March, 2024 News (58 Articles with 65,780 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for March, 2024 Members of the Erie Queer community stand with boots and coats collected Saturday, February 10, at Journey to a Trauma Informed Life. Items collected were donated to Community Shelter Services of Erie PA.
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
Eerie Horror Fest Announces 2024 Dates
Erie, PA - February 23, 2024 - Get ready to embrace the darkness as the 2024 Eerie Horror Fest descends upon the historic Warner Theatre in downtown Erie, PA. Scheduled for October 4th and 5th, 2024, this year's festival promises to be an electrifying experience filled with chills and blood-curdling excitement.
Aging With Pride Dinner at Enrique's
On January 25, Aging With Pride met for their monthly dinner at Enrique's Southeast Mexico Taqueria and Tortilleria, 1801 Liberty St, Erie, PA. In addition to book club, planning meetings, and other events, the group gets together on the last Thursday of each month at a different restaurant.
January Meadville Happy Hour
On January 24, NW PA Pride Alliance held their monthly Meadville Happy Hour at Julian's Bar & Grill, 299 Chestnut St, Meadville, PA. Meadville Happy Hours are the fourth Wednesday of each month and alternate between Julian's Bar & Grill in odd-numbered months and Cussewago Creek Distillery in even-numbered months.
Warren County Show Some Love 3
The Crary Art Gallery in Warren Pennsylvania came alive with pride on February 17, 2024 marking the third time Warren County Pride threw their gala fundraiser. Despite a slight decline in attendance due to weather, this event still pulled in funds comparable to previous galas. Live musical performances by Corry musicians Lauren Crowley and Kelly Way, an 8-foot-long charcuterie board custom prepared by Your Daily Serving, and several drag performers taking every opportunity for photos with fans made this event feel truly special. Co-founder and president of Warren County Pride, Sara Culver Provencio, appealed to the crowd and gave examples of how the WC Pride Festival builds community from near and far and thanked the crowd for their involvement. If you were unable to attend the event and would still like to Show Some Love 3 Warren County Pride, donations are proudly accepted at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KWFT69E6B4J5C&source=qr&fbclid=IwAR3HLns6Z9fVG5qcE8dirmTYYDdUMoieTTvJhioOVZPpB6-644z73MKlkls
Transgender Day of Visibility
On Saturday, April 6, join TransFamily of NWPA at noon in Perry Square to commemorate Trans Day of Visibility. They will be celebrating trans lives, raising awareness about trans experiences, and building a community of powerful allies. This event also serves as a chance to uplift trans voices and work towards a world where everyone, regardless of gender identity, has the right to live authentically and without fear.
Registration for NWPA Pride Alliance summer events
Vendors, organizations, and food trucks can now register at nwpride.org for all of the NWPW Pride events happening this summer. Be part of Erie's Pride on the Bay, Meadville Pride and Street Fair, or the annual Pride Picnic on Presque Isle. Spots will go fast, so it is best not to delay.
PA Fairness Act Effort Underway - Your Help is Needed!
Pennsylvania is one of 28 states without any state law to protect people from discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Your attention and help is needed now.
Pride Prom 2024
The Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center Garden Atrium and Terrace will host NWPA Pride's Annual Queer Adult Prom on Saturday, May 25. The Prom will begin at 7 PM and conclude at 11 PM. Appetizers and a cash bar (21+ only) will be available. DJ Dave Rapp will provide music. Tickets are now available at nwpapride.org
Erie's Queer Community Annual Boots and Coat Drive
Members of the Erie Queer community stand with boots and coats collected Saturday, February 10, at Journey to a Trauma Informed Life. Items collected were donated to Community Shelter Services of Erie PA.
People's Pride Host Announced!
We are thrilled to announce that this year's People's Pride host is the one and only TS Madison! TS Madison is an absolutely change-maker. With the reality show The TS Madison Experience, she became the first Black Trans woman to star in and executive produce her own reality series. She is the perfect star to lead us through our day of entertainment and magic on June 30.
WNY Pride 5K Fun Run/Walk and LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness Fair
Niagara Pride's WNY Pride 5K is bigger and better than before. For 2024, we are merging our WNY LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Fair into the WNY Pride 5K to create an event focused on LGBTQ+ health and well-being. The event will be on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 9 AM to 2 PM at Niagara County Community College - 3111 Saunders Settlement Rd, Sanborn, NY 14132. Register here.
Pittsburgh Pride Announces a Revolutionizing Celebration for 2024!
