May, 2021 News (41 Articles with 59,754 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for May, 2021 Saegertown Pride Alliance (SPA) Officers: SPA’s elected officers (from left): Amanda Crowl, Zaine Eback, LaWrynn Edwards, Royal Miller, and Jazlen Miller.
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
Voters Guide
Candidates for Erie County Executive, Erie County Council, Erie City Mayor, and Erie City Council were asked about their positions on LGBTQIA+ issues. Their responses appear below.
Saegertown Pride Alliance (SPA) sports new officers and new look
Saegertown Pride Alliance (SPA) members are coming together with new shirts and new officers to spread their positive message of acceptance.
Spill The Tea Tuesdays Start May 4
Starting May 4, Erie Gay News will have a fun question as a conversation starter on our Facebook page for you! Our new #SpillTheTeaTuesday is a chance to share what makes you happy and great memories! If you have a question that you would like to propose for our new feature, email info@eriegaynews.com.
Zone Trivia Thursdays
The Zone, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA, is now hosting trivia nights every Thursday. Door opens at 8. Game starts at 9. The Zone is back to their regular hours of 8 PM to 2 AM. Masks are required when not sitting at your table. Social distancing is still required and dancing is not allowed due to COVID safety concerns. For more updates, follow The Zone on Facebook or Instagram.
Drag Queen Bingo on May 2
Due to the overwhelming response, another Erie Drag Queen Bingo is scheduled. for Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 1:15 PM at Zem Zem Shrine Club, 2525 W 38th Street Erie, PA
Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE) Scholarships - Deadline to Apply is July 15
Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE) is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2021-2022 school year. This year, GEAE will award up to three $1,000 scholarships to applicants between the age of 17-25. Applicants must be residents of Erie County, Pennsylvania. This application is open to those who are seeking scholarship money to any university, community college, technical school, art school, or para-professional program. Applicants can be currently enrolled in their program. Any eligible candidate who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community is invited to apply. Current board members, advisory members, and their families are not eligible for this scholarship.
Equality for PA Series: NW PA
What impacts and barriers does Pennsylvania face due to the lack of statewide LGBTQ+ protections? This was the main question of a Facebook Live event held on April 1st by Representative Brian Sims. The panel consisted of Alex Sphon, Dana Rasmussen, and Leroy Oglesby. Collectively they represent the following local LGBT+ organizations: City of Erie LGBTQ+ Advisory Council, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality, NW PA Pride Alliance, and TransFamily of NWPA. While the city and county of Erie have specific protections from LGBTQ+ discrimination, there are Pennsylvania cities and counties which do not. Among the items discussed were; importance of an LGBTQ+ council, access to health care including mental health, housing, public accommodations, employment, and safety.
TransFamily of NW PA Opposes Proposed Ban on Trans Youth in Sports
TransFamily of NWPA condemns the introduction of the so-called "Fairness in Women's Sports Act" to the Pennsylvania legislature on April 5, 2021. It is TransFamily of NWPA's position that transgender and gender non-conforming youth deserve the same opportunities as their cisgender counterparts.
Please Help Support Pride Events in Erie!
NWPA Pride Alliance is grateful to the supporters of 2020. Last year due to Covid-19 we were forced to be flexible and partner with community partners to host a Virtual Pride in partnership with Erie Playhouse. For 2021 we are anticipating the same need for flexibility as we monitor the ongoing pandemic. We hope to be able to have some kind of in person event later this summer if it is safe. Either way, we will be hosting Pride as a virtual event on June 26th, 2021, and then host a Drive Your Pride parade on Sunday, June 27, 2021, similar to last year's event. We are already hard at work planning multiple options. We hope to be able to count on our community's support this 2021 Pride season. The support of individuals and organizations in our community has been the catalyst for furthering the Alliance's mission: Improving the visibility of the LGBTQIA community and facilitating communication and collaboration between groups and individuals.
