April, 2026 News (30 Articles with 28,032 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for April, 2026 Drag performers at Warren County Pride's PrideDay the 13th at Struthers Library Theatre on March 13. Photo by Julia Carden.
This began publication in December 2002 after a hiatus
Category for this issueCalendar & Upcoming Events
Calendar of Local GLBT Events |
|
 |
|
Local and Regional News
PrideDay the 13th Brings Community, Drag, and Drinks
Drag performers took to a small red-carpeted stage in Sally's Encore, entertaining an engaged crowd during Warren County Pride's "PrideDay the 13th" fundraiser at the Struthers Library Theatre on Friday, March 13.
Third Annual Synjin Sheneman Memorial PRIDE Art Show Call for Submission
Ashtabula Pride, Inc. and Darkroom Brewing Co. are proud to announce the third annual Synjin Sheneman Memorial PRIDE Art Show. This art exhibition celebrates pride, love, diversity, and equality.
Bears Do Dinner #137 at The BrewErie at Union Station
Bears Do Dinner held its 137th meet-up for dinner on March 9 at The BrewErie at Union Station, 123 W 14th St, Erie, PA. The venue was changed that day because of the unexpected unavailability of the previously planned location. The next Bears Do Dinner will be on Tuesday, April 7th, at Samurai Kitchen and Sushi, 2767 W 12th St, Erie, PA.
Erie County Human Relations Commission to Host "Advancing Fair Access to Housing and Employment"
Erie, PA - The Erie County Human Relations Commission (ECHRC) will host "Advancing Fair Access to Housing and Employment" on March 23 at 1:00 PM at Gannon University, Waldron Campus Center, Room 219.
February Meadville Happy Hour
NW PA Pride Alliance held its Meadville Happy Hour on February 25, 2026, 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 held on the first Wednesday of each month at 6 PM at The Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th Street, Erie, PA.
Erie Queer Community Food Drive Returns May 9
The Erie Queer Community will come together once again to support local families through a community food drive on Saturday, May 9. Central Outreach Wellness Center, located at 3104 State St, Erie, PA, will host the event and invite community members to donate non-perishable food items to help those in need.
Your Voice Matters: The LGBT Fund Community Conversation Coming in April
In January, the LGBT Fund of The Erie Community Foundation hosted an inspiring and productive community conversation. Attendees shared valuable feedback and expressed a desire for more frequent opportunities to connect and provide input. We're excited to announce our next Community Conversation on Monday, April 27 at Cathedral of St. Paul in Erie. During our last session, we shared insights from a successful listening tour, highlighting the priorities that matter most to our community: capacity, sustainability, safety, and connection.
2026 Pride on The Bay Vendor Registration
Pride on the Bay will take place on Saturday, June 27, from 12 noon to 5 pm at Liberty Park along the beautiful Presque Isle Bay waterfront. The event offers businesses, artists, and community organizations the chance to connect with thousands of attendees during one of the region's largest LGBTQIA+ events.
Presque Isle Rise Up Builds Community Resistance in Erie
Presque Isle Rise Up was founded as an Indivisible group in late 2025 and is dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of health to our US Democracy through actions that promote human rights, democratic participation, civic education, cooperation with other groups, and mutual aid to uplift members of our community. The founders are long-time Erie regional activists Rose, Margarita, V, and Shari (last names omitted, not for fear of coming out, but for fear of the government), who had specific goals that were not fully met by existing local resistance groups. The group wants to increase visibility of issues, collaborate with other groups, provide education to the community, and foster connections in the Erie region. Presque Isle Rise Up supports the well-being and concerns of the LGBTQIA+ community and welcomes Q+ people and allies to join in its work.
The deadline for the April 2026 print edition (issue #365) of Erie Gay News is Sunday, March 15, and it will be available on Tuesday, March 24!
For the next Erie Gay News (issue # 365, cover-dated for April 2026), please send in-person and online events, news items, and other info for late March 2026 and beyond by Sunday, March 15. We expect the next edition to come out on Tuesday, March 24.
