September, 2026 News (40 Articles with 30,986 total views)
On the cover of the print edition for September, 2026 Attendees at Erie Pride 365 Block Party on August 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
Community Spotlight: Give a Crepe
What began as a pop-up in Erie in 2016 has grown into a beloved local gathering place, and in 2026, Give A Crepe La CrepErie is celebrating 10 years of giving a crepe about Erie. One savory and sweet creation at a time.
Erie Pride 365 3rd Annual Block Party on August 8
On August 8, Perry Square once again became more than the center of downtown Erie. It became a space for community, culture, visibility, wellness and joy as Erie Pride 365 hosted its annual Block Party.
Pride Picnic Celebrated a 33-Year Tradition
The NW PA Pride Alliance hosted its 33rd Annual Pride Picnic on Saturday, August 15, bringing LGBTQIA+ community members, friends, families, and allies together at Presque Isle State Park. The August 15 gathering at the Rotary Pavilion offered an opportunity to enjoy good food, conversation, and time together in a relaxed setting. While attendance was somewhat lighter than in previous years, the picnic continued its long tradition of bringing people together for an afternoon of community and connection.
Another Successful Back to School Drive
The Erie Queer Community came together this August to help local students head back to school with the supplies they need to succeed. The Back to School Drive, held Saturday, August 9, collected school supplies that will be given to Compton's Table to distribute to youth in need.
Sneakers Bar in Jamestown Plans 40th Anniversary Party September 20th
Since 1986, Mary Green, Proprietor of Sneakers in Jamestown, NY, has had one mission-welcome everyone. In the mid-eighties, there was a defined separation between Gay Bars, Lesbian Bars, and Straight Bars-and mixed groups weren't always welcome in any of them. Mary wanted a place where ALL her friends could gather and be welcomed. From that idea, Sneakers was born. For forty years, the staff at Sneakers have served up cold beers, cocktails, and shots to crowds mixed with LGBTQIA & Straight folks alike
Aging with Pride / Visit to Erie
Aging with Pride (AWP) is our local group for LGBTQ+ Community Seniors. Other cities have similar groups. On Friday, August 7th, AWP Erie hosted an all-day Visit to Erie for the OWLS from Pittsburgh and the Rainbow Pioneers from Cleveland. The 23 guests from the other cities joined us for a full day of activities.
22nd Anniversary Pink Party Benefit
For 22 years, our community has come together to show its incredible heart, and it's time to do it again. Join The Zone, 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA, for the beloved Michelle Michaels' Pink Party Benefit Weekend on October 2 & 3, a two-night event where we party with a powerful purpose.
Bears Do Dinner #142 at Tandoori Hut
Bears Do Dinner held its 142nd meet-up for dinner on Wednesday, August 5, at Tandoori Hut, 2605 Washington Ave., Erie, PA. The next Bears Do Dinner will be on Wednesday,September 9, at Sara's Restaurant, 25 Peninsula Drive., Erie, PA.
Plan to attend the next Community Conversation set for October 5
Building on the community's desire for greater connection, collaboration, and shared learning, the LGBT Fund of The Erie Community Foundation has announced another Community Conversation for individuals and organizations that support and serve the LGBTQ+ community throughout the Erie region. The upcoming Community Conversation will take place on October 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Temple Anshe Hesed, located at 5401 Old Zuck Road in Erie.
July Aging With Pride Dinner at Panos' Restaurant
On Tuesday, July 28, Aging With Pride had its 35th monthly dinner outing at Panos' Restaurant, 1502 W 38th St, Erie, P. Aging With Pride dinners are usually the last week of the month. The next dinner will be on August 27 at Habibi Mediterranean Cuisine, 127 W 14thth St, Erie, PA. 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 Thursday of the month. There is also a coffee hour at Werner Books & Coffee, 3608 Liberty, on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1 PM.
July Meadville Happy Hour
NW PA Pride Alliance held its Meadville Happy Hour on July 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 July 22 Meadville Happy Hour at Julian's was just a few days before the July 25 Pride on the Diamond in Meadville.
Pride Festival of Central PA on July 25
Pride Festival of Central PA held its annual Pride Fest in Harrisburg on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The day started with a parade, and several people were needed to carry the large Pride flag. Wanda Williams, the current mayor of Harrisburg, PA, led the parade. There were entertainers and vendors/info tables. EGN volunteer Dawn attended and took photos.
Applications OPEN: Join the Inaugural Keystone Liberation Leadership Academy
This fall, SisTers PGH will welcome 6 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse Pennsylvanians into the first-ever Keystone Liberation Leadership Academy cohort.
Aging With Pride at Senior Fair
Aging with Pride had a table at the Senior Fair and Older Living Expo on August 17th at the Bayfront Convention Center. Representative Ryan Bizzarro organizes the annual event. Linda, Pete, Dawn, and Robin staffed the AWP table. We discussed our various programs, events, and the current fundraiser. Hundreds of people stopped by our table and learned about what AWP is doing for the community.
