April, 2019 News (49 Articles with 62,629 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for April, 2019 Bobby Jo Valentine, who is performing at the Bel-Aire on Friday, April 12 as part of Drenched Fur. Also, Ryan Casatta at E3 Musician, activist, public speaker, writer, filmmaker, and actor. Ryan Cassata performs at E3 Youth LGBTQA Summit on April 12.
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
Local LGBT History Project seeking artifacts for exhibit
The Erie LGBTQ+ History Committee is seeking any artifacts from decades passt related to the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Erie. Such items would be considered for a history display this Pride Month. We are particularly interested in items from before 1980, since we currently have several items from the 1980's and beyond.
The E3 Youth LGBTQA Summit converges April 12-13
This spring Erie, PA will host the region's first summit focused solely on engaging and empowering LGBTQA youth. The summit is organized by the local advocates and is open to all young LGBTQA youth, their families, and those who work with LGBTQA youth. The target age range of the youth will be 12 to 21 years old. E3 is designed to connect and engage LGBTQA youth, and those in their world, so that we can create a more supportive, safe, and empowered community. The Summit will take place at Strong Vincent Middle School in Erie. Schedule of events is here.
Behrend's Gender Conference "Engendering Cyberspace: Bullying, #MeToo, and More" April 17-18
Penn State Behrend's 12th Annual Gender Conference will take place April 17 & 18, 2019 at Penn State Behrend, 4701 College Drive, Erie PA.
Wuvable Oaf artist and writer Ed Luce to speak at Behrend
Come meet artist and writer Ed Luce! Luce will be on hand to discuss his acclaimed indie series Wuvable Oaf, which follows Oaf Jadwiga's search for love, friendship, great music, cats and more in a San Francisco-like city. Whitney Matheson of USA Today has written of the series, "whether you're gay/straight/something in between, I think you'll find yourself rooting for the Oaf and his quest for somebody to wuv." Luce will examine various ways in which issues of gender and sexual identity have resonated in his work, and will talk about his experiences as a writer and illustrator. This event is co-sponsored by GASE, Penn State Behrend's Gender And Sexuality Club. The event is tenatively scheduled for 12:05pm on April 18 in Behrend's Reed Union Building (Room 114)
Bobby Jo Valentine in concert on April 12
The Erie community welcomes award-winning Bobby Jo Valentine, singer/songwriter, who will perform on Friday, April 12, 2019 at the Bel Aire, 2800 W 8th St, Erie PA as part of Drenched Fur 15. When Bobby was younger, he lived here and Erie became part of his coming out process. He used to be a music director for a Baptist church locally. "Born into a Baptist church of strict lines and sharp edges, and coming out of that culture to discover who he really is, Bobby is now a believer of a different sort: a believer in the wild, strange, mystical nature of the world and the beauty that can be found underneath almost any tragedy." After coming out, he began to tour the country and sing to inspire thousands of people to be proud of who they are! Check out his website: http://www.bobbyjovalentine.com/ to learn more about him, listen to some of his music, and read about some of his accolades. Tickets for his performance in Erie will be available for $10 at the door of the Bel Air Ballroom. Performance will begin at 8 PM.
6th Annual Pride Prom Buffalo on April 27
On Saturday, April 27, the 6th Annual Pride Prom Buffalo will be held at IronWorkers Banquet Hall, 196 Orchard Park Rd, West Seneca, NY 14224) from 5 PM - 11 PM. *** THIS IS A 21+ EVENT - DUE TO OPEN BAR *** Pride Prom is very similar to your HS Prom but we have added an open bar!! Each year we nominate a Prom Court including Prom King, Queen, Prince and Princess. Ticket price includes a buffet style dinner as well as 5 hours of open bar. Doors open at 4PM. Professional photographer will be on site to do traditional Prom Style Photos which will be available for purchase. An annual "Class Photo" will be taken and available for purchase. A professional DJ will also be available to play all of your favorite hits whether from now or back from your days in High School. Ticket price includes buffet dinner, 5 hour open bar, souvenis glass. $120 per couple or $65 person if purchased by April 13, $140 per couple or $75 per person if purchased April 14-26. No tickets available at door! Phone: (716) 907-0296. Proceeds benefit GLYS Buffalo and Buffalo United Artists.
