April, 2018 News (69 Articles with 181,675 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for April, 2018 Happy Spring! After our long rough winter, are you ready for some flowers and sunshine? Photo: Deb Spilko
This began publication in December 2002 after a hiatus
Category for this issueCalendar & Upcoming Events
Calendar of Local GLBT Events |
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Local and Regional News
Casey, Colleagues Continue Push To Protect LGBT Americans
Washington, D.C. - April 3, 2018 – In an effort to ensure that important federal programs meet the needs of the LGBT community, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), joined by over 20 of his colleagues, penned a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar urging HHS to continue to include sexual orientation and gender identity questions on data collection instruments used to evaluate the effectiveness of programs serving older Americans and children in the foster care system.
LGBTQ Youth Group Kickoff on April 21
TransFamily of NWPA is very happy to announce an exciting new LGBTQ Youth Group for the northwest PA region!! Through a partnership the YMCA of Greater Erie, TransFamily is developing a group for all LGBTQ youth that will make use of the YMCA Teen Center at the Downtown YMCA. The LGBTQ Youth Group Kick-Off is Saturday, April 21 from 3-6 PM at the YMCA, 31 W 10th St, Erie PA.
Dinner, film, and discussion to celebrate National Women's History Month at Meadville Council on the Arts on March 29
Meadville, PA -- As a celebration of National Women's History month, and our continued community education efforts, Film 4 Thought offers "Dolores" (2017) on Thursday, March 29th, 2018 6:30 PM at Meadville Council on the Arts, 910 Market Street, Meadville PA.
Transgender Day of Visibility events
Each year on March 31st, the transgender community and our allies celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV). Unlike the Day of Remembrance in November, which focuses on mourning those we've lost, TDoV focuses on bringing attention to the incredible accomplishments we have made in fighting transphobia and cissexism around the world. Given the current political climate and all of the efforts made by our current administration to roll back many of the protections we have gained, celebrating our community through visibility is no small feat. In fact, it is revolutionary!
Drenched Fur 14 is Hitting the Outer Limits
It's the fourteenth installment of Drenched Fur here in Erie, PA for enjoyable series of events with their theme, Bears in Space, during the weekend of April 12th thru 15th, 2018. The weekend of activities for the bear community and its friends is sold out for full weekend packages. YET there are individual events available for ala carte pricing/choices. For information about these events visit www.drenchedfur.com. Contact: Gary Snyder. (814) 446-2327. info@drenchedfur.com. Note: Drenched Fur events are for adult males 21 and older.
"We'll Meet Again" producers looking for people for early HIV/AIDS episode
The producers of "We'll Meet Again" would like to focus one episode on the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. (1980s and 1990s). They are looking for people who might want to reunite with others they met through campaigning, medical treatment and research, social care and charity groups who they are no longer in touch with. "We'll Meet Again" is a documentary series on PBS. Their episode from the first series focusing on gay liberation is available online. It might be worth a watch to get an indication of the kinds of stories they are looking to tell. www.pbs.org/meet-again/ < If you are interested contact meetagain@blinkfilmsuk.com or call toll-free 888-558-6449
Afternoon for Equality June 10
Greater Erie Alliance for Equality will hold their annual fundraiser Afternoon for Equality at 21 La Rue on June 10 from 3-7 pm. Tickets available at our website. Cool jazz, great food, and warm conversation. We will also be presenting our scholarships for high school students. In times like these, it's so important we join together and stand up for our human rights and dignity. A great way to do that is by taking part in GEAE's 8th Annual Afternoon for Equality.
Erie Regional GSA for Youth 12-20 meets on March 27
The Erie Regional GSA for youth ages 12-20 is meeting regularly for social events, networking, and training. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 6 pm. Our office is located at 301 W 10th Street. Email Margo with any questions or transportation issues-- erieregionalgsa@gmail.com.
