August, 2019 News (39 Articles with 62,048 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for August, 2019 At least 2,500 people attended this year's Pride March and Festival, breaking previous records. Photo: Dave Schroeder for PACA
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
2019 Pridefest Again Sets Record
NW PA Pride Alliance held a very successful Pridefest on Saturday, June 29. It is estimated that at least 2,500 people attended the event, an all-time record for a local Pride event, and even larger than the record set last year.
Auditions for Richard O'Brien's "The Rocky Horror Show" at Arlene's Broadway on Buffalo August 11 & 12
Auditions for Richard O'Brien's "The Rocky Horror Show" will be held on Sunday, August 11 from 5-7 p.m., and on Monday, August 12 from 7-9 p.m. at Arlene's Broadway on Buffalo, 236 Buffalo Street, Conneaut, Ohio. Please prepare a brief monologue, and a one- to two-minute song in an appropriate style (rock or Broadway). An accompanist will be present; please bring sheet music. Show dates are October 18 - 20, 25 - 27, November 1 - 3. The final performance is a matinee; all others are evening shows.
LGBTQIA+ History Exhibits at Blasco Library in August
The local LGBTQIA+ History Project, recently displayed at 419 Artifacts, as well as The Long Road to LGBT Equality in PA, a touring project by the LGBT Center in Harrisburg, will both be on display at Blasco Public Library, 160 E Front St, Erie PA for the month of August. The exhibits will be on the first floor, near the circulation desk.
Moonlight on the Bay Fundraiser for Crime Victim Center on September 6
Join our host couple Nancy and John Hilbert on September 6th at the Perry Monument at Presque Isle for Moonlight on the Bay, Erie's premier fall event. The evening will promote many of the amazing businesses and resources that Erie has to offer as we serve lavish local hors'doeuvres, along with unique food truck cuisines, and musical talent meanwhile giving you an opportunity to mingle with other friends of the CVC while enjoying our beautiful bay at sunset
Gannon University's Schuster Theatre production of Revival, A Southern Gothic Gospel Cabaret on August 24 is cancelled!
Gannon University's Schuster Theatre presentation of Revival, A Southern Gothic Gospel Cabaret originally scheduled for August 24 has been cancelled.
9th Annual Afternoon for Equality by GEAE Held at Erie Yacht Club
On Sunday, July 14, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE) held their 9th Annual Afternoon for Equality at the Erie Yacht Club, 1 Ravine Drive, Erie PA. The event featured great good, great fellowship, and the presentation of scholarships to 2 area students.
Painting With Pride on August 20 at Dramashop
NWPA Pride Alliance, Inc. and Dramashop team up to present a joint fundraiser, Painting With Pride. The event, hosted by instructor Angela Howell, will be held on Tuesday, August 20th at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30 PM) at Dramashop (.Renaissance Center - 1001 State St - Second Floor) This event is "bring your own drinks and snacks". (a limited selection of non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase). Tickets are $35, which includes all painting supplies, are available here and MUST be purchased prior to 12:01am on 8/15/2019. Put an end to your ordinary day and sip your way to a masterpiece.
NW PA Pride Alliance LGBT Float in Millcreek 4th of July Parade
On Thursday, July 4, NW PA Pride Alliance and friends had a float in the Millcreek 4th of July Parade. The float was well-received. There has been an LGBT presence in the Millcreek 4th of July parade every year since 2006.
Erie VA Medical Center LGBT+ Pride Event on June 25
On Tuesday, June 25, The Erie VA Medical Center hosted an LGBT+ Pride Event. All Veterans, their families and the community were invited to attend in the second floor conference rooms of the main facility located at 135 E 38th St., Erie, PA. The event celebrated the achievements of LGBT+ Veterans and their perseverance that led to the ability for Veterans to openly serve! There was a brief program that included very moving presentations by LGBT veterans Beth and Frank, which was followed by a resource fair of both VA and local programs/organizations.s. Photos are by Adrian Osman and Michael Mahler.
Rebecca Mae Crowned Miss Erie 2019; Lifetime Achievement Award for Michelle Michaels
On Friday, June 21, NW PA Pride Alliance sponsored the 2019 Miss Erie Pageant at The Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. Rebecca Mae was crowned Miss Erie 2019, and Alysin Wonderland was First Runner Up. Other performers at the pageant were Rhiannon Angelina, Valerie Valentino, Misty Michaels Kall, Lovin Heart, Danyel Vasquez, Veronica Lace, Michelle Michaels, and Buffy Lynn Hayes. Additionally Michelle Michaels was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for 25 years of fabulousness. Also, NW PA Pride Alliance is pleased to announce that going forward, the winner of the talent portion of the pageant will receive the Michelle Micheals Talent Award.
