October, 2022 News (42 Articles with 35,809 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for October, 2022 On Saturday, September 17, 2022, LBT Women held their annual picnic at Kim and Andrea's. The event included bocce ball, cornhole, great food, and excellent company!
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
Going Back to School in Style
With the start of a new school year there is always a long list of supplies every student needs to have for their first day of classes. This week, with some help from the collaboration of many local entities, those lists seemed a bit more manageable for many LGBTQ+ youth in our area.
16th Annual Pink Party Weekend at Zone Oct 7-9
The Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA, will be hosting the 16th Annual Pink Party Weekend on from Friday, October 7 through Sunday, October 9. All proceeds go to Linked By Pink, a 501c3 nonprofit located in Erie, PA, that assists young breast cancer patients and their families as they go through a breast cancer diagnosis. There will be a basket raffle and bake sale on both days and a Pink Party Benefit Show on Sunday, October 9 at 9:30 PM. After the show on Sunday, we will pull the tickets for the basket. You need not be present to win. We will have other party favors and some shots to help raise money for the Saturday night Pink Party. The Pink Party Benefit Show on Sunday, October 9, will replace what would have been the usual monthly Face show for October.
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.
Ace Week 2022, October 23 - 29
Ace Week, formerly known as Asexual Awareness Week, was founded in 2010. This International movement began as an awareness campaign to encourage LGBTQ+ communities to support the ace community. The community uses the word ace to encompass anyone who fits within the spectrum of asexuality. An asexual person experiences little to no sexual attraction and/or sexual desire.
Intersex Awareness Day on October 26
The annual Intersex Awareness Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 26. This is the date back in 1996 when the first public demonstration of intersex people took place in Boston, MA at the annual conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Deadline for October 2022 print edition (issue #323) of Erie Gay News is Monday, September 12, comes out Tuesday, September 20!
For the next Erie Gay News (issue # 323, cover-dated for October 2022), please send in-person and online events, news items, and other info for late September 2022 and beyond by Monday, September 12. We expect that the next edition will come out on Tuesday, September 20.
Entertainment and Travel
Powered By Rainbows Introduces New Platform To Help Teachers
August 12, 2022 - Recently, Tamaqua Area School District in Tamaqua, PA had a citizen at their June school board meeting complain about a transgender student being allowed to use the restroom corresponding to their gender identity. The resident was allowed by the school board to insult the child and attack the minor before telling the school board they shouldn't allow the transgender girl to use the restroom in school according to his religious beliefs.
Local Faces and Photos
LBT Women Annual Picnic
On Saturday, September 17, 2022, LBT Women held their annual picnic at Kim and Andrea's. The event included bocce ball, cornhole, great food, and excellent company!
Political, Activism and Legal
Human Rights Campaign Condemns Oklahoma Legislators for Proposal Banning Gender Affirming Care, Weaponizing Federal COVID Relief Funds
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - September 29, 2022 - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, responded to the passing of SB 3, proposed today during the Oklahoma legislature's special session. The bill threatens to withhold almost $40 million in federal COVID relief dollars granted in President Biden's American Rescue Plan from OU Health if the medical facility continues to provide age-appropriate, medically necessary gender-affirming care. Today's move comes on the heels of far-right pressure placed upon lawmakers, spearheaded by ongoing disinformation campaigns on social media and other platforms. This development also comes as medical professionals who provide gender-affirming care continue to face escalating threats of violence, which are not only occurring online, but are carrying over into the real world as well. The American Academy of Pediatrics expressed solidarity and support of these providers in a statement yesterday, along with their opposition to any legislation that attempts to ban or severely limit gender-affirming care.
ACLU, ACLU Foundation of CT Defend Inclusive Athletics Policy on Behalf of Connecticut Trans Athletes
NEW YORK - September 29, 2022 - On behalf of Andraya Yearwood and Terry Miller, two transgender young women, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation of Connecticut defended the transgender youth participation policy of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York City in Soule et al. v. CT Association of Schools et al., the nation's first federal court case challenging such a policy.
VICTORY! Prince George's County Board of Ed Agrees to Policy Changes to Protect LGBTQ+ Students and School Staff after Lawsuit
(Maryland -- September 26, 2022) -- Today, Lambda Legal and Arnold & Porter announced they have reached a settlement agreement with the Prince George's County Board of Education in Maryland on behalf of a transgender teacher, Jennifer Eller, who had suffered years of abuse, harassment, and discrimination at the hands of both students and staff while teaching in Prince George's County public schools on account of her being transgender. Through today's settlement agreement, the lawsuit has now been resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. The settlement agreement includes monetary compensation and incorporates policy and training changes to protect transgender students and staff within Prince George's County Public Schools.
