On Friday, August 20, 2010, the LBT Women of Erie traveled to Pittsburgh to see Toronto-based comedian Maggie Cassella in a one-night-only show. Photos are by Laurie Finch, coordinator for the group.
From GayRealEstate.com: Buying a home as a gay couple can be a really rewarding experience and a savvy investment strategy. But those buying through a LGBT partnership should be aware of the unique legal implications of that kind of transaction. Until the laws are changed to ensure equal rights the concept of owning a house as a LGBT couple is different from home ownership as a legally married heterosexual couple.
NEW YORK, August 30, 2010 – GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, congratulates ABC’s “Modern Family,” a groundbreaking hit comedy that includes the positive portrayal of a family headed by LGBT parents and has addressed bullying in schools, for its six Emmy wins Sunday, including Outstanding Comedy Series. GLSEN will honor the show at the Respect Awards – Los Angeles, Presented by Centropolis Entertainment, on Oct. 8 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Win FAME: Taylor Lautner. Erie Gay News is giving away 20 copies of this comic book from Bluewater Productions. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from August 20 through September 10.
I never thought of Florida as “the South” until I lived with a Floridian. She called herself a Southerner. Now that I live here with my sweetheart, I understand that she really was.
BERKELEY, CA – Pacific School of Religion and its Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry applaud U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision that California’s ban on same-sex marriage violates the United States Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection under the law. The decision, along with Judge Joseph L. Tauro’s July 8, 2010 ruling in Massachusetts that the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, forms the legal foundation for overturning all discriminatory laws against same-sex couples seeking marriage in states and municipalities throughout the country. The leadership of Pacific School of Religion and the executive director of the seminary’s Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry (CLGS), and clergy from diverse faith traditions celebrated this ruling and reissued a call for marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples in California and across the country. Their comments and contact information appear below:
On Saturday, June 12, 2010, at the 18th Annual Erie Gay News Family Pride Picnic held at Presque Isle State Park in Erie PA, people were encouraged to participate in the Love Is Not a Crime photo project. GLBT people and their friends, families and supporters were all welcomed to have their photo taken. Crystal and other volunteers took photos. Photo editing is by Deb Spilko, co-editor of Erie Gay News.
For the second year, Erie’s GLBT community had a table at the Erie Art Museum’s Blues and Jazz Fest. Thanks go out to Ed for help with set up. Among the people helping to staff the table were Laurie Finch, Robert, Jerry McCumber, Paul, Mags, Will Koehler and Charlene Newport. Available at the table were copies of Erie Gay News, as well as info about LBT Women of Erie, Family United Counseling, and the new GLBT Parents group being started, A few people also stopped by to have face photos taken. Virtually all of the interaction was positive and friendly!
The movie Out in the Silence was scheduled to be shown July 28 at the Coudersport Library, followed by conversation with filmmakers Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer. There was a fair amount of local controversy before the screening, but the turn out was very good and much useful dialogue happened.
What happens when you meet someone through a sexual experience and then discover that there might be more...much more. How do you turn sex into love? Or can you? As a psychotherapist with a practice largely of Gay/Bi/Trans men, I encourage my clients to see a good relationship as a marriage (pun intended) of mind, heart and dick. If any one of these is left out, good luck! When you let your dick lead you into sex with someone, tell the truth about it: the dicks were in charge! And we've all been there. But what happens when what started off as just a sex hook-up becomes more: when your heart and mind start to get involved? Wow! What a great surprise, isn't it?
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PFLAG National praised the release of a new publication intended to improve the care that diverse populations receive, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients. The publication, issued by the Joint Commission, has significant power in guiding healthcare practices and policies since the guidelines that it issues are followed by about 80% of U.S. hospitals.
