Mayor Schember Reacts to Trump Administration Policies

From Erie City Mayor Joe Schember

Mayor Schember speaking at 2019 Erie Pride Fest

In recent weeks, my team and I have fielded many questions from concerned members of the LGBTQIA+ community about how the policies of the Trump Administration affect the operations of the City of Erie. I want to reassure everyone that these changes will not affect the operations or policies pursued by my team and me in the City of Erie. We have always been, and will always be, strong allies, and in some cases members, of the LGBTQIA+ community in Erie.

In January of this year, I received the well-publicized letter from the Defense Intelligence Agency stating that it would no longer participate in festivals or other events that featured several marginalized groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community. This agency has not participated in City of Erie events before and, even if it had, its decision has no effect on our events. The City of Erie's events will proceed as they always have.

For my team and I, solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community is deeply felt. I am proud to employ people who identify as members of the community, and I am the proud father of a gay man. I'll never forget the day my son, Joe, sat down with my wife and I to tell us that. My immediate reaction was "Joe, I love you. You are my son. I could not be prouder of you." And, we've grown closer since that day several years ago.

I am proud that I am the only Erie Mayor to have walked shoulder-to-shoulder with the community at Pride in every year of my terms, for seven consecutive years. This year, my team and I will again proudly walk in the Erie Pride March and attend Pride events in June.

I am proud that seven years ago, I created the City's first LGBTQ+ Advisory Council. Working together, this team of talented individuals and I have changed and enacted City policies to bring them in line with the recommendations of the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index (MEI). As a result of this work, the City of Erie has turned our annual score from 34 when I first took office, to a perfect 100 for several years in a row.

I am proud that with the strong support of Erie City Council, I enacted the City of Erie's ban on conversion therapy. This harmful practice is now prohibited in the City of Erie.

I want to live in an Erie where diversity is valued by all - where your gender or gender identity, your sexual orientation, the color of your skin, your religion, your ethnic background, your language, your beliefs, and your culture are celebrated. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Diversity makes us stronger as a city, as a nation, and as a region. Imagine what an incredible community Erie could be if everyone is welcomed and valued for the unique talents, skills, and ideas that each person possesses!

There will always be work to do to continue the progress to full equality. In the coming weeks and months, I will be meeting with area community leaders to discuss additional ways that City government can assist in working toward this goal.

I understand that these are difficult and fearful times for many in the LGBTQIA+ family. Rest assured that my team and I will always be on your side. You are us and we are you.