February, 2019 News (39 Articles with 62,635 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for February, 2019 OSCAR WILDECAT: One of EGN feline supervisors curled up and cozy on such a winter's day. Photo by 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
Uncomfortable Conversations - Transgender Language at Edinboro University on February 26
Transgender people come from many different ways of life and from many backgrounds, and it is difficult to tell if someone is transgender just by looking. Edinboro University will host a discussion about transgender language and identity, and learn what it really means to be a transgender ally on February 26 at 7 PM at the Baron-Forness Library, 200 Tartan Rd, Edinboro PA.
Shea's of Buffalo hosts high school bullying drama Outside on Jan 29
Three friends. Two high schools. One lunch hour. Outside is the story of Daniel, a teen who triumphs over homophobic bullying, depression and suicide. During a meeting of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at his new school Daniel shares his story. Meanwhile, at his old school, struggling to come to terms with what happened, his friends Krystina and Jeremy attempt to start their own GSA. Using flashbacks, we travel through Daniel's harrowing experience of bullying that began with a taunt and a text message and eventually led to a serious physical assault. The play, presented by Toronto-based Roseneath Theatre, will be performed at Shea's Buffalo, 650 Main Street Buffalo NY on January 29.
Become a 2019 NW PA Pride Donor
This year the NW Pennsylvania Pride Alliance Inc is already hard at work to make 2019 special for the entire community. We look forward to having our Pride Fest on June 29, the Pride Picnic on August 10, and other events planned throughout the year. The support of individuals and organizations in our community has been the catalyst for furthering the Alliance's mission: Improving the visibility of the LGBTQIA community and facilitating communication and collaboration between groups and individuals. We are asking for your support in 2019 as we celebrate Pride in NWPA. Donors like you make it possible for the Alliance to organize, sponsor, and/or host events such as the Pride Festival and the Pride Picnic. The Alliance also participates in various community events to promote awareness of LGBTQIA issues, and supports the efforts and activities of other groups dedicated to the health and wellbeing of the LGBTQIA community.
NW PA Pride 2019 Pride Logo Design Contest
NW PA Pride Alliance will be accepting design entries through March 1 for the 2019 Pride logo. This year, artists are free to come up with their own theme celebrating local LGBTQIA Pride! There is no limit to the number of entries per person that can be submitted, nor is there an age limit. Elements that should be/are intended to be white should not be transparent in your design. The design we select will receive a free shirt and a $100 Visa gift card. But first, there are a few rules. Your design must be on the front of the shirt, in the area indicated on the little shirt template we'll provide. You can download the template as a PDF (here), as a PSD (here), or as a TIF (here for Windows or here for Mac). We will also be glad to provide you with our logo to use (or not, it's up to you) (logo is here in color or here in black and white), but you do have to use the colors in the logo in your design. The preferred format is an Adobe Illustrator Vector File (or something we can convert to that format), 300 dpi, with the canvas size being a maximum of 9 1/2" wide by 15" tall.
Deadline for February 2019 print edition (issue # 278) of Erie Gay News is Monday, January 14
For the next print edition of Erie Gay News (issue # 278, cover dated for February 2019), please send in calendar events, news items, and other info for late November 2018 and beyond by Monday, January 14. We expect that the next print edition will come out on Tuesday, January 22.
Entertainment and Travel
Emmy Award-winning "RuPaul's Drag Race" Ru-veals new cast for epic 11th season
New York, NY – January 24, 2019 – The 11th season of Emmy Award-winning "RuPaul's Drag Race" is set to be the most fashionable, fearless and jaw-dropping spectacle in "Drag Race" herstory. The newest queens vying for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar" were introduced via a VH1 YouTube Live hosted by Olympic medalist Adam Rippon and season 10 winner Aquaria. A premiere date for the new season will be announced soon.
