March, 2025 News (45 Articles with 31,649 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for March, 2025 Free Mom Hugs volunteers at Boots & Coat Drive on February 8. Photo by Michael Mahler.
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
Erie Queer Community Unites for Successful Boot & Coat Drive
On Saturday, February 8, the Erie Queer Community came together in a powerful display of generosity and solidarity, hosting a Boots & Coat Drive to support Community Shelter Services of Erie, PA. Volunteers from local LGBTQ+ organizations collected several carloads of new and gently used winter clothing, including coats and boots, ensuring that those in need have access to essential cold-weather gear. In addition to clothing donations, the drive also collected ground coffee a simple but meaningful comfort for those facing the harsh Erie winter.
A Vigil for Sam Nordquist and Trans Resilience
Please join us as Cattaraugus-Allegany Liberty Collective mourns Sam Nordquist - and our countless trans siblings who have been taken from us - as we honor trans resilience and organize with our neighbors to build just & safe communities. The vigil is on Monday, February 24th, from 6-7 pm at Lincoln Park in Olean, NY, and will be followed by a gathering at 7 PM at the John J Ash Community Center, 112 N. Barry St.
Pride on "Ice" in Perry Square
On Saturday, February 15, the Erie Downtown Partnership (EDP) hosted its Pride on "Ice" event at the Downtown Community Skating Rink. The rain didn't stop the rainbows from showing up at the rink on pride flags and cowgirl hats!
An LGBTQIA+ Archive for Erie, Pennsylvania
Work is underway to revive the LGBTQIA+ Archive in Erie. There is a small LGBTQIA+ Archive that already exists in Erie, PA. Materials in various formats were donated by multiple individuals and are now held or will soon be held at the John M. Lilley Library at the Pennsylvania State University, Behrend in Erie, PA. The Pennsylvania State University, Behrend will be the official home of this archive. There is a growing desire to create a more robust LGBTQIA+ Archive for Erie, PA.
Meadville Drag Star Round Two Recap
Round two of Who Wants to be a Drag Star was held on Saturday, January 25th, at Meadville Council on the Arts in front of a sold-out audience. The open-stage drag competition featured five contestants: two drag kings and three drag queens, battling to win the night and their spot in the spring finale.
Journey: Healing Together Expands Wellness Weekends with New Recovery Support Group
Journey: Healing Together is introducing an exciting new addition to their Wellness Weekends. A new monthly gathering, Journey to Recovery, will be dedicated to individuals in the recovery community. February marks a significant shift, as the organization discontinues its writer's group, Heal. Write. Hear., to make way for Journey to Recovery.
OddCity Valentine's Dance at Basement Transmissions
The OddCity Valentine's Dance at Basement Transmissions, 145 W 11th St, Erie, PA, on February 8, 2025, was a heartwarming celebration with a purpose, as attendees came together to support The Violet Gathering Festival. The festival, aimed at raising awareness and funds for domestic violence support, is a weekend-long, mixed-genre event whose location and date are to be determined as they continue to raise funds for its second return. The Dance featured a lively mix of couples' and group games and incredible performances by local acts like TayJer, Ducky, Velvet Waves, Do Not Call List, Fastfall, and Dirty Leaf, with DJ Lone Sav between sets. The dance provided several photo and video booths that captured the night's magic. With laughter, music, and heartfelt moments, this dance was more than just an evening of funit was a testament to the power of community coming together for a vital cause.
Erie Queer Happy Hour Returns
NW PA Pride Alliance returned to a reinvigorated Erie Queer Happy Hour. About 20 people gathered at The Zone, 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA, on Wednesday, February 5. People mingled with friends old and new. Erie Queer Happy Hour will be cycling between different locations. Next will be Room 33 Speakeasy, 1033 State St, Erie, PA, on Wednesday, March 5, from 6 to 8 PM. Meadville Happy Hour is still the fourth Wednesday of each month at Julian's Bar & Grill, 299 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA.
"It's Our Honor" Offering Free Wedding Officiant Services to LGBTQ+ Couples in Northeast Ohio
In a time when marriage equality remains a crucial issue, a small group of ordained wedding officiants in Northeast Ohio is stepping up to support the LGBTQ+ community. "It's Our Honor" is a team of licensed officiants providing non-denominational wedding services to LGBTQ+ couples and they are offering to do so for free.
