August, 2018 News (48 Articles with 125,309 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for August, 2018 MAYOR'S LGBTQ+ ADVISORY COUNCIL First-ever Mayor's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council started meeting in City Hall on July 17, 2018. For more on that, see article
This began publication in December 2002 after a hiatus
Category for this issueCalendar & Upcoming Events
Calendar of Local GLBT Events |
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Local and Regional News
As One Community Day at Chautauqua Institution on Sunday, August 5
Please join Chautauqua Institution on Sunday, Aug. 5, for a very special experience of the arts and global understanding, as the Chautauqua Opera Company, Departments of Religion and Literary Arts, Chautauqua Cinema and others join together to celebrate As One Community Day, 12:30–7 p.m. on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution.
UVA Reveals How Gonorrhea Resists Key Component of Our Immune System
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., July 27, 2018 – Good news in the battle against the growing threat of drug-resistant "super gonorrhea": Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and their collaborators in the United Kingdom have discovered a new way that the bacteria that cause gonorrhea resist the body's immune defenses. Scientists can use this knowledge to develop vaccines or empower our immune system to take down a sexually transmitted bug that has already conquered most antibiotics.
Pride Journeys: Houston
Throughout my career as a travel journalist thus far, I have been to Texas about a dozen times for both work and pleasure. However, the one city I never visited until recently was Houston. I quickly noticed that each Texas metropolis has its own flavor. Houston is no different. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the city, which is home to a great mix of art, music and LGBT culture
2018 Pridefest Historic Success
NW PA Pride Alliance held a very successful Pridefest on Saturday, June 30. It is estimated that at least 1,500 people attended the event, an all-time record for a local Pride event, and even larger than the record set last year.
Mayor's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council formed
Mayor's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council started meeting in City Hall on July 17. This Council will help raise Erie's score on the Municipal Equality Index maintained by the Human Rights Campaign, but more importantly, it helps us foster a welcoming, accepting culture in an Erie that values diversity. Thank you to all the members of the Council for stepping up and serving our community. They are: Pam Anthony, Marshall Blount, Tania Bogatova, Natalie Braddock, Kim Conti, Season Crannell, Emily Crofoot, Kathy Czarnecki-Smith, Michael Grasso, Marcy Hall, Caitlin Handerhan, Kyle Hannon, Melina Harden, Tammie Johnson, Paul Lukach, Michael Mahler, Leah Manino, Reverend Richard McCarty, Leroy Oglesby, Lucy Reyes, Alison Scarpitti, Kevin Seeker, Gary Snyder, Alex Sphon, Caitlyn Strohmeyer, Rose Marie Surma, Jackson Surma, Linda Thomas, Jewels Frantz, Tyler Titus, Erin Wincek
Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE) Pride Day Rainbow Flags
Rainbow flags were flying high on June 30th during the Pride Celebration, organized by NW PA Pride Alliance. Greater Erie Alliance for Equality was happy to support by encouraging over 30 businesses along the parade route to display the rainbow flag.
Room 33 hosts Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE) for a Charity Challenge Event
Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE) and Room 33 Presents Show Tune Sing-Along at the Speakeasy Tuesday, August 14, 5:00-8:00 PM, Room 33 (11th & State, Erie PA)
ECHRC-The Erie County Human Relations Commission Advisory Appointments
ECHRC-The Erie County Human Relations Commission consists of two groups, the Commission and Advisory Board. The Commission works at ensuring equality for all people in housing and the workplace. Council woman Kathleen Schaaf will appoint someone to the Advisory Board. It consists of a group of eleven members who are non voting and non paid participants. They may be doing research, public relations and educational assignments while under the capacity of the ECHRC. Any interested, dedicated person please send an email to KSchaaf@erie.pa.us Please include a short resume of your potential qualities for this volunteer position. Kathleen will be taking emails about this Advisory Appointment until Wednesday August 8, 2018. Erie County Council member Kathy Fatica is seeking to appoint a person in County Council District 1 as Full member. Contact her at kathleenfatica@gmail.com Please include a short resume of your potential qualities for this volunteer position. Deadlines for both/either position is Wednesday August 8, 2018.
2nd Annual TransFamily of NWPA Picnic on July 21 at Glenwood Park /Erie Zoo Picnic Area
Can't wait until August to get your picnic fix?! Come to the 2nd Annual TransFamily of NWPA picnic on Saturday, July 21, starting at 1 Pm at the Glenwood Park Picnic Pavilions by the Erie Zoo, because our first picnic last year was so much fun, we decided to have one every year! This event is open to EVERYONE!
