February, 2025 News (40 Articles with 31,751 total views)

On the cover of the print edition for February, 2025 On Thursday, December 19, 2024, Blane and Randy hosted Aging With Pride's holiday dinner at their Millcreek home. Harry Miller provided the catering and attendees brought desserts. The food was delectable, and everyone had a wonderful tim

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Local and Regional News

Scott Zatkiewicz/Taylor Morgan (8/27/1975-1/3/2025) Remembered

Scott Zatkiewicz/Taylor Morgan (8/27/1975-1/3/2025) Remembered
Erie Gay News extends our condolences and sympathies to the family, friends, and loved ones of Scott Zatkiewicz, AKA Taylor Morgan (Miss Erie 2005), who passed on Friday, January 3, 2025, surrounded by his family. Scott had brought joy and boundless optimism to everyone and will be very dearly missed. Scott/Taylor performed at many events, including charity benefits, such as Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend at Zone Dance Club. Thank you for your kindness and artistry!
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National Coming Out Day: Erie Family Photo Sponsorship Opportunities

National Coming Out Day: Erie Family Photo Sponsorship Opportunities
2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Erie's first Family Photo, and Erie Gay News (EGN) is inviting you to be part of history. On National Coming Out Day, October 11, 2025, the LGBTQ+ community and allies will gather on the steps of the Erie County Courthouse from 11 AM to 1 PM to celebrate decades of strength, diversity, and progress. Central to this celebration is the annual Family Photo at noon a powerful visual testament to our community's resilience and unity.
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The Laramie Project at McDowell Little Theatre Jan 30-Feb 1

The Laramie Project at McDowell Little Theatre Jan 30-Feb 1
From the director: Come out to the McDowell Little Theatre, 3320 Cuaghey Rd, Erie, PA,  this January 30 through February 1, 2025, to experience our production of THE LARAMIE PROJECT. February marks the 25th anniversary of the show's premiere, which opened just over a year after the murder of Matthew Shepard in October 1998. The play's words are all verbatim transcript interviews with residents of Laramie, Wyoming (and related individuals) after Matthew was attacked, tied to a fence, and left to die. The case swept the country and led to anti-hate-crime legislation in 2009.
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Bears Do Dinner #123 at Saigon Nights

Bears Do Dinner held its January meet-up for dinner at Saigon Nights, 2430 W 8th St, Erie, PA. The next Bears Do Dinner will be on February 4 at Colony Pub & Grille, 2670 W 8th St, Erie, PA.
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Have you considered supporting Pride in 2025?

The NW PA Pride Alliance has been fostering equality, respect, and diversity through our events in the Erie region since 2011. We are grateful for all our supporters who have helped to make this mission a reality.
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Erie Gay News Holiday Dinner

Erie Gay News Holiday Dinner
On December 21, 2024, the editorial board of Erie Gay News had a holiday dinner at Samurai Kitchen + Sushi, 2767 W 12th St, Erie, PA. Having a meal together was lovely, and we celebrated Rex's birthday. Thanks to everyone who supports us!
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NWPA Pride's Queer Happy Hour is Back and Ready to Party!

Get ready to raise your glasses (or mocktails!) because NWPA Pride's Queer Happy Hour is back and better than ever! We're thrilled to announce that our monthly gathering will be kicking the year off at Erie's only queer bar and dance club, the Zone Dance Club (133 W 18th St), starting Wednesday, February 5th at 6 pm. The Zone is pulling out all the stops for us, opening early and going non-smoking for the entire event!
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Aging With Pride Holiday Dinner

On Thursday, December 19, 2024, Blane and Randy hosted Aging With Pride's holiday dinner at their Millcreek home. Harry Miller provided the catering and attendees brought desserts. The food was delectable, and everyone had a wonderful time.
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LGBT Fund of Erie Community Foundation Grant to Compton's Table