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day
Each year, on September 18th, National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day is observed to highlight the unique social and health needs of individuals over the age of 50 who are living with HIV. More than 50% of individuals currently living with HIV in the USA are in the over 50 age group. A major concern is managing HIV along with other health issues of the elderly including heart disease and kidney disease. Programs are needed to screen, test, and educate individuals over 50 who already have HIV or are at risk. The Aids Institute is a leader in the necessary research for the aging population living with HIV. Testing and health care options are available at National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day | HIV.gov
Tribute to the Legendary Led Zeppelin!
On Friday, October 9, 2026, 8 pm, a fantastic Tribute to Led Zeppelin, Lez Zeppelin, will perform all of your favorite Led Zeppelin songs at the Struthers Library Theatre, Warren, PA. There is no other band like Lez Zeppelin. Since 2004, this all-girl powerhouse quartet has captured the essence, spirit, power and seductiveness of Led Zeppelin both onstage and in the studio becoming a worldwide phenomenon. The band's explosive performances are more of a "channeling" than a tribute. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the release of The Song Remains the Same, internationally acclaimed Lez Zeppelin -- the all-female quartet known for delivering the most powerful and authentic Led Zeppelin experience and the only band personally endorsed by Jimmy Page, himself, announces a special concert series celebrating the iconic 1976 film and its legendary soundtrack. Join us and experience hits like: "No Quarter," "Dazed and Confused," "Since I've Been Loving You," and the transcendent "Stairway to Heaven" & much more! Catch the next best thing to the original Led Zeppelin - catch Lez Zeppelin's Tribute to Led Zeppelin at the Struthers Library Theatre, Warren, PA, Friday, October 9, 2026, 8 pm!
Investing In Our Community: 2026 LGBT Fund Grant Cycle Opens Sept. 4
The 2026 LGBT Fund grant cycle will open September 4, continuing the Fund's commitment to advancing and uplifting the local LGBTQIA+ community. As the only resource of its kind in Erie County, the LGBT Fund at The Erie Community Foundation invests in organizations working to address community needs.
The deadline for the September 2026 print edition (issue #370) of Erie Gay News is Saturday, August 15, and it will be available on Tuesday, August 25!
For the next Erie Gay News (issue # 370, cover-dated for September 2026), please send in-person and online events, news items, and other info for late August 2026 and beyond by Saturday, August 15. We expect the next edition to come out on Tuesday, August 25.
Erie Gives Day 2026: Support Your Queer Organizations
This Erie Gives Day, you can make a lasting impact by supporting the organizations that work year-round to strengthen, celebrate, and serve the LGBTQIA+ community in our region.
Werner Books Flower Garden Funds Donation to Aging With Pride
Members of Aging with Pride received a pleasant surprise on the first of June when Werner Books and Coffee in the Liberty Plaza announced the proceeds from the flower garden this year would be donated to Aging with Pride. Customers could purchase a flower for $5, then write any positive message on it. These were then displayed around the coffee counter. At their planning meeting on July 26, Anna Lindvay from Werner Books and Coffee presented a check for $500, the money collected from customers and matching funds from Werner's, to Aging with Pride. Funds will be used to support AWP educational and social activities for senior members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Entertainment and Travel
There Will Never Be Another Dolly
There are some people whose deaths feel less like losing a celebrity and more like losing someone who had always been there. Dolly Parton was one of those people. For generations, Dolly was part of the soundtrack of our lives. She was the woman with the enormous blonde hair, rhinestones, tiny waist, big you-know-whats, and unmistakable Tennessee accent. But beneath the wigs and glitter was a woman far smarter, stronger, and more business-savvy than many people ever gave her credit for.
Walla Walla: Wine, Welcome, and a Little Bit of Heavy Metal
There's a particular kind of magic that happens when a small town decides to throw open its doors - not just to visitors, but to everyone. Walla Walla has long been celebrated as one of the Pacific Northwest's premier wine destinations, but beyond its acclaimed vineyards lies a welcoming community that embraces creativity, diversity and authentic hospitality. My second visit centered around the annual Blood of the Gods Festival. I discovered a destination where exceptional food and wine, artistic expression and genuine inclusivity come together to create an unforgettable getaway for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Buffalo United Artists proudly presents Gulp! The Gay Beach Musical
Buffalo United Artists is proud to present the Western New York Premiere of the rarely seen landmark 1970s queer musical comedy Gulp! The Gay Beach Musical. Book by John Glines and Stephen Greco. Music by John Glines. Lyrics by John Glines and Robin Jones. Set on the beach at Coney Island on Gay Liberation Day - June 28th, the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The story follows a closeted lifeguard whose life is saved by five unabashedly eccentric characters: his soon-to be lover, a wacky orthodox priest, a ditzy journalist, a hunky construction worker, and a show queen from Shirley's Temple on Flatbush Avenue.