Pride Weekend at the Peak March 29-31
Peek'n Peak is hosting the 1st Annual Pride Weekend at the Peak on March 29-31, 2019. Kicking off the three-day celebration is the Glow Party with DJ Payne at Bistro 210. Night owls can head up to the pool for the After Party for more music and cocktails. Then grab your flags for Saturday's pride parade at the tubing hill or head back up for another pool party featuring DJ Ron. Start the evening by noshing at the Bistro before heading over to the Drag Show with Michelle Michaels and the FACE Show cast at the Retreat. It's sure to be a gas! DJ Payne will be there too. Finish the weekend feasting at the fabulous Sunday Champagne Brunch and Bloody Mary Bar. It's certain to be an event to remember!
Drenched Fur 15: A Groovy Good Time
It's the fifteenth installment of Drenched Fur here in Erie, PA during the weekend of April 11th thru 14th, 2019. This year's theme is a fun twist on the 50th anniversary of the cultural event in Woodstock NY we've dubbed WOOFstock as tie-dye hip fun invades the Bel-Aire Clarion Hotel. The weekend of activities for the bear community and its friends has full weekend packages available for just $155 per person. PLUS there are individual events available for ala carte pricing/choices. For information about these events visit www.drenchedfur.com. Contact: Gary Snyder. (814) 446-2327. info@drenchedfur.com.
Grand Opening of Traveling History Exhibit at State Capitol
Harrisburg, PA – The LGBT Center of Central PA is pleased announce the grand opening of a new traveling history exhibit at the State Capitol. The Long Road to LGBTQ+ Equality in Pennsylvania chronicles the efforts that activists have taken in Pennsylvania to achieve full equality for LGBTQ+ people, which debuts this year in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a pivotal event in the LGBTQ+ movement toward equality.
Deadline for April 2019 print edition (issue # 281) of Erie Gay News is Friday, March 15
For the next print edition of Erie Gay News (issue # 281, cover dated for March 2019), please send in calendar events, news items, and other info for late March 2019 and beyond by Friday, March 15. We expect that the next print edition will come out on Tuesday, March 26..
Entertainment and Travel
A Special Reading of Your Healing Is Killing Me by Virginia Grise: a fundraiser benefiting Dreams of Hope on March 30
There will be a special reading of Your Healing Is Killing Me by Virginia Grise: a fundraiser benefiting Dreams of Hope on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Falk Auditorium (entrance on Ellsworth Avenue), Winchester Thurston School. 555 Morewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. Doors open at 7:00 pm and reading begin at: 8:00 pm. Ticket are: $25 for general admission and $10 for people 21 years and under. The cast are members of theatriQ Youth Ensemble for Dreams of Hope, director is Moses Garcia, and stage manager is Ally Ricarte.
Pride Journey: Provincetown/Cape Cod
By now, most of you know I march to the beat of my own drummer, so when I decided to visit a summer time destination in the winter, people weren't surprised. Cape Cod is known for attracting throngs of LGBTQ beach and party goers to its northmost tip, Provincetown. Having never been to P-Town, the locals found it surprising that I would visit during the winter, when the towns population is a fraction of what it is during the summer.
Political, Activism and Legal
HRC: Senate Must Join House in Reauthorizing VAWA
WASHINGTON - April 4, 2019 -- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, responded to news that the U.S. House passed a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by calling upon the Senate to do the same.