Deadline for August 2018 print edition (issue # 273) of Erie Gay News is Sunday, July 15 - Will be at Pride Picnic
For the next print edition of Erie Gay News (issue # 273, cover dated for August 2018), please send in calendar events, news items, and other info for late July 2018 and beyond by Sunday, July 15. We expect that the next print edition will come out on Tuesday, July 24. PLEASE NOTE: this issue will be at 26th Annual Pride Picnic on August 11 at the Rotary Pavilion at Presque Isle State Park.
Entertainment and Travel
Buffalo United Artists proudly presents Silence! The Musical
Based on the 1991 Oscar winning film The Silence of the Lambs, rookie FBI agent Clarice Starling (Maria Droz) musically matches wits and quips with the brilliant but insane Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Jimmy Janowski) in order to catch the transvestite serial killer known as Buffalo Bill (Michael Seitz). Clarice faces her own demons and daddy complex while racing the clock to unlock Lecter's lewd clues before another full figured co-ed is skinned by Buffalo Bill. This gleefully raunchy camp musical adaptation is not for the faint of heart. This performance contains nudity, adult situations and lot of cleverly strung together filthy words with a surprising amount of musicality. Silence! The Musical was named 2005 Outstanding Musical at the New York International Fringe Festival and continued in a 2011 Off-Broadway production which was named one of TIME magazine's "Top 10 Musicals and Plays of 2011". The musical has played in London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tampa and Chicago. Silence! The Musical, music & lyrics by Al Kaplan & Jon Kaplan, book by Hunter Bell Directed and designed by Todd Warfield, musical direction by Chuck Basil, choreography by Carlos Jones. starring Maria Droz, Michael Blasdell, Charmagne Chi, Adam Hayes, Eric Rawski, Michael Seitz and Jimmy Janowski. July 7th – 29th Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. & Sundays at 7:00 p.m. Alleyway Theatre – Main Stage (air-conditioned). One Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo NY. TICKETS: $25.00 general admission, $23.00 for seniors, $20.00 for members, $15.00 for students. (716) 886-9239.
Political, Activism and Legal
Civil Rights Orgs Urge Eighth Circuit to Accept Appeal of Man Who May Have Been Sentenced to Death Because He is Gay
(St. Louis, Missouri - August 2, 2018) Six civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota, Lambda Legal, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, National Center for Lesbian Rights, and National LGBT Bar Association, filed an amici brief today urging the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to hear the appeal of Charles Rhines, a gay man on death row in South Dakota.
LGBT Leaders Call For Boycott After Airline's Discriminatory Treatment Of Same-Sex Couple
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (August 2, 2018) – Nationwide, LGBT leaders are speaking out against Alaska Airlines following discrimination against a gay couple on a flight from New York City to Los Angeles this past Sunday. According to reports, the couple was instructed to move from their seats to a lower-class seating area or be removed from the flight, in order for a heterosexual couple to be seated together. New York LGBT Network President/CEO David Kilmnick is calling for a boycott of the airline until the incident is thoroughly investigated, the flight crew responsible is disciplined, and until the staff and administration of Alaska Airlines complete LGBT cultural sensitivity training. Kilmnick has offered the LGBT Network's training services to Alaska Airlines for free.
PCAR commends Harrisburg diocese for finally releasing names of accused clergy
HARRISBURG, Pa. - August 1, 2018 - The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape commends the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg for revealing the names of those accused of child sexual abuse in the Attorney General's latest grand jury report; and wishes it would have happened sooner.
Human Rights Campaign Endorses PA Rep. Conor Lamb for Re-election
PHILADELPHIA - August 1, 2018 -- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced its endorsement of Congressman Conor Lamb (D-PA) for election to Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District.
