EGN200609

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September 2006 October 2003

EGN

Erie Pride weekend pages 9-12

Erie Gay News

GLENDA Party in Franklin After having a great turnout for their April event, NW PA GLENDA will be having another party on Saturday September 30, at the Coon and Fox Club in Franklin PA. The party starts at 8 PM and ends at 1 AM. The theme of the event is “A Splash of Color Fall Diversity Party.” There will be a DJ (9 PM - 1 AM) and door prizes. Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be provided; alcoholic beverages are BYOB. Tickets are $5 in advance or $6 at the door. GLENDA stands for Gay and Lesbian Neighborhood Diversity Association. For tickets, directions, and information call Robyn at (814)437-0722 or (814)657-2698 and Ellen (814)678-2037.

Ashtagayla was a Success! The first Ashtagayla Pride Celebration, held in Ashtabula, Ohio, was even more successful than anticipated. The event organizers had prepared for ticket sales of about 150, and well over 150 people attended the event. The Ashtagayla celebration provided games, picnic food, DJ music, and a good-natured crowd in a festival-like atmosphere. Games included “Are You Puzzled???”, gay trivia questions, The Banana Game, Kiss Off , Drag

Attendees at Ashtagayla, Ashtabula’s first pride celebration. More photos of the celebration are on page 23 of this issue. Complete photo gallery is at www.eriegaynews.com

PHOTO: James von Loewe

King Crowning and Drag Queen Crowning competitions. Volunteers included Michelle, Bernardo, Amy, Charlotte, Maureen, Al, Jamie, Keith, and Josh., as well as guest speaker Marlene Sartini. Sponsors included Andrea's Hair Design; Billi Bonz & Shell Fonz Verizon Wireless-Bridge Street; Carlisles Elena Caruso; Casa Capelli; Dasco Paper; D'Itri's Barber and Beauty Shop; Erie Gay News; Frosty Harbor; Gay Peoples Chronicle; Doug Hornbeck; Ivy Rose; R.L. Lipton Distributing; Meola Catering; Outdoor Army Navy; Phil's Catering; Point East Bags and Baskets; C. Stickle Productions; Terry's Tents; Josh Thomas; Bob Tucker; Thom Verdi and Northeast Xerox. The mission stated of the Ashtagayla Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Committee is “to educate, commemorate, celebrate and liberate.” The committee members are Chris D'Itri, Doug Hornbeck, Sue Phillips, Corey Stickle, Stephanie Finley, Kym Kyrk and Nancy Slider. The group plans to do other events in the future. For more information, contact Chris at (440) 344-2203 or email Sue at nansu630@hotmail.com

More Community News on page 4!

In This Issue... New: EGN Classified Ads ..................................... 6 Letters ...................................................................... 6 Calendar .................................................................. 7 On stage ................................................................... 10 At Allegheny: But Not For Love .......................... 11 National News Briefs ............................................... 13 Regularly meeting ...................................................... 17 Marsha Stevens-Pino coming to Western NY ............ 18 Open Minds, Open Hearts And Open Arms ........... 19 Emmaus: 2006 ....................................................... 19 Methamphetamine’s “Honeymoon� period ................. 20 Stop Santorum ......................................................... 21 Ashtabula Pride Pics ............................................... 23

PLEASE NOTE!!! The deadline will be extremely tight for the next issue. We ask that you try to have all articles, ads and etc in by Monday, September 11 if at all possible!

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Erie Gay News

Erie Gay News 1115 West 7th St. Erie PA 16502-1105 Phone: (814) 456-9833 Fax: (270)423-6217 info@eriegaynews.com www.eriegaynews.com Editors: Deb Spilko and Mike Mahler Ad Design: Mike Lipiec 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 NW PA Area. 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 don’t necessarily represent those of the EGN staff.

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Copyright 2006 by Erie Gay News.

