May, 2019 News (34 Articles with 47,504 total views)

On the cover of the print edition for May, 2019 On the cover:  Sipping and schmoozing at the Drenched Fur 15 winery tour. Photo by Andrew Ealy. Also: Bishop Gene Robinson at Wayside Presbyterian May 5.

This began publication in December 2002 after a hiatus

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Calendar & Upcoming Events

Calendar of Local GLBT Events

Up to date listing of events and meetings.

Local and Regional News

PA Commission on LGBTQ Affairs Quarterly Meeting on February 8

On Friday, February 8, 2019, the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs held their quarterly meeting at the Center on Strawberry in Washington, PA. The commission came up with four major initiatives. Four groups were formed - two within Schools That Teach and one each for Government That Works and Jobs That Pay.
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Special Erie Gay News Pull Out Section for Pride Next Issue

Special Erie Gay News Pull Out Section for Pride Next Issue
The upcoming issue of Erie Gay News will have a special pull out section for Pride events. EGN is seeking ads for this special section-a great way for businesses and organizations to reach out to the LGBTQIA+ community.There are a lot of Pride events happening in June! The next issue has a deadline of May 13 and comes out the night of May 21. Contact info Michael Mahler at (814) 456-9833 or info@eriegaynews.com
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Voters Guide for Erie County Council & Erie City Council Races in Municipal Primary Election on May 21

Voters Guide for Erie County Council & Erie City Council Races in Municipal Primary Election on May 21
Candidates for Erie County Counci, and Erie City Council were asked about their positions on GLBT issues. Their responses appear here. Please remember to vote on May 21! Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM.
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Free Smoking Cessation Classes starting May 8 & May 10

Greater Erie Action for Equality (GEAE) is hosting two separate smoking cessation groups, which will meet at 301 W. 10th, Erie. Programming made possible by Erie County Department of Health. Classes are both six weeks long; Group 1 begins May 8, Group 2 begins May 10. For information and to sign up contact Rachel Lohr geaeinfo@gmail.com FB: Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE)
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Local LGBT History Project On Display for June at 419 Artifacts

The Erie LGBTQ+ History Committee will be presenting A Look Back: LGBTQ+ Community in Erie for the month of June at 419 Artifacts, 419 State St, Erie PA. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, June 1 from 1 to 4 PM at 419 Artifacts. The submission deadline is MAY 1, 2019. Please contact Dale Allgeier at (814) 455-4009 or daleallgeier@outlook.com to submit items for consideration.
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Casting call (volunteer actors, crew) for horror movie

Casting call (volunteer actors, crew) for horror movie
Nightscape Cinema has an exciting opportunity for you! Would you like to volunteer to be part of our latest horror movie? Whether its Acting, crew, special effects, lighting, sound, makeup, hair etc. WE ARE LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO HAVE SOME FUN and make a great movie! We are looking forward to meet people like you, with or without experience on Sunday, May 5 from 1 to 5 PM in Conference Room B at Chautauqua County Airport 3163 Airport Dr. Jamestown, NY! Maybe you only have a day, maybe you can volunteer for longer. Whatever it is, if you want to be part of this movie, WE WANT TO MEET YOU! To confirm your attendance, or For more information on the film, or for the casting call, please email jason_a_perdue@yahoo.com
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Drenched Fur 15 Celebrates WOOFstock

Erie hosted Drenched Fur 15 April 11-15. DF-15 is a regional bear weekend, celebrating its 15th year with the theme of WOOFstock- a goof on the cultural phenom Woodstock Music Festival from 1969. DF15 put together a weekend vacation where hundreds of men came from across North America stayed at the Clarion Lake Erie and Bel-Aire Conference Center. Guests traveled from coast-to-coast, as far as Canada, California, Rhode Island, Florida, and in-between plus around the tri-state area. Erie has been annually hosting Drenched Fur for over a decade and a half as a weekend of activities where men who appreciate each other and their natural masculinity can let off some winter doldrums.
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Bishop Gene Robinson at Wayside Presbyterian May 5 POSTPONED!

Bishop Gene Robinson at Wayside Presbyterian May 5 POSTPONED!
Wayside Presbyterian Church, 1208 Asbury Road, Erie PA had to postpone hosting retired Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson , original scheduled for Sunday, May 5th. This will be rescheduled for the fall.
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All An Act Presents Squabbles By Marshall Karp April 26th - May 19th

All An Act Presents Squabbles By Marshall Karp April 26th - May 19th
All An Act Presents Squabbles By Marshall Karp April 26th - May 19th is directed by Chris Bucci, and stars Larry Lewis, Amanda Hurd, Michael Burns, Lisa Simonian, Dave DiCola, Bob Dombrowski, and Shantel Kay. This hilarious play pits a father in law against a mother in a comedic succession of squabbles. Jerry Sloan is a successful writer of advertising jingles married to an equally successful lawyer. Living with the happy couple is the not so happy Abe Dreyfus, Jerry's curmudgeon of a father in law. Abe is a funny guy to the audience, not to Jerry. The situation is exacerbated when Jerry's mother Mildred looses her house in a fire and needs a place to stay. Abe and Mildred can't stand each other. This play is one hilarious confrontation after another until the heart- warming finale in which the oldsters discover that, really, each is not so bad.
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Deadline for May 2019 print edition (issue # 282) of Erie Gay News is Monday, April 15

