EGN200301

January 2003

PA Hate Crime bill now law, page 8

EGN Erie Gay News

Calendar Please note that this calendar is also online at www.eriegaynews.com/calendar.html Dec 20 - Peppermint Ball (The Zone, 1711 State St., Erie PA) "Santa's helpers and the ladies of the Zone put on a spectacular holiday show just for you!" For more info, call (814) 459-1711 or browse to www.zonedanceclub.com.

Dec 21 & 22 - Concert: “We Wish You the Merriest” (Cleveland OH) Part of North Coast Men’s Chorus (NCMC) 15th Anniversary. Concert performed Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM at Cleveland State University’s Waetjen Auditorium, Music and Communications Bldg, 2001 Euclid Ave at E 21st St., Cleveland OH. “Join the chorus for their annual holiday concerts, bringing you mirth and merriment in a way that only NCMC can.” Tickets available at www.tickets.com or by calling (800) 766-6048. Single ticket price: $15 in advance / $20 at the door.

Dec 21 - Naughty or Nice Underwear and Pajama Party (The Zone, 1711 State St., Erie PA) "Santa wants to know how you behaved this year! Wear "Naughty" Christmas underwear or "Nice" warm sleepwear! Gifts to all who participate! ...coal to those who don't! Fun for all! Merry Christmas from the Zone!" For more info, call (814) 459-1711 or browse the Zone’s web site at www.zonedanceclub.com.

Dec 21 - Annual Christmas Show and Party (The Village, 133 W 18th, Erie PA) For more info, call (814) 452-0125 or browse to www.thevillageerie.com.

Dec 31 - New Year’s Eve Dance Escape (Perry Hi Way Hose Co, 8170 Peach St., Erie PA) Perry HiWay Hose Company, 8170 Peach Street, 8 PM - 1 AM. $8.00 admission at the door (no ticket sales). Some veggie trays and cheese & cracker trays included in price. BYOB (no bar available, ice is available.) Must be 21 years of age with valid ID. Music provided by DJ Jill (bring your favorite CD). Contact Cheryl at (814)

835-9090, danceescape@lycos.com or http:// danceescape.tripod.com Dec 31 - New Year’s Eve Blast! (The Zone, 1711 State St., Erie PA) “We saved the best for last! Join your friends as we ring in the New Year! Champagne toast and Midnight buffet! Get ready for more fun in 2003! Happy New Year to all!” Also, open New Year’s Day (January 1) at 8 PM. For more info, call (814) 459-1711 or browse to www.zonedanceclub.com.

EGN

In This Issue...

Calendar .................................................................. 1 PFLAG News ........................................................ 5 NY Outlaws Anti-Gay Discrimination ................... 7 PA hate crimes bill now law ...................................... 8 Local Couple 2nd Parent Adoption First .................. 9 Entertainment notes .................................................. 10 Letters ...................................................................... 12 NY to survey students on harassment ........................ 13 EGN Crossword ..................................................... 14 Resource Directory .................................................... 15

Erie Gay News

Erie Gay News 1115 West 7th St. Erie PA 16502-1105 (814) 456-9833 info@eriegaynews.com www.eriegaynews.com Deadline: the 15th of each month.

The Erie Gay News is published monthly as a source of news, events, information and support for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered people (GLBT’s), their families, friends & supporters in the Erie and Northwest Pennsylvania Area.

On the Cover...

“Brian and Larry set up Nativity scene” Photo by: Mike Miller

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We welcome and encourage all readers to submit timely news, comments and opinions of interest to local GLBT’s for publication in these pages. We will consider for publication any nonfiction article, blurb or illustration graphic which upholds this spirit.

Please include your contact information with any piece that you submit.

We will not publish any material which promotes hatred or discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identification, race, religion, age, class, physical ability or any other reason. We do not support the exploitation of minors.

Views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the EGN staff.

Copyright 2003 by Erie Gay News.

Thank You: To Dave Amy, Rich, Paul Mockovack, Jerry McCumber and Marshall Snyder for collating and Gary Yuhas for proofreading last issue. Thanks!

If you’re interested in helping out, contact Michael Mahler at (814) 456-9833 or info@eriegaynews.com for date/time.

call 456-9833 or email info@eriegaynews.com Deadline for ads is the 15th

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Erie Gay News - January 2003

Dec. 31 - The Village: New Year’s Gay-La! (The Village, 133 W 18th, Erie PA) “Come party in style as both The Village and The Zone ring it in right! Party Favors, Champagne Toast at Midnight and Complimentary Buffet. Open New Year’s Day. We never never close” For more info, call (814) 452-0125 or browse to www.thevillageerie.com.

Jan 11 - 10% Network meets: Porn Swap (Rob & Jonathan’s on Lakeview Dr, Jamestown NY) Bring a dish to pass. Contact Don or Martin at (716) 4849659 or donjaye@hotmail.com for details/questions or http://jamestowntenpercent.tripod.com.

Jan 12 - Jazz Brunch: Comfort Food Extravaganza (The Village, 133 W 18th, Erie PA) Noon to 6 PM. For more info, call (814) 452-0125 or browse to www.thevillageerie.com.

Jan 13 - PFLAG Erie/Crawford County Meets (UU Erie, 7180 New Perry Highway, Erie PA) See Regularly Meeting Groups section for details.

Jan 14 - Straight Spouse Network of PFLAG (Call for location) See Regularly Meeting Groups section for PFLAG contact info.

Jan 18 - Menspace meets (Rich’s, Erie PA) Gay/bi men’s social group. Contact Michael at info@eriegaynews.com or (814) 456-9833 or browse http://menspace.eriegaynews.com.

