October, 2019 News (43 Articles with 47,634 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for October, 2019 On August 20, Mayor Schember and his Chief of Staff Renee Lamis, alongside members of the Mayor's LGTBQ+ Council met with U.S. Senator Bob Casey to discuss how Erie is a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive community
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
Mayor's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council meeting on Sep 6
The Mayor's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council met on September 6. Tyler Titus and Michael Mahler provided an update on the Governor's PA Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, which had met the month before in Erie
Asexual Awareness Week Oct 20-26
Asexual Awareness Week or Ace Week was created in 2010 to spotlight our community and celebrate the progress we have made as a community throughout the years. I've recently accepted to be part in helping run the Ace Week Facebook page throughout Ace Week 2019 (October 20th to October 26th). Ace Week is also joining forces with Asexual Outreach (a non profit organization), which will help us further our mission in raising awareness and give us new tools and resources to use. 2019 is shaping up to be a huge year in Ace history. To my fellow Aces in Erie and around the world, we are really being heard loud and clear.
Free Smoking Cessation Classes Nov 5-26
The four-week smoking cessation class offers individuals a step-by-step plan for quitting smoking. The goal is to make quitting a less stressful experience and help smokers learn better ways to cope with situations that ordinarily trigger ... lighting up. Classes will be held Tuesdays, Nov. 5 to 26 from 6 to 7 p.m. They are Free! and the location is Sterling Square, 3330 Peach St., Entrance C, Lower Level, Erie, PA 16508. Registration is required. To register or for more information, call 814-877-2981.
14th Annual Pink Party Weekend at Zone Oct 11-13
The Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA, will be hosting the 14th Annual Pink Party Weekend will be held Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 13. The fundraiser includes a bake sale, gift baskets, and a show on Sunday, All proceeds go to StringsforaCURE Foundation. StringsforaCURE is an Erie, PA based 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing education, comfort, financial assistance and emotional support directly to breast cancer patients. The Face show cast will host a Pink Party Benefit Show on Sunday, October 13 at 9 PM, rather than the usual monthly Face show.
3rd Annual HIV Awareness Walk
About 45 people attended the 3rd Annual HIV Awareness Walk on September 16 in Frontier Park, including Erie City Mayor Joe Schember. The event was organized by Erie County HIV Task Force. There was coverage by both local TV news crews.
Intersections of Equality Symposium on Nov 16
The 2019 Intersections of Equality Symposium will be at the Black Conference Center on the campus of Penn State Behrend, on Saturday, November 16 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Panels will address LGBTQ issues at the intersections of health care, art, therapy, legal rights, and alliances with government, corporate, and non-profit organizations. Featured speakers include LECOM medical students and faculty, Heather Denning, Program Director of Art Therapy at Mercyhurst Univesrity, the artists MANDEM, a Cleveland based trio whose work was featured at the LGBT Art Show this summer, Renee Lamis (Erie Mayor's Chief of Staff), Tesha Nesbit Arrington (Director, Diversity and Inclusion and Community Outreach, Erie Insurance), and Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, one of Pennsylvania's openly gay elected officials. Plenary speakers will be announced by the end of September. CEUs will be availble through Penn State for professionals at the cost of $35 for the day. Registration and symposium fees will be listed on the GEAE webpage and social media when we launch admission. Organizations interested in staffing a table fair should contact GEAE, as space is limited (and will go fast).The 2019 Intersections of Equality Symposium will be at the Black Conference Center on the campus of Penn State Behrend, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Panels will address LGBTQ issues at the intersections of health care, art, therapy, legal rights, and alliances with government, corporate, and non-profit organizations. Featured speakers include LECOM medical students and faculty, Heather Denning, Program Director of Art Therapy at Mercyhurst Univesrity, the artists MANDEM, a Cleveland based trio whose work was featured at the LGBT Art Show this summer, Renee Lamis (Erie Mayor's Chief of Staff), Tesha Nesbit Arrington (Director, Diversity and Inclusion and Community Outreach, Erie Insurance), and Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, one of Pennsylvania's openly gay elected officials. Plenary speakers will be announced by the end of September. CEUs will be availble through Penn State for professionals at the cost of $35 for the day. Registration and symposium fees will be listed on the GEAE webpage and social media when we launch admission. Organizations interested in staffing a table fair should contact GEAE, as space is limited (and will go fast).
