April 2010 October 2003
EGN
Erie Pride weekend pages 9-12
Erie Gay News
PA Superior Court grants custody rights to LGBT parents in PA from Equality PA On February 25, in a 7-1 decision, the PA Superior Court issued an opinion that overturned 25 years of precedent in which homsexual relationships were deemed to have an “adverse effect on [a] child” in custody cases. The decision by the state Superior Court reflects the progression of child custody laws in Pennsylvania, as attitudes and sentiments toward LGBT issues begins to become more favorable.
NY Assembly Passes GENDA
from Empire Pride Agenda On March 2, the New York State Assembly voted by an overwhelming bipartisan margin to amend the state’s human rights law to include anti-discrimination protections based upon gender identity and expression. The bill (A.5710), known as the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), bans discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment, credit and public accommodations. It also expands the state’s hate crimes law to explicitly include crimes against transgender people. The Assembly has now passed the bill by large bipartisan margins the past three years; Governor Paterson has also said he will sign GENDA into law should the Legislature send
Mark M. Pacheco page on EGN website
We will have a page on the Erie Gay News website for Mark M. Pacheco, the Jamestown NY man who died March 15 due to injuries from an attack. The content of the page will be done with the approval of Mark’s family and friends. People on the Erie GLBT List will be notified when the page goes up, and a direct link will be included.
Jeremiah Clark will be performing with Tom Goss on Sunday, April 11 at the Presque Isle Gallery Coffeehouse. it to him. “The State Senate remains the only obstacle to passing GENDA. It is now time for the Senate to follow the Assembly’s lead and end discrimination against transgender New Yorkers once and for all by passing GENDA,” said Interim Executive Director Joe Tarver Tarver. “Transgender New Yorkers can’t—and shouldn’t have to—wait any longer.” Read full press release at www.prideagenda.org
Dining Out for Life set for April 27
from AIDS Community Services of WNY Take a short ride to purchase a great meal for a great cause on Tuesday, April 27 when more than 100 restaurants in western New York State participate in the eighth annual Dining Out For Life fund-raiser to benefit AIDS Community Services of WNY. Choose a restaurant, make reservations and enjoy (continued on page 3)