Jan 19 - Ecumenical Service: Witness Our Welcome (Erie PA) You are invited to attend the worship service of Third Sunday WOW (Witness Our Welcome) - an informal, confidential, ecumenical welcoming worship group that offers Christian community and affirming fellowship for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their supporters. A pot luck dinner will follow the service. Please bring a dish to share. Please bring a friend and help spread the word about the services. Third Sunday of July, and September always at 5 PM with communion, and always followed by a pot luck. The services are some of the

most awesome and Spirit-filled those who attend have ever experienced. Questions: Robin Cuneo, cuneo@cecomet.net, Rev. Lyta Seddig, rseddig@allegheny.edu Jan 20 -TV: P.O.V.: Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin 8 PM. During his 60-year career as an activist Bayard Rustin’s open homosexuality forced him to remain in the background of the civil rights movement Premieres on WQLN and WNED Jan. 20. (More at www.pbs.org - check P.O.V.) Jan 23-25 - Margaret Cho at the Improv (Pittsburgh) Info (412) 462-5233 Jan 25 - Greg Ropp performs (Harmony Pi Coffeehouse, Unity Church, Edinboro PA) Harmony Pi Coffeehouse is held in the basement of the Unity Church in Edinboro (right next to Burger King). Other musicians will also be performing. Admission is free.

Donations are appreciated. Show begins at 7 PM. I usually go on around 9. For information call (814)7348541 or visit Greg's website at www.angelfire.com/ pa/5emptychambers/ Jan 26 - Soup-er Bowl Party (The Village, 133 W 18th, Erie PA) “Come watch the pigskin fly and ‘pig out’ on a delicious selection of Game Munchies!!

Homemade soups & desserts. Pregame fun starts at 5

Lake Erie Counseling Associates Gay Affirmative Therapy for

Individuals - Couples - F amilies Families Dale Allgeier Allgeier,, LCSW LCSW,, ACSW William Stanley LCSW,, QCSW Stanley,, LCSW Debra Br own, LSW Brown,

Insurance Accepted Sliding F ee Scale Fee 301 W est T enth Str eet West Tenth Street Erie, P A 16502 PA 814-455-4009 Proudly ser ving the Gay & L esbian Community serving Lesbian since 1994

Erie Gay News - January 2003

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PM, maybe earlier, we just don’t know yet!” For info, call (814) 452-0125 or check www.thevillageerie.com.

Feb 5 -“Always Our Children” meets (Catholic Charities, 329 W 10th St., Erie PA) Support group for Catholic parents of gay children (814) 456-2091.

Feb 6 - Safer Sex Cabaret (McGarvey Commons, Penn State Behrend, Erie PA 7:30 PM. Fun/educational event is open to non-Behrend community as well. Contact Abbey Atkinson/Trigon at (814) 8987162 or trigonpsu@hotmail.com for details.

Feb 8 - Menspace meets (Dave Amy’s, 3123 Raspberry St - NE corner of 32nd and Raspberry, Erie PA) Gay/bi men’s social group. Contact Michael at info@eriegaynews.com or (814) 456-9833 or browse http://menspace.eriegaynews.com.

Feb 9 - Jazz Brunch (The Village, 133 W 18th, Erie PA) Noon to 6 PM. For more info, call (814) 4520125 or browse to www.thevillageerie.com.

Feb 10 - PFLAG Erie/Crawford County Meets (UU Erie, 7180 New Perry Highway, Erie PA) Details: See “Regularly Meeting Groups” section .

Feb 11 - Straight Spouse Network of PFLAG (Call for location) PFLAG has a national and now also a local group called Straight Spouse Network for people

Want a new look??

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kathy bussiere Hair Expressions 2413 W 26th St

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whose spouses come out as GLBT. See Regularly Meeting Groups section for PFLAG contact info.

Feb 14 - Valentine’s Day Party (The Village, 133 W 18th, Erie PA) For more info, call (814) 452-0125 or browse to www.thevillageerie.com.

Feb 15 - Valentine’s Day Dance Escape (Perry Hi Way Hose Co, 8170 Peach St., Erie PA) 8 PM - 1 AM. $8.00 admission. BYOB (no bar available, ice is available.) Must be 21 years of age with valid ID. Contact Cheryl at (814) 835-9090, danceescape@lycos.com or http://danceescape.tripod.com Feb 15 - Deadline for March print edition of Erie Gay News! Be sure to have articles, calendar entries, ads, etc in by this date. Contact Michael Mahler at info@eriegaynews.com or (814) 456-9833.

Regularly Meeting Groups Be Ye Kind One To Another (BYKOTA) Nondenominational Christian group for GLBT people. Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 7 to 9 PM at the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Meadville, 346 Chestnut St. (on Diamond Park, corner of Chestnut & S. Main. Info: Lyta Seddig at rseddig@allegheny.edu Erie Sisters Club (ESC) (CD/TV/TS/TG) 4th Saturday of the month at accepting establishments.

Changing facilities available. For more info write to 1903 W 8th St. Ste 162, Erie PA 16505-4936, browse www.eriesisters.org or email eriesisters@eriesisters.org.

GLBT AA Group Currently on hiatus. For more info, contact Bernie at (814) 459-7262 (home) or (814) 4523935 (work) or bredright@velocity.net.

HIV/AIDS Support Group Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 7 to 8:30 at St. Mark’s.

Call Cheryl Weber at the St. Martin Center at (814) 452-6113 ext 20 for more info.