Pride Day at Waldameer on Sunday, August 11
We had so much fun last year, we're doing it again! End your Pride picnic Weekend with unlimited rides and slides on Sunday, August 11 from 11 AM to 10 PM at Pride Day at Waldameer at a discounted price of $29.00. (normal price $41.50)
Deadline for August 2019 print edition (issue # 285) of Erie Gay News is Monday, July 15
For the next print edition of Erie Gay News (issue # 285, cover dated for August 2019), please send in calendar events, news items, and other info for late July 2019 and beyond by Monday, July 15. We expect that the next print edition will come out on Tuesday, July 23.. PLEASE NOTE! This issue will be on display at the 27th Annual Erie Pride Picnic on August 10.
27th Annual Erie Pride Picnic Presented by Erie Insurance on Saturday, August 10
This event is free and open to the public, so bring your buns down to the beach and see what’s cooking! The Northwest Pennsylvania Pride Alliance, inc. would like to invite you to join us for the 27th Annual Erie Pride Picnic Presented by Erie Insurance on Saturday, August 10th at the Rotary Pavilion at Presque Isle (near Beach 7) from 1 to 6 PM. Hot dogs, meatballs, potatoes, soft drinks, water and table settings are provided. Please bring a side dish, dessert, or salad to share. Food will be served from 2 to 4 PM. Note that state law does not permit alcohol in the park and we respectfully ask that you abide by rules the good folks at Presque Isle State Park have set for everyone’s safety.
Entertainment and Travel
Pride Journey: Providence, Rhode Island
Being a proud gay journalist, I've travelled to dozens of pride events around the world. From Sao Paulo to Nashville, I've seen just about everything. But, the one thing I had never seen was a night-time parade. That all changed in Providence. Yes…Providence, Rhode Island!
All An Act Presents: Beth Henley's Crimes of The Heart Aug 23-Sep 9
All An Act Theatre (652 W 17th St, Erie, PA) presents Beth Henley's Crimes of The Heart August 23 - Sept 8, 2019, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 3 :00 PM. Winner of the 1981 Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. The Magrath sisters have gathered to await news of their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the hospital. Lenny, the oldest sister, is unmarried at thirty; with no marital prospects. Meg, the middle sister, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast; while Babe, the youngest, is out on bail after having shot her husband in the stomach. Their troubles, grave and yet, somehow, hilarious, are highlighted by their priggish cousin, Chick, and by the awkward young lawyer who tries to keep Babe out of jail while helpless not to fall in love with her.
Pride Youth Theater Alliance Announces 10th Annual Queer Youth Theater Conference July 25-28 in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA - The Pride Youth Theater Alliance, a growing network of LGBTQ youth theater organizations and individual artists located across the country, announces its 10th annual conference, to be held in Pittsburgh, PA. The PYTA strives to advance the practice of Queer Youth Theater by providing emerging and established leaders in the field with resources and opportunities to exchange, collaborate, and learn. The conference will be hosted by Dreams of Hope - a PYTA Member Organization also located in Pittsburgh. The conference has been held in 8 different cities, including San Francisco, Orlando, Memphis, and last year, Boston, with attendance continually growing. Last year’s conference brought in over 100 attendees, with nearly 50% of the attendees identifying as youth (ages 18 or under). The conference invites practitioners, artists, and leaders to showcase their art, talents, skills, and knowledge with their peers from across North America. Dreams of Hope will also partner with local arts organizations and artists to connect attendees with the vibrant local arts and LGBTQ scenes of Pittsburgh. The conference weekend will also provide opportunities for Pittsburgh residents to witness performances, engage with artists, and learn more about youth programs locally and nationally.
Mommie Queerest by Buffalo United Artists July 12 - August 4
Buffalo United Artists presents Jimmy Janowski in the hysterical camp send up MOMMIE QUEEREST by Jamie Morris, July 12 to August 4, 2019, Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm. The production is directed and designed by Todd Warfield and also stars Michael Blasdell, Michael Seitz, and Christopher Standart. The production was originally presented in 2012 and has been remounted with the original cast.
Gallery 1503 Inauguration hosted by PACA and Attic Rehab on July 12
On july 12 from 5 to 8 PM at PACA, 1505 State St, Floor 2, Erie PA, come celebrate the inauguration of Gallery 1503 inside Attic Rehab, the installation of the restored leaded-glass window, and the opening night ofTheatre at PACA: "Sex with Strangers" by Laura Eason. Those attending the gallery opening will receive $5 off their ticket to the show.
Political, Activism and Legal
NCLR's Born Perfect Campaign Hails Groundbreaking North Carolina Order Protecting LGBTQ Youth from Conversion Therapy
(Raleigh, NC - August 2, 2019 ) Today, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order to protect vulnerable young people from conversion therapy, which seeks to change a young person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Victory Fund Endorses Ritchie Torres for US Congress; Faces Anti-LGBTQ Opponent in Effort to Become First LGBTQ Afro-Latinx Member of Congress
Washington, DC - July 29, 2019 - Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed New York City Councilmember Ritchie Torres in his 2020 race for New York's 15th Congressional district. In the primary, Torres will face one of the most anti-LGBTQ Democrats in the entire nation - fellow Councilmember Ruben Diaz, Sr. - and the primary winner will almost certainly win the general election in this heavily Democratic district. Torres will become the first openly LGBTQ Afro-Latinx person ever elected to Congress if he is victorious in November 2020.
