Erie Gay News

I have gone to the archives for this week’s column. I wrote this poem a couple of years ago but have brought it out of the closet for an encore. I thought it might be a good idea to re-introduce “You Could” just before summertime when people are threatening to get in shape and are battling all those objections. Cut this poem out of the paper or magazine you are reading and put this in a place where you will see it. Let this be your light-hearted reminder that “you could” do it if you wanted to do it.

Author: Ron Blake

Article Viewed 97 times.

McDonald's France has released a new gay ad campaign entitled "Come As You Are" which promotes McDonald's being a place where people can feel free to be themselves. Get the full story here.

See the Video Gallery.

Washington, DC – US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director John Berry praised the issuance of the Presidential Memorandum which directs Federal agencies to begin immediately to implement the changes necessary to extend benefits to same-sex domestic partners of federal employees that are currently available to opposite sex spouses, wherever permitted by law. The benefits that will be extended were identified by agencies in reports supplied to OPM. OPM, along with the Department of Justice, analyzed the agency reports, and recommended to the President that all of the benefits the agencies identified could and should be extended to same sex domestic partners of federal employees.

Win Laura Bell Bundy's CD Achin' and Breakin'. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from June 4 though June 25.

Article Viewed 304 times.

Updates about coming PFLAG Butler meetings and events, info about Butler County School Board, participation in nearby events and more.

Author: Joe Tomlinson

Article Viewed 197 times.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans, proudly hailed the passage of the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in the House of Representatives that would repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. The amendment, which was offered by Congressman Patrick Murphy (DPA), passed by a vote of 234 - 194.

Article Viewed 79 times.

Renaissance City Choirs’ annual Pittsburgh Pride cabaret show, entitled this year "Let's Talk About Sex, Baby!", will be at the Grey Box Theatre, 3595 Butler Street, Pittsburgh PA (Enter at Butler Street entrance) on Friday, June 4, 2010, Saturday, June 5, 2010 and Sunday, June 6, 2010 from 8 PM to 10 PM. Renaissance City Choirs Ensemble will present titillating musical selections that will provide a light-hearted take on everything you always
wanted to know about sex (but were afraid to ask). The show will feature some classic naughty bits such as The Masochism Tango, Gratuitous Nudity from the hit show Naked Boys Singing! and a hilarious number from Avenue Q that reveals the true purpose of the internet! Due to the risqué nature of some of the performances, you may want to hire a sitter for the kids.

Article Viewed 103 times.

As the directors of “Out in the Silence,” a documentary about the struggle for visibility, justice and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people in rural and small town America, we were greatly encouraged by our experiences in Venango County over the four years of making the film. But as we travel to screening events across Pennsylvania, using it as a tool for community education and dialogue, we are troubled by reports that the problems at Franklin High School that are portrayed in the film continue or have gotten worse.

Author: Joe Wilson

Article Viewed 154 times.

NEW YORK, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Logo, the entertainment network for gays, lesbians and their families and friends announced today that award-winning dancer/choreographer, dynamic performer, multi-platinum recording artist and popular entertainment personality, Paula Abdul will be honored with the Always Next, Forever Now Icon Award at the 2010 "NewNowNext Awards."  Given annually, this special award pays homage to a beloved pop icon.  Paula is slated to accept her award in person at the "NewNowNext Awards" taping at the Edison in Downtown Los Angeles on June 8th.

Article Viewed 127 times.

You are invited to You Belong (in your legislator's office!): A Town Hall Forum and Training Session on Wednesday, June 9th from 7pm-9pm at the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh, 429 First Avenue, 1st Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Author: Jason Crighton

Article Viewed 119 times.

You can divorce an abusive spouse. You can call it quits if your lover mistreats you. But what can you do if the source of your misery are your own parents?  No parent is perfect.  But just as there are ordinary good-enough parents who mysteriously produce a difficult child, there are some decent people who have the misfortune of having really horrible parents.

Author: Michael Kimmel

Article Viewed 94 times.

ERIE – SafeNet’s 4th Annual Poker Run – Ride to End Domestic Violence will be held Sunday, June 27, 2010. Registration begins at 10 a.m. until noon at the SafeNet Center, 1702 French St. This year’s stops include Hunter Jack’s Bar and Grill in Girard, Creekside Bar and Grille in Waterford, Fatboy’s Saloon in Conneautville, Kim’s Townhouse in Union City and the last bike in at 4 p.m. at Coconut Joe’s, North Park Row in downtown Erie.

Author: Rick Liebel

It may seem too good to be true, but yes gaytravel.com is looking to hire someone to travel North America for six months, all expenses paid plus $30,000.  The job?  You have to blog, upload photos and videos and share your experiences with our site visitors.  To help spread the word, we hosted launch parties in San Diego and New York City… next up …the queer capital of the Midwest, Chicago.

Author: Jon Fairbanks

Article Viewed 104 times.

On Sunday, May 23, 2010, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 New Perry Highway, Erie PA held a Stonewall Celebration service in support of equality for LGBT people. Rev. Steve Aschmann led the service, which included performing and speaking by Pat Collins of Rainbow Pride Connection in Chautauqua County, NY, signing of a closet door, lighting of candles and a delightful coffeehour afterward.

Author: Deb Spilko

See the Photo Gallery.

When Kiddo asked me to go to gay pride in our state capitol, I was all, no! I have to work on my book! I was worried, too, that my bad knee would give out on a long march. Then I remembered the Golden Crown Literary Society back in June, and how I danced for hours with anyone in sight, and lots with my sweetheart-to-be. I thought, if I can dance, I can march.

Author: Lee Lynch

Win Bobby Blanchard, Lesbian Gym Teacher by author Monica Nolan. Erie Gay News is giving away 5 copies! To enter the contest, fill out the form here from May 28 though June 18.

Article Viewed 421 times.

On Sunday, May 16, 2010, friends and family gathered at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 New Perry Highway, Erie PA to celebrate the life and memory of Abbey Atkinson, who died on April 19, 2010 at the age of 32. Abbey had been president of Trigon, the Penn State Behrend LGBT student group and had organized many events, including the hugely successful 2002 and 2003 Pride Weekends. She was preparing to take her bar exam in Florida after having graduated law school. She was unfailingly kind, cheerful and selfless. Photos are by Deb Spilko for Erie Gay News. Abbey's memorial page on Facebook is at http://www.facebook.com/TheAbbeyAtkinsonMemorial

Article Viewed 330 times.

Abbey Atkinson remembered, upcoming LBT Women events, preparing for Pride Picnic on June 12, enjoyed a lovely Stonewall Celebration at the UU, and looking forward to Pittsburgh Memorial Day Picnic and Pride Youngstown.

Author: Michael Mahler

Article Viewed 176 times.

Various TV, film, DVD and video releases of interest to GLBT audiences.

Author: Deb Spilko

See the Video Gallery.

Article Viewed 200 times.

A few days ago I received an e-mail from a man who described himself as a Christian evangelist. He wrote that he had seen our church advertised on the internet as a congregation that is open and affirming. It seemed to bother him a great deal that we would welcome LGBT persons into the life, ministry and fellowship of our church. He stated that he had a background in Biblical studies. He asked why I do not preach Jesus’ teaching against homosexuality to my congregation.

Author: Rev. Richard Moyer

Article Viewed 192 times.