HIV Counseling and Testing (Free) Erie County Department of Health, 606 W 2nd St., Erie PA. Mondays 12 to 3:30 PM, Thursdays 9:30 AM to 1 PM. For

PFLAG-Erie and Crawford Counties Chapter Support, Education, Advocacy for GLBT People, their families and friends

(814) 898-8341 pflagerie@adelphia.net

PFLAG-TNET marchadenise@hotmail.com North Atlantic Transgender Coordinator

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Erie Gay News - January 2003

more info, call ECDH at (814) 451-6727. Other times can be arranged.

Identity/EUP Edinboro University GLBT and allies groups. Meets Thursdays at 8 PM in Butterfield Hall, room 213. Also has open movie night every Friday at 8 PM. Contact Alana Atchinson at (814) 732-2019 or aatchinson@edinboro.edu or Gerry Hoffman at (814) 732-2813 or ghoffman@edinboro.edu for more info or browse to www.angelfire.com/pa5/identityeup/.

Mercyhurst Rainbow Club Meets in room 205 of Old Main the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 8 PM. Student/faculty group open to non-Mercyhurst folks as well. For more info, call Jason at (814) 5725590, or email freakyhippoboy@aol.com.

PFLAG Erie/Crawford County PFLAG-ERIE/ CRAWFORD COUNTY: Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) support group meets 2nd Monday each month, 7-9 PM at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 New Perry Hwy (Rte 97), Erie PA. Also has Straight Spouse Network focus group meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month (call for location for this meeting.) Call Maureen (814)898-8341, email pflagerie@adelphia.net or write to PFLAG-Erie, PO Box 133, Harborcreek PA 16421.

Pride & Respect for Youth in Sexual Minority (PRYSM) (Western NY) PRYSM provides a safe and comfortable meeting place for 14-20 year-old lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, questioning youth, and their straight allies. Southern Chautauqua County group meets on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday. The Northern Chautauqua County group meets on the 3rd Monday. Info: phone (716) 485-8628. www.gaychautauqua.org/ youth.htm or cwhite2@alltel.net.

Trigon (Penn State University - Behrend, MultiCultural Center Suite, Erie PA) 12:15 PM on Thursdays. GLBT/Allies group at Behrend. Contact Abbey Atkinson/Trigon at trigonpsu@hotmail.com or at (814) 898-7162 for details.

PFLAG News Titusville Meeting

by Maureen Koseff PFLAG-Erie/Crawford County On November 14th, several members of PFLAG visited the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville, to meet with members of the Gay-Straight Alliance. Students and PFLAG members shared their coming-out stories. We thank Jason Miller, a PFLAG member, who arranged the meeting and Professor Joseph Croskey, the sponsor of the Gay-Straight Alliance, for the invitation. It was the first time that some of the students had heard of PFLAG, and they very much appreciated the support it offers. We hope to have more meetings at Titusville.

Membership offer continuing PFLAG is still offering $5 off when to new members and also subscribe to Erie Gay News. Send your name, phone, mailing & email address to PFLAG, PO Box 133, Harborcreek PA 16421-0133. The cost is $35 for a single person membership and newsletter subscription or $40 for a 2-person household membership. Please make the check out to PFLAG-Erie.

133 West Eighteenth Street Erie, Pennsylvania 16501 • 814-452-0125

Sat. Dec. 21st- Christmas Party & Show!

Tues. Dec. 24th- OPEN Christmas Eve! Wed. Dec. 25th- OPEN Christmas Night!

Tues. Dec. 31st- NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY! Wed. Jan 1st- OPEN New Year’s Day Night!

SUN. JAN. 12th - JAZZ BRUNCH: Comfort Food, Bloody Marys, Sunday NY Times!!

Real Estate Services Linda Foll Johnson, GRI, RRS Associate Broker 814-864-3200 ext 325 or 814-397-0615 lfjohnson@howardhanna.com

Sun. Jan. 26th - SUPER BOWL Party!

OPEN 7 DAYS • 365 DAYS A YEAR KITCHEN OPEN DURING ALL BUSINESS HOURS 9 PM-2 AM

www.thevillageerie.com Erie Gay News - January 2003

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“Where Caring Comes First”

FATIGUE? DIARRHEA? HEADACHE? Are you sure it’s the flu?

HIV can cause flu like symptoms. Be positive that you’re not positive!

Get Tested!

Community Health Net now offers HIV/AIDS Healthcare Services!

New Patients Welcome! ! Free confidential oral HIV testing ! Complete Primary Medical and Dental

Health Care & Vision Care for people living with HIV/AIDS ! Case management/social services ! Most insurance accepted, including Medical Assistance. ! Easy access with over seven (7) sites to serve you!

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QUESTIONS!! CALL (814) 454-4431. Ext. 233 6

Erie Gay News - January 2003

NY Outlaws Anti-Gay Discrimination “It shall be unlawful to discriminate against any individual because of sexual orientation.”

—Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act Passes the New York State Legislature December 17, 2002

From Empire State Pride Agenda Albany, NY, December 17, 2002 —In a rare and historic moment, a majority of Democratic members today led a bipartisan coalition of their colleagues in the New York State Senate on a 34 to 26 vote to pass a bill outlawing anti-gay discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodation, education and credit throughout New York State. The vote on the measure - commonly known as SONDA (the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act) (A.1971/S.720) - almost certainly means it will become law since the State Assembly overwhelmingly passed it in January and Governor George Pataki strongly supported the legislation and pledged to give it his signature. The law goes into effect 30 days after signing.