Aging with Pride Erie to Meet with Pittsburgh OWLS
On Sunday, March 2 at 2pm, Erie's Aging with Pride organization will have its first collaboration meeting with the Persad Center's OWL (Older Wiser Leaders) group in Pittsburgh. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom and will be held at the Mental Health Association's offices at 1101 Peach St., downtown Erie. Both groups have expressed a desire to connect with similar organizations and the possible collaboration between the Pittsburgh and Erie organizations offers interesting opportunities for programs, events, and advocacy.
Bears Do Dinner #124 at Colony Pub & Grille
Bears Do Dinner held its 124th meet-up for dinner on February 4 at Colony Pub & Grille, 2670 W 8th St, Erie, PA. The next Bears Do Dinner will be on be their 125th on Monday, March 10.
Transgender Day of Visibility Mar 31 in Perry Square
Join TransFamily of NWPA on Monday, March 31st for Transgender Day of Visibility. We will gather in Perry Square at 6pm to celebrate ourselves as trans people and make our presence known. We will have multiple speakers from the trans community and then walk around Perry Square with flags and banners. Light refreshments will be provided.
Wicked Night at The Marvic Tavern on March 8
Get your costumes and ruby slippers together and save the date for a Wicked night in Oz on March 8, 2025 from 8:00 pm-1:00 am at The Marvic Tavern, 401 E 2nd St, Oil City, PA! There will be music, live entertainers, a costume contest, yummy munchies, and more! This is a private event and fundraiser to support the Hannah Project. Tickets are $10 per person and $15 per couple and 50% of the admissions will be donated to The Hannah Project. The mission of the Hannah Project is to step up and step in to support aging out foster care children and young people in our community. We hope to see you all there! The phone for Mariv Tavern is (814) 677-9981, email is themarvic@yahoo.com, and their website is www.themarvictavern.com.
Aging With Pride Dinner at El Amigo Mexican Grill
On January 28, Aging With Pride had their monthly dinner at El Amigo Mexican Grill, 333 State Street, Erie, PA. Aging With Pride dinners are usually on the last Thursday of the month. The next dinner will be on February 27 at Habibi, 127 W 14h St, Erie PA. In addition to monthly dinners, Aging With Pride meets twice a month for planning and discussion, as well as a book club on the third Saturday of the month and a game night on the second Wednesday of the month.
January Meadville Happy Hour
NW PA Pride Alliance held its Meadville Happy Hour on January 22, 2025, 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 has returned and will now be rotating through four different establishments. There was a great turnout for the revitalized Erie Happy Hour held on February 5 at the Zone Dance Club. The next Erie Queer Happy Hour will be on Wednesday, March 5, from 6 to 8 PM at Room 33 Speakeasy & Cafe, 1033 State St, Erie PA.
Compton's Table Leaves Meta Platforms Over Safety Concerns
Compton's Table has announced their departure from Meta-owned platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp). The organization cites growing concerns over safety, algorithmic bias, and the unchecked spread of harmful content targeting the queer and trans community as key reasons for the decision.
Deadline for March 2025 print edition (issue #352) of Erie Gay News is Saturday, February 15, comes out Tuesday, February 25!
For the next Erie Gay News (issue # 352, cover-dated for March 2025), please send in-person and online events, news items, and other info for late February, 2025 and beyond by Saturday, February 15. We expect the next edition to come out on Tuesday, February 25.
Entertainment and Travel
Your San Francisco Weekend: Waymo Driverless Taxis and the Iconic Castro
You cannot beat a weekend in San Francisco, the city by the Bay. The homeless situation has improved, they have a new mayor, and it is the city of the future. Employees of high tech companies now live in "the City" and take premium buses to their jobs on the Peninsula. Rents are sky high. The drought is over. And there's so much to do. You may not leave your heart in SF, but if you follow my tips, you won't leave your wallet there either.
Three gay men grapple with life and relationships in Exteriors, premiering March 3
The highly anticipated film Exteriors will premiere on Gay Binge TV on March 3, 2025. Written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mark Schwab, the film masterfully weaves together three interconnected stories of modern relationships, exploring themes of love, obsession, and reconnection. Through the lens of coincidence and connection, Exteriors delivers a poignant and captivating exploration of human emotions.
