June, 2024 News (40 Articles with 11,386 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for June, 2024 **None
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
Area Pride Celebrations
Check out all of the wonderful Pride celebrations taking place in our region!
VAIN: ERIE featuring Raja from RuPaul's Drag Race at The Zone on June 2
Come join The Zone, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA pm Sunday, June 2 for our VERY FIRST VAIN - a night of glamour, drag and celebration with the one and only RAJA, winner of RuPaul's Drag Race, Hosted by Lola LeCroix! Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with fierce performances, fabulous music, and a whole lot of love and PRIDE.
DIY Pride Craft Night at Werner Books and Coffee on June 26
Werner Books and Coffee, 3608 Liberty Street, Erie, PA, is hosting a DIY Pride Craft Night on Wednesday, June 26, from 5 to 7:30 PM. They are inviting folks to get ready for Pride with us. You can personalize your own buttons, signs, clothes, and other essentials! Some materials are provided, but they also encourage you to bring your own! Have fun and be creative in getting ready for Pride on the Bay at Liberty Park on Saturday, June 29.
Aging With Pride Fundraiser on June 27
Enjoy a great meal and help support Aging With Pride activities. Dine at Primanti Bros. at the Millcreek Mall on Thursday, June 27th, from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and 20% of your check will be donated to Aging With Pride. Visit AgingWithPrideErie.org/support/ and click on the link for the event flier or download it directly at https://agingwithprideerie.files.wordpress.com/2024/04/awp-primanti-flyer.pdf, which you must show at the restaurant. You may either show the flier on your phone or print a copy to take with you. In conjunction with this event, Aging With Pride will host their monthly social that evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and all are welcome to attend. For more information about Aging With Pride, visit their website at AgingWithPrideErie.org or email daleallgeier@outlook.com.
Building Bridges: Warren, PA LGBTQ+ Support Group "Life Gets Better Together" Thrives on Facebook
In the heart of Warren, Pennsylvania, a small town with big dreams, a digital sanctuary has emerged for the LGBTQ+ community. Founded by Emily Hannon, "Life Gets Better Together" is not just a Facebook group; it's a lifeline, a source of support, and a beacon of hope for individuals who often feel marginalized in their own community.
LGBT Center Celebrates Grand Opening
HARRISBURG, PA You're invited to help celebrate the grand opening of the LGBT Center of Central PA's new home! The LGBT Center, its board members, staff, and local officials will be holding a ribbon cutting for the organization's permanent home at 1323 N. Front Street in Harrisburg at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17. The space will be open to the public at 5 p.m. for an open house and reception, coinciding with Harrisburg's Third in the Burg.
LGBTQIA+ Recovery Support Group Now Meets First and Third Thursday Of The Month
LGBTQIA+ Recovery Support Group is for persons in recovery and now meets the First and Third THURSDAY of each month from 5 PM 6 PM. (please note the date change). The group meets at UPMC Safe Harbor @ 1330 W 26th St, Erie, PA. Use the front entrance for the meeting in the Disney Room. The group is open to anyone in the queer community or allies who would like support in their recovery you do NOT have to be a UPMC client. Those wishing to maintain anonymity will be able to do so. A big part of the group culture and rules will be around holding the confidentiality of our peers, as with most support groups, and in accordance with our community standard or respecting preferred names. For questions, call Michelle Wolf at 814-451-2277 or email at wolfme@upmc.edu.
Join the Celebration: Volunteer at Pride on the Bay 2024!
Are you ready to be part of something extraordinary? Pride on the Bay, the vibrant celebration of love, diversity, and equality, is coming to Liberty Park, and we need your help to make it a spectacular success!
May 16th is National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day
May 16th is National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day. This day is a time to recognize pioneers of the LGBTQ+ movement for justice and equality and to highlight the challenges that remain today. Many LGBTQ+ older adults are at high risk for elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation due to factors such as social isolation, solo aging, past experiences with violence, harassment, and discrimination. It is time to pay tribute to those who have paved the way for the LGBTQ+ rights and freedom that we have today. Erie has been fortunate to have had numerous elders work on these issues. These individuals include LGBT Community Progress Award winners Harry Miller and Doris Cipolla, as well as, Sister Mary Louise St. John who was a founder of the Womynspace Coffeehouse which became LBT Women of Erie. It is time to thank them and the many others not listed for the strides towards equality made over the last several decades. As with other civil rights movements, their work has not been easy. Their struggles and victories are marked by courage, persistence, passion.
Deadline for June 2024 print edition (issue #343) of Erie Gay News is Monday, May 13, comes out Tuesday, May 21!