New York will be the 13th state - the second largest after California - to enact antidiscrimination protections for gay men and lesbians. (New York City passed a similar measure in 1986 and, earlier this year, also enacted a separate law extending discrimination protection to transgender persons.) SONDA adds the words “sexual orientation” to the state’s existing human rights and education laws. Those laws prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, creed, color, national origin, disability, age and marital status. To celebrate the victory, rainbow flags will fly tomorrow from city halls across the state, including those of Albany, Brighton, Brooklyn, Buffalo, and Rochester.

“We are overjoyed that the 31-year-long struggle for a statewide law has finally won gay and lesbian people the same rights as all other New Yorkers,” said Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda. “The New York law will be one of the broadest anti-gay discrimination laws in the nation.

This lays the foundation for winning full equality under the law in areas such as taxation, protections for gay youth and transgender people, and recognition of our families.”

“Thirty-one years was far too long to wait for a very basic civil rights measure to pass,” continued Foreman. “However, today is about looking forward not back. The passage of SONDA heralds a new day in

New York State for our community.”

Foreman said the main impact of the new law would be felt in places like Rockland, Broome, Erie and more than 30 other counties, where no local antidiscrimination laws covering gay men and lesbians currently exist.

Of the State Senate’s 24 Democratic members, 21 voted in favor of passage, while 13 of the chamber’s 36 Republicans voted affirmatively. Both Senate Democratic Leader David Paterson and Majority Leader Joseph Bruno voted in favor. For Paterson, it was a significant victory just weeks after his election to lead Senate Democrats as head of their conference.

“I am proud to have led the State Senate in providing the great majority of votes to pass SONDA, one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation in our state’s history, and one that was long overdue,” said Senator Paterson. “Hundreds of thousands of people beyond New York City who today are vulnerable to the most abject discrimination will now enjoy critical legal protections in employment, housing, education and credit. We worked long and hard to overcome the opposition of entrenched conservative forces, and we will build on this great victory to achieve full equality for the LGBT community in the months and years ahead.”

Today’s vote was the third major statewide legislative victory for the gay community in New York in three years. In 2000, the state adopted a hate crimes law that included crimes motivated by anti-gay hate and also repealed its 150-year old consensual sodomy statute.

——— Founded in 1990, the Empire State Pride Agenda is New York’s statewide, nonpartisan lesbian and gay civil rights and political advocacy organization. Our mission is to end discrimination and prejudice based on sexual orientation. The Pride Agenda fights for equal rights under the law by lobbying state and local elected officials, electing supportive candidates to office, organizing constituent pressure, and educating the public. For information on SONDA or the Empire State Pride Agenda, visit the Empire State Pride Agenda website at www.espany.org/

Erie Gay News - January 2003

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PA hate crimes bill now law From the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights (Harrisburg, PA, December 3) — Governor Mark Schweiker signed an amendment to the state’s Ethnic Intimidation Act adding actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, mental and physical disability, and ancestry to the law. This law, which has the most inclusive hate crimes language in the country, was drafted by the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights and is the first Pennsylvania law to recognize the state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population. Pennsylvania joins 27 other states and the District of Columbia in extending hate crimes protections to gay, lesbian and bisexual people and is the fifth state to include gender identity in its law.

After signing the bill, Governor Schweiker stated, “Since 1995, this Administration has worked tirelessly to fight crime and support the rights of crime victims.

By signing this legislation, I am joining the General Assembly in sending a strong, clear message that Pennsylvania will not tolerate violence against anyone — period.”

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On November 26, 2002, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, by a 118 to 79 margin, voted in favor of the legislation, which passed the state Senate 32-15 in June 2001. A number of legislators were instrumental in the bill’s passage including, Sen. Allen Kukovich (D-Westmoreland), Sen. Joseph Conti (RBucks), Sen. Charles W. Dent (R-Lehigh, Northampton), Sen. Allyson Y. Schwartz (D-Philadelphia, Montgomery), Rep. Steven R. Nickol (R-York), Rep. John M. Perzel (R-Philadelphia), Rep. Stephen H. Stetler (D-York), Rep. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), Rep. Lita Indzel Cohen (R-Montgomery), Rep. Mark B. Cohen (D-Philadelphia), Rep. Roy W. Cornell (Bucks), Rep. Dan B. Frankel (D-Allegheny), Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia) and Rep. T.J. Rooney (DLehigh).

“We applaud the Governor and the legislators who supported an inclusive hate crimes law. Pennsylvanians should be proud of the many elected officials who took a stand against violence and hatred in this state,” said Stacey L. Sobel, Esq., Executive Director of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights.

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Pre-paid Legal Plan $27/month for You & Your Domestic Partner

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EAST and SOUTH Edition: $12 by first class mail AL, AR, AZ, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MO, MS, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, PR, RI, SC, TN, TX, US Virgin Is, VA, VT, WV Find us at gay-friendly stores like Body Language, Cleveland 216-251-3330 Rainbow Pride Gift Shop, Buffalo 716-855-0222 and many others at http://gayellowpages.com/2buy.htm

For an application to be listed (no charge), current editions and prices, mailing labels, etc., please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Renaissance House, PO Box 533-EGN, Village Station, New York, NY 10014 212-674-0120 Fax: 212-420-1126 Email: gayellowpages@earthlink.net

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Erie Gay News - January 2003

“The Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights can now better assist victims of anti-LGBT hate crimes,” said Sobel. “Law enforcement officials who were unable to fully prosecute or even investigate many of these incidents in the past will finally have the tools they need to aggressively prosecute these crimes and assist victims in Pennsylvania,” she added.