Pittsburgh, PA (January 16, 2024): Mark your calendars, raise your rainbow flags, and get ready to roar! Pittsburgh Pride, powered by the incredible energy of local community groups, is revving up for a groundbreaking celebration in 2024. This year, we're just not just marching, we're revolutionizing!
Deadline for March 2024 print edition (issue #340) of Erie Gay News is Monday, February 12, comes out Tuesday, February 20!
For the next Erie Gay News (issue # 340, cover-dated for March 2024), please send in-person and online events, news items, and other info for late February 2023 and beyond by Monday, February 12. We expect the next edition to come out on Tuesday, February 20.
Entertainment and Travel
Pride Journey: Fort Lauderdale
Nestled along the pristine shores of Fort Lauderdale, the Pelican Grand Beach Resort stands as a beacon of luxury and relaxation. This exquisite resort, with its timeless charm and breathtaking oceanfront views, has become a haven for travelers seeking an unforgettable escape.
Erie Art Museum 101st Spring Show Opens March 16, 2024
ERIE, Pa. - The Erie Art Museum is excited to announce that the opening for the 101st Spring Show will be on March 16, 2024. The Spring Show is a juried art exhibition open to any and all artists living, working, or studying within 250 miles of the City of Erie, Pennsylvania. The Erie Art Museum, in partnership with the PennWest University Art Department's Visiting Artist & Speaker Endowment committee (VASE), has selected Tanya Aguiñiga as the Spring Show 2024 juror.
Your Charlottesville, Virginia weekend
I grew up in a college town and always love them. But Charlottesville, Virginia (less than 2 hours south of D.C.) is the best one I have ever visited. Lots of history (Thomas Jefferson's Monticello), a cute downtown outdoor mall, the historic grounds of the University of Virginia (which Jefferson founded), and a great foodie scene make this a memorable weekend. The hilly countryside sits just east of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains which are part of Appalachia.
Pride Journey: Lake Tahoe
Bordering California and Nevada is the iconic town of South Lake Tahoe. The destination seamlessly blends natural splendor with vibrant urban life. Surrounded by the majestic Sierra Nevada, this charming city is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and those looking for a retreat into nature's embrace.
Political, Activism and Legal
Court Halts Latest Effort by Texas Attorney General to Persecute Texas Families with Transgender Youth
AUSTIN, Texas - March 1, 2024 - Travis County District Court Judge Maria Cantú Hexsel today blocked the latest effort by the Texas Attorney General's Office to persecute Texas families with transgender youth, temporarily halting the Attorney General's demand that PFLAG, Inc. turn over information and documents about its support of families in Texas seeking gender-affirming medical care for their transgender youth.
Anti-LGBTQ RFRA Bill Passes Georgia Senate, Paving Way for LGBTQ+ Discrimination Based on "Religious Freedom"
WASHINGTON - March 1, 2024 - Yesterday, the Georgia Senate approved legislation that opens the door to LGBTQ+ discrimination based on religious beliefs. LGBTQ+ advocates are sounding the alarm that the legislation would result in long-ranging discrimination, from denying queer couples the ability to adopt children and access child care, to refusing hotel rooms for LGBTQ+ individuals. This so-called "religious rights proposal" removes fundamental protections for LGBTQ+ folks, and unfortunately, it's very likely to become law given the Republican trifecta in Georgia. The bill has long been on Republican Governor Brian Kemp's wishlist - during his 2018 campaign, he vowed to sign such legislation into law.
Lambda Legal on the Passing of Pat Logue
CHICAGO, February 26, 2024 - Former Cook County Circuit Judge Patricia "Pat" Logue passed away last week. Lambda Legal, where Judge Logue worked for 14 years, including opening its Chicago office in 1993, issued the following statement: "Pat Logue was a brilliant lawyer, a trailblazing jurist, and a hero to the LGBTQ community. Pat's legacy includes numerous landmark cases she litigated over her 14 years as a lawyer with Lambda Legal that transformed the lives of LGBTQ people nationwide. She will be greatly missed.
South Carolina Man Found Guilty of Hate Crime for Killing a Transgender Woman Because of Her Gender Identity
WASHINGTON - After a four-day trial in a federal hate crime case, a jury found a South Carolina man, Daqua Lameek Ritter, guilty of all charges in the indictment, which included one hate crime count, one federal firearms count, and one obstruction count, all arising out of the murder of Dime Doe, a transgender woman.