Deadline for May 2019 print edition (issue # 282) of Erie Gay News is Monday, April 15
For the next print edition of Erie Gay News (issue # 282, cover dated for March 2019), please send in calendar events, news items, and other info for late April 2019 and beyond by Monday, April 15. We expect that the next print edition will come out on Tuesday, April 23.. PLEASE NOTE! This issue will feature our Voters Guide for the Spring Municipal Primary that occurs on May 21.
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Building an Inclusive Church training at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church April 26-27

Building an Inclusive Church training at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church April 26-27
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church at 1603 West 32nd Street Erie, PA will be hosting a training on Building an Inclusive Church on April 26-27, 2019. This training is geared for people who are interested at starting or continuing a conversation at their church on how to welcome our LGBTQIA community into your church without sparking division and debate. All denominations are welcome as well as churches who are already "welcoming" or "affirming". The training will be presented by Reconciling Works, Lutherans for Full Participation. Registration is required, register at www.RWKS.org/BIC . Normal registration fee is $100, restricted income fee is also available for $50, and student fee is $25. The training will start Friday night April 26th from 6-9pm, and will continue on Saturday April 27th from 9am-5pm. Free beverage and snack will be provided on Friday night, and free continental breakfast and lunch will be provided on Saturday. For more information go to Reconciling Works at www.ReconcilingWorks.org, or call 651-665-0861. Or contact the training site, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church office via mclcoffice1603@gmail.com, Pastor Kristen Papson at Kristen.m.papson@gmail.com, or Cheryl LaBenne at clabenne8595@gmail.com. Contact phone numbers are 814-864-6831 (church), 814-490-8333 (Pastor Papson) or 814-746-8333 (Cheryl LaBenne).
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Entertainment and Travel

Pride Journey: Phoenix/Tempe

The last time I was in the Phoenix area was 2005, so when I was offered a chance to visit the city again, I jumped at the opportunity, especially since this trip would coincide with Phoenix Pride. The temperature in the spring and fall is quite tolerable and enjoyable so I would plan your vacation during those seasons, unless you are an avid heat seeker.
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Political, Activism and Legal

NCLR Condemns Decision by International Sports Court Permitting Discrimination against Caster Semenya

(New York, N.Y.)- Today, in a divided 2-1 opinion, the international Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a proposed rule by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) forcing women with high levels of testosterone to take suppressants in order to compete in some women's races
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NCLR Responds to Supreme Court's Decision to Hear Three Cases about the Rights of LGBT Workers

(Washington, DC, April 22, 2019) - Today, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear three cases addressing whether Title VII, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in the workplace, protects LGBT employees.
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SAGE praises bipartisan LGBT aging bill introduced in Congress

(Washington, D.C.) - The Inclusive Aging Act was introduced April 12 by Senators Bob Casey ( D-PA ). Michael Bennet ( D-CO ), and Lisa Murkowski ( R-AK ), This bipartisan legislative proposal aims to support inclusive aging and sexual health care services for older Americans while specifically addressing the unique needs of LGBT older people.
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VICTORY! Arizona Repeals Anti-LGBTQ Curriculum Law After Filing of Lawsuit

(Phoenix, AZ, April 12, 2019) – Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey today signed into law an amendment that repeals the state's anti-LGBTQ curriculum law that barred LGBTQ students from receiving medically accurate, age-appropriate information about non-heterosexual people in their health education classes. The amendment removes language that had prohibited instruction in HIV/AIDS curriculum that "[p]romotes a homosexual life-style," "[p]ortrays homosexuality as a positive alternative life-style," or "[s]uggests that some methods of sex are safe methods of homosexual sex."
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AMPA Statement on Trump-Pence Transgender Military Ban Implementation

WASHINGTON - April 11, 2019 - Today, the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation's largest organization of LGBTQ military families, released the following statement ahead of the Trump-Pence administration's implementation of a ban on military service by transgender people. The transgender military ban goes into effect tomorrow, Friday, April 12.
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Health

Free Hepatitis A Vaccine

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is recommending Hepatitis A vaccine to populations determined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to be at particular risk for contracting Hepatitis A (HAV), including men who have sex with men.
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How A Library Saved my Life

Wellington, Ohio had a few more than 2,000 people when I was growing up there. It had one stoplight and 7 bars, one school building that housed all grades from kindergarten to high school. And it had a library.
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Erie LGBTQ+ Health Provider Symposium on May 31 at Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center