In addition to the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, the community effort to push this legislation was lead by: the Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition (SPARC), the state’s largest network of individuals and organizations dedicated to LGBT legislative advocacy; the Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Alliance (PA-GALA), the largest gay and lesbian political organization in the state; the Pennsylvania Gender Rights Coalition, a statewide organization working for transgender rights; the Log Cabin Republicans of Pennsylvania; POPEC; OutFront, a public education, legislative advocacy and political action organization; Liberty City Democrats; PFLAG, parents, friends, families, of lesbians and gays; the Human Rights Campaign; and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, among others. Triadstrategies, a government relations firm in Harrisburg, provided pro-bono services to the coalition members.

To find out how your representative voted, visit website of Statewide PA Rights Coalition (SPARC) at www.sparc-pa.org Consider letting your representative know how your feel about their vote.

Aren’t sure who your representative is? Visit the Pennsylvania Legislature website at www.legis.state.pa.us/ or call the Voter Registration office in your county.

To find out more about the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights visit www.center4civilrights.org/

Local Couple 2nd Parent Adoption First

by Mike Mahler Erie lesbian couple J and L are possibly the first lesbian couple in Erie County to have a second parent adoption since the PA Supreme Court decision of September 2002. Since adoptions are private, the couple doesn’t know for sure whether they are the first couple, but they believe so. They had their evidentiary hearing in November and J was approved to adopt J, the biological son of L. The adoption hearing took place in December. J had previously adopted L’s biological daughter E in 1994; the judge treated that adoption as a “step parent” adoption.

Lake Erie Antique Gallery 9 Village West 3330 West 26th Street Erie, PA. 16506 offering a fine collection of

- Glassware - Pottery - Porcelain - Victorian Furniture & Lighting -

814-836-7555

To contact PA-GALA (PA Gay and Lesbian Alliance for Political Action), PO Box 20825 Lehigh Valley, PA 18002 (610) 432-5449

Monday-Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 3pm

For more information on SPARC go to www.sparc-pa.org/ or call 717-233-1359

bring this ad in for a 15% discount

Erie Gay News - January 2003

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Entertainment notes

by Deb Spilko

Jazz Brunch at The Village The monthly Jazz Brunches at The Village are a really pleasant way to kick back on a Sunday. The atmosphere is mellow, with smooth jazz and a menu that offers a nice choice of food and beverages Complimentary fresh fruit and Sunday newspapers are offered as well. “I’d like to make the Brunches a place where people can just come and relax,” says Leslie Clifton, one of three new co-owners. An avid jazz fan, she adds, “I really like being able to offer this music.”

Menu items are a la carte, and quite reasonably priced. Both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are available (this includes selections like coffees, orange juice and hot cocoa as well as Mimosas and Bloody Marys ). On my visit to the December Jazz Brunch, I ordered a Quiche Lorraine for $2.75, and had a couple of nonalcoholic drinks. Leslie and her friend Jamie cook up a tasty selection of food items in The Village’s kitchen. “We do a theme each month,” she told me.

“If anyone has an idea for a theme, please let me know.”

The theme for December was Southwestern, and the

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Bad Cre it?

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What Does that Alphabet Soup Mean?

BT T LG B GL G L BT Q

“Come in and see a family member you can trust.”

Jim Moski Sales Consultant 4125 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16509 (814)868-0700 Fax (814)864-1155 10

menu and decor reflected that. In January it will be Comfort Food Extravaganza, with a menu offering items like Chicken Pot Pie, Meat Loaf & Mashed Potatoes, Chocolate Cake and Apple Pie. I had the chance to hear a couple of the “décor” ideas for the Comfort Food theme, and they were pretty cute.

I was pleased that I could carry on a conversation in a normal tone of voice at the Brunch. I chatted with several people, and never once did we have to raise our voices or cup our ears. In fact, at one point, Leslie realized a CD was a bit loud for conversation, and she had it turned down.

And the jazz? Well, if you’re a jazz fan, I think you’ll be pleased. If you’re not into jazz, the selections they play are smooth enough that you can just let it play in the background, The Jazz Brunches start at noon and run till about 9 PM. “Or until my feet give out,” quips Leslie.

The next Sunday Jazz Brunch is January 12. Information on future Jazz Brunches can be found in Erie Gay News and at The Village website at www.thevillageerie.com

A

All of Us.

Because we want to be inclusive and it’s just too hard to say “Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning” and so forth all the time, we will use “GLBT”, “LGBT” or “GLBTQ” instead.

Erie Gay News - January 2003

Theater The Erie Playhouse will present Clare Booth Luce’s 1936 play, The Women, Jan. 30 - Feb 2, 6-9, 13-1 (tickets on sale 1/06) www.erieplayhouse.org From a DigitalCity.com review: “Today, the script is mostly regarded as the mother (or great-grand mother) of camp. It is the predecessor of Comedy Central’s ‘Ab Fab,’ television’s ‘Will & Grace’ and all gay theater… The women — who range from socialites to sales girls — are primarily caricatures. They exude style over substance with lives that emphasize gossip, glam-

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Erie Gay News - January 2003

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Elton John and Billy Joel will be in Pittsburgh at the Mellon Arena on March 7 www.mellonarena.com/ and in Buffalo at the HSBC Arena March 9 www.hsbcarena.com/ The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus will perform Of Sweet Harmony, January 24 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo (W. Ferry & Elmwood) and January 25 at St. Paul’s Cathedral (128 Pearl St in Buffalo) www.buffalogaymenschorus.com Gay composers are well-represented this season.