Coping With COVID Support Group meets Tuesdays April 20-May 11
Join us for a free, 4 week support group exploring themes of self care, self compassion, challenging negative thoughts, and creating safety. The workshop is presented by Journey to a Trauma Informed Life and happens April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM at Central Outreach Wellness Center, 3104 State St, Erie PA. Have you been feeling stressed and overwhelmed? This past year we have all had to deal with difficult challenges, loss, stressors, and living with the unknown. Join Brianna Morrow and Mindy Luthey for a support group to help cope with the unprecedented challenges we have all been facing. Sign up at https://form.jotform.com/210976016714152. Questions? Please call or text (814) 201- 6432
Philadelphia Gay News Profiles Historic Candidacy in Erie County
Erie, PA - April 13, 2021 - On Tuesday, Philadelphia Gay News (PGN) published a feature story profiling candidate for Erie County Executive, Dr. Tyler Titus. PGN is significant as the oldest weekly LGBTQ publication in the U.S., and the first LGBTQ newspaper to have a commentary written by a presidential candidate-when Hillary Clinton wrote one in 2016. The profile focused on the historic nature of the race, its situation in a major bellwether county, and its national implications.
New LGBTQ+ Talk Show, Brunch Date, Launched April 11th
HOLLYWOOD - April 9, 2021- Iconic comedy and entertainment writer Stan Zimmerman (The Golden Girls, Gilmore Girls) has teamed with Kristen Carroll, founder of Spotlight Productions (SpoPro), an LMC Groups company, to host a new LGBTQ+ talk show, Brunch Date With Stan & Kristen. The limited run test launch premieres on streaming channels Tello and CampTV, Sunday, April 11, 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
Erie LGBTQIA+ Community to Celebrate PrideFest Virtually for a Second Year
ERIE, PA, April 7, 2021- The NWPA Pride Alliance, Inc., has announced that the upcoming PrideFest scheduled for Saturday, June 26, 2021 will be held virtually for the second year in a row. Given the continued uncertainty surrounding in-person gatherings amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization voted to host a virtual event out of an abundance of caution.
Deadline for May 2021 print edition (issue #306) of Erie Gay News is Monday, April 12, comes out Tuesday, April 20
For the next Erie Gay News (issue # 306, cover-dated for May 2021), please send in online events, news items, and other info for late April 2021 and beyond by Monday, April 12. We expect that the next edition will come out on Tuesday, April 20. Please note: this issue will include our Voters Guide with candidate survey responses for the races of Erie County Executive, Erie County Council, Erie City Mayor, and Erie City Council. The spring municipal primary is Tuesday, May 18.
Food Drive for Second Harvest Food Bank of NW PA on March 20 Collects 954 pounds and $500
On Saturday, March 20, 2021, the Erie LGBTQIA+ Community came together to host a food drive benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA. Erie Gay News, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality, Northwest Alliance, and NWPA Pride Alliance collected the donations from 10 am to 2 pm. Nine hundred fifty-four pounds of nonperishable foods were collected as well as $500 in cash donations.
Entertainment and Travel
Pride Journey: Atlanta
Almost everyone has been to Atlanta at some point or another. Whether for a conference or just passing through the Hartsfield-Jackson airport, the busiest airport in the world, Atlanta sees more than 100 million visitors per year. As the largest city in Georgia and one of the largest in the country by population, Atlanta has exploded to become an economic powerhouse. Skyscrapers are popping up throughout the city and many Fortune 500 companies have a presence in the region. Of course, the city is known for their hometown favorites: Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines and Turner Broadcasting System, which was founded by none other than Ted Turner, who's name is everywhere in Atlanta. Turner has a downtown street named after him as well as 3 namesake restaurants - Ted's Montana Grill - just in the Atlanta city limits.
All An Act Theatre online presents Another Country, A Drama by Julian Mitchell April 23-25
All An Act Theatre online presents Another Country, A Drama by Julian Mitchell April 23-25. Three shows online Only ! April 23, 24, & 25 Free Video preview at allanact.net Friday & Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sunday at 3 PM. General Admission $6.00 per viewer. Set in an English public school in the early 1930's, where future leaders are being prepared for their roles in the ruling class. Guy is coming to terms with his sexuality and Tommy is a committed Marxist.
Political, Activism and Legal
New Report Examines Bans on Medical Care for Transgender Youth
(April 28, 2021) - Today the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) released a new policy spotlight report, Efforts to Ban Health Care for Transgender Youth. In 2021 alone, legislatures in 22 states have introduced bills to ban best practice medical care for transgender young people with one state, Arkansas, passing such a bill into law.