For the next Erie Gay News (issue # 343, cover-dated for June 2024), please send in-person and online events, news items, and other info for late May 2024 and beyond by Monday, May 13. We expect the next edition to come out on Tuesday, May 21. Please note that this issue will include coverage of regional Pride events.
Entertainment and Travel
Erie Mayor Issues Proclamation Recognizing National Travel and Tourism Week
Erie, PA: In recognition of National Travel and Tourism Week, City of Erie Mayor Joseph Schember is issuing a special proclamation during his weekly press conference on Thursday, May 16 at City Hall. The proclamation emphasizes the pivotal role of the travel and tourism industry in fostering economic growth and enhancing community vitality within the City of Erie. National Travel and Tourism Week, observed this year from May 19 to May 25, annually celebrates the profound impact of travel on the nation's economy and society. National Travel and Tourism Week serves as a reminder of the invaluable contributions of the travel industry to Erie's economy and quality of life.
Danny Will Die Alone to Stream on Dekkoo
Dekkoo, the premiere streaming service dedicated to gay men, will launch its new original series, Danny Will Die Alone, on May 16, 2024. Created by and starring Jack Tracy, Danny Will Die Alone dives deep into the hellscape of being a single gay man today trying to find love via the hookup apps. Loosely based on Jack Tracy's own dating life in New York City and his "Dying Alone Together" podcast, the series depicts Tracy as Danny: a man on a mission. Recently single after a devastating breakup and freshly entering a mid-life crisis, Danny finds the dating scene markedly different from the last time he was on the market. Emotional unavailability, fear of commitment and hypersexuality abound and Danny is forced to navigate his way through unhinged flakes, fakes, and bots, all while remaining blissfully unaware of his own multitude of flaws.
VisitErie Reports 2024 First Quarter Tourism Numbers
Erie, PA: Erie's tourism figures, as reported by VisitErie, the official destination marketing organization for Erie County, demonstrated growth from January through March compared to 2023. January marked VisitErie's highest month for guide requests, while its winter promotional campaign achieved notable success.
Local Faces and Photos
G2H2 at El Amigo's Mexican Grill
Just before Cinco De Mayo, G2H2 held their monthly get-together on Friday, May 3, at El Amigo Mexican Grill, State Street, Erie, PA. The group meets on the first Friday of each month.
Political, Activism and Legal
Justice Dept Secures Agreement with Shelby County, TN, District Attorney General to Cease Enforcement of State Law that Discriminates Against People With HIV
WASHINGTON - May 16, 2024 - The Justice Department announced today that the Shelby County, Tennessee, District Attorney General (DA) has agreed to cease prosecution of individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) under Tennessee's aggravated prostitution law. The DA will also adopt reforms to correct discrimination against people living with HIV who were subjected to discriminatory and harsher penalties under the law.
End Discrimination Against LGBQ, Trans, and Nonbinary Pennsylvanians
Act Now! The Pennsylvania Senate is considering legislation to add sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to the commonwealths nondiscrimination law. This update to the law is long overdue and has already passed the state House. Send a message to your state senator at https://action.aclu.org/send-message/pa-senate-support-the-fairness-act
HRC Virtual Pre-Pride Kickoff Event on May 22
Join HRC Pennsylvania for our virtual Pre-PRIDE Kickoff event! It's going down on May 22nd at 6:30 PM EST. We're bringing the party to Zoom so you can connect with folks from across the state!
VICTORY! Court Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging California's Transgender Prison Policy
(Sacramento, CA, Thursday, May 16, 2024) The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by an anti-transgender group against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) challenging SB132, the groundbreaking law protecting transgender people incarcera
NH Senate Republicans Push Four Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills, Amid a GOP Assault on LGBTQ+ Freedoms
WASHINGTON - May 16, 2024 - The New Hampshire Senate is expected to vote as soon as today on four anti-LGBTQ+ pieces of legislation. These dangerous bills already passed the Republican-controlled House, and have favorable odds of passing in the Senate too.
Take action: LGBTQ+ people should be counted by U.S. Census
The Human Rights Campaign needs your help. The U.S. Census Bureau recently confirmed that it intends to move forward on its plans to test how it could safely gather data on sexual orientation and gender identity as part of the American Community Survey and now they asked for public feedback on whether to proceed with that testing this year.