Thank You: To Brian and Larry (who also hosted,) Bob, Brian Bohrer, James von Loewe, Jack Walburn, Peter and Tim for folding; James von Loewe, Deb Spilko, John & Paula King, Bob, Brian, Jack Walburn and Brian Bohrer for distribution. Mike Lipiec for ad layout & etc. Thanks! If you’re interested in helping out, contact Michael Mahler at (814) 456-9833 or info@eriegaynews.com for date/ time.

Erie Gay News - September 2006

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Community News (continued from front page)

2006 Lake Erie Gala The Erie Sisters Transgender support group will hold its annual Lake Erie Gala November 15-19 at the Quality Inn & Suites, 8040 Perry Highway, in Erie. The event promises trans-friendly shopping, bus tours, dinner theater, and evening entertainment. Early registration is September 1, 2006. The Erie Sisters website states, “The Lake Erie Group is a social organization of crossdressers based in the northwest Pennsylvania city of Erie. Our membership is open to spouses, significant others, transsexuals and transvestites. Sexual orientation and race are non-issues for us. We are an outgoing group of transgendered girls who enjoy having fun! Lake Erie Group has members around the country, including Florida and Washington, D.C., but most girls hail from the Great Tri-State area of Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio.” For more information please call (814) 7465524 (best time to call is M-W-F 5 PM to 9 PM) or visit www.eriesisters.org

Mahoning Valley starts Stonewall Dems group A group to help the GLBT community be involved in their government in Trumbull and Mahoning Counties, in Ohio. Mahoning Valley Stonewall Democrats was established for the purpose of ensuring sensitivity, understanding and support for issues of importance to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community; educating, promoting and electing Democratic candidates who are supportive of such issues; and organizing, educating and energizing the GLBT community to work for, support and elect endorsed Democratic candidates. Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month. For more information, contact: danny275@hotmail.com Browse to http:// home.neo.rr.com/avacation/stonewallmain.htm

Findley Lake Harvest Festival from Blue Heron Inn The cozy hamlet of Findley Lake will once again host the Labor Day Harvest Festival, the long-established end-of-summer celebration. The 9th annual event will take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, September 2, 3 & 4, 2000. Located on Findley Lake’s scenic north shore, visitors will enjoy strolling among the artists, crafters and food vendors nestled throughout the town. Live music will be featured each afternoon . The Findley Lake Harvest Festival will run from 10 AM to 5 PM all three days and admission is free. Findley Lake is located near Peek ‘n Peak Ski and Golf (continued on next page)

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Erie Gay News - September 2006

Community News Resort on Route 430, 1 mile from Exit 4 on Interstate 86. Take advantage of our convenient location – only minutes from Erie, PA, 1 hour from Buffalo, NY, 2 hours from Rochester, NY, 1-1/2 hours Cleveland, OH and 2 hours from Pittsburgh, PA. Whether you’re looking to shop, dine, tour the wineries, search for antiques, golf or play on the lake — Findley Lake has it all! For more information on the Findley Lake Harvest Festival or any community events check out the Findley Lake, NY web site: www.findleylakeinfo.org, call toll-free 888/769-7609 or email flacc@cecomet.net.

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Queen of Hearts new address Queen of Hearts is now at 476 East Market Street, Warren, Ohio 44484 (330) 395-0111 The bar is hoping to open by Labor Day weekend. To stay updated, visit http://www.royalehearts.com/

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“I felt welcomed and everyone was cordial and enjoyable company. We had a lot of laughs and great conversations, and most of all, fellowship!� Mike Lipiec Graphic Designer, EGN

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New: EGN Classified Ads We have been receiving inquiries about carrying classifieds in EGN. So we would like to try this out on a trial basis. The categories are wide-open— events, roommates, items for sale, business offers, and of course, personals. Regarding personals, please use the tone of those published in the Showcase. In other words, we’re staying away from the sexuallyexplicit stuff. We’re not into censorship or prudery, but that’s just not where we want to go with this. See ad (below) for rates.