Erie Art Museum Hosts Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 111th Annual Exhibition
Erie, PA The Erie Art Museum will host the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Annual Exhibition, which will be on-view February 20th. An opening reception will take place on Gallery Night February 28th.
Local Faces and Photos
February G2H2
G2H2 held its monthly get-together at Room 33 Speakeasy, 1033 State St, Erie, PA, on Friday, February 7. The group gathers on the first Friday of each month. The next meeting will be on Friday, March 7, at 6 PM at Sullivan's Pub & Eatery, 301 French St, Erie, PA, 16507.
Political, Activism and Legal
Lambda Legal, GLAD Law, Mintz and Public Health Advocates Urge Supreme Court to Protect Access to HIV Prevention in Landmark Case
(WASHINGTON, DC - Feb. 25, 2025) Lambda Legal, GLAD Law and Mintz, alongside leading HIV, LGBTQ+, and healthcare organizations, have submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc., urging the Court to uphold no-cost access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other critical preventive healthcare services. The brief highlights the devastating public health consequences of undermining access to PrEP, a medication that reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 99% when taken as prescribed.
ICYMI: Gallup Poll Finds Almost 1 in 10 in U.S. Identify as LGBTQ+, a Record Amount
WASHINGTON - February 20, 2025 - New polling out today from Gallup, as reported in the New York Times, shows that almost 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, a breathtaking increase from a few years ago that shows how the rise in acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities over the course of the past few decades has made people more comfortable to be who they truly are even in the face of state and national politicians weaponizing their power to try to strip away LGBTQ+ rights.
LGBTQ+ and HIV Advocates File New Lawsuit Challenging Trump's Orders Seeking to Erase Transgender People and Defund LGBTQ+ and HIV Services
(San Francisco, CA. Feb 20, 2025) Today, multiple LGBTQ, Health, and HIV organizations sued the Trump Administration represented by Lambda Legal challenging three executive orders that together seek to erase transgender people from public life, defund the organizations that provide them with life-saving services, and terminate equity-related grants essential to the health and lives of other underserved communities, including communities of color, and people living with HIV.
Civil and Human Rights Orgs Sue Trump Administration Over Executive Orders Banning Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Erasing Transgender People
(Washington, D.C. Feb 19, 2025) Today, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and Lambda Legal filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of nonprofit advocacy organizations challenging three anti-equity executive orders from President Trump related to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and transgender people.
Naples Florida Pride Pushed Indoors
A development for Naples City Pride spells alleged trouble for pride festivals this year. The Naples Pride Nonprofit Organization received imposed restrictions upon the Pride Festival for the 2025 season. The restrictions include that Drag performances must be held indoors rather than outside, no one under 18 is allowed to attend, and security detail that bloats the cost for the event to over $30,000.
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Order Targeting Medical Care for Transgender Youth
BALTIMORE - February 13, 2025 - In a victory for transgender youth, their families, and their medical providers, a federal district court today issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of a Trump administration executive order attempting to shut down access nationwide to gender-affirming medical care for transgender people under 19.
Transgender and Nonbinary People Take Trump to Court Over Passport Restrictions
WASHINGTON - February 7, 2025 - Following an executive order from President Donald Trump barring people from updating the sex designation on their passports, seven people have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the State Department's refusal to issue passports with accurate sex designations.
Lambda Legal and Human Rights Campaign Foundation File Lawsuit to Block Trump Administration's Transgender Military Service Ban
(Seattle, WA, February 6, 2025) Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF) today filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Trump administration's ban on military service by transgender individuals. The lawsuitbrought in response to the administration's executive order was filed on behalf of six actively serving transgender service members, a transgender person seeking to enlist in the military, and Gender Justice League, a civil and human rights organization headquartered in Seattle.
Health
Boosting community health: Red Cross offers free A1C testing for blood donors in March
[FEB. 25, 2025] The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is helping to bridge access to health care for blood donors by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes, on all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations in March.