"Sex Education" coming of age dramady now on Netflix
Now streaming - "Sex Education" a new coming-of-age series on Netflix starring Gillian Anderson and Asa Butterfield : "Tapping into many prescient topics for teenagers, the show plays on themes of masculinity in crisis, the ways LGBT inclusivity has moved forward, and the progress that still needs to be made. This simple premise -- sex therapy for teens by teens -- sets up Sex Education as a show that is more than willing to speak with refreshing candour about everything that can go right, and wrong, when teenagers begin trying to articulate their wants, desires and needs.quot; - Vice
Pride Journey: Portland, Oregon
For years, my former boss at South Florida Gay News would rave about Portland, Oregon. He loved the free-spirited nature of the community as well as the abundance of outdoor activities available outside the city. After years of seeing Norm and other friends post breathtaking photos on social media, I thought it was time to give Portland a try.
Political, Activism and Legal
Key National LGBTQ Military Organizations Applaud Members of Congress for Bringing Visibility to Transgender Military Service Through State of the Union Invites
(Washington, D.C., Feb. 5, 2019) – In preparation for President Trump's State of the Union Address, several Members of Congress have chosen to invite actively-serving and veteran transgender service members to attend the event as their honored guests:
Acceptance is Key to Ensuring Transgender Young People Are Safe, Healthy, and Thriving
Washington, D.C., February 5, 2019-A new campaign launched today by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), the Biden Foundation, and Gender Spectrum, "Advancing Acceptance," raises awareness of the importance of family and community acceptance in the lives of transgender and gender diverse youth. The campaign provides crucial resources for friends and family who may have questions, be struggling with acceptance, or who are looking for ways to support transgender or gender diverse youth. According to the Biden Foundation, when parents and families accept and embrace their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) child,?that acceptance dramatically improves their child's self-esteem and decreases the likelihood they will experience depression or suicidal ideation, or engage in self-harming behaviors. And?research shows that transgender youth experience greatly reduced anxiety and depression when they are accepted and affirmed at home, in school, and in their communities.
Senator Wiener Introduces Legislation to Prohibit Medically Unnecessary Surgery on Intersex Babies
SAN FRANCISCO - February 4, 2019 - Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and a coalition of civil rights, intersex, healthcare and LGBT advocates announced legislation to ensure intersex babies - "intersex" being a term used for people born with variations in their sex characteristics, including genitalia - can provide informed consent before undergoing medically unnecessary surgeries that can effectively assign them a gender (before they can decide for themselves) and that can irreversibly harm them. Senate Bill 201 would not prohibit treatment or surgery when it is medically necessary; it simply prohibits cosmetic surgeries on babies that are medically unnecessary and based on a desire to "normalize" a child's genitals. Some of these surgeries include, reducing a clitoris, creating a vagina or removing healthy gonadal tissue.
HRC and Equality Federation Release Annual State Equality Index Ratings
WASHINGTON - January 31, 2019 -- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and the Equality Federation Institute released their 5th annual State Equality Index (SEI), a comprehensive report detailing statewide laws and policies that affect LGBTQ people and their families, and assessing how well states are protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination. Because there are currently no comprehensive civil rights protections for LGBTQ people at the federal level, the rights of millions of LGBTQ people and their families depend on which state they live in. In 30 states, LGBTQ people remain at risk of being fired, evicted or denied services because of who they are. For this reason, the incoming pro-equality majority in the U.S. House of Representatives has made the Equality Act -- a bill to establish comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ people -- a top priority.
NEW POLL: Overwhelming 70% of Americans Oppose Trump-Pence Transgender Military Ban
WASHINGTON - January 29, 2019 - Today, the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation's largest organization of LGBTQ military families, responded to a new Quinnipiac University National Poll showing that an overwhelming majority of Americans oppose Donald Trump's attempts to implement a transgender military ban. The poll found that, "American voters say 70 - 22 percent that transgender people should be allowed to serve in the military."
LGBTQ Brazilian Congressman Jean Wyllys Resigns and Flees Country After Increasing Death Threats
Washington, DC - January 24, 2019 – Brazilian Congressman Jean Wyllys – who became the first openly LGBTQ person to serve in the National Congress of Brazil in 2011 – announced he has left the country and will not return because of increasing death threats against him. Wyllys is a frequent target of attacks from the notoriously homophobic and recently elected Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro – and allies of the president are widely believed behind many of the death threats. In March of last year, Wyllys' political ally and close friend Marielle Franco, a city councilmember in Rio de Janeiro outspoken on LGBTQ rights, was shot and killed. Yesterday it was announced that the suspects in her killing were members of a death squad linked to President Bolsonaro's son. Wyllys was reelected late last year and was set to begin a third term next month until his resignation announcement this afternoon.
