June, 2026 News (34 Articles with 25,075 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for June, 2026 Erie Queer Community Second Harvest Food Drive collected 537 pounds on May 9.
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
Pride Guide 2026
Check out all of the Pride celebrations taking place in our tri-state region!
TransFamily Logo Contest
Calling all Creators! TransFamily of NW PA is holding a logo contest. The winning logo will serve as the banner for the organization created to represent the transgender community of Northwestern Pennsylvania, serving Erie, Crawford, and Warren Counties. All submissions must be received by June 1, include the submitter's name, be an original design for the artist, and be submitted in a common image format. Entries should be sent to the TransFamily's Discord link at http://discord.gg/vvzcwwvcb6.
Pride in Action: Erie Organizations Building Community Year-Round
As Pride Month shines a spotlight on the LGBTQ+ community in June, it also serves as a reminder that the work of building connection, support, and belonging happens year-round in Erie and throughout Northwest Pennsylvania. Over the past several years, Erie Gay News has highlighted a growing number of organizations, volunteer groups, and grassroots efforts through its "Community Spotlight" series, showcasing the many people working to strengthen and uplift the local LGBTQ+ community.
Bears Do Dinner #139 at McGarrey's Oakwood Cafe
Bears Do Dinner held its 139th meet-up for dinner on Tuesday, May 12th, at McGarrey's Oakwood Cafe, 1624 W 38th St, Erie, PA. The next Bears Do Dinner will be on Thursday, June 11th, at ippa Pizza Napoletana, 22 North Park Row (inside the Flagship City Food Hall), Erie, PA.
Erie Gay News Establishes Nonprofit to Support Community Newsletter
For more than three decades, Erie Gay News has helped connect the LGBTQIA+ community in the Erie region by sharing local news, events, and resources through its print and online newsletters. Now, a new step is being taken to help ensure that work continues well into the future. Erie Gay News recently acquired nonprofit status to support and sustain the newsletter and its mission of bringing LGBTQIA+ information to the greater Erie community.
Lunch at Calamari's After Second Harvest Food Drive
After a very successful Erie Queer Community Second Harvest Food Drive on May 9, 2026, volunteers gathered for lunch at Calamari's Squid Row (1317 State Street, Erie, PA). The lunch was a great way to socialize and connect with people in different groups.
Another Successful Food Drive from the Q+ Community
The Erie Queer Community came together once again on Friday, May 9, for a successful food drive that highlighted the strength, compassion, and generosity of our local community. Held at Central Outreach Wellness Center (3104 State St, Erie PA), the event brought together volunteers, donors, and community organizations to collect non-perishable food for families across the region. A total of 537 pounds and $40 was collected for Second Harvest Food Bank of NW PA.
Justin Wagner Speaks at Aging With Pride meeting
At their May 3, 2026, planning meeting at Lake Erie Counseling, 1932 W 8th St, Erie, PA, Aging with Pride (AWP) hosted Justin Wagner, who is running for US Congress in PA-16. His focus is to bring change to the existing and stagnant congressional leadership in NW PA. He wants to lead for the people and not for power. Many of his views can be read in the May 2026 Erie Gay News Voter Guide for the May 19 Primary. Many thanks to AWP member Marty for making the arrangements for Justin Wagner to present to us in Erie.
Sweet Success: The Cupcake Showdown Brings Support for Mental Health
The Great Cupcake Showdown returned to Erie on May 2 for its second year, bringing the community together for an afternoon of sweets and support for mental health. Hosted by Journey: Healing Together (201 W 11th St, Erie, PA 16501), the event invited attendees to sample a wide variety of creative cupcakes while raising awareness and funds for local mental health and wellness programs.
Who Wants To Be a Drag Star on May 8
The third round of Who Wants To Be A Drag Star season two was held at the competition's new home - Firehouse Tap and Grille (875 Park Ave, Meadville, PA) - on Friday, May 8. "We're really happy to be at Firehouse," said show host Cherry Falwell. "They are so incredibly supportive of queer and trans folks, and now more than ever it's so important to support businesses that support us." Five contestants (Sunny Rae Rex, Ruby Skye, Sexy Blue, Jawz Onda Flor, and Velvet Viper) battled it out for their spot in the season two finale.