New York, NY--Earlier today, CNN released a national poll in which they asked, "Do you think gays and lesbians should have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid?" 52% of respondents replied "Yes." 46% replied "No." And 2% had "No Opinion." Sampling Error: +/-4.5 Percentage Points
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/
On Sunday, August 22, 2010, the LBT Women of Erie had a great time on the Fireworks Cruise on the Victorian Princess. The fireworks were part of the closing night of CelebrateErie. Photos are by Laurie Finch, coordinator for the group.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans, released a briefing memo today that blasted the biased design and derogatory and insulting content of the recent Pentagon survey of military spouses about the impending repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. The survey, which went out on Friday to 150,000 heterosexual military spouses, contained fewer methodological biases than the previous Pentagon survey, although the spouse survey was more inherently derogatory towards gay and lesbian Americans than the previous survey
Gay Portland electropop musician Logan Lynn here. Below is a link to download (free) the record I've been working on the past year or so called "I Killed Tomorrow Yesterday".
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.
Win Hannah Free from Wolfe Video. We are giving away the DVD for this lesbian romance to 2 lucky winners! To enter the contest, fill out the form here from September 3 through September 24.
(New York, August 19, 2010) – Cameroon should decriminalize consensual sexual acts between adults of the same sex, Human Rights Watch and Alternatives-Cameroun said today. The groups urged the government of Cameroon to put into effect immediately the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Committee made public on July 29, 2010, to bring Cameroon’s law into conformity with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
ANCHORAGE, AK — Three Alaska same-sex couples have filed a lawsuit today challenging the state of Alaska's tax-assessment rules, which discriminate against same-sex couples by denying them equal access to a property tax exemption for senior citizens and disabled veterans. Those who qualify and who live with same-sex partners are only permitted to, at most, half of the exemption available to opposite-sex married couples because they are treated as roommates rather than families.
From NPR: A woman ends her marriage of 12 years, begins dating and finds love again — but this time, with another woman. For many years, researchers assumed so-called "late-life lesbians" were simply repressed by society until they felt comfortable coming out. But that's not entirely the case, says Lisa Diamond, a researcher at the University of Utah who is studying whether sexuality is fluid or fixed. Diamond has been studying a group of 79 women for 15 years to track changes in their sexuality.
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.
OUT IN THE SILENCE, a documentary film about the quest for fairness & equality for LGBT people in small towns & rural communities, just received the most important honor imaginable, recognition from the Oil City Arts Council, an amazing organization and group of people working for change in the very community portrayed in the film.
I was recently at a party where I was asked, “As a therapist, can you tell me why there are so many more bottoms than tops in the gay world? Well, some things may be eternal mysteries, but I’ll give the question my best shot. I can’t assume that this guy’s observations are accurate (and who could prove them?), but the question of why people choose to be top/bottom/versatile is a fascinating one. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen much research in psychological journals on this matter, so I will have to go with my own observations as a psychotherapist and openly gay man.
JACKSON, MS – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Mississippi today filed a lawsuit against a Mississippi high school that excluded a female student's name and senior portrait from the yearbook rather than publish a photo of her in a tuxedo. The lawsuit charges that Ceara Sturgis was unfairly discriminated against by the Wesson Attendance Center based on her sex and unfair gender stereotypes
NEW YORK, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Logo's highly-anticipated new docu-reality series will give viewers a V.I.P. pass into the fabulous -- and ferocious -- lives of New York's gay elite. Follow the most envied and sought-after men of New York City as they live the high life hopping from boardroom to benefit to beach house to bedroom. Watch the drama unfold as they attempt to "have it all" juggling their careers, families, friends and perhaps most importantly, enemies. The nine-episode, one hour series is executive produced by True Entertainment, an Endemol Company. "The A-List: New York"premieres Monday, October 4th at 10/9c on Logo.
For 2011 the Steering Committee for the week before Valentine's Day of advocacy decided to focus on general LGBT equality. We believe that the ideas behind each event also demonstrate the need to include LGBT into existing nondiscrimination and hate crime laws. We also hope to consolidate the enthusiasm behind each of these objectives into a single demand for equality. The name was changed to LGBT Freedom Week.
The Rainbow Pride Connection event is back at Chautauqua this year, 9 AM - 10 PM Featuring workshops on a variety of topics of interest to the LGBT community, a documentary on the gay & lesbian history of Buffalo, NY, and closing with a cabaret, with delightful local talent. Location is the Bellinger Hall Retreat and Conference Center, 4 S Lake Dr, Chautauqua, NY 14722). Contact: Pat Collins. Phone: (305) 926-5499. Email: pjcollins21@yahoo.com . Browse to www.rainbowprideconnection.net/ for more info or to register.