Response to Death of Nex Benedict from Bridge v. Oklahoma State Board of Education Legal Team
Oklahoma City, Okla. - February 20, 2024 - In response to the death of 16-year-old Owasso High School student Nex Benedict following an assault in the school restroom, Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Oklahoma issued the following joint statement "We are gravely heartbroken to learn about the death of Nex Benedict and extend our overwhelming condolences to their family, their friends, and the entire transgender community across Oklahoma. The assault on Nex is an inevitable result of the hateful rhetoric and discriminatory legislation targeting Oklahoma trans youth. We challenged Oklahoma's law requiring schools to discriminate against students like Nex because we believe every student should have the safe and affirming environment they need to thrive, and policies that put transgender students in danger make schools less safe places for all students.
Lebo Pride Files Brief Supporting Transgender & Nonbinary Students in Much-Watched PA School Case Centered on LGBTQ-inclusive Curriculum
Mt. Lebanon, PENNSYLVANIA - February 14, 2024 - Lebo Pride has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, including transgender and nonbinary individuals, by filing an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania in Tatel et al v. Mt Lebanon School District, et al.
Pennsylvania Equality Project New Low-Watt FM Radio Station
The Pennsylvania Equality Project (PEP) proudly announces that the Federal Communications Commission has granted a permit to launch a low-watt FM radio station. The format for the new station will include talk shows, news blasts about LGBTQ+ relevant stories, and music from artists who are part of the community here in Pennsylvania. PEP has three years to secure a transmission tower and go live on-air, with at least 8 hours of local, live programming per day.
Coalition of LGBTQ+ Advocates and Health Care Providers Release "Project RAINBOW" Report
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A coalition of more than two dozen LGBTQ+ advocate organizations and health care providers are releasing a new report aimed at addressing the challenges and discrimination that transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex ("TGI") individuals face when seeking and receiving health care and health education.
LGBTQ Equality Maps Updates for February 2024
Legislative sessions are commencing across the states, and we are already seeing an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ bills. As of February 8, state legislatures have already introduced over 400 anti-LGBTQ bills, according to the ACLU. This year is on track to break 2023's record for the highest number of anti-LGBTQ bills to date.
ABA House votes opposition to state restrictions on teaching race, gender among new policies
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 5, 2024 ? The American Bar Association House of Delegates (HOD) approved new policy against laws that limit teaching about race or gender during a one-day meeting today that concluded the 2024 Midyear Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky.
Fourteenth Annual Keystone Conference - A Celebration of Gender Diversity
Welcome to the Fourteenth Annual Keystone Conference, "A Celebration of Gender Diversity," hosted by TransCentralPA in Pennsylvania's capital city of Harrisburg for March 20-March 24! You are in store for an informative, inspirational and joyous time among members and supporters of the Transgender community at our new location, the splendid Harrisburg Hilton Hotel.
Judge Warns Florida Not to Ignore His Ruling Blocking Anti-Transgender Health Care Ban
(TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA -- February 2, 2024) U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle this week called out the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) for its evident non-compliance with his order invalidating AHCA's 2022 rule banning Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming medical care for Florida's transgender Medicaid beneficiaries.
LGBTQ+ Advocates Condemn Latest DeSantis Administration Attack on Transgender Floridians
Washington, DC, - January 31, 2024 -- The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) in late January ambushed transgender Floridians by issuing a surprise memo eliminating the existing pathway for transgender Floridians to update their Florida driver's licenses to accurately reflect their gender.
Appeals Court Sides With Idaho Families and Transgender Youth
SAN FRANCISCO - January 30, 2024 - In a victory for families and transgender youth, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to stay a lower court's preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of an Idaho law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender people under 18.
Pennsylvania "Solidifying Equality" According to New HRC State Equality Index, Nation's Most Comprehensive Survey of State Laws Impacting LGBTQ+ Lives
WASHINGTON - January 30, 2024 -Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the education arm of the nation's largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, in partnership with the Equality Federation, an advocacy accelerator rooted in social justice that builds power in a network of state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, released the newest edition of its State Equality Index (SEI), the most comprehensive survey of state-level commitment to LGBTQ+ equality.
New HRC State Equality Index Shows Devastating Impact of Radical Anti-LGBTQ+ 2023 State Legislative Season
WASHINGTON - January 30, 2024 -Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the education arm of the nation's largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, in partnership with the Equality Federation, an advocacy accelerator rooted in social justice that builds power in a network of state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, released the newest edition of its State Equality Index (SEI), the most comprehensive survey of state-level commitment to LGBTQ+ equality.