The Erie Philharmonic will be presenting Anything Goes: The Music of Cole Porter at the Warner on February 15. Info: www.eriephil.org Stephen Sondheim is honored in two different presentations…

Opera singer and veteran of musical theater Barbara Cook will bring Mostly Sondheim, to the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh February 14 and 15, info: www.pgharts.org And the North Coast Men’s Chorus performs “Everything’s Coming Up Sondheim

The Full Monty will be coming to several cities in the area. Nominated for 10 Tonys, it features a new book by Tony Award winner Terrance McNally, and music and lyrics by pop composer David Yazbek.

It comes to Pittsburgh’s Heinz Hall Jan 7-12 www.pittsburghsymphony.org. In Cleveland it will be at the Palace Theatre (Playhouse Square) March 25 April 6 www.playhousesquare.com and May 13-18 it comes to Buffalo (where the story is supposed to be taking place!) at Shea’s Theater. www.sheas.org A Chorus Line will be in Pittsburgh January 15-26, Byham Theater in Pittsburgh. www.pgharts.org La Cage Aux Folles will be at Lakewood Ohio March 28-April 19. www.lkwdpl.org/beck Beck Center for the Performing Arts in Lakewood, Ohio.

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Music

Musical theater

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Margaret Cho will be performing in Pittsburgh at the Improv January 23-26. According to her official website, “Margaret is currently working on material for her next show which will begin touring in March 2003 and will hopefully end up on Broadway next fall.”

To be kept updated, go to www.margaretcho.com Improv shows are 21 & over for the shows Jan. 23-25, and 18 & over for the Sunday (Jan. 26) show.

Suzanne Westenhoefer will be performing at the Tralf in Buffalo on February 7. The nationallyknown lesbian comic has had her own HBO special, has performed on Comedy Central and numerous shows, and has received acclaim from straight and gay audiences. Tickets are general admission, which means first come, first served, so they recommend that you come about an hour early. One other thing …The Tralf is basically a nightclub, and that’s probably why this is a 21 & over show. Info: www.tralf.com.

Time Out New York said that author and NPR commentator David Sedaris “just may be the funniest man alive.” He’ll be at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh on April 1. Info: www.pgharts.org

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A lot of onstage performances of interest to our readers. Here are some of them... and you’ll want to double check my info against theirs.

March 29 and 30, (8 PM Saturday, 3 PM Sunday), at the Waetjen Auditorium, Cleveland State University. www.ncmchorus.org, 216-5560590. The Pittsburgh Opera will present Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with music by British composer Benjamin Britten. Sung in English, it will run from February 1-9 at the Byham Theater www.pgharts.org Women’s music veteran Cris Williamson comes to The Tralf in Buffalo April 19. www.tralf.com

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On stage soon

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our and gold-digging. An exaggerated product of their time, each woman (particularly the wealthy ones) has too much time on her hands.”

The Ashtabula Arts Center will be presenting the whodunit Deathtrap January 10-25 www.ashartscenter.org Buffalo United Artists will perform Dirty Blonde Claudia Shear’s sassy comedy about Mae West starting January 31 http://buffalobua.org Six Degrees of Separation is at Kennedy’s Playhouse Square Center in Cleveland February 15March 8. www.playhousesquare.com

Variety For women who like a little bit of everything in their entertainment, there is Cleveland’s 28th Annual Womyn’s Variety Show, presented by Oven Productions. Doors open at 6 PM, show 7:30 PM, $20, Grays Armory, 1234 Bolivar, Cleveland. Following the show is “The Most Fabulous Party in Town” Can’t find a website, so for info you’ll have to phone 216-798-0456, or check Gay People’s Chronicle.

Dance Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Theater Co. will perform at the State Theater (Playhouse Square) in Cleveland Jan 25 Go to www.playhousesquare.com

And so on...

This column will pretty much be devoted to local or nearby items or events. There are so many sources for entertainment news of national interest—publications like The Advocate, or websites like PlanetOut or Gay.Com—that can be so much more comprehensive.

That said, there are some things that deserve to be mentioned.

Like the fact that Cracker Barrel has joined the 21st century. That national restaurant chain—which distinguished itself in the 1990s with its blatant discrimination against gay employees—has established a policy banning sexual orientation discrimination.

Marvel Comics is introducing the first American gay comic hero. The Rawhide Kid, originally introduced during the western craze of the 1950s, has been brought out again as an openly-gay cowpoke. Or something. The Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather will debut in February. It’s part of Marvel’s “Max” series aimed at older readers. You can order from Marvel Comics: www.marvel.com Click on “Comics OnSale.”

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Letters Dear Friends, My name is Connie Lee and I am from Erie, PA. I have Hepatitis C and was treated last year. I am now clear and hopefully will remain that way. Sustained viral response is about 80% for my particular genotype. I also remain able to infect others in spite of my “clear” status as the testing currently does not go below 5 in medical units of measure.

I am writing to invite anyone who is interested in learning more about this disease along with any who may find that they are co-infected with HIV/ HCV…HCV being Hepatitis C Virus.

Our forum has an excellent webpage…www.hepcandme.org We also have a lot of posted and current information on both illnesses and related illnesses.

Our chatroom attempts to remain open 24/7.

We have a few members who are coinfected and some mono-infected. Our site attempts to remain open to all human beings! Our gay members tell us that our site is best for chronic illness because the many “gay” sites that they visit are not seriously devoted to chronic illness. This is their take as there have to be some sites they, or I , may not be aware of. In spite of this, we cordially invite anyone to come in and get to know us and, perhaps, feel a sense of comfort and support at last.

You do need to register at Delphi Forums, however, basic level membership is absolutely free.

We will not tolerate any intolerance as our members who are gay are loved and cherished like anyone would be!