100 Days Out: HRC Doubles Staff in Key 2018 States & Races to #TurnOUT Millions of Equality Voters
WASHINGTON - With Sunday marking just 100 days before this November's critical midterm elections, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization - is more than doubling its staff in key states and races to a total of 130 in order to #TurnOUT 10 million LGBTQ voters and millions more allies. For the final 100 days, HRC is hiring another 45 organizers and deploying 50 more staff, who will join 35 existing staff already on the ground in key districts and states leading GOTV efforts, training hundreds of local organizers and volunteers across the country, and organizing online as part of the largest grassroots expansion in the organization's 38-year history. For more than a year, HRC has been on the ground building support for pro-equality candidates with priority investments in six key states - Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
More than 200 Natl and State Orgs Oppose Bill Allowing Foster and Adoption Agencies to Discriminate
WASHINGTON - July 26, 2018 - More than 200 national, state, and local civil rights, religious, and child welfare organizations joined the American Civil Liberties Union in a letter to members of Congress today opposing legislation that would authorize discrimination in the child welfare system.
ACLU PA Statement on Boyertown
PHILADELPHIA - July 26, 2018 - Today, the Third Circuit panel that decided Doe v. Boyertown Area School District issued a revised opinion. The revised opinion reiterates the conclusion that schools may treat transgender boys and girls like other boys and girls
Federal Judge Tosses Lawsuit Targeting Transgender Youth in Rural Oregon School
PORTLAND, Ore. - July 25, 2018 - A federal judge yesterday dismissed a lawsuit that tried to dismantle protections for transgender students in Dallas, Oregon. The lawsuit sought to overturn the Dallas School District's policy of allowing students to use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU) and the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Oregon (ACLU of Oregon) intervened in the case earlier this year on behalf of Basic Rights Oregon, a statewide LGBTQ group, to defend the rights of transgender and nonbinary students in school.
Missouri Lesbian Couple Sues Senior Housing Community for Discrimination
ST.LOUIS - July 25, 2018 -The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Relman, Dane & Colfax PLLC, and co-counsel filed a lawsuit today on behalf of married lesbian couple Mary Walsh, age 72, and Bev Nance, age 68, against St. Louis senior housing community Friendship Village Sunset Hills. The complaint alleges that Friendship Village violated the federal Fair Housing Act and Missouri Human Rights Act by discriminating against Walsh and Nance on the basis of sex, denying them a unit because they are a same-sex married couple.
BREAKING: OutServe-SLDN Opposes Confirmation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) July 23, 2018 – OutServe-SLDN, the nation's leading organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military and veteran community, opposes the confirmation of Robert Wilkie as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Mr. Wilkie, previously the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness at the Department of Defense (DoD), aided in implementing a ban on open transgender service in the military, a policy that is currently being challenged in the courts by OutServe-SLDN and co-counsel Lambda Legal.
Delaware Becomes 14th State to Protect LGBTQ Youth from Conversion Therapy
WILMINGTON, Del. - July 23, 2018 -Today, Delaware Governor John Carney signed into law SB 65, legislation that protects LGBTQ youth from the practice of conversion therapy. Every major medical and mental health organization has denounced conversion therapy as both harmful and ineffective. Delaware State Senators Debra Heffernan and Harris McDowell, III sponsored this legislation and worked with the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) to draft. NCLR has been standing up on behalf of survivors of conversion therapy for the past 20 years. In 2014, NCLR launched Born Perfect, a campaign to end conversion therapy nationwide.
As Pence Campaigns for Barletta, Here's What Their Anti-LGBTQ Agenda Means for Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA - July 23, 2018 -- Today, Vice President Mike Pence is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a campaign event where he is expected to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Pennsylvania U.S. Senate Candidate Rep. Lou Barletta who shares -- among other things -- his extreme views and antipathy towards LGBTQ people. With deeply disturbing records undermining equality, Pence and Barletta remain out of touch with a majority of Pennsylvania voters who overwhelmingly support LGBTQ equality.
NCLR Launches Toolkits to Protect LGBTQ Youth in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems from Conversion Therapy
SAN FRANCISCO - July 19, 2018 -The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) today released two toolkits for child welfare and juvenile justice agency employees on how to protect LGBTQ youth from the serious harm caused by conversion therapy. Conversion therapy, sometimes called "ex-gay therapy," is an attempt to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity and has been debunked by every major medical and mental health organization in the U.S. Ending Conversion Therapy in Child Welfare and Ending Conversion Therapy in Juvenile Justice help state agencies recognize how and when LGBTQ youth may be subjected to conversion therapy while in the care of the state, explain the negative impact of conversion therapy and its close relationship to family rejection, and include tips and model language about how to develop policies protecting LGBTQ youth from these harms.