Groundbreaking New Report Details Unique Challenges, Rewards for An Estimated Three Million or More LGBT People Who Call Rural America Home
(April 3, 2019) Des Moines, IA-Popular culture images of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people suggest that most LGBT people live in cities or on the coasts. Yet an estimated 2.9 - 3.8 million LGBT people call rural America home. Today, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) released a new report, Where We Call Home: LGBT People in Rural America, which examines the structural differences in rural life and their unique impact on LGBT people in rural areas, who are both more vulnerable to discrimination and less able to respond to its harmful effects. Among other challenges, rural LGBT people are less likely to have explicit nondiscrimination protections, are more likely to live in areas with religious exemption laws that may allow service providers to discriminate, and have fewer alternatives when facing discrimination, as detailed in the new report released today. Where We Call Home: LGBT People in Rural America is released in partnership with the Equality Federation, the National Black Justice Coalition, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
Victory Fund Endorses Adrian Rivera-Reyes for Philadelphia City Council
Philadelphia, PA - LGBTQ Victory Fund has endorsed Adrian Rivera-Reyes in his campaign for Philadelphia City Council At-Large.
Palm Center Applauds House Passage of Measure Supporting Transgender Military Service
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - March 28, 2019 – Palm Center Director Aaron Belkin issued the following statement in response to today's passage by the House of Representatives of a measure supporting transgender military service. "We applaud the House of Representatives on the bipartisan passage of this important measure supporting inclusive military service. Congressional leaders of both parties, along with military leaders across the board, and 70 percent of the public, all favor letting patriotic transgender Americans serve their country. It's only Donald Trump's political calculations that stand in the way. We hope the Senate will take up this measure immediately to show its support of all of our patriotic troops."
HRC Scores Pennsylvania Companies' LGBTQ-Inclusive Workplace Policies in New Corporate Equality Index
WASHINGTON - March 28, 2019 - America's leading companies and law firms are meeting strengthened criteria to meet the evolving needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community around the world, according to the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) released today by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest LGBTQ civil rights organization.
Lesbian Mayoral Candidates Poised to Make History in April; Number of Lesbian Top 100 Mayors Could Triple
Washington, DC – Four lesbian mayoral candidates in top 100 cities are well-positioned to win their races and make LGBTQ history this year – all of them facing a run-off or critical primary election in April. Victories for all four would triple the number of out lesbians ever elected mayor of a top 100 city – from two to six. It would also nearly double the number of LGBTQ people to have ever been elected mayor of a top 100 city – from six to ten. Victory Fund is investing heavily in its lesbian mayoral candidates this election cycle in an effort to make 2019 the Year of the Lesbian Mayor.
Commission on the Status of Women Agrees Inclusive Conclusions Despite Backlash
(New York, USA) Despite an increasingly polarized environment and strong pressure against inclusivity and diversity, the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the foremost intergovernmental body dedicated to gender equality, came to a close late on Friday, March 22, with participating states having agreed conclusions which aim to strengthen the rights of all women to social protection systems, access to public services, and sustainable infrastructure.
HRC Partners With Award-Winning Directors Dustin Lance Black and Paris Barclay on Star-Studded "Americans for the Equality Act" Public Education and Advertising
WASHINGTON - March 25, 2019- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced the launch of a star-studded Americans for the Equality Act public awareness and advertising campaign filmed by award-winning directors Dustin Lance Black and Paris Barclay. The series, which launches today with a debut video featuring Academy Award-winning actress Sally Field and her son Sam Greisman, will feature prominent figures in entertainment, sports and beyond speaking about the need for the Equality Act - a crucial civil rights bill that would extend clear, comprehensive non-discrimination protections to millions of LGBTQ people nationwide.
Homophobic Attack Targets Lori Lightfoot in Chicago Mayoral Race
Washington, DC - March 18, 2019 – Homophobic fliers targeting openly lesbian Chicago mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot were distributed on cars in key neighborhoods of the city this weekend -- just two weeks before the runoff election. The flier features a photo of Lightfoot with her wife and implies a Lightfoot administration would make "all contracts, jobs, and employment newly assigned exclusively to gay people," that "all churches will abide by the gay marriage laws," and schools will "teach Gay History by mandate." The attack flier comes just one week after many accused her opponent, Toni Preckwinkle, of using a dog whistle during a debate to signal Lightfoot's sexual orientation to anti-LGBTQ influencers and voters. NBC-Chicago's Mary Ann Ahern posted the fliers on Twitter (view here).