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I just want to thank you for making your newsletter so good!! It is, as usual, the fabric that holds the gay community together by listing all the available activities, supporting gay businesses, etc. It is also an educator for the gay community and the community at large. The articles about important events (like the International AIDS conference) are essential. Of course, your political updates are most informational. It was a wonderful idea to have that article about the interpretation of Romans 1:26-27. It helps the community have facts to discuss when faced with signs like the Church sign you had pictured there. These issues come up all the time in conversations nowadays and it is great to have these excepts, especially for lazy people like me who never finish a book. It should help gay people who deal with this issue from their families, too. I don’t know how you find the time, Mike to write articles in addition to arranging all the stuff and photos, etc. Great job. But the crowning glory was Deb’s article on Santorum!!!! Keep on telling it like it is... Don’t let any reader of EGN be fooled by Santorum. Your article was “right-on� and extremely well written. I was thinking the same things when I heard it and saw it. I couldn’t believe my ears. What a hate monger he is. You could see the Karl Rove imprimatur all over it. It was wonderful that you showed up the subliminal anti-gay message, which I believe is part what he wanted to get across. It made me shiver to see the ad. Keep up the good work!!!! Maureen Koseff NWPA PFLAG Representative

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Erie Gay News - September 2006

Calendar This calendar is also online at www.eriegaynews.com/calendar.html Aug 23 - ‘The Guys’ at The Hookah CafĂŠ 129 W 14th St (Union Station Complex), Erie PA. 7 PM. Informal get-together. Meets every 3 weeks. Now will be moving location each time. For more info, contact Brian Bohrer at (814) 825-6203 or email brianbohrer@peoplepc.com. Aug 25 - “Big Screen Divas!â€? at Zone Dance Club 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA. Let Us Entertain You! Join us on a journey through Tinsel-Town as the Divas of the Zone give us some Hollywood glam—Featuring Angelica Redd, Melody - Miss Erie 2006, and the Divas and Diva Dudes of the Zone. Come walk the red carpet, into the Zone, and be treated like a star! Join us for our star-studded Hollywood Weekend. Phone: (814) 452-0125. Browse to http:// www.thezonedanceclub.com. Aug 26 - “Silver Screen Black & White Partyâ€? at Zone Dance Club 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA. We're going to make you the star ... of the Zone’s own Black & White movie! Dress in Black & White or come as your Favorite old-time Hollywood Movie Star—but wear Black & White. Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable... Dress like a Sexy Starlet, Hollywood Hunk, or strip down to your sexy under-things and try out our casting couch. Lights...Camera...Action! Phone: (814) 452-0125. Browse to www.thezonedanceclub.com. Aug 26 - “SKIN!â€? at Trance Dance Club 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA. You have it and this is one of your last chances to show it off this summer. Whether you have an awesome tan or alabaster beauty

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with freckles, show it off. Farmer tans welcome. Let’s see those tan lines and tattoos. Body painting and henna tattoos available! Contact: Lee. Phone: (814) 456-3027. Email: lee@trancedanceclub.com. Browse to http://www.trancedanceclub.com. Aug 27 - “Live Bands!� at Trance Dance Club 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA. See the area’s hottest bands on the Trance main stage. Check out the Trance website for who is performing! Contact: Lee. Phone: (814) 456-3027. Email: lee@trancedanceclub.com. Aug 27 - “Dancin’ in the Streets� (Cleveland) outdoor dance party benefits AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, 1-8 PM, Clifton Blvd. between West 116th & West 117th Sts., Cleveland; (216)221-2333. Sep 1 - “Black Light Labor Day Weekend Kick Off Party� at Trance Dance Club 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA. Back by popular demand, Trance’s take on the glow party. Contact: Lee. Phone: (814) 4563027. Email: lee@trancedanceclub.com. Browse to http://www.trancedanceclub.com.

