Local dancer Brett Fallon of Dance Elite Company talks with Christian Bussiere of Spotlight TV.

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EGN recently asked members of LBT Women of Erie (AKA Beans) to offer their thoughts, feelings, impressions, experiences etc. regarding the group.

On Saturday, June 12, 2010, at the 18th Annual Erie Gay News Family Pride Picnic held at Presque Isle State Park in Erie PA, people were encouraged to participate in the Love Is Not a Crime photo project. GLBT people and their friends, families and supporters were all welcomed to have their photo taken. Crystal and other volunteers took photos. Photo editing is by Deb Spilko, co-editor of Erie Gay News.

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NEW YORK, Sept. 1, 2010 – New research, conducted by GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), examining how in-school victimization and institutional support affect LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) student connectedness at school, has been published in the September issue of The Prevention Researcher.

NEW YORK, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- This is not your grandmother's gardening show! "The Arrangement," the first-ever floral design competition series, shows what it takes to be a master in the cutthroat business of extreme floral design. With high stakes challenges, colorful contestants and explosive conflicts, "The Arrangement" reveals that surviving the world of floral design is far from "tip-toeing through the tulips." The eight-episode, one-hour series, "The Arrangement," premieres on Logo Monday, October 4th at 11/10c.

I was recently at a party where I was asked, “As a therapist, can you tell me why there are so many more bottoms than tops in the gay world?   Well, some things may be eternal mysteries, but I’ll give the question my best shot.  I can’t assume that this guy’s observations are accurate (and who could prove them?), but the question of why people choose to be top/bottom/versatile is a fascinating one.  Unfortunately, I haven’t seen much research in psychological journals on this matter, so I will have to go with my own observations as a psychotherapist and openly gay man.  

Author: Michael Kimmel

From End Bigotry in Venango County: by Joe Wilson, August, 31, 2010. Diane Gramley sat peacefully behind Robert Wagner in the Coudersport Public Library as the retired physician shared his views on transgender individuals with the assembled audience. “I'm gonna put a ball bat in my car,” he said, “and if I ever see a guy [Wagner refuses to use proper pronouns] coming out of a bathroom that my granddaughter's in, I'm gonna use the ball bat on him.”

Author: Joe Wilson

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PLEASE Take 3 minutes for a survey for Dreams of Hope. Their newly-formed marketing committee (a first!) would love to get your input on some key points that will help them spread their message. Could you please take 3 minutes to respond to a survey? The link is below.

NEW YORK, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Logo's highly-anticipated new docu-reality series will give viewers a V.I.P. pass into the fabulous -- and ferocious -- lives of New York's gay elite.  Follow the most envied and sought-after men of New York City as they live the high life hopping from boardroom to benefit to beach house to bedroom.  Watch the drama unfold as they attempt to "have it all" juggling their careers, families, friends and perhaps most importantly, enemies.  The nine-episode, one hour series is executive produced by True Entertainment, an Endemol Company.  "The A-List: New York" premieres Monday, October 4th at 10/9c on Logo.

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NEW YORK, August 30, 2010 – GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, congratulates ABC’s “Modern Family,” a groundbreaking hit comedy that includes the positive portrayal of a family headed by LGBT parents and has addressed bullying in schools, for its six Emmy wins Sunday, including Outstanding Comedy Series. GLSEN will honor the show at the Respect Awards – Los Angeles, Presented by Centropolis Entertainment, on Oct. 8 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

NEW YORK, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Logo, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), announced today that TripOutGayTravel.com, its comprehensive travel site dedicated to the LGBT traveler and MTV Network's first stand-alone, travel-focused site, will present its second annual "TripOut Gay Travel Awards." The awards will once again honor the most stylish, exciting and hottest destinations and services that attract, pamper and market to the LGBT traveler.

So how do you begin a new fitness training program? It starts with levity and fun. The key to life is to enjoy that very thing…life. How to do that? Fun…fun with moderate doses of responsibility. As a fitness trainer, my job is to encourage you to take responsibility for your life. Maybe not quite to the degree of your friendly neighborhood preacher who pounds the pulpit and proclaims all homosexuals doomed to kiss the conflagration of hell because of their evil and irresponsible ways. I’m a kinder, gentler more compassionate kind of fitness trainer. At least that’s what they taught me when I was still a straight boy in college. Then I saw the light when I ran into this self-absorbed fitness enthusiast who converted me into a rainbow flag-waving, Prada dressing extrovert and taught me that I too could earn a free toaster if I transmogrified three breeder boys to the dark side. No more tangent thoughts or digressions! This is a fitness column and I’ve gotta save you heathens from your licentious and hedonistic lifestyles!

Author: Ron Blake

On Sunday, August 22, 2010, the LBT Women of Erie had a great time on the Fireworks Cruise on the Victorian Princess. The fireworks were part of the closing night of CelebrateErie. Photos are by Laurie Finch, coordinator for the group.

Author: Laurie Finch

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On Friday, August 20, 2010, the LBT Women of Erie traveled to Pittsburgh to see Toronto-based comedian Maggie Cassella in a one-night-only show. Photos are by Laurie Finch, coordinator for the group.

Author: Laurie Finch

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Upcoming meetings, PFLAG, GLSEN and the School Board, Butler Fall Festival, Planning Retreat, Regional Mini-Summit on Social Change for Butler and Beaver Counties on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Slippery Rock University, Ways to be involved, GLBTQI and Allied Youth Spirituality Event, What Does Your Candidate Say?, HIV: A Part of Who We Are

Author: Joe Tomlinson

A former Erie woman is conducting a survey on heterosexual and homosexual families for a college course. To respond to the survey, please browse to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YMTFMWV. Thanks!

Author: Tara

For 2011 the Steering Committee for the week before Valentine's Day of advocacy decided to focus on general LGBT equality.  We believe that the ideas behind each event also demonstrate the need to include LGBT into existing nondiscrimination and hate crime laws.  We also hope to consolidate the enthusiasm behind each of these objectives into a single demand for equality.  The name was changed to LGBT Freedom Week. 

Author: Bolton Winpenny

On July 25, an early morning fire in their West 18th Street apartment claimed the lives of Gwyneth Henry, 44, and Tyreesha Richardson, 31. The devoted couple had been together for several years. They leave behind seven children. On July 30, 2010, friends gathered for a benefit in their memory at the Booker T Washington Center, 1705 Holland St, Erie PA.The event included a DJ and food. Photos are by Deb Spilko for Erie Gay News. This is also a memorial page for Tyreesha and Gwyn. Please feel free to contribute photos, prayers, comments, poems, memories or anything else you wish to share. Funds have been set up for the children at local banks. Donations may be made to the Gwyn Henry Memorial Fund at any at any First Niagara Bank location, and the Tyreesha Richardson Memorial Fund at any PNC Bank. You can also contact Kara Onorato at (814) 602-5297 with any questions about donations or fundraising.

Author: Deb Spilko

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Pennsylvania Diversity Network (PDN) fosters strength and vitality in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Community by providing news, information, presentations, health programs, events and other services.  Geographically focused on the Greater Lehigh Valley and Berks County, PDN covers Lehigh and Northampton Counties and the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton & Reading and other areas of Eastern Pennsylvania.  PDN is the largest Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender organization in Pennsylvania.

Author: Bolton Winpenny

NAPA, CA – Today, the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Redwoods Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) upheld 3 of 4 charges against Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr that she “violated her ordination vows” by presiding at the marriages of same-gender couples. All the marriages were performed during the period in which the state of California legally recognized these marriages, June 17, 2008 through November 3, 2008.