Board Members sought for NW PA Pride Alliance, Inc
NWPA Pride Alliance is looking for applicants to fill positions with our board of directors. NWPA Pride Alliance is seeking to diversify its membership to best address the needs of the LGBT community, persons of all sexual orientations, gender identifications, marital status, ethnic backgrounds and educational experiences are welcome to apply. All positions are unpaid, volunteer positions. We are looking for people who want to become more involved with the LGBT community, working with our members to extend outreach to the community as a whole.
Lake Erie Gala November 20th-24th
Erie Sisters & Brothers Transgender Support Group will host their Annual Lake Erie Gala Nov. 20th-24th at Bel-Aire Hotel and Conference Center, 2800 W 8th St, Erie, PA. This is a four day event that begins Wednesday with dinner and bowling, bus tours of attractions in the area, dinner, dancing, Open Mic Talent and Karaoke Night, vendors on Saturday (open to public), and a farewell breakfast on Sunday morning. There will be photo thumb drives for sale at the breakfast. This is a social affair, so there is a lot of chatting with other transgender people. A chance to relax, meet new friends and do a little dancing. Info: lakeeriegala@gmail.com and eriesisters.ning.com
Dining Out For Life WNY Oct 1
Dining Out For Life, an annual HIV fundraiser, will be held at various restaurants in Western NY on Tuesday, October 1, and benefits Evergreen Health Services. Southern Tier restaurants that will be donating a percentage of proceeds include Brazil Craft Beer & Wine Lounge (10 East 4th Street, Jamestown, NY 14701), Ellicottville Brewing Company West (34 West Main Street, Fredonia, NY 14063), Forte (114 East Third Street, Jamestown, NY 14701), Labyrinth Press Company (12 East 4th Street, Jamestown, NY 14701), and Landmark Restaurant (516 West 4th Street, Jamestown, NY 14701).
Erie Gay News Distributor Update Due Oct 11
Erie Gay News is updating our list of distributors. If you are currently a distributor, lease email us at info@eriegaynews.com or call (814) 456-9833 to let us know that we are getting you the correct number of copies before Friday, Oct. 11. If you are not currently a distributor, but would like to be, please contact us by Oct. 11. The distributors of our monthly print edition are listed here We are happy to list those who carry EGN!
Netflix Announces November 1 Premiere Date for Queer Eye: We're in Japan!
Netflix has announced that Queer Eye: We're in Japan!, a four-episode special season of the Emmy® Award-winning series Queer Eye, will debut globally November 1, 2019. Queer Eye: We're in Japan! features model and actress Kiko Mizuhara as the Fab Five's Japan guide, along with comedian Naomi Watanabe as a special guest. In the four-episode special season, the Fab Five - Antoni Porowski (Food & Wine), Bobby Berk (Interior Design), Jonathan Van Ness (Grooming), Karamo Brown (Culture), and Tan France (Fashion) bring their expertise to Tokyo to make-better four heroes while experiencing Japanese cuisine, fashion, design, grooming and culture firsthand.
Rebecca Mae's September 29 Drag Brunch featuring Ada Vox
Rebecca Mae's Drag Brunch is so excited to have Ada Vox from American Idol Season 1 (reboot season) as our special guest this brunch on Sunday, September 29 from 11 AM to 2:30 at The Bourbon Barrel, 1213 Stat St, Erie PA! This show will be hosted by yours truly, Rebecca Mae. Other special guests include Evon Michelle, Siren Kelly, Danyel Vasquez, Michelle Michaels and Priscilla Godzilla. Show includes adult content and comedy so please come with a sense of humor and open mindedness!
Speakeasy Singalong on August 21
THANK YOU to EVERYONE who helped make Greater Erie Alliance for Equality's Speakeasy Sing-Along Part 2 on August 21 at Room 33 Speakeasy & Cafe, 1033 State St, Erie PA, a VERY FUN, SUCCESSFUL evening! The event could not have taken place without the help & commitment of GEAE's Board of Directors (especially the Events Committee) & Advisory Council, the guest bartenders, the businesses that generously made donations for the raffles, the volunteers who worked the evening, DJ Josh Walters, and everyone who attended! Your support is overwhelming & greatly appreciated! Thanks to the bartending team - The Schroeck Sisters + 1 (Renee Schroeck Schlosser, Natalie Schroeck Kreidinger, Laura Bishop, Suzanne Schaaf Lichtenwalter)
Harvest for Justice Catholic Women’s Retreat Oct 19
Harvest for Justice, a fall retreat for lesbian / bisexual / queer /trans Catholic women & women friends, will be held on Saturday, October 19 from 10 AM to 4 PM at Mount St. Benedict, 6101 E Lake Road. The event is sponsored by the Women of Dignity & Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, & Ritual (WATER) and DignityUSA. The event is being held simultaneously in various cities. The local contact for registration is Breanna at bmekuly@emmauserie.org. There is a suggested donation of $15 and coffee and lunch will be provided.