Aging With Pride at The Juice Jar
Aging with Pride has a monthly dinner, and on April 28, The Juice Jar (2620 W 8th St, Erie, PA) hosted our group. The new owner of The Juice Jar is very supportive of the LGBTQ+ Community. Since they are not normally open in the evening, the owner made this a private event for our group, including specialty menu items made just for us! Hats off to Susie! To learn about upcoming dinner events, please get in touch with Pete at 814.384.9785.
Femme Night at 10/20 Collective on June 27
Get ready to celebrate queer identity and divine feminine energy at Femme Night, an intentional, community-centered gathering hosted by Davona, Angel, and Sarah on June 27 from 9 PM to 1 AM at 10/20 Collective, 1020 Holland St., Erie, PA, 16502
Connections at Community Conversation
The second Community Conversation hosted by the LGBT Fund of The Erie Community Foundation on April 27 at the Cathedral of St. Paul, 134 W 7th St, Erie, PA, accomplished what it was designed to do, according to its organizers.
April Meadville Happy Hour
NW PA Pride Alliance held its Meadville Happy Hour on April 22, 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.
The deadline for the June 2026 print edition (issue #367) of Erie Gay News is Monday, May 11, and it will be available on Tuesday, May 19
For the next Erie Gay News (issue # 367, cover-dated for June 2026), please send in-person and online events, news items, and other info for late May 2026 and beyond by Monday, May 11. We expect the next edition to come out on Tuesday, May 19. This issue will include our Pride Guide. This issue is slightly earlier than usual because of how Memorial Day falls this year.
Pride Shabbat at Temple Anshe Hesed
Our services on Friday, June 12, at 6:15 pm and Saturday, June 13, at 10 am will celebrate and affirm the LGBTQ+ members of our community and congregation, and we'll include special prayers and readings to incorporate and uplift queerness in our traditions. We are hosting our Baum Scholar-in-Residence for the weekend, Rabbi Lonnie Kleinman from Keshet, the national Jewish LGBTQ+ organization, who will speak about queerness in Jewish life, traditions, and texts. Guests must RSVP through our website, TAHerie.org. Temple Anshe Hesed is at 5401 Old Zuck Road, Erie, PA.
The Blane Dessy Celebration of Life takes place on June 7
All friends and associates of Blane Dessy are encouraged to attend a Celebration of Life in his honor. It takes place on June 7 at the PACA, located at 1505 State Street in Erie. Doors open at 1 pm; the celebration begins at 2 pm. Randy Shannon, Blane's husband, and Clayton Bradshaw, a special friend, are hosting the event. Blane was a longtime, committed advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. He was presented with the 2025 LGBT Spirit of Philanthropy award by the Erie Community Foundation. He was also a longtime advocate and former Chair of the Development Committee for the LGBT Fund.
Entertainment and Travel
'Hiding in Plain Sight' Wins Big at Black Public Media's PitchBLACK Awards
NEW YORK (May 1, 2026) - Luchina Fisher's Hiding in Plain Sight, a rousing exploration of the Black queer artists who have helped to shape every genre of popular music and culture, won the top prize of $150,000 at the ninth PitchBLACK Awards on Thursday. The Black Public Media event, which also included the presentation of the 2026 BPM Trailblazer Award to filmmakers Stanley Nelson and Marcia Smith, culminated its PitchBLACK competition - the nation's largest pitch competition for independent filmmakers and creative technologists who create Black content. Sponsored by Netflix and Andscape. PitchBLACK took place at The Apollo Stages at the Victoria in Harlem.
LGBTQ-Friendly Guide to Kalamazoo: Arts, Dining, Pride & Hidden Gems
Tucked into the heart of southwest Michigan, Kalamazoo is a vibrant town which blends creativity, culture, and community in a way that feels both refreshingly unpretentious and quietly progressive. Long known for its craft beverage scene and artistic spirit, Kalamazoo is increasingly becoming a destination for LGBTQ+ travelers seeking a welcoming Midwest escape filled with hands-on experiences, live performance, and meaningful connection.
Erie Art Museum to Celebrate LGBTQ+ Artists in Landmark New Event
ERIE, Pa. - May 4, 2026 - The Erie Art Museum announces Pride in the Collection, an inaugural annual evening reception celebrating LGBTQ+ artists whose work has shaped the museum's permanent collection and the broader Erie community. The event takes place Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 5-7 PM at the Erie Art Museum.
Political, Activism and Legal
ACLU Condemns House Passage of Bill Censoring Teachers and Forcibly Outing Transgender Students
WASHINGTON - May 20, 2026 - The American Civil Liberties Union condemned a bill that passed today in the U.S. House of Representatives threatening to censor educators nationwide and compelling them to out transgender students against their will.