Thank you for taking time to read this and I hope to meet you. My screen name is LeesLady and I also change it to Connie.

Connie Lee, mgr. HepCandMe

Letters policy Letters are welcome on relevant topics. If possible, please email your submission to info@eriegaynews.com.

Please state that you are sending something in to be considered for publication in the print edition. We are willing to consider withholding your name when printing, but we do require your actual contact info to confirm authenticity.

Erie Gay News - January 2003

NY to survey students on harassment NY State Education Dept. to survey students on bias harassment, including sexual orientation From Empire State Pride Agenda Albany, November 26, 2002—In a letter released to the Dignity for All Students Coalition from Assembly Education Committee Chair Steven Sanders, the New York State Education Department (SED) has informed Sanders that it will, after all, include questions relating to bias harassment and bullying on the annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YRBS is administered to students across New York State.

The letter to Assemblyman Sanders from Deputy Commissioner James A. Kadamus announced that SED will be including two new questions in the YRBS: one which asks students if they have been called names, teased, harassed or attacked either at or on the way to school, and a second which asks what the student thought the reason was for the harassment. Students will be able to choose from a list of possible motivations, including gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, language, age, economic status, intelligence, dress, country of origin, religion and height or weight. Students can choose as many categories as are applicable, and are also able to specify any other cause not listed.

“We congratulate the SED for trying to quantify what we already know is an epidemic problem of bias harassment in schools,” said Ross Levi, Legislative Counsel for Empire State Pride Agenda and CoFacilitator of the statewide Dignity for All Students Coalition. “While these are not the exact questions we asked to be included, the questions proposed by SED represent a very important step forward and will result in data that will be crucial in developing responses to combat bias-based bullying in schools.”

Bullying and harassment in schools based on factors including race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender and disability has been widely documented by private organizations and other states. According to a survey by the American Association of University women, 85% of female students report having experienced some kind of harassment in school.

The Safe Schools Coalition of Washington State found that 43% of students report having been the target of offensive racial comments or attacks at school. The Muslim Public Affairs Council reports that most of

the incidents of anti-Arab and anti-Muslim harassment and threats across the nation are occurring in junior high or high school. And data collected by the Massachusetts Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth showed that 97% of high school students report regularly hearing homophobic remarks. As of now, New York State collects no comparable data on the prevalence and types of bias harassment occurring in schools.

“The collection of this data represents a historic milestone,” said Sheila Healy, Program Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation, the governmental education and advocacy arm of the Pride Agenda, which has been working with SED for close to four years to get the agency to collect data specifically on anti-gay harassment in schools. “To our knowledge, this will be the first time New York State has collected any data on sexual orientation.”

“SED was right to hear the arguments of the experts and advocates about the pressing need for this data,” Levi continued. “The over 155 member organizations of the statewide Dignity for All Students Coalition are to be congratulated for their tenacity. We also commend our elected officials who advocated with SED for the inclusion of these questions, especially Assemblyman Steve Sanders who simply wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

The YRBS, a federally funded, state administered survey, contains core questions created by the federal government designed to gather data about the safety and health environment for high school aged youth. States are free to add questions of their own to gather data on related subjects.

In September, SED stated its intention to not add any questions on bias harassment to this year’s YRBS despite assurances to the contrary for over two years. In response to this decision, the Dignity for All Students Coalition along with the Empire State Pride Agenda and other members of the Coalition held a press conference on the steps of the SED protesting the decision and asking the SED to reconsider.

The Empire State Pride Agenda is at www.espany.org/ or 212.627.0305

Erie Gay News - January 2003

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“What’s On Cable?”

by Mike Miller *Themed clues, solution page 11 Across 1. Sunday 10 PM show with the* 5. First word in title of undertakers’ fave show?* 8. Second of three words in title* 12. Aroma 13. A Chorus Line’s singular sensation?

14. Gold medal Olympic gymnast Korbut 15. Arm bone 16. Being gay, to certain evangelists 17. What a positive blood factor helps you do 18. Matthew St Patrick’s character in 5,8 & 38 across* 20. Lee Tergensen’s character in HBO drama Oz* 22. Hockey legend Bobby 24. Nota bene 25. Size queen’s favorite shoe size?

28. Commercial spot 30. Type of Duck or Folk, on Showtime 34. After Sun. 35. Lover to 20 across in HBO’s Oz* 37. Global Positioning System for rich car owners 38. Last word with 5 & 8 across* 39. New York-ese for aloha?

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40. Classic “Little” Pontiac sport coupe 41. Anime favorite Titan, __.__.

43. Holiday egg drink 46. Sonja Sohn character Shakima on 1 across* 50. Michael C Hall’s character in 5,8 & 38 across* 54. Favorite musical for Bears?

55. Carpet 57. Jazz great Horne 58. Line dancer’s neck apparel?

59. Poetic precursor?

60. Of a historic period 61. Bullring shouts 62. Supposedly this percent is gay 63. Possessing one’s wits Down 1. Author Herman 2. Unemployed, like the rich 3. San Francisco treat Rice-a-___ 4. Pornographer’s favorite muse?

5. Abba lover’s cry for help?

6. Monogram part, for short 7. “Noble” element 8. Points of view, geometrically 9. Jazz legend Fitzgerald 10. Id competitors?

11. Make lace or wear ink 19. Human Resources, or Mr. Puffinstuff 21. Outdoor dining events 23. Stadium cheer 25. Kiwi kin 26. Long time 27. Finish 29. Arid 31. Ovum 32. Test to see if 31’s been fertilized 33. Reserves Service Organization 35. Jagged rock face 36. Charged atom 42. Majestic aquatic bird 44. Too much, to an addict 45. Belonging to Dorothy in a non-HBO Oz 46. Oscar Wilde’s The Ballad of Reading ___ 47. Make mad.