Rebecca Mae's Drag Brunch 2 has been postponed
Please note that Rebecca Mae's Drag Brunch 2, originally scheduled for April 8, has been postponed. There will be a new date and venue announced later. If you have already purchased a ticket, it can be used for the upcoming rescheduled event, or another Rebecca Mae's Drag Brunch in 2018. For more information visit "Rebecca Mae's Drag Brunch" page on Facebook or email Rebecca Mae at rebeccamaeslay@gmail.com
Psychology Colloquium Series to Discuss "The Diverse Experiences of Gay Fathers"
ERIE, Pa. - According to the Pew Research Center, 23 percent of LGBTQ men are fathers. It's a number that continues to trend upwards. Samantha Tornello, an assistant professor of human development and family studies at Penn State's University Park campus, will discuss "The Diverse Experiences of Gay Fathers" when the Colloquium Series in Psychological Sciences and Human Behavior returns to Penn State Erie, The Behrend College Tornello's talk begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 5, and will be held in room 117 of the college's Reed Union Building. Admission is free and open to the public. The event is co-hosted by Penn State Behrend's Gender Conference.
Deadline for April 2018 print edition (issue # 269) of Erie Gay News is Monday, March 12
For the next print edition of Erie Gay News (issue # 269, cover dated for April 2018), please send in calendar events, news items, and other info for late March 2018 and beyond by Monday, March 12. We expect that the next print edition will come out on Tuesday, March 20.
Entertainment and Travel
Visitors Bureaus Collaborate to Promote Lake Erie
AUSTINBURG, March 9, 2018 – The seven visitors' bureaus along Ohio’s north coast have partnered to give away a 7-day, 7-night Lake Erie experience called TOUR THE SHORE.
Trixie Mattel Joins the Drag Race Hall of Fame as Winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars"
New York, NY – March 15, 2018 – In a season filled with fierce lip-sync battles, sickening runway looks and one of the most shocking eliminations in "Drag Race" history, Trixie Mattel was crowned the season three winner of VH1's "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars." Trixie Mattel earned the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar," $100,000 cash and joined the coveted "Drag Race Hall of Fame."
RuPaul's Drag Race "Ru-veals" Guest Judges for Highly Anticipated Season 10 Premiering Thursday, March at 8:00 PM ET/PT
NEW YORK, NY – March 8, 2018 - VH1 today announced the guest judges set to join the milestone 10th season of Emmy® Award-winning "RuPaul's Drag Race," premiering Thursday, March 22 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. RuPaul will be joined by a star-studded line-up of celebrities to help alongside show regulars Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews as they decide who will stay, lip-synch for their life, or "sashay away."
Political, Activism and Legal
Palm Center Statement on American Medical Association Letter of Criticism to Defense Secretary Mattis
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 4, 2018 Palm Center Director Aaron Belkin released the following statement in response to today's American Medical Association letter disputing the rationale for President Trump's transgender ban. "Today's AMA statement that 'there is no medically valid reason to exclude transgender individuals from military service' underscores the expert consensus that transition-related care is reliable, safe and effective. Unfortunately, as the AMA points out, the Trump administration has 'mischaracterized and rejected the wide body of peer-reviewed research on the effectiveness of transgender medical care.' The rationale for the transgender ban has now been repudiated by the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and two former U.S. Surgeons General. The administration tried to reverse-engineer a rationale for the ban, but the President and the Defense Department are on the wrong side of science.
Palm Center Statement on Defense Department Refusal to Explain Transgender Ban
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - March 31, 2018 – Palm Center Director Aaron Belkin released the following statement after Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana White declined to explain the transgender ban at today's Pentagon press briefing: "Dana White fielded nine questions about the transgender ban today, and declined to elaborate on the policy. What's more important than whether or not the Pentagon opts to defend the ban is that the ban is based on scientific distortions that the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association and former U.S. Surgeons General immediately condemned. The Pentagon is distorting the science, and nothing that spokespersons say or don't say in the briefing room changes that.
ACLU and Lambda Legal File Lawsuit to Challenge Ohio's Discriminatory Birth Certificate Policy
COLUMBUS, Ohio - March 29, 2018 - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, the ACLU, and Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit today challenging Ohio's refusal to correct the gender marker on birth certificates for transgender individuals for any reason at any time.
Governor Jay Inslee signs law ending conversion therapy in Washington for LGBTQ youth
OLYMPIA, WA - March 28, 2018 -Today, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed into law SB 5722, legislation that protects LGBTQ youth from the fraudulent, harmful and debunked practice of "conversion therapy." Today's bill signing was the result of targeted grassroots advocacy efforts by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and Equal Rights Washington. NCLR has been a tireless advocate on behalf of survivors of conversion therapy for the past 20 years, and in 2014, launched its Born Perfect campaign-making a commitment to a state-by-state advocacy campaign to end this practice in each state across the country.