Michelle Michaels 50 Is Fabulous Bash at The Zone
On Friday evening, Feb 21st, a celebration was held for Michelle Michaels' 50th birthday bash. Erie starlets and Former Miss Eries flooded the Zone Dance Club to ring in a momentous birthday.
Community Spotlight: Temple Anshe Hesed
For over 150 years Temple Anshe Hesed has been Erie's Reform synagogue - a place where Judaism is celebrated and lived. Temple Anshe Hesed celebrated 150 years of Jewish community on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie in 2025. Our Temple's name, Anshe Hesed, is Hebrew for "People of Loving-Kindness." This name perfectly encapsulates the Temple's acceptance and welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community. Many members of Temple Anshe Hesed are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and the Temple joyfully takes part in Pride celebrations every June. Temple member Kris Haas explains, "When we came to Temple, very early on Rabbi [Morais] told [my wife and I] that we were far from the first lesbian coupleand that was a huge thing for me. Knowing that there were others and that I wouldn't have to hide the most important person in my life for fear of being ostracized."
Ashtabula Pride cancelled for 2026
Ashtabula Pride Inc, a volunteer-led nonprofit organization in Northeast Ohio, announced Sunday, February 15, via social media, that there will not be a large festival in 2026.
Entertainment and Travel
103rd Annual Erie Art Museum Spring Show Opening April 2nd
Erie, PA - Artists are gathering to showcase the region's talents in the 103rd Annual Erie Art Museum Spring Show. 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. 74 works of art were chosen from 533 submissions. The opening will be Thursday, April 2nd, at 6 pm, coinciding with the monthly Art After Dark concert series.
Buffalo United Artists Proudly Presents The Laughing Troll Cafe
Buffalo United Artists is proud to present the Western New York Premiere of the new satirical work from Scott Elmegreen and Drew Fornarola, The Laughing Troll Cafe. The play will run April 10th through April 25th (Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. & Sundays at 2:00 p.m.) at. Compass Performing Arts Center, 545 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, New York 14222. The play is directed by Mike Doben and stars Sandra Roberts, Sabrina Kahwaty Garcia, Samuel Fesmire and Caitlin Colemanna. Tickets are 30.00 General Admission / $35.00 VIP Immersive Experience (Very Limited) at: https://thelaughingtrollcafe.eventbrite.com or www.buffalounitedartists.org, Ticket Purchases ar at the Theatre Box Office either by CASH or CREDIT. Student Tickets & Industry Tickets please email: BuffaloBUA@gmail.com
Your Affordable Palm Springs Getaway
There is always something new to explore in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. With a stunning view of snow-capped peaks from the desert floor, there is nowhere else quite as stunning. It also has a fun bar scene, lots of outdoor activities, a great art museum, swimming at the Swim Center, and more. It has also gotten expensive, especially during festivals and on the weekend. But there are ways to enjoy this desert oasis without breaking the bank. Like Wilton Manors, Florida, it is a magnet for gay seniors who have retired here.
Political, Activism and Legal
Equality California on Ruling Blocking Unlawful & Dangerous Anti-Trans 'Kennedy Declaration'
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - March 20, 2026 - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang in response to a federal ruling that blocks U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary RFK, Jr.'s so-called Kennedy Declaration. The Kennedy Declaration claims that medically necessary health care for transgender youth fails to meet professionally recognized standards of care and that, as such, HHS may disqualify any doctors or hospitals that provide this care from federal health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid: "We are grateful to California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the coalition of state attorneys general who successfully challenged RFK, Jr. 's dangerous declaration and the Trump administration's continued attacks on transgender kids, their families, and their doctors. This ruling is a major victory for health care providers across the country, affirming that they can and should continue providing care to transgender youth.
Kansas State Court Denies Temporary Restraining Order Against State Law Invalidating IDs and Restricting Bathroom Access for Transgender People
Lawrence, K.S. - March 10, 2026 - A judge for the District Court of Douglas County rejected a request for a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of SB 244, a Kansas state law that immediately invalidated the driver's licenses of transgender people across the state and which authorizes anyone to sue anybody they suspect of being transgender for using the "wrong" restroom in government buildings.
