NW PA Pride Annual Report


from NW PA Pride Alliance


As the Northwest PA (NW PA) Pride Alliance begins its fifth year, we are delighted and proud to see how much we have grown in such a short amount of time. We are pleased to share this success by providing our 2014 Annual Report. This report highlights some the accomplishments and activities involved in continuing our mission of improving the visibility of the LGBTQIA community and facilitating communication and collaboration between groups and individuals.


Candidate Forums


Collaboration is an essential part of what we do. The Alliance was pleased to coordinate candidate forums for the 2014 primary and general elections. The forums brought together several of Erie's LGBTQIA organizations in one location to discuss issues and legislation critical to the community. In total, approximately 70 people were able to interact with candidates running for local and state legislative offices. The Alliance was pleased to work with several co-sponsors for each forum: Erie Gay News, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality, LBT Women of Erie, Marriage Equality for PA, NW PA NOW, Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition, Persad Center, PFLAG of Erie & Crawford Counties, and TransFamily of Erie Support Group.


REUNITED Drag Show


The August REUNITED drag show benefit at Dramashop provided an opportunity for partnership, entertainment and fundraising. The Alliance is pleased to announce that over $200 was raised for the two organizations.


HIV Testing Task Force Participation


Participation on the HIV Testing Task Force provided an opportunity to address an important health issue in our community. The Alliance continues to partner with the Erie Gay News to provide free condoms at the Zone, and was pleased to collaborate with Community Health Net and the Erie County Department of Health to provide free HIV testing at the August Pride Fest. Fifteen tests were provided in three hours.


Visibility


In 2014, the Alliance continued its focus on raising visibility of the LGBTQIA community in Erie County. We are proud to report another year of reaching over 150,000 people though various events and activities.


Pride Events


The Pride Picnic and Pride Parade and Rally continue to be the largest summer celebrations of Erie's LGBTQIA community, bringing together people in the tri-state region and Canada. Over 50 pounds of food were collected for the Second Harvest Food Bank.


Addressing issues of inequality


The Alliance continues to work with local and statewide partners and legislators to address issues of inequality.


On May 20, 2014, a US federal district court ruled the 1996 ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. With less than 24 hours notice, the Alliance organized a gathering of about 200 in Erie's Perry Square. The gathering joined organized events around the state celebrating the landmark ruling.


Supporting the events of others


The Alliance helped to sponsor the Miss Erie Pageant, and broadened its regional visibility by attending the Youngstown Pride Event, PFLAG Butler Picnic and Jamestown Price Picnic.


And more...


Other notable events include Pride Night at a June Erie Seawolves home game, creating a float for the Millcreek July 4th Parade, and staffing an information table at the Erie Blues and Jazz Fest.


We gratefully acknowledge our sponsors' support that has been the catalyst for furthering the Alliance's mission in Erie. As Pride Sponsors, their contributions have helped to improve visibility and unity in the community. We look forward to the continued support of our current partners as well as forming new relationships the Erie community.


If you have questions about the Annual Report or the Alliance, or would like to discuss sponsorship, please contact Michael Mahler, President, at 814-456-9833 or [email protected] The board, members, and volunteers of the NW PA Pride Alliance are honored and excited to thank you for a fabulous 2014, and anticipate to an even brighter 2015.


About the Author

Michael Mahler Michael Kenton Mahler (He/Him) has been the editor of Erie Gay News since it was founded in December 1992. He is also a founding member of NWPA Pride Alliance. He serves on the Governor's Commission for LGBTQ Affairs and is active with Aging with Pride and the Erie County HIV Task Force. He became the first LGBTQ person to be fully out in May 1992 when appearing on local TV coverage. Michael currently works as a software developer for Erie Custom Computer Applications.