HRC Releases Annual Healthcare Equality Index, Honors 19 Pennsylvania Health Care Facilities for LGBTQ Inclusion
WASHINGTON - March 27, 2018 - Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) released the 11th edition of its annual Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), which scores healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. A record 626 healthcare facilities actively participated in this year's survey, including 34 in Pennsylvania. Of the Pennsylvania facilities surveyed, 19 earned a top score of 100 and received HRC's coveted "Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality" designation
National LGBTQ Task Force: Everyone Deserves to be Counted in the 2020 Census
Washington, DC, March 27, 2018: The following statement can be attributed to Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force: The announcement last night that the Trump administration is adding a citizenship question to the 2020 Census is another methodical step in its attempt to silence immigrants and cast them into the shadows. The Census is a constitutionally-mandated process that directs billions of dollars in federal funds and determines our representation in Congress. If a citizenship question is added to the form it will do irreparable harm to the core concept of a fair and accurate 2020 Census count. The Census Bureau's own research concluded that adding this untested question will cause depressed response rates. That is the opposite of what we need. Everyone in America – immigrant, LGBTQ, urban, homeless, etc. – deserves to be counted. The Census impacts everything from the boundaries of our school districts to the enforcement of our civil rights; we can't afford the consequences of this decision.
26 Retired General and Flag Officers Oppose Trump Transgender Military Ban
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - March 27, 2018 – Following the American Psychological Association's statement? yesterday expressing alarm over the Trump? Administration's "misuse of psychological science to stigmatize transgender Americans and justify limiting their ability to serve in uniform and access medically necessary health care," the Palm Center today released the following statement by 26 retired General and Flag Officers: "The Administration's announcement on the treatment of transgender service members is a troubling move backward. Many of us personally experienced the belated removal of 'don't ask, don't tell' and faced firsthand how that mistaken policy set back our force and enabled discrimination against patriotic gay and lesbian Americans. We learned a clear lesson: the singling out of one group of service members for unequal treatment harms military readiness, while inclusion supports it. Under the newly announced policy, most transgender individuals either cannot serve or must serve under a false presumption of unsuitability, despite having already demonstrated that they can and do serve with distinction. They will now serve without the medical care every service member earns, and with the constant fear of being discharged simply for who they are. We should not return to the days of forcing men and women to hide in the shadows and serve their country without institutional support. This deprives the military of trained and skilled service members, which harms readiness and morale. There is simply no reason to single out brave transgender Americans who can meet military standards and deny them the ability to serve."
Trump-Pence Administration's Implementation Plan is a Continuance of the Same
WASHINGTON - March 25, 2018 – On Friday, the Trump-Pence administration announced an implementation plan for a ban on transgender military service. In response, OutServe-SLDN immediately joined two other leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military advocates in condemning the administration's heinous and continued push to implement a categorical ban on military service that is both unsound and unwarranted. Today, the organization releases a statement that focuses on this plan's ramifications and effect on the legal changes brought against the ban.
BREAKING: LGBT Military Groups Denounce Trump-Pence Implementation Plan for Transgender Military Ban
WASHINGTON - March 23, 2018 – Today, the nation's leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military advocates responded to the heinous and continued push from the Trump-Pence Administration to implement their discriminatory transgender military ban. The White House released further details about implementation of the ban today. However, six separate federal courts have blocked implementation of the ban, and barring further court action, the administration cannot implement it. The Pentagon has stated it will continue to comply with court orders blocking the ban.
Forced Anal Examinations for Gay Men are Stopped in Kenya
March 22 - Today, a Court of Appeals in Kenya, led by a 5 judge bench, ruled that forced anal examinations are contrary to the law. Forced anal examinations have largely been used to "prove" whether or not a man is homosexual in countries where homosexuality is criminalized. This practice has been decried by organizations across the globe as dehumanizing and as amounting to torture, not to mention being discredited by the scientific community as holding no value as proof.