Palm Center Responds to Presidential Candidate Cory Booker's Pledge to Immediately Lift Trump Transgender Ban
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – March 18, 2019 - On Sunday, New Jersey Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker told an audience of 300 that he would immediately reverse the ban on transgender military service that the Trump administration is seeking to implement next month. "When I am president of the United States," Senator Booker said in response to a voter question, "right away I will end this ridiculous, insulting, un-American ban on transgender Americans serving in the military." Senator Booker appears to be the first major candidate of either party to make reversal an immediate priority.
TODAY: Historic, Bipartisan Equality Act to be Reintroduced in Congress With Unprecedented Support
WASHINGTON - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, hailed the historic support for the Equality Act - critically important bipartisan legislation that would finally provide clear, comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people under our nation's civil rights laws. Set to be reintroduced in Congress today by Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) in the House and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) in the Senate, the measure has unprecedented support from nearly 70 percent of Americans, more than 280 members of Congress, 165 major businesses and 288 statewide and national organizations. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has made passing the Equality Act a top priority for the new Congress.
National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund Applauds Introduction of "Equality Act"
(Washington, D.C. - March 12, 2019 The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund applauds Representative David Cicilline and Senators Jeff Merkley, Tammy Baldwin, and Corey Booker for reintroducing the Equality Act in the U.S. House and Senate this week.
Equality CA Transgender Military Ban Lawsuit Plaintiff, Responds to Administration's Unlawful Plan to Implement Ban in Defiance of Nationwide Injunction
Executive Director Rick Zbur: "The 15,000 transgender Americans risking their lives for our country deserve better. Our nation deserves better."
WASHINGTON - March 12, 2019 - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization and the organizational plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the ban on transgender military service (Stockman v. Trump), released the following statement from Executive Director Rick Zbur in response to the Department of Defense's release today of guidelines for implementing the ban, which would take effect April 12:
Key National LGBTQ Military Organizations Respond to Trump Administration's Implementation of Ban on Open Trans Military Service
WASHINGTON - March 12, 2019 - Today, the Trump-Pence administration took steps to implement its ban on open transgender military service. Implementation processes noted in the directive will officially go into effect in thirty days, just under three years after the current policy, allowing open transgender military service, was implemented. All four service chiefs and 41 retired Generals and Admirals have emphatically denounced the claims this Administration is using to justify the ban.
Equality Ohio opens statewide, free legal clinic specializing in LGBTQ issues
It's common for Maya Simek, Managing Legal Director for Equality Ohio, to pick up the phone and hear from a member of the LGBTQ comunity who is in a legal bind-just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. "Because many of Ohio's laws are silent with regard to LGBTQ people, they are often treated differently or have unique legal needs related to discrimination, identity theft, and family law issues," said Simek. That is why Equality Ohio is opening a free legal clinic aimed at supporting the LGBTQ community.
Iowa Supreme Court Says Medicaid Must Cover Care for Transgender People
DES MOINES, Iowa - March 8, 2019 – The Iowa Supreme Court today issued a unanimous ruling that the Iowa Department of Human Services discriminated against two women by denying their Medicaid claim for transition-related care because they are transgender.
Health
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF): Ending AIDS Starts with Accurate Data
WASHINGTON (April 4, 2019) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is calling for leading global organizations in the fight against HIV/AIDS to focus on data quality to ensure we know the true challenges that lie ahead and to safeguard precious resources dedicated to ending the epidemic from being squandered due to inaccurate figures.
"Shoving Each Other Towards Wholeness"
Relationships are humbling. ALL relationships. Whether it's with your partner, your child, your parent or your best friend…all relationships are humbling because they show us our flaws, fears and weaknesses. And yet, they are also the best path to wholeness. My grandma used to say, "You can't get to heaven by yourself." I interpret that as: "You discover who you REALLY are by being in relationships; you can't do it alone."