Lambda Legal & OutServe-SLDN Ask Court to Stop Pentagon from Discharging HIV-Positive Service Members
(Alexandria, VA. July 19, 2018) – Today, Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN, along with pro bono counsel from Winston & Strawn LLP, asked a federal court to halt implementation of a new Department of Defense policy resulting in the discharge of service members living with HIV. The motion for a preliminary injunction filed in Harrison v. Mattis-a case challenging the military's discriminatory policies governing the enlistment, deployment, and promotion of service members living with HIV-follows multiple calls from other service members that plaintiffs' attorneys received after his case was filed in May. These service members are being denied significant career advancement opportunities or threatened with discharge due to President Trump's new "Deploy or Get Out!" policy. Left unaddressed, hundreds of service members who are otherwise fit for duty, including named-plaintiff Sgt. Nick Harrison, will be discharged from the military, suffer irrevocable harm to their careers, and lose critical health care and other benefits.
Court Asked to Rule Against Mutual of Omaha's Anti-PrEP, Anti-Gay Policy in Bias Case
July 18, 2018 - Today GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) filed a motion for summary judgment in a first-of-its-kind case challenging discrimination against a gay man who takes the medication Truvada as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent the transmission of HIV.
Bethlehem City Council Passes Measure Protecting LGBTQ Youth from Dangerous "Conversion Therapy"
WASHINGTON - July 18, 2018-- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization praised the Bethlehem City Council for passing a measure protecting LGBTQ youth in the city from the dangerous, abusive and discredited practice of so-called "conversion therapy." The ordinance, which was introduced by City Councilmember Bryan Callahan and sponsored by Councilmember Shawn Martell, also had strong support from the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBTQ Community Center, KidsPeace Hospital, Valley Youth House, and Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley. Bethlehem is the eighth Pennsylvania locality to pass such a measure following Reading, Allentown, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Doylestown, State College, and Yardley Borough.
Federal Court in Pennsylvania Rejects Argument That Child Welfare Agencies Have a Right to Discriminate
PHILADELPHIA - Juky 13, 2018 - A federal district court today ruled that the city of Philadelphia can require foster care agencies with city contracts to abide by its nondiscrimination policies. This ruling is the first time a federal court has said that government-contracted child welfare agencies do not have a right to exclude same-sex couples or others who don't meet an agency's religious test from fostering children.
ACLU Statement on Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to Supreme Court
NEW YORK - July 9, 2018 - American Civil Liberties Union Legal Director David Cole issued the following statement in response to President Trump's nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court: "Brett Kavanaugh may bring the requisite experience, but given Donald Trump's promise to overturn Roe v. Wade, the decision that recognized the right to an abortion, and efforts to reverse progress on civil rights and civil liberties, that's not enough. It's incumbent on Congress to determine whether Kavanaugh's legal views are compatible with the powerful role he will play for generations.
GLAD Decries Maine Governor LePage's Veto of Conversion Therapy Ban
July 6, 2018 - Today Maine Governor Paul LePage vetoed LD912, which would have banned conversion therapy, the discredited and harmful practice of subjecting LGBTQ youth to so-called "therapy" which seeks to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Maine House and Senate voted for final passage of LD912, with bipartisan votes of 80-55 and 19-12 respectively, in the special legislative session held at the end of June.
Montanans Stand with Trans and Non-Binary Community, Reject Discrimination and I-183 Ballot Initiative
MISSOULA, Mont.- June 30, 2018 -Montana voters stood shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQ community and rejected a ballot initiative intended to intimidate and harm transgender and non-binary Montanans. I-183 failed to gather the necessary 25,468 signatures to make it on the November ballot.
After Two Year of Open Transgender Service, Consensus from Military Leadership that Inclusive Policy Works
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - June 29– Tomorrow, June 30th marks two years since the U.S. military officially began allowing transgender individuals to serve openly in its ranks. Those service members have compiled a record of distinction and earned consistent support from the highest ranks of the nation's military leadership.
Health
Pride 2018: "A moment of great urgency"
Recently, speaking here in Southern California, former President Obama said, "This is a moment of great urgency. You are right to be concerned. The progress we have made is not a given."
Male couples report as much domestic violence as straight couples
ANN ARBOR—Nearly half of all men in a new study about intimate partner violence in male couples report being victims of abuse.