AFT Supports Student Non-Discrimination Act
WASHINGTON - March 22, 2018- Statement of American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten in support of the Student Non-Discrimination Act: "The AFT has always advocated proudly for LGBTQ students, and we endorse this bill to prohibit discrimination against them in school programs. No child should fear being barred from a school program or denied the resources to participate simply because of who they are, and all students deserve a safe, supportive educational environment where they are treated equally and fairly.
PFAW: More Anti-LGBTQ Talk from Ben Carson Points to HUD's Disregard for Marginalized Communities
Washington, DC - March 21, 2018 --When questioned about a decision to remove HUD training materials involving equal access for transgender homeless people during a congressional committee hearing yesterday, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson expressed concerns about transgender people in homeless shelters, saying that some people were made uncomfortable by their presence.
LGBTQ Victory Fund Endorses 14 More LGBTQ Candidates for 2018, Including Lupe Valdez for Texas Governor
Washington, DC - March 21, 2018– Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed 14 more candidates from across the nation who can help transform the political landscape in 2018. Texas gubernatorial candidate Lupe Valdez was awarded Game Changer status – a designation given to high-profile federal or statewide races that can have an outsized impact on equality. If Valdez wins her runoff in May, she will face incumbent Governor Greg Abbott, a staunch opponent of equal rights for LGBTQ people.
Equality Pennsylvania backing Governor Tom Wolf's Re-Election
HARRISBURG, PA – Equality Pennsylvania, the commonwealth's leading organization fighting for LGBTQ fairness, equality, equity, and justice, has endorsed Governor Tom Wolf for re-election as Pennsylvania Governor in a unanimous vote of the organization's endorsement committee and governing board.
National LGBTQ Task Force: It's time to reevaluate the role of guns in America
WASHINGTON-DC - March 19, 2018: The National LGBTQ Task Force released a new platform on gun policy that condemned the myth that mental health is linked to gun violence, while at the same time it laid out how police brutality, racism, transphobia, homophobia, and misogyny are all part of the gun violence problem.
Coalitions urge officials to reject acts of domestic violence & sexual assault
HARRISBURG - March 18, 2018 -The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) urge all Pennsylvanians to demand that their elected officials uphold the laws that govern the Commonwealth.
Celebrities, Civil Rights Leaders, LGBT Advocates Unite to Affirm Businesses Should Be #OpenToAll
Washington, D.C. - Celebrities, civil rights leaders, LGBT advocates, hundreds of businesses, faith leaders, and many others are uniting to celebrate "Open To All Week," affirming that businesses open to the public should be open to all - and not given a license to discriminate. "Open To All Week" coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1968 landmark civil rights decision in Newman v. Piggie Park (which observed businesses could not discriminate against African Americans), and comes at an urgent moment as the court is now preparing to hand down its decision in a similar case (Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission), involving a Colorado business that refused service to a same-sex couple. Influencers, civil rights leaders, and others this week are tweeting out selfies, holding "Open To All" signs to highlight what's at stake in the Masterpiece case, and how a loss would threaten the legacy of the Piggie Park decision.
Nationwide Campaign Marks 50th Anniversary of Landmark Supreme Court Decision in Piggie Park Racial Discrimination Case
(Washington, D.C.) March 15, 2018-Fifty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in the landmark Newman v. Piggie Park Enterprises case. Piggie Park, a small barbeque chain still open today, wanted the right to refuse service to African American customers. The owner, a segregationist, claimed that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 violated his religious freedom. The Supreme Court delivered a resounding and swift rebuke of the barbeque chain on March 18, 1968, definitively ruling that the restaurant could no longer discriminate.
NCLR and GLAD file brief urging the Eighth Circuit to find sexual orientation discrimination prohibited under Title VII
ST. LOUIS, MO - March 15, 2018 -Yesterday, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to find that sexual orientation discrimination violates Title VII of the 1964 federal Civil Rights Act because it is a form of sex discrimination.
Federal Court Rules Maryland Transgender Boy's Access to Restrooms and Locker Rooms that Align With His Gender Identity
BALTIMORE - March 13, 2018 - The United States District Court for the District of Maryland ruled yesterday that transgender students' right to use the restroom and locker rooms in alignment with their gender identity is protected by federal and state law. In M.A.B. v. Board of Education of Talbot County, Max Brennan (M.A.B.), a boy who is transgender, was forced by Talbot County Public Schools policy to use separate restrooms and locker rooms because he is transgender. The ruling is the first decision of its kind in the state of Maryland, but joins a long list of decisions confirming that Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, the federal statute prohibiting sex discrimination in educational settings, and the Constitution prohibit public schools from excluding students who are transgender from using the same facilities as their non-transgender peers. The ruling is also the first to hold that transgender people are protected under the Maryland state constitution.