The LGBT Fund of The Erie Community Foundation has awarded a $7,500 grant to Compton's Table, supporting the organization's transformative True North and Chat n Chill programs. The initiatives, designed to create an affirming environment for LGBTQ+ youth in northwestern Pennsylvania, align with the LGBT Fund's vision for a united, vibrant, and thriving community for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Erie region.
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Boots and Coats Drive on Feb 8 at Journey To A Trauma Informed Life

The Erie Queer Community once again comes together to collect boots and coats for Community Shelter Services of Erie PA. New or gently used boots, coats, and warm clothing in all sizes will be accepted. Ground coffee will also be accepted. The event will be held on Saturday, February 8th, from 10 am to 2 pm at Journey to a Trauma Informed Life at 201 W 11th St Erie, Pa.
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SisTers PGH - New Year, New Expansions

From SisTers PGH - As we embark on this new year, we continue our dedication to serving trans and nonbinary people across Pennsylvania.
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Compton's True North Program Looking for Applicants

Compton's Table provides a host of programs aimed to help the queer community in Erie County thrive. True North: Empowering Queer Youth for Independence is one of the programs offered to help young people integrate successfully into adulthood. Created and facilitated by the Compton's Table Board, True North aims to provide young queer people with the foundational skills to enter and succeed in adulthood. The program is divided into 4 two hour-long sessions that run over a 4 week period.
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December 2024 Meadville Happy Hour

NW PA Pride Alliance held its Meadville Happy Hour on December 14, 2024, at Julian's Bar & Grill, 299 Chestnut Street. Meadville Happy Hours will continue to be held on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Julian's. Erie Queer Happy Hour is returning and will now be rotating through four different establishments. The next Erie Queer Happy Hour will be on Wednesday, February 5, from 6 to 8 PM at Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St. We look forward to a revitalized Erie Queer Happy Hour!
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Erie Sisters and Brothers 2025 Events

The Erie Sisters and Brothers Transgender Support Group looks forward to another exhilarating year. The following events are already in the works and are developing daily.
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Full Spectrum's 8th Annual Winter GALA

Full Spectrum Community Outreach Center invites you to their  8th Annual Winter GALA on Saturday, February 8th, 2025, from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm at DiVieste's Banquet Center in Warren, Ohio. Full Spectrum Community Outreach is the Mahoning Valley's LGBTQIA+ Center, located at 660 W Earle Ave, Youngstown, Ohio.
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NWPA Pride Alliance welcomes new Board Members

NWPA Pride Alliance is happy to announce the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors: Mason Bracken, Josh Slayton, and Chris Wrobel. They join returning board members Season Crannell (President), Patrick Hiller (Vice President), Andrew Caswell (Secretary), Michael Mahler (Treasurer), Moe Ferrara, Tony Gressley, Michael Mooney, Brett Staskiewicz, Michael "Debbie" Hipwell, and Anna Schmidt, as well as advisory board members Chris Temple, Gary Snyder, Cassie Ellsworth, Travis Smith, Misha Krastins, Mulnah Dovat, and Stephen Bagnoni.
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It's True North Time! Seats open for upcoming cohort!

Compton's Table has another cohort of their True Noth program about to launch and have some seat still open. This cohort is for those who are 18 yrs old or older. We will meet for four consecutive Tuesdays and those who complete all four classes receive a gift card at the end. Our first meeting is this coming Tuesday (1/14/2024) from 6:00pm - 8:00pm located at 3104 State Street, Erie. We are asking all interested participants to please register by clicking HERE. Sessions are from 6 to 8 PM. Cohorts meet for four consecutive weeks. Topics covered include budgeting, finding and maintaining housing, self-care, career development, self-advocacy, networking and social skills, and more. The program is free for participants thanks to the LGBT funds of the Erie Community Foundation.
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Deadline for February 2025 print edition (issue #351) of Erie Gay News is Monday, January 13, comes out Tuesday, January 21!

Deadline for February 2025 print edition (issue #351) of Erie Gay News is Monday, January 13, comes out Tuesday, January 21!
For the next Erie Gay News (issue # 351, cover-dated for February 2025), please send in-person and online events, news items, and other info for late January, 2025 and beyond by Monday, January 13. We expect the next edition to come out on Tuesday, January 21.
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Entertainment and Travel

THE CHER SHOW - Up Next From Broadway in Erie!