One Choice is No Choice: Florida Governor Rick Scott Denies Critical Healthcare Coverage to Those Living with HIV
FT LAUDERDALE (July 7, 2018) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the nation's largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider and largest global AIDS organization, is blasting Florida Governor Rick Scott for denying critical healthcare coverage to those living with HIV/AIDS. The organization is calling out Scott in response to he and the states Medicaid officials failure to renew an HIV care contract with AHF's Positive Healthcare- a respected non-profit which has been providing critical health insurance coverage for people living with HIV in Florida since 1999. AHF says the state's move will recklessly disrupt care for a vulnerable population of nearly 2,000 Florida HIV patients.
Letters, Columnists and Opinion
The facts of LGBT discrimination
This week, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney won a major court case that will most likely make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court and affects our community more than the super-hyped wedding-cake case. And guess what? Almost no one noticed the significance of this major turn of events, but with much higher stakes, not only for you, but especially for religious organizations. Why does it loom large, with billions in tax dollars? Yes, we've reached a new stage of our struggle, where discrimination against LGBT people could cost billions - that's billions, with a B - of dollars to those who discriminate, or it could legalize discrimination.
The Beginning of Pride
From Philadelphia Gay News: As we go to press, I'm preparing to travel for my last of four speaking gigs this June, all for Pride month. There are various reasons why groups ask me to speak during Pride month. Some are familiar with my column or writings; others want me to speak about publishing in the LGBT community; still others, a point of LGBT history I've been personally involved with. But I'm sure that very few know that when they ask me to speak, especially during Pride month, I'm going to speak about organizing that very first Pride, since what most of them don't know is I was a part of that, and a death this past week just before New York's Gay Pride made me think a lot about what Pride stands for.
Contests
Enter to win Naked Launch e-books from Riverdale Avenue Books!
Enter to win Naked Launch e-books from Riverdale Avenue Books! This is for two titles. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, August 10 and Friday, August 31.
Enter for a chance to win a "FLAMES" remix prize pack!
Enter for a chance to win a "FLAMES" remix prize pack! Experience "FLAMES" by David Guetta and Sia in a new way. Enter for a chance to win glow sticks and remixes by Robin Schultz, Pink Panda, Leandro Da Silva and more! Available now: http://guetta.co/flames. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, August 7 and Tuesday, August 28.
Enter to win prizes from supergroup LSD (Labrinth, Sia, Diplo)!
Enter to win prizes from supergroup LSD (Labrinth, Sia, Diplo)! Sia, Diplo, and Labrinth have teamed up to form the supergroup LSD. Check out their singles "AUDIO" and "GENIUS" - available now! Enter for a chance to win special LSD themed treats. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, August 3 and Friday, August 24.
Enter to win Christmas in July e-books from Riverdale Avenue Books!
Enter to win Christmas in July e-books from Riverdale Avenue Books! This is a collection of 3 titles. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, July 31 and Tuesday, August 21.
Enter to win Game Shows FAQ!
Enter to win Game Shows FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Pioneers, the Scandals, the Hosts, and the Jackpots by Adam Nedeff! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, July 31 and Tuesday, August 21.
Enter to win Shaman Express!
Enter to win Shaman Express By Omar Beretta and Benedicte Rousseau! To enter the contest, fill out the form below between Friday, July 27 and Friday, August 17.
Enter to win Film Noir Prototypes!
Enter to win Film Noir Prototypes: Origins of the Movement edited by Alain Silver and James Ursini! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, July 24 and Tuesday, August 14.
Enter for a chance to win the "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" movie soundtrack!
Enter for a chance to win the "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" movie soundtrack! Calling all dancing queens! Enter now for a chance to win the Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again movie soundtrack, featuring the songs of ABBA. The movie soundtrack is available July 13! Buy/stream here: https://mammamia.lnk.to/HereWeGoAgainID. Don't miss Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again in theaters July 20! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, July 10 and Tuesday, July 31.
Miscellaneous
Tips for Selling Your Home in a Booming Market
The housing market goes through its ups and downs – this is a natural cycle that real estate professionals carefully watch. Often, it follows the overall state of the economy. When the economy is down, fewer people are buying homes. When it's doing well, more people are looking to invest in properties.
New GenForward Survey: Millennials Views on LGBT Issues: Race, Identity and Experience cracks it open
Do more Millennials self-identify as LGBTQ than in past generations… or are they just more open about it? Are they more connected to their ethnic/racial group or to LGBTQ communities? What are their priorities? Millennials are America's largest, most diverse generation and potential voting bloc. What are they thinking?
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