocacy Awards

January 18, 2012— Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is pleased to announce that Rick Welts, President and Chief of Operations of the Golden State Warriors, and Houston Mayor Annise Parker will be honored with 2012 Out & Equal Advocacy Awards.

Freedom to Marry: NOM is 'All Bark and No Bite' in Washington State

(New York, NY, January 18, 2012) – Today, in response to a threat by the so-called National Organization for Marriage to spend $250,000 ousting Republican legislators in Washington state who vote for the freedom to marry, Thalia Zepatos, Director of Public Engagement at Freedom to Marry, released the following statement:

GLAAD Announces Nominess for 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards

Los Angeles, CA, January 19, 2012 - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, announced today the nominees for its 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards. By recognizing and honoring media for outstanding images of the LGBT community, the GLAAD Media Awards serve as a benchmark for the media industry and complement GLAAD’s work to bring LGBT images and stories to Americans.

GLSEN, Ad Council Announce 'Think Before You Speak' TV Ads to Air at Super Bowl XLVI

NEW YORK – February 1, 2012 – The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and The Ad Council today announced the award-winning “Think Before You Speak” public service announcements (PSA) will appear at Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, Feb. 5. GLSEN will become the first LGBT organization in the country to share its PSA campaign targeting anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) language among teens with Super Bowl attendees at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.

Sexual Language

I didn’t like living with my father growing up and can’t imagine sharing a home with someone so essentially different from myself as an adult. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with guys, and I feel much more akin to gay male friends than to non-gay male friends. We’re just not compatible. The energy, for me, is akin to two magnets turned the wrong way – they very forcefully repel rather than attract.

GLSEN Releases Toolkit to Prepare Teachers for Teaching About Respect in Elementary Schools

NEW YORK – Jan. 18, 2012 – The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) today released a new toolkit, Ready, Set, Respect! to help elementary educators ensure that all students feel safe and respected and develop respectful attitudes and behaviors. The GLSEN resource provides a set of tools to help educators prepare themselves for teaching about respect to students at the elementary school level.

Win Screen World 62 edited by Barry Monush from Applause Books

Win Screen World 62 edited by Barry Monush from Applause Books! Erie Gay News is giving away 1 copy of this celebrated compendium. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from January 24 through February 14.

Transgender Law Center Condemns Threat of Violence from TN Lawmaker

Transgender Law Center, a civil rights organization advocating for equal protections for transgender individuals, condemns the vicious attack by Tennessee Representative Richard Floyd (R-Chattanooga) on transgender women and calls on him to apologize for inciting violence against everyday, hardworking Tennesseans.

All About Smiles

A smile is worth a thousand friends! In the last column I talked about how a smile should be one of those things you really aim to use this year to help keep you healthy. I shall spend all of this week’s ink elaborating on the great healthy effects of a fantastic smile.

Win Party Groove: White Party 12 by DJ Wayne G from Centaur Entertainment

Win Party Groove: White Party 12 mixed by DJ Wayne G from Centaur Entertainment! Erie Gay News is giving away downloads of this compilation to 20 lucky winners! To enter the contest, fill out the form here from January 27 through February 17.

GLSEN Releases Groundbreaking Study of Bias, Bullying and Homophobia in Grades K-6

NEW YORK – Jan. 18, 2012 – The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) today released a new report on school climate, biased remarks and bullying, Playgrounds and Prejudice: Elementary School Climate in the United States. The report, based on national surveys of 1,065 elementary school students in 3rd to 6th grade and 1,099 elementary school teachers of K-6th grade, examines students’ and teachers’ experiences with biased remarks and bullying, and their attitudes about gender expression and family diversity. The surveys were conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of GLSEN during November and December 2010.

Polis, Quigley Call for Investigation of Immigrant Detention Abuse

WASHINGTON—Following repeated reports of sexual abuse in the immigration detention system by the Heartland Alliance, Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) and Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigate and offer possible remedies to improve conditions at Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities and those with which they contract. According to government documents, nearly 200 allegations of abuse from detainees in detention facilities across the nation have been reported to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) since 2007. Many of these incidents have involved LGBT immigrants.