Human Rights Campaign Condemns Anti-LGBTQ+ 'Commitment to America' GOP Agenda
Washington, DC - September 23, 2022 - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization - condemned the recently released House Republicans' midterms platform, the "Commitment to America" agenda.
National AIDS Memorial Releases Newest Mini-Documentary: "The Black Community & AIDS"
SAN FRANCISCO, September 22, 2022 - The National AIDS Memorial has released its latest mini-documentary, "The Black Community & AIDS," the seventh film in its oral history project. The Black Community & AIDS" chronicles the personal stories of nearly two dozen survivors and advocates from across the U.S. who are thriving, sharing their hopes and struggles about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and its disproportionate impact on the Black community.
Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Power the Polls Partner to Recruit More Poll Workers Before Midterm Elections
SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 - With the midterm elections fast approaching in November, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) - the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization - is partnering with Power the Polls to help recruit potential poll workers from LGBTQ+ communities across the country to serve in the midterm election, alleviate poll worker shortages, and ensure representation at the polls. Power the Polls is a first-of-its-kind, nonpartisan initiative for recruiting the next generation of poll workers. The initiative first launched in 2020 and has recruited more than 125,000 potential poll workers since relaunching in May 2022.
Lambda Legal Announces Government to Pay $1.325M to Settle Legal Fees in Cases on Behalf of HIV-Positive Service Members
(Alexandria, Virginia - September 20, 2022) - Today, Lambda Legal announces that the Government will pay $1,325,000 to settle certain Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) claims for attorney's fees and costs incurred by Lambda Legal, Modern Military Association of America (MMAA), Scott Schoettes, Esq., Peter Perkowski, Esq., Winston & Strawn LLP, and Greenberg Traurig LLP for their work on behalf of MMAA and three active U.S. military service members living with HIV who were denied commissions or threatened with discharge due to their HIV status.
Biden Administration Hosts First Bisexual Health Equity Roundtable; Bi+ Community Leaders Share Stories, Stats
[Washington, D.C., September 20, 2022]: For Bisexual Awareness Week, fifteen bisexual and pansexual community leaders will meet with federal agency officials at the Department of Health and Human Services to discuss remedies to the shocking health disparities facing the bisexual community--a community that comprises more than half of the LGBT population.
Top Pentagon Research Office Finds Fears of Gay Service Were Unfounded
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- An extended report published by an elite Pentagon research arm has found that opposition to open service by gay, lesbian, and bisexual troops was based on overblown fears among both military leadership and the rank and file. The 196-page report was published by the military's Joint History and Research Office, a think tank for the Joint Chiefs of Staff that provides them with both classified and unclassified information, and chronicles their thinking and activities. The report, which is based on extensive research and interviews, and describes private documents and conversations among top military and political officials at the time of repeal, concludes that ending the ban on service by openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans in 2011 had no negative effect on military readiness.
LGBTQ Equality Maps Updates for September 2022
MAP's Equality Maps provide a detailed snapshot of the current state of LGBTQ laws and policies in the United States. In this regularly changing landscape, these are the state and local policy updates as of September 2022.
Texas Court Expands Injunction Blocking State From Targeting Families of Trans Youth Who Are Members of PFLAG National
AUSTIN - September 16, 2022 - The Travis County District Court issued a third injunction today blocking the State of Texas from implementing a directive targeting trans youth and their families across Texas. The directive ordered the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to investigate parents who work with medical professionals to provide their adolescent transgender children with medically necessary healthcare. The directive could have led to transgender youth being placed in foster care and their parents criminally charged with child abuse-just for following the advice of their physicians and mental health providers.
Human Rights Campaign: U.S. Senate Must Vote On; Pass Respect for Marriage Act As Soon As Possible
WASHINGTON - September 15, 2022 - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization - expressed disappointment that the U.S. Senate has declined to vote on the vital Respect for Marriage Act before the Senate recess. In response, Human Rights Campaign Interim President Joni Madison issued the following statement: "The Respect for Marriage Act is an incredibly necessary, popular and bipartisan bill - and the and the lack of 10 Republican yes votes right now is extremely disappointing. Marriage equality - for both LGBTQ+ and interracial couples - is not and should not be a partisan issue, and to treat it as such is an insult to the millions of families who are impacted. The Respect for Marriage Act must be brought to a vote at the earliest possible moment - in the aftermath of Dobbs v. Jackson, it is clear there's a timely, urgent need to declare that the days of debate around marriage equality are over.