NAPA, CA – Today, the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Redwoods Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) upheld 3 of 4 charges against Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr that she “violated her ordination vows” by presiding at the marriages of same-gender couples. All the marriages were performed during the period in which the state of California legally recognized these marriages, June 17, 2008 through November 3, 2008.
NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2010 – GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, praises today’s introduction of the Safe Schools Improvement Act, a federal anti-bullying bill that includes protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, in the Senate by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and 10 cosponsors.
Win tickets to Hairspray at the Erie Playhouse! Erie Gay News is giving away a ticket to 4 winners for this Tony-Award winning musical, which runs September 9 through October 3. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from August 23 through September 7.
Common Ground's STRAY (Straight/Gay Alliance) show is being moved to October due to my hand surgery. I will keep you all posted. Please spread the word. Can you step out of your comfort zone and lay down your differences, fears, judgements and ignorance long enough to make a difference and possibly make new friend? No hidden agendas..., just an attempt to fight hate and bring people together.”
Harrisburg: After several months of positive and thoughtful discussion, Equality Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that they have successfully reached agreement on a change in gender marker policy. "Gender Markers" refer to those ways in which individuals present themselves mostly on official documentation. For example, on a driver's license your "gender marker" would refer to your name and photograph.
Join us for Persad's Red Tag Sale fundraising event which will be held at Imagebox Gallery, 4933 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 on Saturday, September 18 from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm with an opening night wine and cheese reception. The sale will continue on Sunday, September 19 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm as part of the Friendship House Tour. All proceed from the sale of works of art by regional and national artists benefit Persad Center, the region's counseling and well being center for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. The Red Tag sale is hosted by Dan Iddings and Persad Center with special thanks to John Mahood and Imagebox Gallery. Admission is free! RSVP to diddings@comcast.net. For more information on Persad visit www.persadcenter.org. For Imagebox Gallery visit www.imagebox.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans, announced today that it will host another "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" lobby day for repeal supporters on Thursday, September 16, 2010. The fall lobby day, affectionately nicknamed "The Final Assault," will come at a critical time after the Senate reconvenes but before the chamber is expected to take up the repeal-inclusive defense authorization bill. Participants can register for the September 16th "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" lobby day at www.ServicemembersUnited.org.
I have to admit that I paid little attention to Anne Rice, the celebrated author, before she was interviewed recently on a television news broadcast. On that program she declared that she “quit being a Christian.” That got my attention!
On Wednesday, June 23, 2010, the LBT Women of Erie had a wonderful time playing billiards at Andy's Pub. Photos are by Laurie Finch, coordinator for the group. For more info, browse to http://womynoferie.wetpaint.com.
NEW YORK, Sept. 1, 2010 – New research, conducted by GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), examining how in-school victimization and institutional support affect LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) student connectedness at school, has been published in the September issue of The Prevention Researcher.
Many LGBT buyers mistakenly and understandably assume that the purchase of a condo is no different from buying a typical single family home. But the fact is that condominium ownership has its own exclusive set of rules that are quite different from those that apply to traditional houses.
(New York, August 16, 2010) – The landmark ruling on August 16, 2010, by Mexico’s Supreme Court recognizing the right of same-sex couples to adopt children in Mexico City upholds the core principle of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in all aspects of their lives, including family life, Human Rights Watch said today.
On July 25, an early morning fire in their West 18th Street apartment claimed the lives of Gwyneth Henry, 44, and Tyreesha Richardson, 31. The devoted couple had been together for several years. They leave behind seven children. On July 30, 2010, friends gathered for a benefit in their memory at the Booker T Washington Center, 1705 Holland St, Erie PA.The event included a DJ and food. Photos are by Deb Spilko for Erie Gay News. This is also a memorial page for Tyreesha and Gwyn. Please feel free to contribute photos, prayers, comments, poems, memories or anything else you wish to share. Funds have been set up for the children at local banks. Donations may be made to the Gwyn Henry Memorial Fund at any at any First Niagara Bank location, and the Tyreesha Richardson Memorial Fund at any PNC Bank. You can also contact Kara Onorato at (814) 602-5297 with any questions about donations or fundraising.
