Erie Gay News

Joe Sestak Shows Leadership on Ending Don't Ask Don't Tell

Rep. Joe Sestak — 2009-11-06T20:00:00-05:00

MEDIA, PA - As the military continues to discharge thousands of men and women in uniform based on their sexual orientation, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Congressman Joe Sestak wrote to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday, November 4, 2009y, urging the Speaker to bring the Military Enhancement Readiness Act -- which would repeal our military's Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy -- to the House floor for a vote, before Congress adjourns

Author: Rep. Joe Sestak

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Coming Out Research Study

EGN Staff — 2009-10-30T20:00:00-05:00

From Julia Spear, Bsw: I am a graduate student in the Social Work program at Missouri State University . I am looking for gay or lesbian individuals ages 18-28 who have come out to one or more parents in the past five years who are willing to participate in a confidential research study. No identifiable information will be collected.

Article Viewed 88 times.

Quote-Unquote - Pres Obama speaks at HRC dinner

EGN Staff — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

“While progress may be taking longer than you’d like as a result of all that we face – and that’s the truth—do not doubt the direction we are headed and the destination we will reach. My expectation is that when you look back on these years you will see a time in which we put a stop to discrimination against gays and lesbians, whether in the office or on the battlefield. You will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman.” - President Obama at the Human Rights Campaign’s national dinner in Washington, D.C., Oct 10.

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Rainbow Pride Connection LGBT Conference a success

Pat Collins — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

The Rainbow Pride Connection LGBT Conference held Sept. 12-13, 2009 was an outstanding success. Over 100 people attended and all expressed real pleasure with the location at Bellinger Hall on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution. The workshops were educational and interesting, the film “Out in the Silence” was inspiring and the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus was sensation ... and that’s just a few of the highlights of the weekend! The 2010 Conference will be on October 2.

Author: Pat Collins

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Film: 'For The Bible Tells Me So'

EGN Staff — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

The Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Organization for Women will present the film For The Bible Tells Me So on Wednesday, November 18 at 7 PM in the Multipurpose room of the Frank G. Pogue Student Center on the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania campus

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Ask Miss Manners

Rev. Richard Moyer — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

In a recent news broadcast I heard the word civility used several times. It’s a word I hardly ever use. So, the news commentator made me think. Maybe I should not only be using the word; I should make sure that civility describes me and my actions.

Author: Rev. Richard Moyer

Article Viewed 105 times.

News Briefs

Deb Spilko — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

U.S. Senate Passes Defense Authorization Conference Report, Including Hate Crimes Provision; Schwarzenegger signs gay rights bills; Creation of LGBT Elders Resource Center at Department of Health and Human Services

Author: Deb Spilko

Article Viewed 72 times.

John Shelby Spong: A Manifesto! The Time Has Come!

Bishop John Shelby Spong — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

From John Shelby Spong, Episcopal Bishop: have made a decision. I will no longer debate the issue of homosexuality in the church with anyone. I will no longer engage the biblical ignorance that emanates from so many right-wing Christians about how the Bible condemns homosexuality, as if that point of view still has any credibility. I will no longer discuss with them or listen to them tell me how homosexuality is "an abomination to God," about how homosexuality is a "chosen lifestyle," or about how through prayer and "spiritual counseling" homosexual persons can be "cured." Those arguments are no longer worthy of my time or energy. I will no longer dignify by listening to the thoughts of those who advocate "reparative therapy," as if homosexual persons are somehow broken and need to be repaired. I will no longer talk to those who believe that the unity of the church can or should be achieved by rejecting the presence of, or at least at the expense of, gay and lesbian people. I will no longer take the time to refute the unlearned and undocumentable claims of certain world religious leaders who call homosexuality "deviant." I will no longer listen to that pious sentimentality that certain Christian leaders continue to employ, which suggests some version of that strange and overtly dishonest phrase that "we love the sinner but hate the sin." That statement is, I have concluded, nothing more than a self-serving lie designed to cover the fact that these people hate homosexual persons and fear homosexuality itself, but somehow know that hatred is incompatible with the Christ they claim to profess, so they adopt this face-saving and absolutely false statement. I will no longer temper my understanding of truth in order to pretend that I have even a tiny smidgen of respect for the appalling negativity that continues to emanate from religious circles where the church has for centuries conveniently perfumed its ongoing prejudices against blacks, Jews, women and homosexual persons with what it assumes is "high-sounding, pious rhetoric." The day for that mentality has quite simply come to an end for me. I will personally neither tolerate it nor listen to it any longer. The world has moved on, leaving these elements of the Christian Church that cannot adjust to new knowledge or a new consciousness lost in a sea of their own irrelevance. They no longer talk to anyone but themselves. I will no longer seek to slow down the witness to inclusiveness by pretending that there is some middle ground between prejudice and oppression. There isn't. Justice postponed is justice denied. That can be a resting place no longer for anyone. An old civil rights song proclaimed that the only choice awaiting those who cannot adjust to a new understanding was to "Roll on over or we'll roll on over you!" Time waits for no one.