Openly LGBTQ Mayor Pete Buttigieg Takes Historic First Step in 2020 U.S. Presidential Race
Washington, DC - January 23, 2019 - Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ people, cheered South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg's decision to form an exploratory committee for a 2020 presidential run. If Mayor Buttigieg decides to run, he will become the first openly LGBTQ elected official to run for President of the United States. His decision comes in the wake of an unprecedented "Rainbow Wave" of openly LGBTQ candidates who ran this past election cycle at every level of government, many of whom broke down long-standing political barriers on Election Night.
Supreme Court Declines Transgender Military Ban Cases but Permits Enforcement of Ban for Now
(Washington, DC, January 22, 2019) – The U.S. Supreme Court today denied petitions from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) asking that the Court review preliminary federal district court rulings that have kept the Trump administration from implementing its discriminatory plan to prevent transgender people from serving openly in the U.S. Armed Services.
Senate Majority Passes GENDA & Bans Conversion Therapy
(Albany, NY - January 15, 2019) The Senate Majority Conference today passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) (S.1047) that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression and adds transgender New Yorkers to those protected by the state's Hate Crimes Law. The Senate also passed legislation (S.1046) prohibiting mental health professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with a patient under the age of 18 years. Both bills were introduced by New York State Senator Brad Hoylman and had been blocked by the previous Republican Majority.
New York Senate and Assembly Pass Bill to Prohibit Conversion Therapy for LGBTQ Youth
ALBANY, N.Y. - January 15, 2019 - Today, the New York State Senate and Assembly passed S1046/A576, a bill that protects LGBTQ youth from the practice of conversion therapy. Born Perfect, The National Center for Lesbian Rights' campaign to end conversion therapy, has worked on the ground since 2013 to advocate for the passage of this landmark bill to stop this harmful and discredited practice. Born Perfect is proud of the work Senator Brad Hoylman, the bill's sponsor, has done to elevate the voices of survivors and to ensure that New York protects its youth.
Statement from Equality Ohio and TransOhio on Governor DeWine's state employees' executive order
January 14, 2019 - Today, Governor Mike DeWine issued an executive order that prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ state employees. This executive order was among the first six that Governor DeWine signed, underscoring his recognition of the need for respectful and fair treatment of all state employees, including LGBTQ workers.
Governor DeWine's executive order builds on one issued by former Governor John Kasich in late December, where the former Governor added gender identity or expression to his executive order on nondiscrimination. Today, Governor DeWine continued that policy, marking the second time in one month that Republican leadership in Ohio has reaffirmed the humanity of LGBTQ people and the need for fully-inclusive nondiscrimination protections.
Record Number of Co-Sponsors Introduce KY LGBTQ Statewide Fairness Law
(Louisville, KY - Janaury 11, 2019) A record 19 Kentucky House members today introduced Statewide Fairness House Bill 164, which would update state civil rights laws to ban LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Led by Rep. Mary Lou Marzian (34-Louisville), the group of lawmakers is nearly double the size of last year's sponsors, and for the first time, a state representative from outside Kentucky's 10 cities with LGBTQ Fairness Ordinances helped introduce the measure as a lead co-sponsor-Rep. Patti Minter (20-Bowling Green).
LGBTQ and Allied Orgs Urge Thorough, Independent Investigation & Critical Reforms Following 2nd Suspicious Death of a Black Man at W Hollywood Home of Ed Buck
January 10, 2019 - Today, 41 LGBTQ and allied organizations (listed below) released the following statement to demand a thorough investigation by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's Office of the second death of a Black man at the West Hollywood home of Ed Buck, a prominent political donor, within two years.
Mutual of Omaha will no longer deny insurance to applicants who use PrEP
One of the country's largest insurance providers has agreed to stop denying all forms of insurance, including life and long-term care insurance, to Massachusetts residents using the HIV prevention medication Truvada for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Following an investigation by the Massachusetts Attorney General's office and a separate lawsuit filed by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), Mutual of Omaha has formally agreed to change its underwriting practices. Fenway Health was proud to assist both efforts with expert testimony and research by Kenneth H. Mayer, M.D., Medical Research Director and Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute.