SAGE Needs Volunteers to Zoom with Sen Toomey to pass the National Equality Act
National SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) has identified a group of US Senators as potential supporters of the National Equality Act which provides protection for the LGBTQ community against discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation. PA's own Pat Toomey is one of the senators selected. SAGE has asked for small groups (15 or less) to meet with Sen. Toomey and/or staff in May via Zoom to share stories about discrimination experienced by themselves, a friend or a loved one. SAGE will provide a brief on-line training session to prepare for the 30 minute virtual meeting with Toomey's staff. Anyone living in PA can participate and if you or someone you know would be an effective voice for equality by participating please contact Jeff Miller (park510200@verizon.net). The date for the training and meeting will be set for a time that all participants are available.
National AIDS Memorial Celebrates Recent Pedro Zamora Scholars for their Community Engagement on National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day
SAN FRANCISCO (April 15, 2021) - The National AIDS Memorial is marking National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day by celebrating its most recent Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship recipients, highlighting their work on campus and in their communities. The memorial has created a special section on its scholarship website highlighting their work, impact and commitment to social change, particularly around HIV/AIDS, which continues to disproportionately impact young people and communities of color.
April 2021 Updates to Equality Maps
MAP's interactive LGBTQ Equality Maps provide a comprehensive look at the current state of laws and policies impacting LGBTQ people across the United States. The Equality Maps offer a state-by-state comparison of the policy landscape and gaps in protections for LGBTQ people across the country.
Registering The New Voter: Why It Is More Than Registering Voters
The 2020 elections saw a massive surge of voting, drawing the largest number of voters since the election of 1900. This huge increase in voting showed, with some unexpected results, that the care and feeding of the world oldest and most important democracy really does rest on just one thing: voting. This map shows what happens to voting when we look only at the young vote: Arizona, which birthed Barry Goldwater, and has long been a conservative bastion, turns blue. Texas turns blue. That this can be attributed to the young vote is hardly a surprise.
SAGE of Western PA Zoom Meetings every Tuesday for LGBTQ Seniors
SAGE of Western PA at Persad is looking to promote friendship and community for LGBTQ+ plus seniors in all areas of the Commonwealth. SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) is a nationwide organization which has been working to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults since 1978. The Western PA chapter of SAGE hosts a regular Zoom meeting on Tuesday evenings from 7p to 8pm for area LGBTQ+ seniors looking for a comfortable, safe and welcoming environment to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
Campus Pride and PFLAG National Announce Date for National LGBTQ Lavender Graduation
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - April 8, 2021 -- Today, Campus Pride and PFLAG National announced they are partnering for a second year to host a live virtual commencement ceremony to honor LGBTQ and ally graduates across the country. The national LGBTQ Lavender Graduation ceremony will be held Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 3 p.m. The ONLINE Livestream can be found at www.CampusPride.org/2021, on Campus Pride' Facebook and Instagram Pages, and on PFLAG National's Facebook Page.
Biden Policy on Transgender Troops is a Welcome Continuation of 2016 Rules
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - April 6, 2021 - Following last week's announcement by the Biden administration of its policy on transgender military service, the Palm Center today released the following statement and memo outlining how the policy is a welcome continuation of the 2016 rules: "The Pentagon has allowed open and authentic service by transgender Americans continuously for nearly five years now because many troops were grandfathered in even under the Trump ban. All the service chiefs and all the research make clear that inclusion has succeeded, and now the Biden administration has secured equal access for all transgender troops. This debate is over," said Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center.
ACLU Statement on Arkansas Legislature's Vote to Override Veto of Transgender Health Ban
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- April 6, 2021 - The ACLU of Arkansas today issued the following statement regarding the Arkansas Legislature's vote to override Gov. Asa Hutchinson's veto of House Bill 1570, which aims to prohibit healthcare professionals from providing or even referring transgender young people for medically necessary health care. Multiple doctors and all major medical associations oppose this bill and similar bills across the country.
NABJ’s LGBTQ+ Task Force Announces New Scholarship Named After Trailblazing Trans Journalist Monica Roberts
As communities worldwide celebrate transgender and non-binary people on Transgender Day of Visibility, the National Association of Black Journalists' LGBTQ+ Task Force is proud to announce a new scholarship named after transgender journalist and advocate Monica Roberts.
ACLU of Arkansas Statement on Governor's Veto of Trans Health Care Ban
LITTLE ROCK - April 5, 2021 - The ACLU of Arkansas today issued the following statement regarding Governor Asa Hutchinson's veto of House Bill 1570, which would prohibit healthcare professionals from providing or even referring transgender young people for medically necessary health care. Multiple doctors and all major medical associations oppose this bill and similar bills across the country.