ACLU Comment on Introduction of "First Amendment Defense Act"
WASHINGTON - March 9, 2018 - Twenty Republican senators introduced the so-called "First Amendment Defense Act" this week, which would allow private companies and not-for-profit government contractors to discriminate against LGBT people and their families, single parents, unmarried couples, and anyone who has sex outside of a heterosexual marriage.
National LGBTQ Task Force: Unearthed emails prove DOJ shamefully halted LGBTQ inclusion in Census
In response to a new FOIA release on Department of Justice influence on the Census, Meghan Maury, Policy Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force, released this statement: (Washington, DC, March 8, 2018) -- "The Census should count LGBTQ people because we count. New information uncovered about the Trump administration confirms that the Department of Justice chose to halt the Census Bureau's progress toward adding sexual orientation and gender identity questions to the Census. The Census controls billions of dollars in federal funding, determines our representation at the state and federal levels, and impacts scores of other programs like how our school districts are drawn.
People For the American Way on Leaked Memo on HUD Removal of Anti-Discrimination Language
Washington, DC -- Just days after People For the American Way filed suit against the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Justice Department to force the agencies to release documents about reported actions they have taken to remove protections from LGBTQ people, HuffPost reported on a leaked memo showing that HUD plans to remove anti-discrimination language from its mission statement.
Funeral Home Unlawfully Discriminated Against Its Employee By Firing Her For Being Transgender, Fed Appeals Court Rules
DETROIT - March 7, 2018 – Today the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that RG & GR Harris Funeral Homes unlawfully discriminated against Aimee Stephens when it fired her after she told her employer that she would begin presenting as a woman because she is transgender. The ruling affirms that transgender individuals are protected by federal sex discrimination laws, and that religious belief does not give employers the right to discriminate against them. Today's decision reverses the lower court's decision, which held that religious belief was sufficient to exempt the employer from anti-discrimination laws.
New Hampshire House Passes Transgender Nondiscrimination Bill
CONCORD, N.H. - The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed HB 1319, legislation that would update the state's laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and public spaces to explicitly include the state's transgender residents. HB 1319 was approved by a bipartisan vote of 195-129 and now heads to the New Hampshire Senate.
Health
On 50th Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., AHF 'Looks Back in Honor and Forward in Hope'
LOS ANGELES (April 4, 2018) On the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, honors and celebrates the life and legacy of the iconic, inspirational slain civil rights leader by standing in solidarity with those carrying on his legacy with the ongoing fight for civil rights and social justice both across the country and around the world.
AHF Demands U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) Name 'Bad Actors' Allegedly Abusing 340B Drug Program
WASHINGTON (April 3, 2018) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) continues to sound the alarm that a nationwide drug discount pricing program vital to the country's health care safety net – and its HIV/AIDS response – is once again under attack by the drug industry under the guise of 'reform.'
AHF Criticizes Grindr for Sharing HIV Status of Members, Calls It, 'An Egregious Breach of Confidentiality Laws'
LOS ANGELES (April 2, 2018) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) harshly criticized the popular gay hookup app Grindr after Buzzfeed News reported earlier today that Grindr has been sharing its users' information-including users' HIV status and 'last tested date'-with Apptimize and Localytics, two companies which help optimize apps. The Buzzfeed News story noted, that, "Because the HIV information is sent together with users' GPS data, phone ID, and email, it could identify specific users and their HIV status."
Art Changes Lives - You Can Too - The Auction to Benefit PERSAD Center on April 30
PERSAD Center is thrilled to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of ART FOR CHANGE: The Auction to Benefit PERSAD Center on Monday, April 30, 2018, 6:00 PM, at the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh, 1000 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. We are grateful to all of the art donors and sponsors who help us create Pittsburgh's biggest art auction! Tickets are on sale now. Proceeds make a big impact on vital services for the LGBTQ communities.