Supreme Court of Texas Hears Oral Arguments on Transgender Youth Medical Care Ban
AUSTIN, Texas - January 30, 2024 - Legal advocates representing transgender adolescents, their parents, and medical providers argued before the Texas Supreme Court today, asking the court to affirm a lower court's temporary injunction blocking enforcement of Senate Bill 14, an unconstitutional medical care ban targeting transgender youth.
Human Rights Campaign, ACLU Join 63 Other Organizations Urging Congressional Leaders to Continue to Push Back Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Poison Pills in Budget Bills
WASHINGTON - January 25, 2024 - The Human Rights Campaign, the ACLU, and 63 other organizations from across the country this week issued a joint letter calling on Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to continue to rally their pro-equality memberships in opposition to a slate of anti-LGBTQ+ riders that have been attached to annual appropriations bills.
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) Joins Out Leadership's Call to Protect and Promote LGBTQ+ Equality
NEW YORK, NY - With the LGBTQ+ community continuing to come under increasing attacks heading into the 2024 presidential election season, the first openly LGBTQ+ U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined Out Leadership, the premier global LGBTQ+ organization that focuses on harnessing the power of business to drive equality, a call to action for LGBTQ+ and allied individuals to "preserve our progress, defend our rights, and ensure our society moves forward, not backward.
Beyond Workplace Inclusion: HRC Foundation Releases First-Ever Report Detailing Steps for Businesses to Become LGBTQ+ Allies in Action
WASHINGTON - January 25, 2024 - Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released its first-ever Corporate Citizenship Report, The LGBTQ+ Corporate Citizen: A Framework for Emerging Best Practices in Allyship. The new report offers guidance to companies that want to invest in closing the ally gap. The ally gap acknowledges that LGBTQ+ allyship is a journey and describes the space between the intent to be an LGBTQ+ ally and the actions needed to get there. HRC Foundation's Corporate Citizenship Report is first-of-its-kind, providing in-depth insight, future-focused tips and real world examples for companies looking to put values of diversity, equity and inclusion into action across all their business operations - both internal and external, becoming leading LGBTQ+ corporate citizens.
BREAKING: Extreme Anti-Trans Legislation Will Become Law in Ohio After GOP Supermajority Overrode Governor's Veto
WASHINGTON - January 24, 2024 - The GOP-controlled Ohio Senate voted today to complete the legislature's override of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine's veto of dangerous anti-trans legislation. The bill bans transgender athletes from participating in women's school sports and bans gender-affirming care for minors, and is now set to take effect in 90 days.
ICYMI: New Data Shows that Nearly 30% of Gen Z Adults Identify as LGBTQ+
WASHINGTON - January 24, 2024 - New findings released this week from Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) polling and focus groups conducted last August and September show that 28% of Gen Z adults (ages 18-25) identify as LGBTQ+, which is substantially higher than what's been reported by other sources, such as Gallup. This increase highlights a positive change in the social acceptance of LGBTQ+ people amongst younger generations and is further proof that the American electorate will be increasingly more out and allied as members of Gen Z turn 18. In comparison, PRRI found that 16% of millennials, 7% of Generation X, 4% of baby boomers and 4% of the Silent Generation identify as LGBTQ+.
Utah Legislature Passes First Anti-LGBTQ+ Bathroom Ban of the Year
WASHINGTON - January 26, 2024 - Today, the Utah House of Representatives passed HB 257 as amended, sending the bill to the desk of Governor Spencer Cox. The bill would bar transgender students from using restrooms and locker rooms that align with who they are, and restrict access to changing rooms in government owned or operated facilities for transgender people of all ages.
National and State Groups petition the UN about the Human Rights Crisis for LGBTQIA+ Texans
Austin, TX - January 22, 2024 - Today, Equality Texas, the ACLU of Texas, GLAAD, and the Human Rights Campaign with the support of the Human Rights Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law submitted a Joint Allegation Letter to 17 independent experts, working groups, and special rapporteurs at the UN about the human rights crisis facing LGBTQIA+ Texans.
Health
PrEP4All and Over 100 Partner Organizations Tell Congress to #SaveHIVFunding!
In response to an unprecedented proposed $767 million in domestic HIV funding cuts in the House of Representatives, PrEP4All, along with our partners AVAC, HIVMA, PrEP In Black America, NASTAD, the HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute, The AIDS Institute, AIDS United, NMAC, and several members of the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership launched the #SaveHIVFunding campaign at the United States Conference on HIV/AIDS in Washington DC last Fall. Since then, thousands of advocates and community members, along with over 100 organizations, have joined the fight to demand Congress keep the bipartisan commitment to fund Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) activities.