Author: Bishop John Shelby Spong

Article Viewed 168 times.

86-year-old WWII vet�s plea for marriage equality becomes Internet hit

EGN Staff — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

Phillip Spooner made his speech for marriage equality in April, but it is now making the rounds on the Internet. The 86-year-old World War II vet, and father of four, says he didn't fight in World War II for his gay son to be treated as a second class citizen.

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National Equality March

EGN Staff — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

On the weekend of October 10, 2009, several people from the Erie PA region traveled to Washington DC for the National Equality March. Photographers include Ted Smith, Fran Smith, Justin and Dr. Dan Burdick, faculty advisor to Identity, Edinboro University's, LGBTQA student group. Full video coverage of the rally is here.

See the Photo Gallery.

See the Video Gallery.

Article Viewed 124 times.

Opinion: Mr. President, here's the LGBT timeline

Mark Segal — 2009-10-14T20:00:00-05:00

From Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News: There are 2.7-million active servicemembers and reservists in the U.S. military. For debate purposes, let’s say 5-percent (use whatever figure you wish here) are gay, lesbian or bisexual and come under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” If every one were discharged, that’s 135,000 possible casualties of the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers.

Author: Mark Segal

Article Viewed 103 times.

Voters Uphold Equality for LGBT Citizens As Openly-Gay Candidates Win Across the Country

Jake Kaskey — 2009-11-03T20:00:00-05:00

Voters in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Washington State yesterday upheld legislation that provides equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people as dozens of openly-gay candidates were voted into elected office across the country. With voters, at times overwhelming, supporting pro-equality issues and candidates, local municipalities and states across the country continue their movement toward providing full equality for LGBT people.

Author: Jake Kaskey

Article Viewed 57 times.

Victory: Scholastic Reverses Decision to Exclude Gay Friendly Book from Fairs

Michael A Jones — 2009-10-29T20:00:00-05:00

This is Mike Jones, Editor of the Gay Rights blog on Change.org, writing with great news. Scholastic Books just responded to the petition you all signed on Change.org criticizing the company for excluding a book from their popular books fairs simply because one of the characters had two lesbian mothers. I'm happy to say that because of the collective strength of the 4,000 people who signed the petition, Scholastic has reversed their decision to exclude the book â€œ Lauren Myracle's Luv Ya Bunchesâ€œ and has released a statement affirming the dignity of gay and lesbian parents.

Author: Michael A Jones

Article Viewed 61 times.

Vertigo events

Kirsten — 2009-11-06T20:00:00-05:00

Excting events coming up at Vertigo in Butler, PA.

Author: Kirsten

Article Viewed 49 times.

Win Sugarland's Holiday CD - Green and Gold

EGN Staff — 2009-11-05T20:00:00-05:00

Erie Gay News is giving away Sugarland's first-ever holiday CD, Green and Gold! To enter, just fill out the form here between November 6 and November 27.

Article Viewed 216 times.

NW PA COLAGE chapter forming

EGN Staff — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

Northwestern Pennsylvania now has a local chapter of Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE). To get things kicked off we are having our first event at Rolling Meadow Lanes in Erie. Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 12th at 2 PM to meet and sign-in. PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE! This was initially announced for December 5th. It has been moved to December 12th.

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Giving Zone

EGN Staff — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

The Zone Dance Club had a very successful breast cancer awareness fundraiser the weekend of October 10-11 and thanks all who made it such a success. They will also be having a food drive on November 15 at yet another Sunday edition of Michelle Michaels' drag series, Face.

Article Viewed 75 times.

Screen

Deb Spilko — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

Theatre, Online, Ganes and Video of GLBT interest

Author: Deb Spilko

Article Viewed 91 times.

2009 Bread Box Awards

EGN Staff — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

"The Erie GLBT Community” received a 2009 Bread Box Award from Second Harvest Food Bank. Food was collected around the holidays last year as part of the Nationwide Food Drive for Equality. Colledtion sites included Chicory Hill Herbs, Craze Night Club, Mercyhurst College, Papa Joe’s downtown, Zodiac Dinor, and Zone Dance Club. The Erie Gay News also received an award for donations collected at the 2009 Picnic.

See the Photo Gallery.

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Spoken word artists and Poets

EGN Staff — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

Looking for spoken word artists and poets for 2009 World AIDS Day Awareness events For additional information and submissions, contact : erieawareness09@yahoo.com or call 814-824-8533

Article Viewed 78 times.

PFLAG Butler update

Joe Tomlinson — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

PFLAG Butler was interviewed on WBUT radion on October 10, successful fundraiser by Vertigo and new web site!