Be Counted: Measuring LGBT Health Leads to LGBT Progress
When we think about progress for LGBT Pennsylvanians, we don't always think about our health, and yet it's possible that this is the most important thing for us as a community to address. In 2015 and 2016, LGBT community centers across Pennsylvania joined forces to work with Pennsylvania Department of Health to measure LGBT health disparities -- we learned that LGBT people experience significant disparities - in other words, because of numerous barriers to care, some structural, some geographic, some that are, frankly, preventable, the LGBT community in Pennsylvania experiences health outcomes that aren't as good as the rest of the population. Just like when we talk about the lack of non-discrimination protections, or the the lack of school bullying protections for LGBT youth, or the lack of support for LGBT older adults -- the health disparities that we as LGBT people face are simply stated: not fair.
PrEP in Erie County
PrEP means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and it's the use of anti-HIV medication (Truvada), taken once daily, that keeps HIV negative people from becoming infected. Whether they are engaging in high risk sexual activity with multiple partners, or having sex with a HIV positive partner. Providers that prescribe PrEP in Erie County are as follows: Community Health Net, Hamot Infectious Disease, St. Vincent's Infectious Disease and Dr. Encarnacion at Meadville Medical Center.
The Adam Rippon Effect
I've been pleasantly surprised by how the media and most of America have embraced openly – no, defiantly – gay figure skater Adam Rippon. He's a smart, funny, handsome proud gay man who embraces his inner "bitch" (his words) and isn't afraid to tell it. Watching him on shows like "Ellen" and "The View", he pulls no punches: he is who he is: his gestures, voice and body language are uniquely his own. He's not trying to butch it up or make himself more accessible to the folks in small-town Ohio (where I'm from).
New data on syphilis rates among gay, bisexual men with HIV
In 2016, approximately half of MSM with P&S syphilis, the most infectious stages of the disease, were also living with an HIV diagnosis. Attempting to gain a better understanding of the burden of disease and how it varies by state, CDC researchers for the first time calculated the rate of P&S syphilis among MSM living with diagnosed HIV infection and those who were HIV-negative or had unknown status.
PrEP Not Reaching Most Who Could Potentially Benefit
A new CDC study suggests that only a small percentage of Americans who could potentially benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill for HIV prevention, have been prescribed it. In the first detailed analysis by race and by risk group, CDC researchers found while two-thirds of those who could potentially benefit from PrEP are African American or Latino, these groups account for the smallest percentage of prescriptions to date.
Letters, Columnists and Opinion
Media milestones & GLAAD
From Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News: There were two events this week of great magnitude to the LGBT community that mostly were just seen as everyday occurrences, but I assure you they were not. Both are media related and if we've learned anything in our community, being out changes the world, and being out in media reaches the masses and educate the general public on who we are and what we are all about… and let's not forget that there are many places in America that still don't know us and we don't reach, but media certainly can and will.
The Six-Foot Table Solution
Yes, we can solve all our problems with six-foot tables, even world peace.
Contests
Enter to win Kim Wilde's latest album, "Here Come The Aliens!"
Enter to win a Dua Lipa prize pack!
Enter to win a Dua Lipa prize pack! Unleash your independence with "IDGAF," the latest single from global pop sensation Dua Lipa. Win exclusive Dua Lipa prizes including a t-shirt and remix CD! Listen to "IDGAF" now: https://wbr.ec/idgaf Buy/Listen to Dua Lipa's self-titled album: https://wbr.ec/dualipa-album. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, April 17 and Tuesday, May 8.
Enter to win a Troye Sivan "My My My!" remix CD!
Enter to win a Troye Sivan "My My My!" remix CD! Take over the floor with "My My My!" the newest single from international pop star Troye Sivan. Now with remixes from Cash Cash, Hot Chip, and Throttle. Listen to the "My My My!" Cash Cash remix here: https://youtu.be/4blrQqKOlvE To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, April 13 and Friday, May 4.
Enter to win Kacey Musgraves' GOLDEN HOUR!
Enter to win Kacey Musgraves' GOLDEN HOUR! GOLDEN HOUR features the new track "High Horse." GOLDEN HOUR is available now. Enter now for a chance to win! Listen to "High Horse": https://youtu.be/_fjfo256p6s. Stream or buy GOLDEN HOUR: http://strm.to/goldenhourWE. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, April 10 and Tuesday, May 1.