Love and Surprise
It was the morning before Valentine's Day in my 2nd period sophomore creative writing class back in high school. Our teacher Mr. Culbertson explained that each of us was to give a one minute or less presentation in front of the class the next day. The instructions from him were short and sweet, "Show me love and surprise me."
Dangerous winter weather intensifying emergency blood shortage
[Jan. 24, 2024] - The American Red Cross continues to experience an emergency blood shortage as severe winter weather has further impacted the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Blood and platelet donors are urged to give now to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.
Letters, Columnists and Opinion
From Dream to Reality - LGBTQ+ Senior Housing Triumphs
From Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News: About 15 years ago, the headline of this column was "The Pie in the Sky Project." It marked the first public announcement of a project by the dmhFund: an LGBTQ+ senior affordable housing project with a projected budget of $20 million. Today, you know this project as The John C. Anderson Apartments (JCAA), celebrating its 10th anniversary this week. At the time, no LGBTQ+ project in Pennsylvania had ever undertaken such a large endeavor, and more importantly, there was no federal designation for LGBTQ-affirming affordable senior housing projects with federal, state and city investment. We set out to change both.
How to make the LGBT community stronger?
The LGBT community is one of largest population groups in the United States. The proportion of LGBT people in the total population is greater than Asian American or Native American. Like other social groups (Latinos, Black, White), LGBTT participates in the political life of the United States, which is characterized by intense competition. To protect and expand their rights, social groups have to fight each other and even the federal and state governments.
A picture of world PRIDE
From Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News: When my activism started many years ago, I never imagined that I'd work on a program with the U.S. Department of State. Now, it is one of the most rewarding projects on my schedule each year.
Contests
Enter to win Funny Boy: The Richard Hunt Biography
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Funny Boy: The Richard Hunt Biography by Jessica Max Stein. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, March 15, and Friday, April 5.
Enter to win Season of Eclipse
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Season of Eclipse by Terry Wolverton. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, March 5, and Tuesday, March 26.
Enter to win Lie With Me DVD
Enter to win Lie With Me DVD. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, March 1, and Friday, March 22.
Enter to win Ways and Means by Daniel Lefferts!
Enter to win Ways and Means by Daniel Lefferts! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, February 27, and Tuesday, March 19.
Enter to win a digital download of When Texas Came for Our Kids - How Evangelical Extremists Launched a War on TRANSGENDER TEENS!
Enter to win a digital download of When Texas Came for Our Kids - How Evangelical Extremists Launched a War on TRANSGENDER TEENS! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, February 23, and Friday, March 15.
Enter to win Love and Hot Chicken by Mary Liza Hartong
Enter to win Love and Hot Chicken by Mary Liza Hartong. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, February 20, and Tuesday, March 12.
Enter to win a digital download of When Loving Your Kid is a Crime - Parents of Transgender Children Speak Out!
Enter to win a digital download of When Loving Your Kid is a Crime - Parents of Transgender Children Speak Out! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, February 16, and Friday, March 8.
Enter to win My Neighbors, Goodlife, Mississippi: Stories prize package by Eileen Saint Lauren!
Enter to win My Neighbors, Goodlife, Mississippi: Stories prize package by Eileen Saint Lauren! This includes both My Neighbors, Goodlife, Mississippi: Stories and also Goodlife, Mississippi. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, February 13, and Tuesday, March 5.
Miscellaneous
San Francisco: BAAITS Two-Spirit Pow Wow
The Bay Area American Indian Two Spirit Society held their 13th annual Pow Wow on February 10th 2024, Commemorating the Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits 25th Year Anniversary
Stonewall National Museum Opens Registration for Education Program
Fort Lauderdale, FL (January 29, 2024) - The Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library prepares for the 11th annual SNEP Symposium, in Fort Lauderdale, April 11 to 14 The symposium offers the tools needed to create a safer, more affirming environment for LGBTQIA+ students, teachers, and families in K-12 schools across the United States.
Stonewall National Museum, Archive & Library to Receive $10,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, January 25, 2024-Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library (https://stonewall-museum.org) is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Challenge America award of $10,000. This grant will support exhibitions and associated outreach activities, focused on LGBTQIA+ voices particularly BIPOC, women, and transgender individuals. In total, the NEA will award 257 Challenge America awards totaling $2,570,000 that were announced as part of its first round of fiscal year 2024 grants
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