An evening of great music, prizes and fun is planned on June 21 as SafeNet holds its Full Moon Party at Papermoon Restaurant Gallery and Jazz Club from 5:30 to 11 PM. The event benefits SafeNet Domestic Violence Network. For information visit www.safeneterie.org

Even more fun GLBT summer events! Compiled by Deb Spilko.

Erie Gay News is very privileged to get some wonderful volunteers every month who help with folding and distributing the issue. James von Loewe, a long time volunteer, brought his camera to the June 2007 work party and took a few photos.

On Saturday, May 19, 2007, The NW PA Chapter of the Gay and Lesbian Neighborhood Development Association (GLENDA) had a wonderfully successful bowling fundraiser at Plaza Lanes in Meadville. About 40-50 people attended over the course of the evening. Erie Gay News staff photographer took some photos

The annual 125+ Family Garage Sale will be held June 15 and 16 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 New Perry Highway. The sale runs from 9 AM - 1 PM each day, with numbers available at the door at 8 AM.

The church is located 2 ½ miles south of the Erie Zoo or ½ mile north from Exit 27 off I-90. Come see what treasures we have to offer this year - housewares, books and music, clothes and accessories, electronics and outdoor gear.

Don't forget to visit our bake sale and snack bar for extra shopping energy! For more information call 864-9300.

Please note! Trance has changed its name to Trance Night Club and Oasis Patio/Martini Bar. Their web site is now http://www.trancenightclub.com .

Anyone interested in participating in the Millcreek July 4 Parade is invited to gather 10 AM on July 4 at the vicinity of 12th St. and Marshall Ave. (the Erie Insurance building and also former site of Lizzy Bordon's.) Look for the Erie Peace and Justice banner.

Many of you may have heard about Donny Samples, who died Thursday evening. Donny was an incredibly kind and outgoing person, and enjoyed hanging out with his friends and playing pool at the Zone.

The obituary from GoErie.Com is below. Please note that there are viewings Burton West Lake Funeral Home, 3801 W 26th St, Erie PA today (Saturday) from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM an also on Sunday from 7 to 9 PM. The funeral service will also be there on Monday at 1 PM.

Also on Monday, the Zone, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA, will be having a wake in Donny's memory. It was his specific request that folks wear rainbow stuff.

The 15th Annual Pride Erie Picnic is set for Saturday, June 2, 2007 at the Rotary Pavilion at Presque Isle State Park, Erie PA. We are looking at a bigger and better picnic than ever! You can register here.

Volunteers are very much appreciated and needed! You can sign up to help out the picnic when you register.

Links to articles about the passing of anti-gay Rev. Jerry Falwell.

Gay Rights Group Launches Campaign Against Religious Right; Expanded Hate Crime Bill Protects LGBT Individuals; McCain says Gay Troops Pose "Intolerable Risk"; LGBT Rights Bills Becomes Law in Oregon; Immigration Equality Bill Introduced in Congress

Selected area cultural events that may be of interest to GLBT audiences.

GLBT television resources for June/Pride month, compiled by Deb Spilko.

Deb has news about what's coming up at GLBT-friendly coffeehouses in the region. Featured this month is Eclectic Etceteras in Edinboro.

The 39th Erie Summer Festival of the Arts is about strolling through Pepsi Liberty Park, enjoying the juried crafters and what they have to offer, and watching the artists do art works.

You can attend various concerts on the main stage that have featured such performers in the past as: Chuck Mangione, The Four Tops, Juice Newton, BJ Thomas, Lee Greenwood and the Paul Winter Consort to name just a few.

Look at the Erie Times News Showcase on Thursday June 21, for the schedule and who will perform on the main stage. You can enjoy the professional juried art exhibit, now called the Ruth Jageman Panorama Juried Art Exhibit, after the longtime advocate of the arts. The art show is on display at Blasco Library. Have your children enjoy making a few craft items, get their faces painted, listen to story time, watch a puppet show, listen to a concert especially geared to children.... all in a safe environment!

On Wednesday, April 18, students in every grade participated in the National Day of Silence at McDowell High School. This year, over 300 students in grades nine through 12 took a vow of silence.

The Day of Silence is a student-led day of action where people who support making anti-LGBT bias unacceptable in school are silent for a day. Participants include LGBT students and their supporters.

Wonderful time in Meadville at GLENDA bowling fundraiser, excitement about picnic, Don Samples passing, and fun with Erie Bloggers.

From Rev. Richard Moyer:

I never really liked school. So, it surprised me when I finished four years of college and then three years of seminary. This was a cause for celebration but first I needed a little peace and quiet to let it all sink in.

I decided the best place to be alone with my thoughts was the chapel. However upon entering I soon decided this was not going to be the best place. There were people talking in the corner, the custodian was sweeping the floors and the chaplain was cleaning off the alter. Since this place was not going to work, I hurried across campus and found a little room under the stairs in the dorm where all was quiet and the noise of the world was locked out.

 

On June 26 - July 1, the Annual Exodus International Conference will be in Irvine, California, to promote the false message that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are disordered, sinful, and in need of change.

In response, Soulforce, BeyondExGay.com, and the LGBT Resource Center at the University of California-Irvine are proud to present an interactive, community-building conference featuring the powerful stories of those who have had ex-gay experiences, but now understand that their sexual orientation or gender identity can be lived in ways that are loving and life-affirming.