Judge Blocks Montana's Effort to Restrict Sex Marker Updates on Birth Certificates
BILLINGS, Mont. - September 15, 2022 - A Montana judge ruled today the state may not prevent transgender people from updating their birth certificates while the case challenging the constitutionality of SB 280 proceeds. SB 280 requires a court order that one has received surgical treatment before they can obtain an amended and accurate birth certificate.
BACKGROUNDER: Education Censorship, Book Bans, and Attacks on Free Speech
WASHINGTON - As we approach Banned Books Week, which runs from September 18-24, 2022, LGBTQ+ youth and content is under attack in states across the country. All students -- no matter their background, sexual orientation, or gender identity -- deserve to feel safe and welcomed in schools, libraries, and bookshops alike. But power-hungry politicians like Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed the "Don't Say Gay or Trans" and "Stop WOKE" bills into law in Florida, are using the levers of government to dictate to children, their parents, and educators what they can read, what they can learn, what they can say, and who they can be. The dangerous practice of banning books and silencing educators is not new and has always been used by those who want to roll back progress, sow fear and division, hide important truths, and induce moral panic. So while extremist politicians are seeking to advance an agenda of discrimination, they're triggering a larger backlash against their actions in states across the country. For those looking to affirm LGBTQ+ youth, the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC's) Welcoming Schools program provides age-appropriate book lists for Elementary and Secondary school students that affirm LGBTQ+ identities, as well as for their educators & caregivers.
Human Rights Campaign Delivers Letters to Senator Toomey Urging Support for 'Respect for Marriage Act' as Senate Vote Nears
PITTSBURGH, PA - September 14, 2022 -As the US Senate prepares to vote on the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act before the end of September, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) today brought the voices of pro-equality Pennsylvanians directly to Senator Toomey's Pittsburgh office, delivering more than 1,500 letters urging the Senator to vote "yes" on the legislation to codify the right of same-sex and interracial couples to marry. The bill will guarantee the rights, benefits, and obligations of marriages in the federal code, repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and affirm that public acts, records and proceedings should be recognized by all states. Senator Toomey is undecided on the bill.
New Poll: Two-Thirds of Likely Voters in Battleground States Support Marriage Equality
WASHINGTON - September 14, 2022 - New polling released today by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization - shows that about two-thirds (64%) of likely voters in 2022 battleground states - Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - support a law "protecting the national right to same-sex marriage." The polling results are consistent with numbers seen throughout this year indicating that a strong majority of the public is in favor of allowing LGBTQ+ people to marry those they love.
Alaska Airlines's Gendered Dress Codes Are Likely Discriminatory, Says WA State Commission on Human Rights
OLYMPIA, Wash. - September 12, 2022 - The Washington State Commission on Human Rights today issued a reasonable cause finding of discrimination against Alaska Airlines over the company's enforcement of a uniform policy that requires flight attendants to conform to a rigid set of gendered dress and grooming standards.
ACLU Submits Comment on Proposed Title IX Rule
WASHINGTON - September 12, 2022 - The American Civil Liberties Union submitted its public comment in response to the U.S. Department of Education's proposed regulations concerning Title IX.
LGBTQ+ and Health Groups Sue to Block Florida's Anti-Transgender Medicaid Health Care Rule
(FLORIDA - September 7, 2022) LGBTQ+ and health advocacy groups Lambda Legal, Southern Legal Counsel, Florida Health Justice Project, and National Health Law Program, together with international law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, filed a federal lawsuit today challenging Florida's anti-transgender health care rule denying coverage for transgender Medicaid beneficiaries' medically necessary gender-affirming medical care.
Robert J Dorr Scholarship through Pennsylvania Equality Project goes to Chole Loose
The Pennsylvania Equality Project is proud to announce that Chole Loose, a first-year student at Penn West University in Edinboro, is the first recipient of the Robert J. Dorr Scholarship. Chole is a graduate of the Conneaut School District and earned the award based on his assistance as a host at Pride events in Meadville, PA during the past three years.