State Court Blocks Kansas Ban on Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Transgender Youth
LAWRENCE - May 15, 2026 - A state district court judge today temporarily blocked enforcement of a Kansas law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender people under 18, finding the law likely violates the Kansas state constitution.
Transgender Idahoans Challenge Criminal Restroom Ban in New Federal Lawsuit
BOISE, Idaho - April 30, 2026 - Six transgender residents of Idaho have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging H.B. 752, a new state law prohibiting them from using sex-designated public restrooms in government-owned buildings and private businesses that are open to the public consistent with their gender identity, arguing the law violates their constitutional rights to due process, equal protection, and privacy. The challenge was brought by Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of Idaho, Munger Tolles & Olson LLP, and Alturas Law Group PLLC.
Health
4 Year Milestone for Condom Home Delivery
Recently, the Erie County Department of Health's Community Health Services Division reached a four-year milestone for their FC2U (Free Condoms 2 U) home-delivery program. As part of the HIV Grant program, free condom distribution has been going strong for over a decade. In August 2016, the 'brown bag' distribution program began, in which local businesses and offices make free supplies available to the public. Launched at the end of April 2022, the FC2U program allows residents of Erie County to receive, at no cost, their selection of safe sex items, literature, and supplies delivered to their homes. The HIV grant funds cover materials and shipping.
Why Can't I Sleep?
from Michael Dale Kimmel of Life Beyond Theraoy: Many of my clients (and friends) complain about poor sleep or lack of sleep. Why do so many of us not sleep long, well and deeply? The National Sleep Foundation (which receives financial support from pharmaceutical companies) estimates that 20 percent of Americans sleep fewer than six hours a night. The lucky few who sleep a full eight hours or more drops to 28 percent.
PrEP4All Files Federal Lawsuit Demanding Release of Secret HIV Prevention Agreement Between U.S. Government and Gilead
WASHINGTON, D.C. - TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026 - PrEP4All, the national nonprofit organization focused on expanding access to HIV prevention and the creation of a national federally-funded PrEP program, today announced the filing of a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health (NIH), seeking the release of a previously undisclosed agreement tied to HIV prevention research and policy.
No One's Faithful Anymore
First of all, I imagine it's pretty hard for you to end a 10-year relationship. You've been out of the dating/hook-up/hanging out scene for quite a while. Give yourself plenty of time to readjust. Keep your expectations reasonable and realize that it usually takes at least 6 months - often a year - after a long-term relationship for the "shock" to really wear off. The transition to being single doesn't happen overnight: it's a process, not an event. Getting used to being on your own is bound to be tough, whether your relationship was monogamous or not
Contests
Enter to win Dhampira!
Enter to win Dhampira!. To enter the contest, fill out the form below between Tuesday, June 16, and Tuesday, July 7. Entrants are limited to US residents only and must be at least 18 years old.
Enter to win The Open Era!
Enter to win The Open Era! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, June 2, and Tuesday, June 23. Entrants are limited to US residents only and must be at least 18 years old.
Enter to win For the Bride!
Enter to win For the Bride!. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, May 29, and Friday, June 19. Entrants are limited to US residents only and must be at least 18 years old.
Enter to win The Maidenheads!
Enter to win The Maidenheads!. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, May 26, and Tuesday, June 16. Entrants are limited to US residents only and must be at least 18 years old.
Enter to win A Star-Cursed Heart!
Enter to win A Star-Cursed Heart!. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, May 22, and Friday, June 12. Entrants are limited to US residents only and must be at least 18 years old.
Enter to win No Fats, No Fems: A Guide to Queer Empathy and Unpacking Prejudice!
Enter to win No Fats, No Fems: A Guide to Queer Empathy and Unpacking Prejudice! To enter the contest, fill out the form below between Tuesday, May 19, and Tuesday, June 9. Entrants are limited to US residents only and must be at least 18 years old.
History
GayBarchives Cements its Role as the Global Hub for LGBTQ+ Nightlife Preservation
Tampa, FL - April 23, 2026 - GayBarchives, the world's leading digital initiative dedicated to preserving the history of LGBTQ+ social spaces, has reached a major milestone - surpassing 50,000 members in its official Facebook group. This rapid growth underscores the global movement to reclaim lost queer history and celebrate the safe havens that served as the community's primary meeting places for decades.
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