Chipotle/Identity fundraiser on Oct 17
Please note that EUP/Identity will have a fundraiser on Thursday, October 17 from 5-9 PM at Chipotle, 6611 Peach St, Erie PA. Show the flyer shown above or tell the cashier that you're supporting the cause to make sure that 33% of the proceeds donated to Identity, Edinboro University’s LGBTQIA+ organization.
Deadline for October 2019 print edition (issue # 287) of Erie Gay News is Sunday, September 15
For the next print edition of Erie Gay News (issue # 287, cover dated for October 2019), please send in calendar events, news items, and other info for late September 2019 and beyond by Sunday, September 15. We expect that the next print edition will come out on Tuesday, September 24..
Entertainment and Travel
"RuPaul's Drag Race UK" to make television premiere in the U.S. on Friday, October 11th at 8 PM ET/PT on Logo
NEW YORK, NY - September 26, 2019 - On the heels of "RuPaul Drag Race's" second consecutive Emmy® win for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and RuPaul's fourth consecutive Emmy® win for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program, top drag queens from across the pond will sashay into the workroom for the U.S. television premiere of "RuPaul's Drag Race UK" on Friday, October 11th at 8 PM ET/PT on Logo.
"RuPaul's Drag Race UK" will showcase the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent of the top drag queens, from sickening lip syncs to wig snatching moments, as they prove to Mama Ru why they deserve to be the "UK's Next Drag Superstar."
Pride Journey: Grand Rapids/Saugatuck
For the past few years, I've heard about a small town in Michigan known for its LGBTQ friendliness and charm, but it wasn't until recently that I had the opportunity to visit Saugatuck and its neighboring town, Douglas. If you don't live within driving distance, you'll probably have to fly into Grand Rapids, another Midwestern city worth exploring. The journey will be well worth it.
Political, Activism and Legal
MMAA and Three Former Service Secretaries to Supreme Court: Rescinding DACA Harms Military Readiness
WASHINGTON - October 4, 2019 - Today, the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA), along with three former Service Secretaries and a group of military and veteran advocacy organizations, filed a "friend of the court" brief with the Supreme Court of the United States arguing the Trump-Pence administration's rescinding of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) severely undermines military readiness and violates federal law. Filed in three consolidated cases before the Court, the brief argues that the government violated the Administrative Procedure Act and failed to consider the harm that DACA rescission would have on DACA beneficiaries who have enlisted in the military, military family members, and the military itself, which has been significantly strengthened by the enlistment of non-citizens, including DACA recipients.
New York to Be First State in Nation with All Veterans' Services Staff Certified in LGBTQ Cultural Competency
WASHINGTON - October 2, 2019 - Today, the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) - the nation's largest non-profit organization for the LGBTQ military and veteran community - announced that it will provide LGBTQ and HIV+ competency training through its Rainbow Shield certification program to the entire New York State Division of Veterans' Services. All of the division's employees will receive the MMAA Rainbow Shield cultural competency training designed to help educate and empower providers and advocates who serve the LGBTQ and HIV+ military and veteran community. The state of New York will become the first in the nation with all of its veterans' services staff certified through the program.