Military Experts, Medical Associations and HIV Advocates Oppose Trump DOD's Discharge Policy for HIV-Positive Airmen
(New York, NY -- July 26, 2019) - Military leaders, medical associations, public health groups, and HIV advocates joined three friend-of-the court briefs filed yesterday in support of a federal lawsuitchallenging the Pentagon's discriminatory policies, which prevent service members living with HIV from deploying to most locations outside the United States. These deployment restrictions recently resulted in decisions to discharge a number of Airmen. The briefs being filed today in Roe and Voe v Shanahan before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit urge the court to uphold a preliminary injunction preventing the Air Force from discharging service members with HIV.
BREAKING: House Passes NDAA With Amendments to Overturn Trans Military Ban and Restore Honor To Veterans Discharged Due to Sexual Orientation
WASHINGTON - July 12, 2019 - Today, the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) - the nation's largest non-profit organization for the LGBTQ military and veteran community - responded to the U.S. House of Representatives' bipartisan vote of 220-197 passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2020. The NDAA includes amendments to overturn the Trump-Pence transgender military ban and also restore honor to service members discharged due to their sexual orientation. The House version of the NDAA will now go to conference committee to be reconciled with the Senate version.
BREAKING: House Passes Military Non-Discrimination Amendment So That Qualified Transgender Patriots Can Serve
WASHINGTON - July 11, 2019 - Moments ago, by a vote of 242-187, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-discrimination amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would make eligible for military service any qualified individual who can meet standards, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion or sex - including gender identity or sexual orientation. The Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) - the nation's largest non-profit organization for the LGBTQ military and veteran community - hailed the bipartisan vote as an important step toward ending the Trump-Pence administration's harmful transgender military ban. Final passage of the full NDAA is expected by the House tomorrow, and the legislation will then go to conference committee to be reconciled with the Senate version.
Victory Fund Endorses Gina Ortiz Jones for US Congress; Would Be First Openly LGBTQ Representative from Texas
Washington, DC - July 10, 2019 - Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed Gina Ortiz Jones in her race for the 23rd Congressional District in Texas. The announcement comes just one day after the campaign released impressive fundraising numbers for the second quarter - having raised more than $571,000 since her campaign launch on May 14. Jones would become the first openly LGBTQ person elected to Congress from Texas if she wins her race in 2020.
Palm Center Statement on Congressional Vote: Military Service Should be Based on Ability
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - July 10, 2019 - In anticipation of a vote on an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act introduced by Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA), Palm Center director Aaron Belkin released the below statement. The measure, known as the "Truman Amendment" after President Harry Truman's 1948 executive order racially integrating the military, would codify the military's existing non-discrimination standards in DoD Directive 1020.02E, "Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity in the DoD," which states that equal opportunity is "critical to mission accomplishment, unit cohesiveness, and military readiness" and requires that all service members be "afforded equal opportunity in an environment free from harassment, including sexual harassment, and unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity), or sexual orientation."
Military and National Security Leaders Urge Congress to Pass NDAA Non-Discrimination Amendment
WASHINGTON - July 9, 2019 - Today, as first reported by Politico Pro, the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) - the nation's largest non-profit organization for the LGBTQ military and veteran community - released a letter signed by prominent military, veteran and national security leaders and organizations urging Congress to pass an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would make eligible for military service any qualified American who can meet standards, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion or sex - including gender identity or sexual orientation.
Health
Beyond Pride
This column is the result of a question I've been asking myself lately: What is "beyond" pride? Another way to put it is: "What comes after Pride?"
Letters, Columnists and Opinion
On the road again
Each year Jason and I do a road trip. The rules are very simple: We try to go to places we haven't been, the place must have something we've heard about that is slightly odd, and the place must take us out of our comfort zone so we can see what it's like living out of our East Coast liberal bubble.
A week like no other in a long life
It was one of the most magical weeks that I'll ever have. When I headed to New York by train, it was already announced that I'd be one of the grand marshals of the Stonewall 50 World Pride parade, and that meant marching with my Gay Liberation Front sisters and brothers.
Contests
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Miscellaneous
Are You Ready to Buy a House?
Preparing to buy a house can be a major undertaking, especially if you have never done so before. While technology has helped reduce the amount of paperwork and stress involved in getting a mortgage, it still is not exactly a quick or simple process. It can be made even more frustrating if you begin the mortgage process only to find out that most lenders do not believe you are in a good position to take on this large amount of debt. There can be a number of reasons why lenders may decline your application, that's why it is important to sit down and determine if you are ready to buy before you begin the actual loan application process. If it looks like you're not ready, you can create a plan to address the reasons why a lender may deny your loan application.
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