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Erie Gay News - September 2006

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Calendar Sep 2 - “The Black Light Party, Part 2� at Trance Dance Club 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA. It’s part 2 of the Black Light Labor Day Weekend. Wear your day-glow! Buddy Dobson, the Glow Sorcerer will be on the main stage for a special performance at midnight. Contact: Lee. Phone: (814) 456-3027. Email: lee@trancedanceclub.com. Browse to http:// www.trancedanceclub.com. Sep 3 - “Trance-a-palooza 2� at Trance Dance Club 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA. Join your Trance family for a patio BBQ, the acoustic talents of some of the area’s best guitarists and make sure to stay for the bands on the main Trance stage later in the evening. BBQ starts at 6 PM. Contact: Lee. Phone: (814) 456-3027. Email: lee@trancedanceclub.com. Sep 9 - Pagan Pride Day St. Nick's Grove, 5131 Old French Rd, Erie, PA. 10 AM - 8 PM. GLBT-Friendly event for NeoPagans. Contact: Raven Mann. Phone: (814) 734-9730. Email: RavenMann@U-N-C-L-E.org. Browse to http://www.u-n-c-l-e.org/civic/PPD. Sep 9 - “Glow Party� at Zone Dance Club 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA. One of your favorite parties is back! Glow sticks and Black-lights- Dance in the dark! Get ready as we dim the lights low so you can shine! Wear black or white or glow body paints if you dare! 814) 452-0125. www.thezonedanceclub.com. Sep 13 - The Guys’ at The Zodiac Dinor 2516 State St (Near corner of State and 26th St), Erie PA. 7 PM. Informal get together. Meets every 3 weeks. Now will be moving location each time. For more info, contact Brian Bohrer at (814) 825-6203 or email brianbohrer@peoplepc.com. Sep 16 - Ohio Lesbian Festival (near Columbus OH) 11 AM to 11 PM at Frontier Ranch, near Columbus, OH. Non-stop stage, sports, games, food

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concession, workshops, a sober support tent and of course, a fantastic merchant's area! www.ohiolba.org Sep 16 - Menspace at Marty's 432 Pine Ave, 2nd Floor, Meadville, PA. 9:30 PM (approx). Marty will be hosting a Menspace get-together after the performance of But Not For Love at 8 PM at the Playshop Theatre at Allegheny College. (Marty is directing the play.) Contact: Michael Mahler. Phone: (814) 4569833. Email: info@eriegaynews.com. Browse to http:/ /menspace.eriegaynews.com. Sep 16 - “2nd Anniversary Party� at Trance Dance Club 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA. Contact: Lee. (814) 456-3027. lee@trancedanceclub.com. www.trancedanceclub.com. Sep 29 - “Pre Pride Party and Drag Show� at Trance Dance Club 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA. Kick off Pride with some Kings, Queens, dancing girls and dancing boys. Contact: Lee. Phone: (814) 456-3027. Email: lee@trancedanceclub.com. Browse to http://www.trancedanceclub.com. Sep 30 - Step-Off to the PRIDE Rally from Zone Dance Club 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA. 12 PM. Join us at noon for a light lunch compliments of the Zone. Show your pride as we assemble for our march to Perry Square! Step-Off at 1 PM. Wear your Pride or Zone T-Shirts. Bring your signs and banners, we'll provide the Rainbow Balloons and Flags. Check out our booth at Perry Square. Give-Aways, Crafts, Prizes! Smile—Show your Pride! Phone: (814) 452-0125. Browse to www.thezonedanceclub.com. Sep 30 - 2006 Pride March/Rally (Various locations, Erie, PA) 12 PM - 4:30 PM. See the article in last month’s issue for more info. There will be more info as well in next issue. Phone: (814) 602-0252. Email: eriegaypride@yahoo.com. Browse to http:// w w w. e r i e g a y n e w s . c o m / n e w s / article.php?recordid=2006fallpride. Sep 30 - “PRIDE! Party� at Trance Dance Club 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA. Where the Rainbow comes to party. After showing your PRIDE in the afternoon, come out for the Post Pride Party at Trance. Wear the rainbow! Contact: Lee. Phone: (814) 456-3027. Email: lee@trancedanceclub.com. Browse to http://www.trancedanceclub.com. Sep 30 - “Rainbow PRIDE Underwear Party� at Zone Dance Club 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA. Show