Versailles, KY Passes LGBTQ Fairness Ordinance 3-2
(Versailles, KY - October 1, 2019) With a vote of 3-2 tonight, the Woodford County, Kentucky town of Versailles, population 8,568, became the fourteenth city in the commonwealth with a Fairness Ordinance prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. By becoming the fourth city to adopt the measure this year, Versailles makes 2019 a record-breaking year for Fairness Ordinances in Kentucky. In 1999 and 2013 three Kentucky cities passed Fairness Ordinances
CNN/HRC LGBT Presidential Town Hall Viewing Party on Oct 10
Please join the Erie County LGBTQIA+ Democratic Caucus and the Erie County Democratic Party on Thursday, October 10, 2019 for the Democratic Party Presidential Candidate LGBTQ Town Hall from 8 to 10 pm at the Bourbon Barrel, 1213 State St, Erie PA for a viewing party. Note: the full forum runs from 7 to 11:30 pm and doors will open at 6:30 for any who wish to watch the full forum. The Democratic Party Presidential Candidate LGBTQ Town Hall is a collaborative project between the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and CNN.
PA Human Rights Commission and Erie County Human Rights Commission Town Hall on Oct 17
On Thursday, October 17 from 6-8PM at Blasco Public Library, 160 E Front St, Erie PA, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) and the Erie County Human Relations Commission (ECHRC) will hold a town hall meeting to further educate the community on their rights when filing with either of our agencies. We will offer information on protected classes, jurisdiction, filing procedures and the process when a complaint is filed. The community will have the opportunity to meet staff from both agencies, file a complaint and voice their concerns. For more info, contact Renee Martin at 717-856-5971 or renmartin@pa.gov
New Report Offers Look at Lives of LGBT People of Color in Rural America, Shattering Stereotypes of Life in Rural Communities
(September 19, 2019) Des Moines, IA-Media coverage often portrays rural America as singularly white, conservative and working-class. Yet at least 10 million people of color, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people of color, call rural America home. Today, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) released a new report, Where We Call Home: LGBT People of Color in Rural America, which examines the unique challenges of LGBT people of color in rural America and highlights distinct experiences across different communities of color. As the second publication in the Where We Call Home series, this report details how the structural challenges of rural life amplify acceptance of or discrimination against LGBT people of color. Where We Call Home: LGBT People of Color in Rural America is released in partnership with the Equality Federation, the National Black Justice Coalition, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
Lambda Legal and MMAA Urge 4th Circuit to Uphold Court Order Preventing Discharge of HIV-Positive Airmen, in Lawsuit against Pentagon
(Richmond, VA, September 18, 2019) - Today, lawyers for two active-duty Airmen who are living with HIV urged a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to uphold a preliminary injunction granted in February that prevents the Trump Administration from continuing with discharge proceedings against members of the U.S. Air Force living with HIV. Today's argument came in Roe & Voe v. Shanahan, the lawsuit filed last December on behalf of two Airmen, identified pseudonymously, by Lambda Legal, the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA, formerly OutServe-SLDN) and pro bono partner Winston & Strawn LLP.
VICTORY! Transgender Ohioans to Get Their Day in Court in Lawsuit Against the State
(Columbus, OH, September 12, 2019) - A U.S. District Court judge today ruled that the lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and ACLU Ohio on behalf of four transgender plaintiffs seeking accurate birth certificates from the state of Ohio can proceed. The court denied the state's motion to have the lawsuit dismissed, thereby ensuring the four transgender plaintiffs in the case will have their day in court and the state of Ohio will be required to defend its discriminatory policy, which forces transgender people to live with incorrect, mismatched documentation that exposes them to harassment and abuse.
Same-Sex Maryland Couple Sues U.S. State Department for Treating Their Six-Month-Old Daughter as Born out of Wedlock
BALTIMORE, MD - September 12, 2019 -Today, Immigration Equality, Lambda Legal, and pro bono counsel Morgan Lewis filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Maryland against the U.S. Department of State for refusing to recognize the citizenship of Kessem Kiviti, the daughter of married U.S. citizens Roee and Adiel Kiviti. The State Department's policy treats the children of U.S. citizens in same-sex marriages as "born out of wedlock," unconstitutionally stripping their children of citizenship.
Georgetown, KY Passes LGBTQ Fairness Ordinance 5-3
(Georgetown, KY - September 9, 2019) With a vote of 5-3 tonight, the Scott County, Kentucky town of Georgetown, population 34,395, became the thirteenth city in the commonwealth with a Fairness Ordinance prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
Richmond City Council Passes Unanimous Bipartisan Resolution Urging State to Bar Conversion Therapy for Minors
(Richmond, VA - September 9, 2019) Today, the Richmond City Council passed a unanimous bipartisan resolution urging the Virginia Legislature to pass legislation protecting LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy, the life-threatening practice of trying to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Health
5 Questions (and answers) on The Art of Aging Well
Since I decided to offer a workshop here in San Diego on the above topic, I have been talking about it on social media. Surprisingly, I've gotten tons of questions about why I'm doing it. For you loyal readers of my website/Facebook page, I've narrowed the questions down to the 5 best ones:
New Survey Examines HIV, Health, and Human Rights of Gay Men Worldwide
MPact Global Action for Gay Men's Health and Rights has announced the launch of its fourth global survey on the health and human rights of gay men, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men.