Mercyhurst (MIAC) 2026-27 Season: LGBTQIA+ Performances
The 2026-27 MIAC Live season at Mercyhurst University brings an eclectic lineup of musicians, Broadway stars, dancers and performers to Erie. Among the season's diverse offerings are artists and allies with personal connections to the LGBTQ+ community. Each brings a different story and perspective to the Mercyhurst stage
New Obama Presidential Center and Navy Pier Make for a Perfect Windy City Weekend
Chicago has a new must see attraction, the Obama Presidential Center. Located on the south side of the city, it features a museum with sixth floor on the Obama legacy. From the sixth floor, the views of Lake Michigan are stunning! Also nearby is the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry. Even if you cannot snag tickets for the museum itself, the grounds are worth a visit.
City of Lakes and Parks: Your Minneapolis Guide
Minneapolis features a great park system (with a chain of lakes), lots of museums and attractions, and a unique regional feel. It's one of the largest metros in the country and is very welcoming to all. Known as the Twin Cities, nearby St. Paul is another option.
Political, Activism and Legal
Equality California Condemns Final CMS Rule Blocking Medicaid and CHIP Funding for Transgender Healthcare
WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 11, 2026 - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized a rule ending federal Medicaid funding for both medically necessary care for transgender youth under 18 and federal Children's Health Insurance Program funding for youth under 19. The rule is scheduled to take effect October 13, 2026:
Lambda Legal Launches "Beyond the Prescription: Why Care Matters," Amplifying Healthcare Provider Voices
(NEW YORK, NY, August 11, 2026) - Lambda Legal today launched Beyond the Prescription: Why Care Matters, a storytelling campaign featuring healthcare providers reflecting on their role in caring for their patients, and the harms of restrictions on medical care for transgender patients. Through audio recordings and photography, the campaign amplifies the voices of medical professionals and puts a human face on what is at stake when politicians, rather than doctors, make medical decisions.
ACLU of Pennsylvania Hosts Leadership Academy for Transgender and Gender Diverse Residents
ERIE, Pa. - On Saturday, August 29, 2026, the ACLU of Pennsylvania will host a leadership academy for transgender and gender-diverse Erie residents and neighboring communities. As attacks on transgender communities intensify, reinforcing the dignity, power, and right of gender-diverse Pennsylvanians to exist freely and safely is more imperative than ever. The academy will offer a vital space for learning, community-building, and strategizing collective action.
Professors Challenge Texas A&M System Over Censorship Policy, Detail Violations of Academic Freedom
HOUSTON - August 4, 2026 - A group of professors filed suit Monday night challenging the Texas A&M University System's new censorship policy that prohibits faculty from discussing certain topics and viewpoints related to race, sexual orientation, and gender.
Health
7 Signs of a High IQ
By Michael Dale Kimmel of Life Beyond Therapy: What is IQ anyway? IQ stands for intelligence quotient: a numerical score from a standardized test that measures human cognitive abilities, including logic, memory, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning.
Blood crisis persists, donors needed now to help protect patient care
[Aug. 10, 2026] - The American Red Cross continues to urge donors of all blood types to act now and make an appointment to give blood or platelets amid the ongoing national blood crisis. Just three additional donors at every blood drive could help further stabilize the blood supply and ensure patients continue receiving lifesaving care.
7 steps of premarital skill building
Premarital skill building: what's that? When my clients get engaged, straight couples usually assume that they could benefit from polishing up their relationship/communication skills. Ironically, LGBTQ couples seldom think about this. I guess we haven't (yet) had the cultural support that comes from decades of preparing for successful marriages.
National blood crisis NOW: Immediate need for blood donations
Letters, Columnists and Opinion
Letter to the Editor from Ed Brzezinski
The letter below was submitted as a letter to the editor by Erie City Councilmember Ed Brzezinski. : Please take the time to include my apology to those in your community that I may have offended at June 2nd's City Council meeting
The Bible, Ukrainian Soldiers, a Prime Minister and Flags
By Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News: So Rob Jetten, the openly gay Prime Minister of the Netherlands, tells me that were it not for people like me, he wouldn't be prime minister
Donald Trump Kissed Putin in Amsterdam
From Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News: Jason and I are in Amsterdam for WorldPride, where I'll be appearing at the opening of the International Human Rights Conference. The city has truly rolled out the red carpet-and does it ever know how to celebrate. Every evening there are concerts, parties and cultural events. Madonna, Billy Porter, Conchita Wurst, and what seems like nearly every queen from "RuPaul's Drag Race" are part of the festivities.
Terrorists will never stop Pride
From Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News: Last Sunday began like almost every other Sunday. I woke up, poured my first cup of coffee, and did what I've done nearly every morning for the past 50 years in the news business-I started reading the news. I move from source to source to see how the world woke up. That morning, I turned on BBC World News. The lead story stopped me cold.
Contests
Enter to win Peter in Progress!
Enter to win Peter in Progress! To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Friday, August 28 and Friday, September 18. Entrants are limited to US residents only and must be at least 18 years old.
Enter to win Summer Coven!
Enter to win Summer Coven!. To enter the contest, fill out the form here between Tuesday, August 25, and Tuesday, September 15. Entrants are limited to US residents only and must be at least 18 years old.
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