Center for Constitutional Rights Sues Trump Admin for Records on Implementation of Anti-Trans Executive Orders
March 5, 2026, New York - The Center for Constitutional Rights today filed a lawsuit seeking to compel the federal government to release records related to multiple executive orders issued by President Trump last year that target the LGBTQIA+ community - particularly those who are trans, gender nonconforming, two-spirit, and nonbinary or intersex - for systematic erasure and exclusion from public life. The suit stems from the failure of thirty government agencies to comply with a series of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. It aims to shed light on this administration's implementation of these orders and their impact.
NWLC Condemns Supreme Court's Rush to Expand Religious Exemptions in Public Schools
WASHINGTON - March 2, 2026 - Tonight, the U.S. Supreme Court barred California from enforcing its guidance prohibiting schools from forcibly outing transgender students while lower courts consider a challenge to the policy brought by a group of objecting parents.
The Othering Podcast invites you to share your story & listen to the stories of others in marginalized communities
OtheringPodcast.com, March 2026: The Othering Podcast launched in May of 2025 with one goal: to advocate for the disabled and LGBTQIA+ by providing a platform for our guests to share their stories. Mike and Dory, the hosts and married couple, set out to make a difference in marginalized communities by humanizing the people included and showing they are beautiful too. In today's political turmoil, community is needed more than ever. History shows that these marginalized communities are the first to go when the regime takes over.
NWLC Reacts to EEOC's Latest Move to Attack Transgender Workers' Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 26, 2026 - Today, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a federal sector decision reversing its position that transgender workers have the right to access bathrooms and other sex-segregated facilities consistent with their gender identity, a move inconsistent with federal law and Supreme Court precedent.
Health
PA Thrive Partnership Has Moved to 801 State St
PA Thrive has landed in a new space at 801 State Street, 8th Street entrance. We are located on the second floor (via the gold elevator) and offer full clinic and case management services.
Blame, Revenge & Forgiveness (in that order)
You met someone, opened your heart, loved him and he left (or faded out). It's painful and we've all been there.
STATEMENT: PrEP Access & Coverage Act Promises to Expand PrEP Access
New York, NY - Wednesday, March 4, 2026 - Today, Sen. Adam Schiff and Sen. Tina Smith, along with Representatives Takano, Pocan, and Balint introduced the PrEP Access & Coverage Act. PrEP4All sincerely thanks our leaders in Congress for their efforts and commitment to equitable PrEP access. Combined with the visionary approach to addressing the needs of uninsured populations in Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman's recently introduced PrEP Access Program Act, these two bills represent a comprehensive vision for PrEP access regardless of an individual's insurance status in America.
City of Pittsburgh Proclaims March 10 as Central Outreach Wellness Center Day
PITTSBURGH - The City of Pittsburgh will officially recognize March 10, 2026, as "Central Outreach Wellness Center Day" during a proclamation ceremony honoring the organization's decade of service providing inclusive, patient-centered healthcare to communities across Western Pennsylvania.
Can You Improve Your Sense of Humor?
from Michael Dale Kimmel of Life Beyond Therapy: Psychological research has found that when people list the qualities they desire in a partner, a good sense of humor consistently shows up near the top. For some of us, a good sense of humor is more important than physical appearance or socioeconomic status. Perhaps life is so hard that a humorless partner is too much to bear. When the road gets rough, it's great to have a partner you can laugh with at all the absurdities along the way.
Contests
Enter to win The Rise of the Celestials!
Enter to win The Rise of the Celestials! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, April 7, and Tuesday, April 28.
Enter to win Hold Me Like a Grudge! - Contest Caneled
Apologies, this contest has been canceled.
Enter to win This Will Be Interesting!
Enter to win This Will Be Interesting! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, March 24, and Tuesday, April 14.
Photo Galleries
Advertisers
Volunteers
Connect With Us