CALL TO ACTION: NBJC Calls For Hate Crime Investigation in FAMU Hazing Death

WASHINGTON, D.C., JANUARY 10, 2012 - On November 19, 2011 Florida A&M University student Robert Champion Jr. was found unresponsive aboard a band bus after the school's biggest game of the year. Police ruled the death a homicide from hazing; furthermore, the parents of Mr. Champion, a 26-year-old drum major in the university’s famed marching band, have recently revealed that Mr. Champion was gay. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s largest Black LGBT civil rights organization, is urging the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) and Civil Rights Division, in addition to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, to launch an immediate investigation into Mr. Champion’s death as a potential anti-gay hate crime.

Is GBT Happiness Different from Hetero Happiness?

In a world where multi-national corporations and governments devote themselves to promoting made-up realities, we may genuinely wonder what world we are living in.  If this world is largely made up of images to sell things, how can we look to it for our happiness?  Let’s look at our money, homes and relationships as starting points.

There are no Gay Jews

For me, the aging process has led to a clearer view of equality. After all, it has been the passion of my life for 42 years. Everywhere I travel, I’m in search of how our community is depicted. Unfortunately, I notice we are not always included. That is discrimination by censorship. And unfortunately, many of our national organizations get a failing grade on this subject. They don’t understand the seriousness of this censorship. Even GLAAD doesn’t know the history of the battle to end censorship in mainstream media. They must learn that our collective history is the building blocks for our future, and the justification of why our struggle for equality deserves to become a reality.

ACLU statement on decision in Michigan case concerning school counselors and LGBT discrimination

January 27, 2012 - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a decision today in the case of a graduate student, Julea Ward, who was removed from Eastern Michigan University’s (EMU’s) counseling program because she refused to counsel lesbian, gay and bisexual clients on any issues relating to same-sex relationships during her clinical training. The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Michigan filed a friend-of-the-court brief in February supporting EMU’s right to remove the student for failing to adhere to the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics, which the university’s counseling program follows.

NJ Legislators to Fast-Track Freedom to Marry Bill

(Trenton, NJ, January 9, 2012) – Today New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney and House Speaker Sheila Oliver announced that they will fast-track and prioritize legislation that would end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage in New Jersey. The announcement was made at a press conference today in which Freedom to Marry’s National Campaign Director Marc Solomon offered the organization’s full support in helping secure passage of the law.

Bear Bar Night Keeps Warm

On the Friday night of this year's first winter storm (January 13, 2012), The Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA hosted a Bear Bar Night where dozens of bears, cubs and their friends defied the snow to enjoy fun times with the local community and staff at the bar. The Drenched Fur 8 Committee gave away a Splash Lagoon Private Event Pass for Saturday March 31st during this year's run. Congrats to Jared on being the proud recipient! The guys that put on Drenched Fur are grateful for everyone that came out to join us for bringing together Erie's GLBTQA community and thanks all the individuals that helped make January's Bear Bar Night a success. Our next Bear Bar Night will be Friday, February 17!

Erie Pride 2012 Parade & Rally on August 25

On Saturday, August 25, Erie will once again have a Pride Parade & Rally. You can register for the Pride Parade and Rally here.

Senate Education Committee Unanimously Passes Safe Schools Bill that Includes Two Out of Three Provisions Promoted by Equality Ohio

Jan 10, 2011 - Columbus, Ohio -- This morning, the Ohio Senate Education Committee passed HB116, also known as the "Jessica Logan Act", unanimously. This bill includes provisions that protect Ohio students from the rising trend of cyber-bullying and require school districts to provide more comprehensive training on anti-bullying policies. The bill, however, was amended in committee this morning to exclude a provision that would prohibit bullying based on any real or perceived characteristics of the student, such as race, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, and the bill did not include enumeration of particular characteristics.

Republican Marine Vet With Gay Brother Fights for Same-sex Marriage in New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH – More than 3,000 Granite Staters and 100,000 people across the country have joined a popular campaign on Change.org started by a conservative Iraq veteran urging the New Hampshire state legislature to defend the freedom to marry for all couples.

'Homophobic' Nurse Removed From Dallas Veterans Hospital After Verbally Assaulting Lesbian Patient

DALLAS, TX – On Thursday, the Dallas VA Medical Center announced the removal of a nurse practitioner accused of harassing a lesbian Marine veteran after nearly 20,000 people joined a popular campaign on Change.org, the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change.

All-Star Cast for West Coast Premiere of Dustin Lance Black’s '8'

Los Angeles, CA – The American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact are proud to announce an all-star cast for the West Coast premiere of “8,” a play chronicling the historic trial in the federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8, written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and AFER Founding Board Member Dustin Lance Black and directed by acclaimed actor and director and AFER Founding Board Member Rob Reiner.