PLEASE Take 3 minutes for a survey for Dreams of Hope. Their newly-formed marketing committee (a first!) would love to get your input on some key points that will help them spread their message. Could you please take 3 minutes to respond to a survey? The link is below.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study looking at the role probiotics may play in increasing CD4 cell count in people with HIV infection is underway at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). Today, researchers began a 3-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to demonstrate safety and efficacy of taking capsules with 2 billion cells of a strain of Bacillus coagulans probiotics known as GanedenBC30 to increase critical CD4 cell count, a measure of immune status used to gauge progression of HIV infection.
Win a signed copy of In The Therapist's Chair by Dr. Jacqueline Simon Gunn. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from August 27 through September 17.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans and their allies, announced today that it's new lobbying arm, the Servicemembers United Action Fund, has launched its first web ad on repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The new ad is the first in a series that will be rolled out during August and September at www.MilitaryReadiness.org.
NEW YORK, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- This is not your grandmother's gardening show! "The Arrangement," the first-ever floral design competition series, shows what it takes to be a master in the cutthroat business of extreme floral design. With high stakes challenges, colorful contestants and explosive conflicts, "The Arrangement" reveals that surviving the world of floral design is far from "tip-toeing through the tulips." The eight-episode, one-hour series, "The Arrangement," premieres on Logo Monday, October 4th at 11/10c.
The Erie Playhouse kicks off the 94th season with the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray – opening Sept. 9 and running through Oct. 3. Based on John Waters’ 1988 cult film, the frothy, zippy, lovable musical hit Broadway in 2002 and stayed there for six years, winning eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. Hairspray boasts music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. The songs include 1960’s dance-style music along with “urban” rhythm and blues.
From End Bigotry in Venango County: by Joe Wilson, August, 31, 2010. Diane Gramley sat peacefully behind Robert Wagner in the Coudersport Public Library as the retired physician shared his views on transgender individuals with the assembled audience. “I'm gonna put a ball bat in my car,” he said, “and if I ever see a guy [Wagner refuses to use proper pronouns] coming out of a bathroom that my granddaughter's in, I'm gonna use the ball bat on him.”
On Wednesday, July 21, 2010, the LBT Women of Erie had a fun time holding a Pure Romance party. Pure Romance is an in-home party company that sells a premier line of relationship aids, including lubricants, heighteners, and bedroom accessories. Photos are by Laurie Finch, coordinator for the group. For more info, browse to http://womynoferie.wetpaint.com.
“I am considering starting a business… a restaurant or a bar… and though I have experience in the field and money saved, I did not finish college and this is my first venture. No one in my family is supporting me. That’s not unusual for my family, but you have to understand, their support means a lot to me and is really causing me to doubt myself and a business plan that I was once so confident in.” J.L.
So how do you begin a new fitness training program? It starts with levity and fun. The key to life is to enjoy that very thing…life. How to do that? Fun…fun with moderate doses of responsibility. As a fitness trainer, my job is to encourage you to take responsibility for your life. Maybe not quite to the degree of your friendly neighborhood preacher who pounds the pulpit and proclaims all homosexuals doomed to kiss the conflagration of hell because of their evil and irresponsible ways. I’m a kinder, gentler more compassionate kind of fitness trainer. At least that’s what they taught me when I was still a straight boy in college. Then I saw the light when I ran into this self-absorbed fitness enthusiast who converted me into a rainbow flag-waving, Prada dressing extrovert and taught me that I too could earn a free toaster if I transmogrified three breeder boys to the dark side. No more tangent thoughts or digressions! This is a fitness column and I’ve gotta save you heathens from your licentious and hedonistic lifestyles!
Bourbon Street has a carnival atmosphere on most weekends, but Labor Day Weekend is a party like no other in the Dirty South. Southern Decadence, SoDec or Gay Mardi Gras is a legendary circuit party that has gone on for more than three decades. Hurricanes, oil spills and other disasters haven’t stopped LGBT travelers from flocking to the Crescent City. If anything, it’s given “the city that care forgot” another reason to lift a plastic cup.