Win Out For Queer Blood by Clayton Delery
Win Out For Blood by Clayton Delery! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, April 10 and Tuesday, May 1.
Enter to win REVAMP!
Enter to win REVAMP! REVAMP is the new album celebrating the extraordinary catalogue and songwriting partnership of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The album features reimagined hits from superstar artists including Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato, P!nk and more! Enter now for a chance to win! REVAMP is available April 6, 2018! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, April 6 and Friday, April 27.
Win Dance With You by Morgin Dupont
Win Dance With You by Morgin Dupont! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, April 6 and Friday, April 27.
Enter to win Steven Spielberg FAQ!
Enter to win Steven Spielberg FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Films of Hollywood's Best-Known Director by Barry Monush! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, April 3 and Tuesday, April 24.
Enter to win Satisfied from Ashley J!
Enter to win Expectations from Hayley Kiyoko!
Enter to win Expectations from Hayley Kiyoko! Enter now for your chance to win the debut album from breakthrough pop artist Hayley Kiyoko, Expectations. Featuring the hit single "Curious" & "What I Need Ft. Kehlani". Out March 30: Atlantic.lnk.to/Expectations. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, March 27 and Tuesday, April 17.
Enter to win Rhapsody in Black: The Life and Music of Roy Orbison!
Enter to win Rhapsody in Black: The Life and Music of Roy Orbison by John Kruth! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, March 27 and Tuesday, April 17.
Enter to win Go the Way Your Blood Beats: On Truth, Bisexuality and Desire!
Enter to win Go the Way Your Blood Beats: On Truth, Bisexuality and Desire by Michael Amherst! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, March 23 and Friday, April 13.
Enter to win Knowledge from Dynamos!
Enter to win Only Human by Calum Scott!
Enter to win Only Human by Calum Scott! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, March 16 and Friday, April 6.
Enter to win Love, Simon Prize Pack!
Enter to win a Love, Simon Prize Pack! This is about to get romantic AF! 20th Century Fox presents Love, Simon. Everyone deserves a great love story. But for seventeen-year old Simon Spier it's a little more complicated: he's yet to tell his family or friends he's gay and he doesn't actually know the identity of the anonymous classmate he's fallen for online. Resolving both issues proves hilarious, terrifying and life-changing. Directed by Greg Berlanti (Dawson's Creek, Brothers & Sisters), written by Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger (This is Us), and based on Becky Albertalli's acclaimed novel, Love, Simon is a funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story about the thrilling ride of finding yourself and falling in love. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, March 13 and Tuesday, April 3.
Enter For A Chance To Win A "Tomb Raider" Prize Pack!
Enter For A Chance To Win A "Tomb Raider" Prize Pack! Lara Croft is the fiercely independent daughter of an eccentric adventurer who vanished when she was scarcely a teen. Now a young woman of 21 without any real focus or purpose, Lara navigates the chaotic streets of trendy East London as a bike courier, barely making the rent. Determined to forge her own path, she refuses to take the reins of her father's global empire just as staunchly as she rejects the idea that he's truly gone. Advised to face the facts and move forward after seven years without him, even Lara can't understand what drives her to finally solve the puzzle of his mysterious death. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, March 13 and Tuesday, April 3.
Miscellaneous
LGBT Community Survey - Let your voice be heard and enter a drawing to win $50!
Erie Gay News would like to invite you to take a new survey about your opinions and preferences, from an LGBT perspective. You can also enter a drawing to win a $50 cash prize just for filling out the survey!
You're Buying a Neighborhood, Not Just a Home
When you're shopping for a new house, it's important to remember that in some ways you're not just buying a single property. You're buying and moving into a street and a neighborhood. Your new home doesn't exist in a vacuum. You have neighbors, other homes on your block, and a neighborhood overall that you're joining. There are a few things you need to keep in mind and learn about when you're considering moving into a new location. Here are a few of these things.
PFLAG Celebrates 45th Year of Leading on Family Acceptance
WASHINGTON, D.C.- On March 11th, PFLAG-the nation's first and largest organization uniting families and allies with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people-will celebrate 45 years since its founding in New York City in 1973.
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