On Saturday, August 15, 2009, local singer/songwriter Bob Bearfield had a release party for his new CD at the Renaissance Center in Erie PA. Photos were taken by Deb Spilko and Michael Mahler for Erie Gay News.

For more about Bob Bearfield, check out www.bobbearfield.com.  Also see this article in the California Chronicle, as well as this article from Showcase in the Erie Times News

On Sunday, February 8, about 30 people attended a meeting in Erie about passing GLBT equality legislation at the state level in Pennsylvania.

The meeting had been convened by Steve Glassman, Chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Andy Hoover of the American Civil Liberties Union and Jake Kaskey, outreach coordinator for Equality Advocates of Pennsylvania. Much of the publicity for the meeting was via the GLBT Voter/Activist email list.

On Saturday, December 20, 2008, Vertigo held another wonderful monthly dance party at the Lyndora Hotel near Butler PA. The evening also included a drag show.

For more info, check out www.myspace.com/butlervertigo. Photos by Michael Mahler.

On Saturday, December 13 2008, the Oil City Gay Straight Alliance held a Holiday Social at the Lationia Theatre in Oil City.

For more information, check out www.thelatonia.com or endbigotryinvenangocounty.blogspot.com/. Photos are by Michael Mahler and Dixie.

On Tuesday, November 25 2008, at the Erie Gay News folding/distribution work party at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA, several people from Erie participated in the nationwide Project Postcard organized by Join the Impact. Participants across the US wrote to the Obama Transitional Team to ask the President-elect to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. Photos by James von Loewe.

For more info, check www.jointheimpact.com or jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Project+Postcard.

The Erie event was part of a coordinated nationwide protest against the California ballot measure that would remove marriage rights for same-sex couples. Protests took place on the same day in over 300 cities, with an estimated 100,000 people taking part.

On Sunday, June 22, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie presented Stonewall: The cradle of gay activism. Life experience speakers included Doris Cipolla and John Daly King. Performing artists included “Ricardo and Jessie” and Devin Redinger. Rev. Steve Aschmann presided over the service.

Trance Night Club had its final night of business on Saturday, Jan. 12. Many people enjoyed one last terrific night of fun! The club is now closed.

Trance first opened in September, 2004. Over the years, Trance was a great supporter of the community, hosting benefits for Hurricane Katrina, PFLAG, the Erie Arts Museum, Erie Gay Pride, Inc. and other causes. They were also a contributor to the annual Pride Picnic and other events in the GLBT community. We very much appreciate their support and wish the staff and management well in future endeavors.

A message on an electronic sign in front of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Erie is raising many concerns in the community because of its opposition to equal marriage rights.

The message, which can be seen in front of the church at W. 26th and Liberty Streets, says in part, “Help Save Marriage in Pennsylvania,” “Marriage Matters,” “Call your legislators... Protect God’s gift of marriage” and “What does Jesus say about marriage?” Photos of the sign with the text are linked from the Erie Gay News web site.

Public hearings were held in Erie Oct. 5, on PA House Bill 1400 that would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The public hearing was conducted by the House State Government Committee chaired by Representative Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia).

Several Pennsylvania State Representatives came to Erie to learn more about PA House Bill 1400. Although there are 14 municipalities in Pennsylvania (including Erie County, since 2002) that include these legal protections, there is no state or federal law which offers similar protections. The companion bill to HB 1400 in the PA Senate is SB 761.

Erie’s LGBT community showed its pride Saturday, Aug. 25, as nearly 200 individuals participated in this year’s Erie Gay Pride March/Rally.

About 100 people got the event rolling by marching down State Street from The Zone Dance Club to Perry Square where the rally was held. Several of the city’s most talented Drag Queens got to ride in style in a limousine generously donated by a local funeral home. There was also a Pride float using a truck and trailer donated by another very generous supporter.

The money was flowing and the high-stakes action "intense" at times, but the June 3 Casino Night at Trance was all in fun and all for a good cause. Sponsored by Erie Gay Pride, Inc., the Casino Night raised $915 which will be used to support this year's Erie Gay Pride March/Rally scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 25.

At the conclusion of the games, the participants were about to used their "play money" winnings to bid on the great auction prizes donated by area merchants and organizations including: Gary's Flowers, Eddie Bauers, Surf and Turf Marine, Starbuck's (Millcreek Mall), Tinseltown, Papa Joe's West, McHenry & Company, Bon Ton, Uncle Pete's Kitchen, Roadhouse Theatre, Jerome Arnold LMT, 10th Street Cafe and Market, Erie Sisters, Jewelry by Stephany, The Ultimate Cut, Mohr and More, Blue Heron Inn, WQLN, Mastercuts, Journey's, Celebrate Erie and Erie Art Museum.

This year's Erie Pride March/Rally will feature a variety of speakers, vendors and activities. Events are expected to get underway at 12 noon with the Pride March which will end at Perry Square where the other activities will occur. For more information or to volunteer, call Erie Gay Pride, Inc. at 1-866-229-1974.

On Sunday, May 20, a GLBT Community Activist Meeting will be held at the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 New Perry Highway, Erie PA 16508. All people interested in being part of a community conversation about challenges, successes and needs for Erie's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. On hand will be PA Human Relations Commission chair Steve Glassman, the states highest ranking openly gay appointed official. Pennsylvania is currently considering amending its state laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. We also want to focus on local needs.

For more info, contact Michael Mahler at (814) 456-9833 or info@eriegaynews.com. If you will be coming, an RSVP is requested, but not necessary.

Second Annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Colloquium will be held March 30 and 31, 2007 at Allegheny College, Meadville PA.

The theme of this year's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Colloquium is "Performing Politics: Activism, Inquiry, & Artistry."

The Colloquium is free and open to all; you only need to register. This year's event kicks off at 7:30 PM on Friday, March 30, with world-renowned performance artist Tim Miller. Receptions for students and adults will follow.

To register, up-to-date schedule, and for other information, visit: http://webpub.allegheny.edu/group/pridealliance/ Schedule is subject to change.

Who knew that Drenched Fur would make it this far? Looking back on the previous two years and the work we put into making this run and its legacy, it reminds us of the old ad slogan "You've come a long way baby." From the humble beginning where we wished for maybe 20 guys who would like to get together, to this year's record breaking registrant numbers (120+), it just keeps getting better each year.

Thanks guys for all you have done and I look forward to your assistance with Drenched Fur IV next year, to be held on April 4, 5 & 6 in 2008. We'll see you then!

For more run information, feel free to visit our website at www.drenchedfur.com.

Erie's GLBT community was asked to march with the Erie Peace and Justice Center in Millcreek's 4th of July parade. The GLBT contingent was well received.