Letters, Columnists and Opinion
Is PrEP forgetting the LGBT community?
em>From Philadelphia Gay News: If you're a member of the LGBT community, you're affected by HIV/AIDS in many ways. And if you needed information related to AIDS/HIV when the crisis emerged, there was only one reliable place that you could turn: your local LGBT newspaper, like this one. At that time, the mainstream media, even The New York Times and Philadelphia Inquirer, were derelict in their duties as media sources and journalists. If you needed to know where to receive treatment, what drugs were available to help, and new organizations that were formed to help support the fight, the only place you could find information on a regular, reliable basis was your local LGBT newspaper.
The Amazon Trail: Global Warning
I used to encourage LGBTQ (aka Q) people to write by telling them, "We need to make sure they can't burn all the books." While the burning and banning of books persists in a limited way, now it's entirely possible to delete every single book.
In terms of personal preference, I read electronic books. With a couple of swipes, I increase the fonts for easier reading. Despite arthritis, I can hold the heaviest of tomes. Health insurance should cover these miracle devices.
Contests
Enter to win The Black Marble Pool by Stan Leventhal!
Enter to win The Black Marble Pool by Stan Leventhal! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 29.
Enter to win Sunshine Kitty album download from Tove Lo!
Enter to win Sunshine Kitty album download from Tove Lo! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, October 4 and Friday, October 25.
Win the "Transparent" Musicale Finale Original Soundtrack!
Enter now to win the "Transparent" Musicale Finale Original Soundtrack featuring music from the dazzling movie fantasia! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, October 1 and Tuesday, October 22.
Enter to win All Male, All Nude: Johnsons Documentary DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures!
Enter to win All Male, All Nude: Johnsons Documentary DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, September 27 and Friday, October 18.
Enter to win Drive Me Home DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures!
Enter to win Drive Me Home DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, September 24 and Tuesday, October 15.
Win Tegan and Sara's new album Hey, I'm Just Like You!
Win Tegan and Sara's new album Hey, I'm Just Like You! Enter now to win the ninth studio album from LGBTQ icons Tegan and Sara! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, September 20 and Friday, October 11.
Enter to win Dancing On The People EP from SOFI TUKKER!
Enter to win a digital download of Dancing On The People EP from SOFI TUKKER. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, September 20 and Friday, October 11.
History
For Celebrities, an Off-Screen Journey to On-Screen Equality
ABC News correspondent Gio Benitez says that as a young reporter in Miami, he was inspired by the greats of television journalism: Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw, Barbara Walters and Katie Couric. He didn't seek out gay role models in the media, "because at the time I was very conflicted about it myself."
Authors and Activism: A History of LGBT Bookstores
Until the 1970s, when LGBT publishing first began and activists like Barbara Gittings pushed for representation in libraries, the few queer books available were limited mostly to anti-gay medical texts. So, as the first wave of bookstores like Giovanni's Room opened, getting ahold of quality LGBT titles was a necessity. According to Hermance, "Every book in the store from 1973 into 1976 the owners had bought for cash at a wholesaler in the West Village, where Craig Rodwell helped them pick out the few dozen titles available on gay subjects." When Hermance and Arleen Olshan bought Giovanni's Room in 1976, the two continued to make trips to New York and received the same guidance. "[Craig] knew everything, really."
Miscellaneous
Gayborhoods May have Shaped Our Country, but Are They a Dying Breed?
Finding the right home in the right neighborhood can be difficult, especially if you're hoping to find a progressive and safe space that is accepting of anything that isn't white and heteronormative in nature. This leads many in the LGBTQ community to seek out those larger-than-life communities that have traditionally been centered around queer culture and entertainment. These so-called "gayborhoods" have achieved an almost reverential status for many, especially for individuals hoping to find acceptance and a place to belong.
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