Erie Gay News 25th Anniversary

from Michael Mahler

This issue of Erie Gay News marks our 25th anniversary. The first issue came out in late December of 1992 and was funded by dances held by Bridges, an organization that put on Pride picnics in the early 90's The purpose of the original issue was to help promote the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation, held the weekend of April 25, 1993.

Currently, there are only three LGBT-focused print publications in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Erie Gay News, The Central Voice (Harrisburg area) and Philadelphia Gay News. Gay Peoples Chronicle from Cleveland ceased publication at the end of 2015 after 30 years, and Pittsburgh has not had a print publication since Equal ceased after their November 2014 issue. Buffalo has Loop Magazine, and Rochester NY has Empty Closet.

Erie Gay News is very grateful to the advertisers, contributors, and volunteers who have made it possible for us to inform our region over the years. We are proud to also chronicle the regional LGBT community's history. PDFs of back issues are at www.eriegaynews.com for the entire history of our publication, and we also maintain a page at our web site for our region's LGBT history going back to the 1960's.

Thank you for your support in this continuing journey!