GLAAD Responds to Inaccurate, Anti-LGBTQ, Anti-Equality Commencement Address From Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker
(New York, NY -- May 15, 2024) Today GLAAD, the world's largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, is responding to Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's commencement ceremony speech at Benedictine College in Kansas last weekend. Butker's remarks included disparaging LGBTQ people, Pride, access to reproductive health care, and choices he believes women should make for their futures. Fact check on several erroneous claims, below.
National Women's Law Center Files Civil Rights Complaints Against Georgia and Florida School Districts for Censoring Inclusive Books
WASHINGTON, DC, May 13, 2024 - Today, the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) filed two complaints with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), urging an investigation into Georgia's Cobb County School District and Florida's Collier County Public School District for creating a hostile environment for students through practices that include censoring books and learning materials that feature, tell the stories of, or are written by LGBTQIA+ people and people of color.
"Welcoming Schools," HRC's Anti-Bullying Program Reaches Record 750K Students, Supporting Communities Amid Wave of Anti-LGBTQ+ Book Bans, Classroom Censorship
WASHINGTON - May 14, 2024 - Today, the Welcoming Schools program the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC)'s program to ensure pre-K-12 school communities have access to the tools and knowledge necessary to support family diversity, prevent bias-based bullying and support transgender and non-binary students released its fourth annual report detailing the growth and impact of their work amidst widespread attacks on LGBTQ+ students, families and communities nationwide. This year, the Welcoming Schools program provided 180 training sessions to 13,000 educators and school leaders who reach approximately 750,000 students each day.
Lambda Legal Urges Ninth Circuit to Block Enforcement of Idaho's Transgender Restroom Ban
(Pasadena, CA, May 9, 2024) -- Lambda Legal today urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to continue to block enforcement of an Idaho school facilities law that singles out transgender students for discriminatory treatment. In oral argument today before the Ninth Circuit, Lambda Legal asked the court to reverse a lower court ruling and secure a preliminary injunction preventing implementation of Idaho Senate Bill 1100 while Lambda Legal pursues a challenge to the law.
LGBTQ Equality Maps Updates and Bill Tracking for May 2024
In this rapidly changing landscape, MAP's LGBTQ Equality Maps provide a detailed snapshot of the current state of LGBTQ laws and policies in the United States. See below for state level and local level policy updates as of May 8, 2024.
STATEMENT: Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson Responds to Decision by Target Not to Stock LGBTQ+-Themed Merchandise in Some Stores During Pride
May 10, 2024 - In response to news that Target Corporation will no longer be stocking LGBTQ+-themed merchandise in some of its stores during Pride Month, Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson issued the following statement: "Pride merchandise means something. LGBTQ+ people are in every zip code in this country, and we aren't going anywhere. With LGBTQ+ people making up 30% of Gen Z, companies need to understand that community members and allies want businesses that express full-hearted support for the community. That includes visible displays of allyship. "Target's decision is disappointing and alienates LGBTQ+ individuals and allies at the risk of not only their bottom line but also their values."
South Carolina Legislature Passes Ban on Gender Affirming Care for Transgender Youth; Virginia Poised to be the Sole Refuge For Care in the South
COLUMBIA, SC - May 9, 2024 Today, the South Carolina Senate voted to ban access to gender affirming care for transgender youth, including a requirement that youth who have been receiving gender affirming care must cease by January. If signed, the new law would also prohibit public funds from being used to provide this medically necessary, best practice care for transgender people of all ages. Medical professionals would face felony criminal penalties as well as civil liability, removing South Carolina as one of the last two southern states to provide care for trans and gender non-conforming youth. Already living under a national state of emergency, this bill exacerbates existing dangers for and strips care from thousands of LGBTQ+ South Carolinians.
Fourth Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Gay Teacher from North Carolina Catholic School
RICHMOND - May 8, 2024 The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected a discrimination claim brought by a teacher at a North Carolina Catholic school who was fired shortly after announcing his wedding to another man, ruling his role as a teacher was subject to the ministerial exception to Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and thus not protected from anti-gay discrimination.
HRC Equality Votes PAC Statement on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Ignoring Medical Consensus on Health Care for Trans Youth
In response to a recent post from presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on X (formerly Twitter) attacking health care for transgender youth, Human Rights Campaign spokesperson Laurel Powell issued the following statement: "It's not surprising Mr. Kennedy has taken a break from spreading conspiracy theories about vaccination to ignore the medical consensus on health care for transgender youth. Despite his attempts at independence, Mr. Kennedy is falling in line with MAGA Republicans and the far-right by peddling dangerous attacks on LGBTQ+ people, claiming he knows better than parents and doctors. It's clear Mr. Kennedy is a direct threat to transgender people and the health care they need and deserve."
Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2024 Healthcare Equality Index Reveals Policy Progress and Gaps for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Healthcare Facilities Nationwide
WASHINGTON - May 7, 2024 - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released the 2024 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). The HEI is the leading national benchmarking tool for LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and best practices in healthcare facilities. In its 16th iteration, 1,065 healthcare facilities nationwide participated in the scoring process the highest participation since the HEI's inception in 2007, when it had just 88 active participants. Over the years, the HRC Foundation has steadily strengthened the HEI criteria to align with best practices around inclusive LGBTQ+ healthcare. This year, 384 facilities received the top score of 100 and were awarded the designation " LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader'' and 462 earned the designation "LGBTQ+ High Performer." A new interactive map allows the public to search for LGBTQ+-inclusive facilities by state and HEI designation.
National Women's Law Center Intervenes In Defense of Transgender College Athletes
ATLANTA - May 6, 2024 As part of its 50-year mission defending the rights of women and girls under Title IX, the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) filed a motion in federal court todayseeking to intervene in a lawsuit demanding the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) ban transgender women from participating in women's college sports teams and using restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity.
Settlement Reached with Aetna over LGBTQ+ Fertility Coverage
NEW YORK, May 3, 2024 The plaintiffs who brought a federal class action suit against Aetna over claims of discriminatory practices faced by LGBTQ+ policyholders seeking fertility treatment have reached a settlement with the insurance company, subject to Court approval.
HRC Congratulates Judy Shepard on Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON - May 3, 2024 Today, President Joe Biden will award Judy Shepard, founding president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors and its first executive director, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, for her unwavering advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and work to end hate. Since her son Matthew was killed in an anti-gay hate crime in 1998, Judy and her husband Dennis have dedicated their lives to social justice and championing their son's legacy to secure critical rights and inspire people to embrace dignity and equality for all people.
Health
7th Annual HIV Awareness Walk
On Saturday, May 18, 2024, the Erie County HIV Task Force held the 7th Annual HIV / AIDS Awareness Walk. The Erie County HIV Task Force is a collaboration of local organizations and individuals dedicated to educating, supporting, and advocating for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventing the spread of infection. The HIV / AIDS walk provides a reminder to the local community that making personal health a priority is everyone's right. This year's awareness walk also took place on the annual HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. This day is focused on the potential of a future where a vaccine is introduced to the world to prevent the spread of HIV altogether. This year's event returned to Perry Square and enjoyed a lovely turnout, where participants enjoyed educational materials and testing opportunities via the PA Thrive Partnership mobile unit at the event. Awareness walk attendees also could take available prevention materials from the task force members Community HealthNet and the Erie County Department of Health. For more information on local services, testing, and free condoms, visit the Erie County HIV Task Force at ECHIV.ORG or follow their Twitter account @EriePAHIV and like their Facebook page.
Be Proud of Your MPX VAX
Mpox cases are on the rise during 2024. Pride season is here, and the summer of 2022 saw a significant rise in cases. But you can get vaccinated to prevent the spread and infection. The Erie County Department of Health [ECDH] is providing both doses of JYNNEOS to the public during our weekly Sexual Health Clinic. For more information about mpox and for private, confidential vaccination at no cost, call 814-451-6700 at the Erie County Department of Health.
2024 PA LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment
Make your voice heard by filling out the PA LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment, a biannual survey conducted to evaluate health needs, health disparities, and barriers to care impacting LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians. Funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the PA LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment is seeking responses from members of the LGBTQ+ community about their own healthcare experiences and health needs as opposed to asking the healthcare professionals that serve LGBTQ+ people what those needs are.
Bloodshot Billboards: Eye Syphilis is Serious
LOS ANGELES AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is using the image of two giant bloodshot, infected eyes and the blurry words "Eye Syphilis is Serious" along with the URL freeSTDcheck.org to draw attention to the importance of getting tested for ocular syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which can cause blurred vision, floaters, light sensitivity, and even blindness if left untreated.
Help keep emergency rooms ready by giving blood or platelets
[May 7, 2024] When every second counts, blood products can provide lifesaving care. The American Red Cross asks the public to give blood or platelets during Trauma Awareness Month in May to keep hospitals prepared for all transfusion needs, including emergencies. Type O blood donors and donors giving platelets are especially needed right now
Contests
Enter to win The Bump!
Enter to win The Bump! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, May 24, and Friday, June 14.
Enter to win Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places!
Enter to win Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, May 21, and Tuesday, June 11.
Videos
Photo Galleries