Author: Joe Tomlinson

Article Viewed 54 times.

Diversity Day at SUNY Fredonia on Wed Nov 11

EGN Staff — 2009-11-07T20:00:00-05:00

Reality TV show producers figured out years ago that high-drama individuals usually translate to big ratings. The organizers of SUNY Fredonia’s first Diversity Day are hoping that adage holds true for attendance figures at campus events as well. On Wednesday, Nov, 11, the campus will welcome reality TV star Ruthie Alcaide, one of the more unique and memorable cast members of the hit MTV series, “The Real World.”

Article Viewed 95 times.

BUA presents 'Texas Homos'

EGN Staff — 2009-10-22T20:00:00-05:00

Cecil and Jim Bob have been caught engaging in gay sex in a police sting at a public restroom in Tyler, Texas. Since one is the town doctor and the other a preacher, and since both have wives, and children, this creates more than a few problems. A third man caught in the sting complicates matter further: he thinks they should all enter a guilty plea and become gay heroes. Comic and compelling!

Article Viewed 73 times.

Win Kelly King's CD - The Real Definition: Workin� Girl Remixes

EGN Staff — 2009-10-29T20:00:00-05:00

Erie Gay News is giving away 2 copies of Kelly Kings, The Real Definition: Workin’ Girl Remixes! To enter, just fill out the form here between October 30 and November 20.

Article Viewed 195 times.

Rabbi Steve Greenberg to Present Lecture, Other Events at Allegheny College

EGN Staff — 2009-11-08T20:00:00-05:00

MEADVILLE, Pa. – Nov. 5, 2009 – Rabbi Steve Greenberg will present “Civil Law and Sacred Text,” the 2009 Samuel Schick Lecture, on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Tippie Alumni Center on the Allegheny College campus. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will be followed at 8:30 p.m. by a screening and discussion of “And Thou Shalt Love,” a short documentary film about gay Orthodox Jews.

Article Viewed 43 times.

Youth

EGN Staff — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

Campus Pride: creating safer college environments; Youth email list; "Coming Out in Middle School" article in NY Times.

Article Viewed 58 times.

Great American Smokeout Nov 19

EGN Staff — 2009-10-26T20:00:00-05:00

Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout® by smoking less or quitting for the day on the third Thursday of November. The event challenges people to stop using tobacco and helps make people aware of the many tools they can use to quit for good.

Article Viewed 121 times.

Win Lauren Hildenbrandt's Not Really a Waitress CD

EGN Staff — 2009-10-23T20:00:00-05:00

Erie Gay News is giving away 4 copies of Lauren Hildenbrandt's Not Really a Waitress CD! To enter, just fill out the form here between October 23 and November 13

Article Viewed 218 times.

Casey Calls for Passage of Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Sen. Bob Casey — 2009-11-05T20:00:00-05:00

WASHINGTON, DC- At a hearing on November 5, 2009 of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) urged passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Senator Casey is a cosponsor of ENDA.

Author: Sen. Bob Casey

Article Viewed 95 times.

Healthy Anger

Michael Kimmel — 2009-11-04T20:00:00-05:00

How much anger is healthy? As a therapist, I’m asked this a lot. People want to find out if they’re “normal” on the anger-o-meter scale (whatever that is). Some people say “I feel angry all the time”, while others tell me, “I don’t know what to do with my anger”. In working with couples, I often hear one of the two people say, “I don’t know why I’m so angry, but I sure am pissed off at you!” Anger is a normal part of life, but what do we do with it?

Author: Michael Kimmel

Article Viewed 94 times.

Lobbying meetings with Dahlkemper�s office

Michael Mahler — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

On October 8, several of us in Erie’s GLBT community met with Amy Cuzzola-Kern of Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper’s Erie office. The purpose of the meeting was to continue our effort of lobbying in support of pending federal GLBT legislation. Some of us had met with Kathy in January. We were the first group to meet with her the day her Erie office opened.

Author: Michael Mahler

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Center for Political Participation to Sponsor Lecture on Gay Rights and the Republican Party

EGN Staff — 2009-11-08T20:00:00-05:00

Scott Ables, a national director of the Log Cabin Republicans, will present “Gay Rights and the Republican Party,” a free public lecture, on Monday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. in the Tippie Alumni Center on the Allegheny College campus.

Article Viewed 77 times.

Out in the Silence screening in Erie

Deb Spilko — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

On Wednesday, October 21, 2009, Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer presented a screening of their documentary, Out in the Silence, at the Hirt Auditorium at Blasco Public Library in Erie PA. The documentary addresses discrimination against GLBT people in rural areas, particularly Oil City. The screening was followed by panelists from a variety of backgrounds.

Author: Deb Spilko

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On Stage

Deb Spilko — 2009-10-27T20:00:00-05:00

Selected live perfomances of possible GLBT interest.

Author: Deb Spilko

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