On Friday, May 31, the Erie County Department of Health, in partnership with UPMC Hamot and TransFamily of NW PA, will present the Erie LGBTQ+ Health Provider Symposium at Crystal Ballroom at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center, behind the Courtyard by Marriott at 7794 Peach St., Erie, Pa. This symposium has been designed to provide up-to-date education to health care providers in order to improve health outcomes in the LGBTQ+ community. New recommendations and guidelines will be addressed through a series of lectures from professionals across the medical, mental health, and public health fields. You can get the event's brochure as a PDF here.
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Letters, Columnists and Opinion

Let's win the election first

If you are like me, your position on the 2020 presidential election might come down to this: You will elect any of the Democratic candidates for president, no matter how far they stray from your views, because the current occupant is flawed and an embarrassment to our country.
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The Amazon Trail: Femmes and Their Gadgets

It's a shame, the things they don't teach us at Butch School. In the Femme Gadgets class, I learned the basics of eyelash brushes and powdering noses and hoop, stud, drop, climber, and jacket earrings. The femme who has been cutting my hair for about twenty years was today appropriately made up and earring-ed, her own hair mostly blue with a complementary green streak along the part. She obviously has great fun with her various girly tools.
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Contests

Enter to win a download of Lucy Spraggan's 'Today Was a Good Day.'

Enter to win a download of Lucy Spraggan's 'Today Was a Good Day.'
Enter to win a download of Lucy Spraggan's 'Today Was a Good Day.' 'Today Was a Good Day' is the 5th studio album from singer/songwriter Lucy Spraggan! To enter the contest, fill out the form below between Friday, May 15 and Friday, June 7.
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Enter for a chance to win MARINA's 'LOVE + FEAR' album!

Enter for a chance to win MARINA's 'LOVE + FEAR' album!
Enter for a chance to win a download card for MARINA's 'LOVE + FEAR.' LOVE + FEAR' is the eagerly anticipated two-part album from multi-platinum selling pop innovator MARINA! 'LOVE + FEAR' is out now! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, May 14 and Tuesday, June 4.
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Enter for the chance to receive an UglyDolls prize pack!

Enter for the chance to receive an UglyDolls prize pack!
Unconventionality rules in UglyDolls, STXfilms' new animated musical adventure starring the acting and singing voices of Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Janelle Monáe, Blake Shelton and Pitbull. The film is inspired by the unique and beloved global plush toy phenomenon launched in 2001. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, May 10 and Friday, May 31.
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Enter for a chance to win P!NK's 'Hurts 2B Human' album!

Enter for a chance to win P!NK's 'Hurts 2B Human' album!
Enter for a chance to win a download card for P!NK's 'Hurts 2B Human.' 'Hurts 2B Human' is the 8th studio album from pop iron P!NK! 'Hurts 2B Human' features the hit single "Walk Me Home." 'Hurts 2B Human' is out now! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, May 10 and Friday, May 31.
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Enter for a chance to win a 'Cub Sport' CD!

Enter for a chance to win a 'Cub Sport' CD!
Enter for a chance to win a 'Cub Sport' CD! Celebrate the 2019 North American tour of Australian alt-pop band Cub Sport! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, May 7 and Tuesday, May 28.
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Enter to win i'm so tired... prize pack!

Enter to win i'm so tired... prize pack!
Enter to win i'm so tired... prize pack! The prize pack includes a face mask and download card of single and remixes. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, May 7 and Tuesday, May 28.
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Enter to win My Name Is AMES EP!

Enter to win My Name Is AMES EP!
Enter to win My Name Is AMES EP! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, May 3 and Friday, May 24.
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Enter to win Marilyn DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures!

Enter to win Marilyn DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures!
Enter to win Marilyn DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 21.
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Enter to win El Ganzo from Ariztical Entertainment!

Enter to win El Ganzo from Ariztical Entertainment!
Enter to win a digital download of El Ganzo from Ariztical Entertainment. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, April 26 and Friday, May 17.
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Enter for a chance to win Ally Brooke's "Low Key" download card!

Enter for a chance to win Ally Brooke's 'Low Key' download card!
Enter for a chance to win a download card for Ally Brooke's "Low Key" (feat. Tyga) plus remixes! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, April 23 and Tuesday, May 14. "Low Key" is the highly anticipated debut solo single from multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ally Brooke! The download card includes remixes by MK and Play N Skillz. "Low Key" is currently available.
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Enter to win Teen Spirit Original Motion Picture Soundtrack!

Enter to win Teen Spirit Original Motion Picture Soundtrack!
Enter to win Teen Spirit Original Motion Picture Soundtrack! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, April 16 and Tuesday, May 7.
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Miscellaneous

Transform Your Landscaping to Add Value to Your Home

When most homeowners think about selling their home, one of the first things they do is evaluate the interior of the house to look for areas that need repairs or updating to add value to the home. While some projects may not see a great return on the investment, there are often smaller projects that do increase the value of the home or greatly increase your chances of selling. Making a few updates to the kitchen, for example, can create a space that leaves a great impression on potential buyers.
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