Mayor’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Council Updates

The Erie City Mayor’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Council met on January 12, 2022. Chief of Staff Renee Lamis provided American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding updates. ARP funding application programs are now open and accepting applications.

The City of Erie’s Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index has risen to a score of 86 out of a possible 100. One target for future improvement would be increasing awareness of reporting hate crimes. We hope to partner with other traditionally marginalized populations in the city for a public awareness campaign.

Erie Gay News and NW PA Pride have been working with Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center to get responses from our region’s community for the 2022 PA LGBTQIA+ Health Needs Assessment. Currently, the survey is expected to run through February 27. Alex from NW PA Pride Alliance is pleased to provide area LGBTQ organizations with web graphics customized with your organization’s logo.

The next meeting of the PA Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs will be on February 12. The statewide commission is focusing on policy initiatives for the remainder of Governor Wolf’s term. The Aging Committee of the PA Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs is planning an LGBTQIA+ and Aging webinar sometime this year. Although the event is virtual, the Aging committee plans to have regional area agencies on aging have viewing opportunities for those who might not have easy online access.

The City of Erie has hired a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant. We look forward to having them join our next meeting to discuss ways to help address the needs of our particular community.

Erie Gay News and NW PA Pride Alliance will be partnering with the PA Department of Banking and Securities for an online presentation, hopefully in late spring for "Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them." Other organizations wanting to partner with us are very much welcome!

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