48. Sex addict’s patron god?

49. A certain kind of deodorant 51. Skin soother aloe ___ 52. “...__ __ imperfect world...”

53. Chip’s fey partner in Disney cartoons 54. Homo Box Office, to gay viewers?* 56. Supposed 20-something sensibility, ___-X

Erie Gay News - January 2003

Resource Directory Please note that is an abbreviated listing! For a more complete listing, either browse to www.eriegaynews.com/resources.html or mail a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to 1115 W 7th St., Erie PA, or call us at (814) 456-9833. All phone numbers are (814) unless otherwise noted.

606 W 2nd St., Erie PA. Mon: 12 noon to 3:30 PM, Tue 9:30 AM to 1 PM. Other times by appt.

Minority Health Education and Delivery System (MHEDS) . 453-6229 2928 Peach St., Erie PA. Open to all races/ethnicities. Call for appt.

Accommodations

Erie Gay News ....................................................................... 456-9833 www.eriegaynews.com Erie Gay Teens ............................................... www.eriegayteens.com Erie Hotline ............................................................................ 453-5656 Gay Chautauqua ........................................................... (877)235-4188 www.gaychautauqua.org

Blue Heron Inn B&B .................................................... (716) 769-7852 PO Box 588, Findley Lake NY Camp Davis .................................................................. (724) 637-2402 311 Redbrush Rd, Boyers PA Jones Pond Campground ........................................... (716) 567-8100 9835 Old State Rd, Angelica NY Partridge Sheldon Mansion Bed and Breakfast ......... (716) 484-9659 70 Prospect St., Jamestown NY

Bars

Rascals ......................................................................... (716) 484-3220 701 N Main St., Jamestown NY, 3 PM to 2 AM 7 days a week Sneakers ...................................................................... (716) 484-8816 Village Supper Club ............................................................... 452-0125 133 W 18th St., Erie PA. Open 8 PM to 2 AM Mon-Sun Zone Dance Club ................................................................... 459-1711 1711 State St., Erie PA. Open Mon-Sat.

Coffeehouses & Restaurants

Aroma’s Coffeehouse ............................................................ 456-5282 2174 W 8th St., Erie PA Matthew’s Trattoria ................................................................ 459-6458 153 E 13th St., Erie PA Papa Joe’s Pepperoni Cafe .................................................. 455-1292 402 W 8th St., Erie PA papermoon ............................................................................. 455-7766 1325 State St., Erie PA

Counseling

Virginia Ayres, PHD ............................................................... 835-3829 Community Integration Crisis Services ................................ 456-2014 1330 W 26th St., Erie PA toll free # (800) 300-9558 David J Johnson PHD ........................................................... 838-9408 Lake Erie Counseling Associates ......................................... 455-4009 Vivian Tamburello .................................................................. 877-7065 Well Being Center .................................................................. 838-0123

Infolines

Professional Services

John Cooper (Lawyer) ........................................................... 455-3626 Linda Foll-Johnson, Realtor .................................... 864-3200 ext 325 Tom NeCastro, Realtor ............................................ 452-2100 ext 125 Levine Law Office .................................................................. 454-3819

Retail

Jim Moski/J.D. Byrider Auto Sales ........................................ 868-0700 Lake Erie Antique Gallery ..................................................... 836-7555 9 Village West, 3330 W 26th St., Erie PA Larese Floral Design ............................................................. 461-0904 2602 Myrtle St., Erie PA

Subscribe Now! Only $20 for a year of Erie Gay News

Name Address

Groups

For regularly meeting groups, see the Calendar

Health

Erie County Dept of Health ................................................... 451-6700 606 W 2nd St., Erie PA Healing Touch Therapeutic Massage ................................... 452-2812 410 Cranberry St., Ste 130, Erie PA NW PA Rural AIDS Alliance .................................................. 456-8849 1001 State St., Ste 806, Erie PA

HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing

Erie County Dept of Health ................................................... 451-6700

City/State/Zip Send $20 Check to: EGC Coalition 1115 W 7th St. Erie PA 16502

EGN will be mailed discreetly in a plain envelope every month for 1 full year.

All information held in confidence.

Erie Gay News - January 2003

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THANKS! To all the many voters, volunteers, contributors and activists who made the

Benson for Congress campaign a success

Counseling... ...Hypnotherapy... ...Energy Work

AnnDrea Benson and campaign staff

Deb Monohon Cleer (814)838-0123 HIV COUNSELING & TESTING WALK-IN CLINIC

Oral HIV testing now available

No Appointment Necessary

Erie County Health Department 606 West Second Street (Corner of West 2nd & Cherry Streets)

Monday 12 noon - 3:30 pm Tuesday 9:30 am - 1:00 pm

STD TESTING

HIV Clinic STD Clinic

451-6700 16

WALK-IN CLINIC No Appointment Necessary

Erie County Health Department Monday 9:00 am—11:00 am Wednesday 1:00 pm—3:30 pm

Appointments can be made at the following locations: (HIV Counseling/Testing Only) Erie County Health Department Erie Office, Outreach Services (814) 451-6727 Erie County Health Department Corry Office - (814) 663-3891 Hispanic American Council (814) 455-0212 Multi-Cultural Health Evaluation Delivery System (MHEDS) (814) 453-6229 or (814) 453-4728

All services are free and confidential.

Specially trained outreach workers are available for in home appointments. (HIV testing only)

Erie Gay News - January 2003