Michigan and Wisconsin Governors Sign Executive Orders Banning Discrimination
On Monday, January 7th, Michigan's Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order banning discrimination against LGBTQ state employees and Wisconsin's Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order expanding nondiscrimination protections to transgender state employees
Equality California Thanks Brown for Historic Commitment to LGBTQ Civil Rights
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - January 7, 2019 - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Rick Zbur on Monday: "Governor Jerry Brown has long championed the cause of LGBTQ equality in California, making more progress in his four terms than any other governor in the nation to date. From decriminalizing same-sex relationships in 1975 and appointing the state's first openly gay judge in 1979 to signing more than 55 pro-equality bills into law during the last eight years, Governor Brown has affirmed his commitment to ensuring all Californians are treated with equal dignity and respect. We have not always agreed with the governor's approach to achieving full LGBTQ equality, but we have never once doubted his sincere dedication to our cause.
Health
Have More Sex: It's Good for You
Nowadays, in many ways, sex gets a bad rap: anonymous sex, unsafe sex, addictive sex, hook-up sex... you know. I'd like to focus on the other side of sex: all the ways that it's good for us.
Letters, Columnists and Opinion
I don't do movie reviews, but...
There is a movie that by seeing its trailers and advertising on TV, you'd have no expectation that it has any relevance to you or our community.
The Amazon Trail: How to Celebrate Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is one of those do-it-yourself celebrations. There are no parades or feasts or family gatherings. When I was single, I could always count on a card from my mother and, needless to say, would send one to her. Commerce has no respect for the single, however, and for a month every year, the U.S turns red and pink.
Contests
Enter to win Silver and Gold EP by Dearling!
Enter to win Hollywood Gays and Hollywood Lesbians: From Garbo to Foster e-books by Boze Hadleigh from Riverdale Avenue Books!
Enter to win Hollywood Gays and Hollywood Lesbians: From Garbo to Foster e-books by Boze Hadleigh from Riverdale Avenue Books! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, February 19 and Tuesday, March 12.
Enter to win Honeyglue DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures!
Enter to win Honeyglue DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, February 15 and Friday, March 8.
Enter for a chance to win A Fall in Autumn by Michael Williams?
Enter for a chance to win A Fall in Autumn by Michael Williams! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, Febuary 8 and Friday, March 1.
Enter to win Live in Atlantic City by Heart!
Enter to win Live in Atlantic City by Heart! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, February 1 and Friday, February 22.
Enter to win We Are Thr3e DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures!
Enter to win We Are Thr3e DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, January 29 and Tuesday, February 19.
Enter to win In the Direction of the Sun audiobook by Lucy J Madison!
Enter to win In the Direction of the Sun audiobook by Lucy J Madison! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, January 25 and Friday, February 15.
Enter to win Mary, Queen of Scotch ebook by Rob Rosen!
Enter to win Mary, Queen of Scotch ebook by Rob Rosen! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, January 22 and Tuesday, February 12.
Enter to win a fan from Zara Larsson's new single "Ruin My Life"!
Enter to win a fan from Zara Larsson's new single "Ruin My Life"! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, January 18 and Friday, February 8.
Enter to win Best Gay Erotica of the Year Volume 4 autographed paperback by Rob Rosen!
Enter to win Best Gay Erotica of the Year Volume 4 autographed paperback by Rob Rosen! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, January 15 and Tuesday, February 5.
Enter to win Holiday Gay: Tales of Love, Lust, Romance and Other Seasonal Gifts e-book from Riverdale Avenue Books!
Enter to win Holiday Gay: Tales of Love, Lust, Romance and Other Seasonal Gifts e-book from Riverdale Avenue Books! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, January 11 and Friday, February 1.
Miscellaneous
Is January a Golden Time to Buy Your New Home?
All throughout recent, and not-so-recent history, people tend to want to buy a new home most during the spring and summer months. Typically, this is because the warmer weather, fewer school disruptions for families, and there is usually a larger market for homes at that time. However, January has its own perks, too. While buying at the end of a year is something that could benefit you (especially come tax time), there is also something to be said for buying first thing in the new year, too.
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