Human Rights Campaign Mobilizes Over 220 Businesses & More than 43,000 Supporters to Rally Behind Respect for Marriage Act Senate Vote
WASHINGTON - September 8, 2022 -With Congress now back in session and passing the Respect for Marriage Act a top priority in the Senate, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, is mobilizing 226 major businesses representing over 8.5 million employees, its more than 3 million highly engaged members and supporters, and the nation's 62 million "Equality Voters" to call on the U.S. Senate to pass the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA). The legislation that would nationally codify federal marriage equality by guaranteeing the federal rights, benefits and obligations of marriages in the federal code; repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA); and affirm that public acts, records and proceedings are recognized by all states.
Transgender Public School Students Sue to Block Discriminatory Oklahoma School Facilities Law
(Oklahoma City, OK, September 7, 2022) - Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of Oklahoma (ACLU-OK), and pro-bono co-counsel Covington & Burling LLP late yesterday filed a federal lawsuit against the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), three Oklahoma public school districts, one public charter school, and numerous government officials for implementing and enforcing a new school facilities access law that singles out transgender students for discriminatory treatment.
Health
Turn over a new leaf - give blood or platelets this fall
[ERIE, SEPT. 22, 2022] - On the first day of fall, the American Red Cross is asking the public to start the season off with a lifesaving blood or platelet donation. While the leaves turn, the need for blood never changes. Those who give this fall play an important role in keeping the blood supply high enough to help patients counting on blood products for care- especially ahead of the busy holiday season. Book a time to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Department of Aging: Registration Now Open for the Virtual LGBTQ Aging Summit and Institute on HIV and Aging on October 6 and 7
Harrisburg, PA - Septmber 13, 2022 - The Pennsylvania Department of Aging today announced registration is now open for its virtual LGBTQ Aging Summit and Institute on HIV and Aging, which will take place Thursday, October 6 and Friday, October 7. All LGBTQ older adults, stakeholders, aging service providers, advocates and allies are encouraged to attend
Help ease patient pain during Sickle Cell Awareness Month
[ERIE, SEPT. 7, 2022] - During Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September, the American Red Cross emphasizes the importance of a diverse blood supply to help meet the needs of those with sickle cell disease - the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S.
Spirituality and Religion
14th Annual Diversity Service at Community United Church Oct 23
The staff and congregation of Community United Church, 1011 W 38th St, Erie PA, warmly invite you to join us on Sunday, October 23, at 11:00 AM as we celebrate our fourteenth year as a nationally certified Open and Affirming faith community in the United Church of Christ. As an Open and Affirming Christian congregation, we boldly accept and affirm LGBTQ+ people and relationships. We proudly march in our city's Pride parade, and we also offer regular educational opportunities on LGBTQ+ inclusion. We are a faith community that grounds our understanding of God in unconditional love-and although we do not claim to be perfect, we do seek to embody that love through radical welcome, helping those in need, honoring boundaries, worship, study, small groups, and standing for restorative justice. Please join us as we celebrate our fourteenth year of Open and Affirming certification.
Contests
Enter to win Homo Novus
Enter to win Homo Novus by Gerard Cabrera. To enter the contest, fill out the form below between Tuesday, October 18, and Tuesday, November 8.
Enter to win Love, Spells and All That digital download from Ariztical Entertainment!
Enter to win Love, Spells and All That digital download from Ariztical Entertainment. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, October 11, and Tuesday, November 1.
Enter to win Making the Rounds: Defying The Norms In Love and Medicine
Enter to win Making the Rounds: Defying The Norms In Love and Medicine by Patricia Grayhall. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, October 4, and Tuesday, October 25.
Enter to win Cut DVD from Ariztical Entertainment!
Enter to win Cut DVD from Ariztical Entertainment. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, September 27, and Tuesday, October 18.
Enter to win Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love
Enter to win Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love by Felice Cohen. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, September 23, and Friday, October 14.
Enter to win First Consonants
Enter to win First Consonants by John Whittier Treat. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, September 20, and Tuesday, October 11.
History
Archives for ALL, Y'all!
The contributions of LGBTQ people toward the betterment of the world cannot be underestimated and the world is a better place when LGBTQ people are allowed to flourish. From government and warfare to engineering and science to the humanities and the arts, LGBTQ people have been at the forefront. History books should be filled with stories of LGBTQ people exhibiting courage, intelligence, bravery, kindness and victory. But our LGBTQ history has been hidden from us … intentionally!
'Memory Book' details history of 1970s-era LGBTQ attorneys in US
Stephen Lachs remembers the 1970s as being a particularly wonderful era in the history of the LGBTQ liberation movement.
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