Erie, PA - After a dazzling run of PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL, Broadway in Erie is thrilled to announce that the stunning brand-new production of the Tony Award-winning musical THE CHER SHOW comes to the Warner Theatre Tuesday, February 25 and Wednesday, February 26 at 7:30PM. THE CHER SHOW is 35 smash hits, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy, an Oscar, an Emmy, and enough Tony Award-winning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage in New York City, all in one unabashedly fabulous new musical that will have audiences dancing in the aisles!
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Richmond, Virginia - A Vibrant Fusion of History, Culture, and LGBTQ Pride

Stepping into Richmond, Virginia, often called the "River City," feels like walking through a seamless blend of past and present. This captivating city, with its rich historical roots and dynamic modern culture, offers a unique experience for every traveler. But for the LGBTQ community, the Richmond Region is more than just a destinationit's a vibrant haven of inclusivity and pride.
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2025 Erie Visitor Guide Now Available

ERIE, Pa. - Produced by VisitErie, Erie County's official destination marketing organization, the annual Erie Visitor Guide is a complete planning resource for traveling to Erie, Pennsylvania. The 2025 guide is a vibrant 72-page publication with a stylish magazine design that includes various feature articles, a comprehensive directory of places to play, eat, shop, and stay, regional maps, and content to inspire travel to Pennsylvania's only Great Lakes port city. It is VisitErie's primary promotional piece used to market Erie County's tourism industry. In addition to a print version, the free guide is also available online.
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Erie Restaurant Week 2025 Celebrates its 5th and Largest Event

ERIE, Pa. - Erie Restaurant Week returns for its fifth year, January 17-26, 2025, marking its largest event yet with more than 60 participating restaurants. Coordinated by VisitErie, Erie County's official destination marketing organization, the annual 10-day event showcases and supports Erie's diverse restaurant scene during a typically slower season. Participating restaurants will offer special menu items and pricing for the occasion.
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Erie Art Museum Announces Upcoming Kathe Kollwitz Exhibition Marks of Resistance

Erie, PA The Erie Art Museum is excited to announce the exhibition MarksofResistance:KatheKollwitz Prints, which will be on view starting January 29, 2025. This special exhibition will showcase the powerful and important artwork of German printmaker Kathe (KEH-teh) Kollwitz (18671945). Kollwitz is well-known for her emotional artwork which speaks about serious issues like war, poverty, and grief and still resonates today.
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Political, Activism and Legal

Over 125 PA LGBTQ Leaders Issue Bold Unity Statement

HARRISBURG, Pa. The Pennsylvania Coalition of LGBTQ+ Organizations, a statewide network of over 50 LGBTQ organizations faciliated by the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, has coordinated the following statement penned to LGBTQ Pennsylvanians, which has been signed by 125+ key community leaders
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Lambda Legal Condemns Anti-LGBTQ+ Executive Actions, Vows Legal Action: "We'll See You in Court"

(Washington, DC Jan. 20, 2025) Today, after President Trump signed a barrage of executive orders targeting LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized communities that would roll back critical protections and threaten the rights and safety of millions across the country, Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings released the following statement: "Lambda Legal condemns in the strongest terms President Trump's first actions in office targeting LGBTQ+ people, everyone living with HIV, and communities of color. We are prepared to challenge them in court.
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GLAAD Statement and Resources on 2025 Presidential Inauguration and Incoming Administration

(January 18, 2025 -- New York, NY) -- GLAAD is releasing a statement and resources for reporters and the LGBTQ community ahead of the 2025 presidential inauguration ceremony on Monday, January 20, and first 100 days of the incoming Trump administration.
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Lambda Legal to Ninth Circuit: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Cannot Administer Health Plans with Gender-Affirming Care Exclusions

