Erie Gay News

Win Hard at Work by Brad Saunders. Erie Gay News is giving away 5 copies of this collection of erotic tales. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from August 13 through September 3.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 — Federal Judge Vaughn Walker, who recently ruled that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, today denied a motion for a stay of the ruling from Prop. 8 proponents, meaning same-sex couples will again be able to marry in California on Aug. 18.

New York, NY--Earlier today, CNN released a national poll in which they asked, "Do you think gays and lesbians should have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid?"  52% of respondents replied "Yes."  46% replied "No." And 2% had "No Opinion."  Sampling Error: +/-4.5 Percentage Points

Are you a jealous person?  What makes you jealous?  Jealousy is a form of self-sabotage.  It rarely helps you get what you want.  Jealousy usually is a sign that something is “off” in you.  Not necessarily in others; but in you.  Sure, you may have reasons to be concerned about a friend, job or lover.  But being concerned isn’t the same as being jealous.  Being concerned is a reality-based strategy.  Concerned people communicate calmly and rationally about their concerns and work with others for mutual solutions.  Jealous people are rarely calm or rational.  Jealousy is usually irrational. 

Author: Michael Kimmel

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study looking at the role probiotics may play in increasing CD4 cell count in people with HIV infection is underway at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). Today, researchers began a 3-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to demonstrate safety and efficacy of taking capsules with 2 billion cells of a strain of Bacillus coagulans probiotics known as GanedenBC30 to increase critical CD4 cell count, a measure of immune status used to gauge progression of HIV infection.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans and their allies, announced today that it's new lobbying arm, the Servicemembers United Action Fund, has launched its first web ad on repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The new ad is the first in a series that will be rolled out during August and September at www.MilitaryReadiness.org.

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PFLAG National praised the release of a new publication intended to improve the care that diverse populations receive, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients. The publication, issued by the Joint Commission, has significant power in guiding healthcare practices and policies since the guidelines that it issues are followed by about 80% of U.S. hospitals.

OUT IN THE SILENCE, a documentary film about the quest for fairness & equality for LGBT people in small towns & rural communities, just received the most important honor imaginable, recognition from the Oil City Arts Council, an amazing organization and group of people working for change in the very community portrayed in the film.

On Sunday, July 18, 2010, Michelle Michaels and other drag performers celebrated the 1 year anniversary of FACE, the drag show happening the 3rd Sunday of the month at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. Many talented performers contributed to making the night a stunning success! Photos are by Michael Mahler for Erie Gay News, with editing by Deb Splko, Co-editor of Erie Gay News.

Author: Michael Mahler

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Win an Erika Jayne Pretty Mess Prize Pack.. Erie Gay News is giving away 5 prize packs consisting of an Erika Jayne T-shirt (new print!), a signed mini-poster and a Pretty Mess Club Mixes CD. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from August 6 through August 27.

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NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2010 – GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, praises today’s introduction of the Safe Schools Improvement Act, a federal anti-bullying bill that includes protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, in the Senate by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and 10 cosponsors.

Win the new CD Born to be Blue by jazz vocalist and artist Solitaire Miles. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from August 5 through August 26.

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BERKELEY, CA – Pacific School of Religion and its Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry applaud U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision that California’s ban on same-sex marriage violates the United States Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection under the law. The decision, along with Judge Joseph L. Tauro’s July 8, 2010 ruling in Massachusetts that the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, forms the legal foundation for overturning all discriminatory laws against same-sex couples seeking marriage in states and municipalities throughout the country. The leadership of Pacific School of Religion and the executive director of the seminary’s Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry (CLGS), and clergy from diverse faith traditions celebrated this ruling and reissued a call for marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples in California and across the country. Their comments and contact information appear below:

Reactions from various organizations to the ruling by Judge Vaughn Walker striking down California's Prop 8 as being unconstitutional.

In this crazy economic time, so many people have lost their jobs, their homes, their stock portfolios, their retirement monies.  How can we cope with change and major upsets in our lives?  What do we do when we’re scared shitless about the present and/or the future?  Even if the changes are “good” (e.g., you’ve found a new job, you’re moving in with your partner, or you’re going back to college to finish your degree) it’s still scary and daunting.  What to do?

Author: Michael Kimmel

ANCHORAGE, AK — Three Alaska same-sex couples have filed a lawsuit today challenging the state of Alaska's tax-assessment rules, which discriminate against same-sex couples by denying them equal access to a property tax exemption for senior citizens and disabled veterans. Those who qualify and who live with same-sex partners are only permitted to, at most, half of the exemption available to opposite-sex married couples because they are treated as roommates rather than families.

Upcoming meetings, successful first picnic, Butler Area School District has PFLAG on the agencda for August 16 - your input and help needed! Transgender Panel, Sexual Minoroty Spirituality, Candidate info.

Author: Joe Tomlinson

Win Jazz Idiom: Blueprints, Stills and Frames. Erie Gay News is giving away 5 copies. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from August 3 through August 24.

New York, August 2, 2010 — Gay and lesbian consumers are more optimistic than many Americans about the overall direction of the country, its future economic growth, the job market and their own personal financial condition, according to survey results published in The Gay and Lesbian Market in the U.S.: Trends and Opportunities in the LGBT Community, 6th Edition by market research publisher Packaged Facts.  Armed with this confidence and $743 billion in estimated 2010 buying power, the U.S. population of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adults is expected to amp up discretionary spending on products and services in the wake of the recession and emerging recovery.

(Charlotte, NC) – As thousands of students return to their college or university campus and as many step onto campus as a new student for the first time this fall semester, they now have one complete and comprehensive national resource ranking for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) inclusion and friendliness.