For the next Erie Gay News (issue # 348, cover-dated for November 2024), please send in-person and online events, news items, and other info for late October 2024 and beyond by Monday, October 14. We expect the next edition to come out on Tuesday, October 22. Please note that this issue will have our Voters Guide for the November 5 General Election.

Erie City Mayor Joe Schember has issued a proclamation recognizing LGBTQ History Month. LGBTQ History Month is observed every October.

Have you always wanted to give drag a try? Are you a new queen, king, or performer looking to break into the local drag scene? Sign up for round one of Who Wants To Be A Drag Star and show us what you’ve got to earn your spot in the spring finale. Who Wants to Be a Drag Star is an all-new drag competition hosted by Cherry Falwell with head judge Travis Smith. It is open to drag performers of any gender who are 18 or over. Round one will be on November 16 in downtown Meadville. Email MeadvilleDragStar@Gmail.com for info or to sign up. If you’re interested in performing, reach out ASAP - we only have five spaces available for the first round!

NWPA Pride Alliance is looking for applicants to join our all-volunteer board of directors for our new term beginning in January 2025. We are looking for individuals across all walks of life inclusive of all sexual orientations, gender identifications, marital status, ethnic backgrounds, and educational experiences who want to become more involved with the queer community in Northwest Pennsylvania. Applicants should reside within a 50 mile radius of the city of Erie.

It's almost that time of year again! Ace Week 2024 is from October 20th to the 26th, A week that is all about Asexual representation, activism, education, and celebration. Grab yourself a slice of cake and join the fun. For more information about Asexuality, check us out at Asexual Outreach, An Asexual nonprofit organization that serves both the United States and Canada. An organization that I proudly serve as a board member

Jamestown, NY - Pip-Skey's Foundation for Homeless Animals Inc. is proud to announce its second annual Halloween-themed fundraiser supporting its mission to provide financial support to local animal shelters, rescues, and pet owners. On Sunday, October 13th, from 2-6 pm, Pip-Skey's will hold an event at Sneakers Bar, 100 Harrison Street in Jamestown, to continue their fundraising efforts for animal rescues in Chautauqua, Warren, and Cattaraugus Counties. This event will feature music, basket raffles, 50/50, a door prize, and a grand prize raffle of $1,000! Pre-sale tickets for the grand prize are available at Sneakers Bar and online through Pip-Skey's social media pages.

Philly on the Rocks is celebrating National Coming Out Day (Oct 11th) all weekend. Philly on the Rocks is at 401 West 18th St, Erie, PA. They will have Queer featured bands and solo musicians, as well as local Queer artists and vendors.

The LGBT Fund grant at the Erie Community Foundation is opening for applications on 9/9/24 and will close on 10/16/24.

The Erie VA Medical Center LGBTQ+ Program and Peer Support are hosting a Coffee Social for LGBTQ+ Veterans Friday, October 18 at 10 a.m. at Perkins Restaurant (4403 Peach St, Erie, PA 16509). The Coffee Social is meant to bring Erie's local LGBTQ+ Veterans together to connect and foster ongoing relationships of support and friendship. The group will start off with facilitation by Erie VA staff, Brittany and Alisha, with the goal to be an independently run community Veteran group for like-minded individuals. Please call Brittany Miklos at 814-844-5944 or Alisha Mackey at 814-860-2174 for more information and updates on event location and time. This group will plan to meet on the 3rd Friday of every month. Times are subject to change based on availability. For more information and updates, visit www.erie.va.gov or https://www.facebook.com/VAMCErie/

The 25th anniversary of the Lake Erie GALA will be held November 13-17 at Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel, 55 West Bay Drive, Erie, PA. The Lake Erie Gala attracts crossdressers, transgender persons, and their loved ones from across North America and beyond. Erie Sisters and Brothers Transgender Support Group organizes this event. Info and reservations are at lakeeriegala.com. GALA was moved back one week in hopes that the earlier date will have better weather. For this anniversary year, the GALA will be moving the format back to being more interactive and social.