(Pasadena, CA, January 15, 2025) Lambda Legal and Sirianni Youtz Spoonemore Hamburger PLLC today urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to affirm a lower court ruling finding that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) cannot administer categorical coverage exclusions for medically necessary gender-affirming care in the hundreds of employer-provided ERISA health plans it administers.
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STATEMENT: National Center for Lesbian Rights Condemns House Passage of Transgender Sports Ban

January 15, 2025 - Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 218-206 in support of H.R.28, a federal bill that would ban all transgender girls and women from participation in school sports.
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NEW: GLAAD Statement on Meta's Latest Anti-LGBTQ Changes to Content Policy and DEI That Will Harm Users

January 10, 2024 GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization is responding to Meta's unprecedented set of draconian changes to its corporate policies, hate speech policies, and product features. These striking announcements follow years of imperfect, but visible LGBTQ inclusion from Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms.
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David Moore Stepping Down as President of Pennsylvania Equality Project

As of January 20, 2025, David Moore is stepping down as President of Pennsylvania Equality Project, and his wife, Jennifer Rahal-Moore, is stepping down as Co-Vice President. The letter sent by Moore to the board about stepping down appears below.
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Breaking News: Meta and Mark Zuckerberg Remove Long-Standing Anti-LGBTQ Hate Speech Policies After Announcing End of Fact-Checking Program

January 7, 2025 -  GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today responded after Meta removed and adapted several sections of its Hateful Conduct Policy, rolling back safety guardrails for LGBTQ people, people of color, women, immigrants, and other protected groups. These changes to the hateful conduct policy are in addition to news this morning that Meta will end its fact-checking program.
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Health

Red Cross Issues Tips to Stay Safe in Pennsylvania's Dangerous Cold

[JAN. 20, 2025] This week, freezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills are impacting communities across Pennsylvania. The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania urges neighbors to use caution and provides the following tips to stay safe during this extreme cold stretch:
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Give the Gift of Time This Year; Help People in Need as a Red Cross Volunteer

[JAN. 14, 2025] The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania asks you to consider giving the gift of your time this year and resolving to help people in need as a volunteer in 2025.
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Letters, Columnists and Opinion

The Jimmy Carter I knew

from Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News: In 1976, I invited Vietnam Veteran Leonard Matlovich to join me in Florida to campaign for Pennsylvania's governor, Milton Shapp, who was running in the Florida State Democratic primary for president. We were part of a group called "Gays for Shapp." Shapp didn't go very far in his quest for the White House, but his opponent a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia did. His name was Jimmy Carter.
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Contests

Enter to win The Sexual Evolution: How 500 Million Years of Sex, Gender, and Mating Shape Modern Relationships

Enter to win The Sexual Evolution: How 500 Million Years of Sex, Gender, and Mating Shape Modern Relationships
Enter to win The Sexual Evolution: How 500 Million Years of Sex, Gender, and Mating Shape Modern Relationships! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, February 4, and Tuesday, February 25.
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Enter to win The Legend of Meneka!

Enter to win The Legend of Meneka!
Enter to win The Legend of Meneka! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, January 21, and Tuesday, February 11.
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Enter to win The Good War

Enter to win The Good War
Enter to win The Good War! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, January 17, and Friday, February 7.
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Enter to win The Significance of Curly Hair: A Loving Memoir of Life and Loss

Enter to win The Significance of Curly Hair: A Loving Memoir of Life and Loss
Enter to win The Significance of Curly Hair: A Loving Memoir of Life and Loss! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, January 14, and Tuesday, February 4.
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Enter to win Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean

Enter to win Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean
Enter to win Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, January 10, and Friday, January 31.
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History

Anita Bryant, 70's Anti-Gay Activist, Has Died

Anita Bryant, 70's Anti-Gay Activist, Has Died
Anita Bryant, who became the face of anti-gay activism in the 1970s, died December 16 at the age of 84. Bryant was once a household name, first as a popular singer and as the ad spokesperson for the Florida Citrus. And then, in 1977, she became America's most well-known homophobe, demonizing gay people and fighting against their rights.
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