Spirituality and Religion
Retired Rev Gene Robinson to speak at Wayside Presbyterian Church on May 5
Wayside Presbyterian Church, 1208 Asbury Road, will be hosting retired Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson on Sunday, May 5th. Bishop Robinson will be preaching at both the 8:30 and 11:00 services. The title of his sermon is "The Greatest Coming Out Story of All Time," based on the story of the burning bush in Deuteronomy 3. He will also offer a lecture on the history of the LGBTQ community since Stonewall during the Sunday School hour. That program will begin at 9:45 am. There is no cost for the day and reservations are not necessary. The church is located just north of the airport. Check our website at https://www.wayside-erie.org/ For more information call 814-833-7653.
Letters, Columnists and Opinion
This historic year: 2019
This year is a major historic notch for our community. It marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. If you weren't already aware, within 60 days, not only you but everyone will begin to notice leading up to that last Sunday in June, since most of the TV networks and scores of museums and cultural institutions will unveil their ways of commemorating Stonewall 50.
The Amazon Trail: What Is Lesbian Literature?
It's nice that some non-gay writers include us in their stories. I'm thinking of Lawrence Block's Matt Scudder detective novels in which he has an amusing lesbian friend who is a dog groomer. Very respectful and matter-of-fact that she's a dyke. But that doesn't make the novels lesbian any more than the presence of Robert B. Parker's gay male bartender and strongman in his Spenser series makes the books gay male.
Contests
Enter to win Precious and Adored from the Minnesota Historical Society Press!
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Enter to win Cupid on Trial by Dr. Brian Jory!
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Enter for a chance to win a "Last Hurrah" prize pack from Bebe Rexha!
Enter for a chance to win a "Last Hurrah" prize pack from Bebe Rexha! "Last Hurrah" is the hit single from chat-topping pop sensation Bebe Rexha! The prize pack includes a flask and other swag for a night out! "Last Hurrah" is available now! Stream/download here: https://bebe-rexha.lnk.to/LastHurrah. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, April 12, and Firday, May 3,
Enter to win A Good Man single by Michelle LeBlanc!
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Enter for a chance to win an "Undrunk" prize pack from FLETCHER!
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Enter to win This One Looks Like a Boy by Lorimer Shenher!
Enter to win This One Looks Like a Boy by Lorimer Shenher! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, April 9 and Tuesday, April 30.
Enter for a chance to win Mabel's "Don't Call Me Up" remix CD and pop-socket!
Enter for a chance to win Mabel's "Don't Call Me Up" remix CD and a pop-socket! "Don't Call Me Up" is the latest single from British breakout star Mabel, now with remixes by R3HAB, Conducta, Zac Samuel, ADP and Burak Yeter. "Don't Call Me Up" is available now. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, April 5 and Friday, April 26.
Enter to win Light in the Lowlands CD by Kelly Augustine!
Enter to win Light in the Lowlands CD by Kelly Augustine! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, April 5 and Friday, April 26.
Enter for a chance to win Ben Platt's 'Sing to Me Instead!'
Enter for a chance to win a download card of Ben Platt's Sing to Me Instead. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 23. Sing to Me Instead is the highly anticipated debut album from Grammy, Tony and Emmy award-winning artist Ben Platt. Sing to Me Instead features "Bad Habit," "Ease My Mind" and "Temporary Love." Sing to Me Instead is available now!
Enter for a chance to win The Riddle of the Sphinx by Alexandre Montagu!
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Enter to win Ain't No Storm CD by Tony Lucca!
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Enter to win The Daddies by Kimberly Dark!
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Enter to win Sucker Punch album by Sigrid!
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Enter to win Still On My Mind CD by Dido!
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Miscellaneous
LGBT Community Survey - Let your voice be heard and enter a drawing to win $50!
Please take part in the 13th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey. Participation in this survey gives important feedback to our LGBTQ community media and organizations, and provides valid data to companies interested in serving our community, sponsoring our charities, and supporting their LGBTQ employees. Last year's survey yielded 45,000 respondents from 150 countries!
Everything You Need to Know About the Home Inspection
When buying a home, one of the most important steps prior to closing is having a home inspection. This inspection is done by a professional and can reveal many things about your potential new home that you may not have known. It's essential that you have one of these inspections done so you know if there are any potential issues with the property.
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