Campus Pride announces registration now open for 15th annual Camp Pride Summer Leadership Academy
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - March 31, 2021 -- Today, Campus Pride, the national nonprofit dedicated to building future leaders and creating safer communities for LGBTQ college students, announced that registration is now open for the 15th Annual Camp Pride Summer Leadership Academy, held online for the second year on Friday July 16, Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18, 2021.
Health
COVID-19 Vaccines Mobile Clinic
HARRISBURG, PA - April 12, 2021- Pennsylvania Department of Health hosted a press conference to announce a partnership with Latino Connection and Highmark Blue Shield, to launch the first statewide COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Clinic tour to provide vaccinations and education targeting minority and underserved communities. As Erie Gay News was going to press, there are plans to have a mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Erie that would target underserved populations, including the LGBTQ community. Please continue to check the website and social media for Erie Gay News and other area LGBTQ organizations for details when plans are finalized
Volunteers Walk to Fight Suicide
Erie, PA − Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide an be prevented. Volunteers from Erie, PA and the surrounding areas are joining the quarter of a million people who are walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention. The annual Erie Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the Western Pennsylvania Chapter will be held at 11:00 a.m. on September 25th at the Rotary Pavilion in Presque Isle State Park. This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's education and support programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20 percent by the year 2025.
Balancing Sexual Expression with Emotional Connection (Part One)
Ever since my book on open and monogamous marriage came out in 2017, I've had a steady stream of men and women - both queer and heterosexual - contacting me for advice on how to make an open relationship (e.g., non-monogamy) work.
Carbs Are Not A Food Group
Merriam-Webster recently updated their dictionary to include "they" as a gender neutral pronoun, and about time, too. Also they officially sanctioned the word "rhotic", which refers to a style of American speech where the "r" sound is pronounced so that you can actually hear the consonant. I was delighted to listen to a "non-rhotic" speaker inform me this week that she was having trouble with "cahbs, yaknowhatImean? I gotta stay away from cahbs". Fortunately we don't have to go to Bah Hahbah to understand what this person is talking about; read on, dear explorer, to discover what science has to say about this family of molecules.
Letters, Columnists and Opinion
Philadelphia Gay News 45th Anniversary
Who would imagine that starting a newspaper for the LGBT community would put you on the KKK hit list? That was only the beginning for PGN. Next came the break in and trashing of our offices, ripping out wiring, destroying the plumbing. Vending boxes destroyed or glued shut. Then there was a court injunction threatened by Keystone Blue Cross. The refusal of journalism organizations to allow us to be members.
The Amazon Trail: How to Write a Book
I'm not giving away any secrets here. Not saying it's simple or that anyone can do it if they send $25.00 to Post Office Box 1,2,3. Nope, it's a personal journey and every story has a story. Here's mine, about the writing of my newly released novel, Accidental Desperados.
Contests
Enter to win Nina Wu DVD
Enter to win Jacob's School Play: Starring He, She, and They
Enter to win Jacob's School Play: Starring He, She, and They by Ian and Sarah Hoffman! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, May 11, and Tuesday, June 1.
Enter to win Another Gay Movie: Director's Cut DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures!
Enter to win Another Gay Movie: Director's Cut DVD from Breaking Glass Pictures! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, May 7 and Friday, May 28.
Enter to win Getting Back Up: A Story of Resilience, Self-Acceptance & Success by Harma Hartouni
Enter to win Getting Back Up: A Story of Resilience, Self-Acceptance & Success by Harma Hartouni. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, April 30, and Friday, May 21.
Enter to win The Pronoun Lowdown: Demystifying and Celebrating Gender Diversity by Nevo Zisin
Enter to win The Pronoun Lowdown: Demystifying and Celebrating Gender Diversity by Nevo Zisin. To enter the contest, fill out the form below between Tuesday, April 27, and Tuesday, May 18.
Miscellaneous
LGBT Community Survey - Let your voice be heard and enter a drawing to win $50!
Please take part in the 15th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey. For over a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities, and organizations better understand and serve the LGBTQ community. The report will be published on the CMI.info website for free download on approximately August 15. Previous surveys have had over 45,000 participants from 150 countries!
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