Featured News Stories

Coffee Social for LGBTQ+ Veterans

The Erie VA Medical Center LGBTQ+ Program and Peer Support are hosting a Coffee Social for LGBTQ+ Veterans on Friday, November 22 at 10 a.m. at Panera Bread (4014 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. Times are subject to change based on availability. For more information and updates, visit www.erie.va.gov or https://www.facebook.com/VAMCErie/

20th Anniversary Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend raises $3,380

This year's Pink Party weekend was October 4 & 5 at The Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St. The benefit was a three-night event with $3,380.00 going to Linked By Pink. Michelle Michaels would like to thank the Zone Dance Club owners, Lou, and the entire staff at the bar for unconditionally allowing her to do what she does every year. Over the past 20 years, the event has raised close to $100,000.

Stitch And B*tch At Compton's Table

You're reading that right! By popular demand, Compton's Table is starting a STITCH AND B*TCH! This group will meet at Compton's Table, 3104 State St, Erie, PA, bi-weekly on Wednesdays, beginning on November 13th. Bring your knitting needles, crochet projects, yarn, or whatever you're working on at the moment, and come hang out with us. This event is bring your own materials, and we encourage you to bring anything extra you may have to share with the group!

Aging With Pride Presentation on Medicare

Ronald Crist, Medicare Specialist for HUB International, Inc., came to Aging With Pride's September 22, 2024, meeting at Lake Erie Counseling to present information on options for coverage and answer questions. The meeting was well-attended, and everyone was thankful for the helpful info.

Queering The Vote Rally By Erie Dems Queer Caucus

The Erie Dems Queer Caucus hosted a "Queering the Vote" rally on Thursday, October 17, bringing together people from the city, the county, and even canvassers from out of state for the Harris/Walz campaign. The event was a vibrant celebration, but it also raised awareness about the high stakes of the upcoming election.

TransFamily of Erie's Annual TransGiving Potluck meal on November 23

Join us on November 23 for our annual "TransGiving Feast" potluck meal to show thanks for our chosen family! It will occur at Compton's Table (inside the Community Outreach Center, 3104 State St. Erie, PA) from 2-5 pm. TransFamily of NWPA will provide the turkey, stuffing, and drinks. Please bring a dish to share, and we hope to see you there!

Dec 2 - Erie County HIV Task Force Hosts World AIDS Day Program

On Monday, December 2, 2024, the Erie County HIV Task Force [ECHTF] will present this year's "Let's Talk About HIV" World AIDS Day program at the H.O. Hirt Auditorium inside the Blasco Library at 160 East Front Street, Erie PA 16507. Doors will open at 5:00 pm, followed by the program at 5:30 pm. This year's focus is on encouraging everyone to talk about HIV and its impact on the lives of Erie County residents.

Chat & Chill Returns to Compton's Table on November 7

It's happening! Chat & Chill is officially BACK at Compton's Table, 3104 State Street, Erie PA, and better than ever. 18+ groups are every first Thursday of each month from 6-8 pm. Each month will have a different theme to keep the conversation going. November's theme is centered all around YOU and caring for yourself. We'll share some tips and ways to explore and care for yourself through journaling. November's meeting will be on Thursday the 7th from 6-8 pm. Registration required at https://comptonstable.org/chatnchill

Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20 in Erie - LOCATION CHANGE

Join TransFamily of NWPA on Wednesday, November 20, for Transgender Day of Remembrance. We will come together to remember and honor our transgender siblings who have been lost to senseless acts of anti-transgender violence, marginalization, and stigma by reading their names and short bios aloud. The vigil will be at the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 New Perry Highway, Erie, PA. A candlelight vigil and name reading will be held from 7-8 pm, with time for refreshments and reflection afterward. Please note that this is a different location than years past and also that the location has changed from when it was announced earlier this month!

LGBTQIA+ Health Focus Group

The Erie County Department of Health is in the process of conducting our Community Health Needs Assessment. We are holding focus groups to learn more about the assets and barriers certain populations experience related to their health. We are seeking participants from the LGBTQIA+ community to participate in a focus group on Monday November 25th from 5:30 7:00 PM at Journey to a Trauma Informed Life. Participants will receive a gift card for their time and food and beverages will be provided. To register, please complete this survey: https://arcg.is/1fnaui1 or call 814-451-6769. Registration is limited to ensure that all participants are heard, so please register by 11/18. Thank you.

All-New Drag Competition Coming To Meadville

An all-new drag competition is coming to Meadville. Local drag queen Cherry Falwell is partnering with Travis Smith and the Meadville Council on the Arts for Who Wants To Be A Drag Star: Round One on November 16th. In each round, drag performers will showcase their individual talents and compete in an on-stage challenge. The winner of each round will advance to the spring finale.

Discrimination Survey 2024

On October 1, the Pennsylvania Equality Project is launching a new survey about education and workplace discrimination. The new survey will run while the current Housing Affordability and Sustainability survey progresses. The discrimination survey will focus on issues related to intimidation, harassment, bullying, and other related behaviors in the classroom and the work environment. All survey responses will remain confidential. The survey is open to all Pennsylvanians in the LGBTQ+ community and our allies who have faced discrimination based on perceived sexual orientation and gender identity issues. There are no age restrictions for this survey. Both the Housing survey and the Discrimination survey end on December 31, 2024. To take the survey, go to paequality.com and click on the Survey link at the top of the page. For more information, send an email to info@paequality.com.

Board Member Candidates Sought for NWPA Pride Alliance

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.

Aging With Pride Dinner at Thai Taste Cuisine

On September 26, Aging With Pride had their monthly dinner at Thai Taste Cuisine, 35 Peninsula Drv, Erie, PA. Aging With Pride dinners are usually on the last Thursday of the month, but October and November this year will be one week earlier because of Halloween and Thanksgiving. The next dinner will be on October 24 at Valerio's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, 724 Powell Ave, Erie PA. In addition to monthly dinners, Aging With Pride meets twice a month for planning and discussion, as well as a book club on the third Saturday of the month and a game night on the second Wednesday of the month.

G2H2 for October

G2H2 held their monthly get-together on Friday, October 4, at Room 33 Speakeasy, 1033 State St, Erie, PA. The group usually meets the first Friday of each month. The next G2H2 on Friday, November 1, will also be at Room 33.

25th Anniversary Lake Erie Gala

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.

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November, 2024 Print Edition now out!

November, 2024 issue

Issue #348 of the print edition of Erie Gay News is out as of Tuesday, October 22, 2024! You can pick it up at several locations. You can also read the articles here.

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