NEW YORK, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Logo, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), announced today that TripOutGayTravel.com, its comprehensive travel site dedicated to the LGBT traveler and MTV Network's first stand-alone, travel-focused site, will present its second annual "TripOut Gay Travel Awards." The awards will once again honor the most stylish, exciting and hottest destinations and services that attract, pamper and market to the LGBT traveler.
Win Hard at Work by Brad Saunders. Erie Gay News is giving away 5 copies of this collection of erotic tales. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from August 13 through September 3.
On Saturday, July 17, 2010, the Ashtabula GLBT Outreach Alliance held a delightful and friendly picnic in Saybrook Township Park. The potluck picnic featured games, fun, prizes and good times for all. This was the second year that the group had a picnic. About 30-40 people attended the event. Photos are by Michael Mahler of Erie Gay News and Mandy M Lynch, board member of Ashtabula GLBT Outreach Alliance.
First same-sex reference in a rock n roll song? In one verse in Jailhouse Rock (1957), Elvis Presley sings "Number 47 said to number 3,/ you're the cutest jailbird I ever did see/I sure would be delighted with your company/come on and do the jailhouse rock with me." The song was released to coincide with September 1957 release of the movie of the same name, in which Elvis plays a wrongly-convicted man. The song was performed to an elaborate dance number, and two guys dance together to the verse mentioned here, though one kicks the other in the butt, which apparently made it acceptable. The song was written by the songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, a couple of edgy white kids who wrote a lot of the humorous classics from the 1950s like "Charlie Brown" and "Hound Dog." More noteworthy was that the song made number one in the charts of Rock, Rhythm and Blues and Country, at a time when the country and music did not cross over easily.
Upcoming meetings, PFLAG, GLSEN and the School Board, Butler Fall Festival, Planning Retreat, Regional Mini-Summit on Social Change for Butler and Beaver Counties on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Slippery Rock University, Ways to be involved, GLBTQI and Allied Youth Spirituality Event, What Does Your Candidate Say?, HIV: A Part of Who We Are
from Crooks & Liars: The Q&A with Harry Reid provided the most touching, spontaneous and affirming moment I've seen at any political conference in a very long time. Joan McCarter was conducting the interview, and led off by handing Senator Reid Lt. Dan Choi's West Point ring, saying that he wanted Reid to have it because it didn't have the same meaning to him that it once did. She then handed him Choi's discharge paperwork.
This weekend, Target customers fed up with Target's shameless attempt to buy the MN election took their message straight to their local store—but with a great creative twist! Target seems to be hoping the outrage will die down. Let's show the company it won't.
Yesterday, equality advocates, Freedom to Marry and Courage Campaign, and the Anti-Gay National Organization for Marriage (NOM) concluded competing "Summer for Marriage" tours through 17 states and 23 cities at events in Washington D.C. At each stop on the tour, marriage equality supporters organized by Freedom to Marry and dozens of local activist groups outnumbered NOM supporters by more than 3 to 1.
Upcoming meetings, successful first picnic, Butler Area School District has PFLAG on the agencda for August 16 - your input and help needed! Transgender Panel, Sexual Minoroty Spirituality, Candidate info.
On Sunday, July 18, 2010, Michelle Michaels and other drag performers celebrated the 1 year anniversary of FACE, the drag show happening the 3rd Sunday of the month at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. Many talented performers contributed to making the night a stunning success! Photos are by Michael Mahler for Erie Gay News, with editing by Deb Splko, Co-editor of Erie Gay News.
Pennsylvania Diversity Network (PDN) fosters strength and vitality in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Community by providing news, information, presentations, health programs, events and other services. Geographically focused on the Greater Lehigh Valley and Berks County, PDN covers Lehigh and Northampton Counties and the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton & Reading and other areas of Eastern Pennsylvania. PDN is the largest Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender organization in Pennsylvania.
Issue #1 of
the print edition of the current run of Erie Gay News is out as of Thursday, August 26, 2010!
You can pick
it up at several locations. You can also read the articles here.
GayRealEstate.com
Freedom to Marry
Servicemembers United
GLBT History Month
Human Rights Watch - LGBT
AGLBTOA Coming Out
LGBT Freedom Week PA
Common Ground
Equality PA
Persad Center
Community United Church
Dreams of Hope Survey
PA Diversity Network