Red Cross seeks more volunteers in Pennsylvania's rural areas
[FEB. 20, 2025] The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is seeking dedicated volunteers in rural communities to respond to local disasters, help donors at blood drives and support community education and outreach efforts.
Feeling Safe
From Michel Dale Kimmel of Life Beyond Therapy: This is not the column I expected to write this week, but, in recent weeks, so many of my clients have told me: "Trump is mentally ill and he's using his power to destroy this country.", "I dread hearing the news now.", "Every day Trump and his minions do something insane.", "I don't feel safe."
Red Cross: Donors needed now to build up the blood supply
[Feb. 10, 2025] The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets in February to help build up the blood supply after thousands of donations went uncollected last month. People of all blood types especially those with type O negative blood are encouraged to make and keep their donation appointments so hospitals can continue to ensure critical care for patients this winter.
Letters, Columnists and Opinion
Thank you NPCA
From Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News- New York, NY In response to the Park Service removing references to transgender contributions at Stonewall National Monument, the National Parks Conservation Association responded with the following statement. Statement by Timothy Leonard, Northeast Program Manager for the National Parks Conservation Association "The National Park Service exists to not only protect and preserve our most cherished places but to educate its millions of annual national park visitors about the inclusive, full history of America. Erasing letters or webpages does not change the history or the contributions of our transgender community members at Stonewall or anywhere else. History was made here and civil rights were earned because of Stonewall. And we're committed to ensuring more people know that story and how it continues to influence America today. Stonewall inspires and our parks must continue to include diverse stories that welcome and represent the people that shaped our nation."
Ending HIV Requires a Functional US Democracy & Government
The rapid dismantling of US democratic norms over the past 3 weeks - including fundamental government protections and structures - threatens the nation's democracy, diversity, society, and economy. The decline of a functional American democracy impacts all citizens, but especially the people whom leaders now target, including BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and women. These dramatic and dangerous changes impact people needing and advocating for HIV prevention, treatment and research, including expanding access to PrEP. Congress and leaders nationwide, including PrEP4All, must stand up to this dangerous turn in government and demand an Administration that leads with democratic norms and supports strategic, compassionate US governance.
Say goodbye to your PrEP, and...
from Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News - If that headline shocked you, it should have. The executive orders that Trump has been signing may very well affect your health. Oh, you thought Trump was only attacking the "T" in our community? Nope. He's targeting the "L," the "G," and the "B" as well. Let me give you some critical facts that explain why you should be alarmed very alarmed.
Let's all be joyous warriors
From Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News - After 9/11, I wrote something to the effect of: "Terrorists want to frighten you to the point where you no longer go about your normal day. If you allow them to do that, they win."
Contests
Enter to win The Prince Without Sorrow
Enter to win The Prince Without Sorrow! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, March 18, and Tuesday, April 8.
Enter to win The Winter Goddess!
Enter to win The Winter Goddess! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, March 11, and Tuesday, April 1.
Enter to win Two Truths and a Lie: A Novel
Enter to win Two Truths and a Lie: A Novel! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, March 4, and Tuesday, March 25.
Enter to win Duch - A Novel e-book from Riverdale Avenue Books!
Enter to win Duch - A Novel e-book from Riverdale Avenue Books! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, February 28, and Friday, March 21.
Enter to win Hard as Stone: Book One of the SoulShares Series e-book from Riverdale Avenue Books!
Enter to win Hard as Stone: Book One of the SoulShares Series e-book from Riverdale Avenue Books! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, February 25, and Tuesday, March 18.
Miscellaneous
Queeriosity Corner: Historical & Fun Facts
The modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement was catalyzed by the Stonewall Riots in 1969, led by activists like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two trans women of color.
Situational Safety Workshops for 2025 Pride Events
The Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security is offering a three-part, virtual learning series to organization leaders, security personnel, and members of the LGBTQI+ community. Each session will be held in the evening, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Transgender Latinadad Research Study
Are you Transgender, Latine, 18 years or older, and residing in the US market have you considered or pursued gender affirming care? We want to learn about your experiences with gender! Token of appreciation for 60 minute interview is a $50 MasterCard E-gift card. To learn more visit https://bit.ly/TransLatine. Interested in participating, email M. J. Salas (they/elle) at mj.salas@rutgers.edu (Principal Investigator)
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