Erie Gay News - September 2006

Calendar your Pride at the Zone’s Pride Party! Join us after the Pride Rally for a night of dancing and fun! Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, or purple—wear rainbow colors, any Pride or Zone T-Shirt and fun Joe Boxer Smiley Underwear (Show off your big smile at our Pride Party!) The Gay Rainbow ends here at the Zone. Phone: (814) 452-0125. www.thezonedanceclub.com. Sep 30 - GLENDA Party (Franklin PA) Coon and Fox Club, Franklin PA. Details on front page. $5 adv / $6 door. Info: Robyn at (814)437-0722 or (814)6572698 and Ellen (814)678-2037. Oct 1 - 31 - “Pirate's Treasure of Skull Island�— 8th Annual Haunted Bar at Zone Dance Club 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA. All month long—October 1st thru 31st. Ahoy Matey's! Come board the Pirate Ghost Ship as we set sail from the Zone this Halloween on a month-long Pirate Adventure! After pillaging and plundering the Seven Seas, Pirate One Eye’d Willy and his Scurvy Crew have hidden their stolen treasure of gold and jewels somewhere on Skull Island! Mystical Mermaids have found the Treasure Map floating in the lagoon in a bottle and will share its clues daily ... but beware of Shipwrecked Souls and Hungry Cannibals looking to feast on your flesh! Don’t get caught by the Evil Pirates crew or you may have to walk the plank. Yo ho ho, and a bottle of Rum—Get into the Zone for some Halloween Fun! Come search the Zone, all month long for some Pirate Booty. Phone: (814) 452-0125. Browse to http:/ /www.thezonedanceclub.com. Oct 4 - 7 PM. ‘The Guys’ at Two Friends Italian Market 25 E 10th St (corner of E 10th and French St), Erie PA. 7 PM. Informal get together. Meets every 3 weeks. Now will be moving location each time. For more info, contact Brian Bohrer at (814) 8256203 or email brianbohrer@peoplepc.com. Oct 6 to 8 - Load the Boat 16 (Cleveland) Annual “fly-in� weekend of square dancing and social events presented by Cleveland City Country Dancers, (216) 251-1053, www.cccdohio.org Oct 6 to 9 - Buffalo Bear Trap 2006 (Buffalo, NY) Browse to www.buffalobears.org. Oct 10 - Voter registration deadline in PA Oct 11 - National Coming Out Day www.hrc.org Oct 13 - Last day to register to vote in NY General Election

Oct 13 - 15 - Lambda Car Club Weekend (Erie, PA) More details coming soon! Contact: Bob. Phone: (814) 456-9643. Email: LCCIallegheny@yahoo.com. Browse to http://www.lambdacarclub.com. Oct 28 - “Pillage & Plunder Halloween Party� at Zone Dance Club 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA. Grab your friends and follow the treasure map into the Zone, because the ghost ship has docked on Skull Island and the pirates are ready to party! Come dance on the ship’s deck and drink from the galley—we’re hunting for some Pirate booty to plunder. Come pillage your share of the pirates’ treasure or find someone’s family jewels. Come dressed as a Pirate Scoundrel or Wench, Mystical Mermaid or a Lost Shipwrecked Soul ... or just wear Black. Prizes for Best Costume. Erie's Biggest and Best Gay Halloween Party! Yo ho ho, and a bottle of Rum—Get into the Zone for some Halloween Fun! Phone: (814) 4520125. Browse to http://www.thezonedanceclub.com.

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On stage Selected area cultural events that may be of interest to GLBT audiences. Through August 26 - Mary Alice Brown: “Class is in Session.” This will let audiences focus on Mary Alice on stage without distractions. Mary Alice will also be able to shine and create music that will be unique each night. The show will run Friday and Saturday nights at 8 PM from July 14 to August 26. Roadhouse Theatre, 145 West 11th Street, Erie, PA 16502. (814) 456-5656 www.roadhousetheatre.org info@roadhousetheatre.org Aug 17-Oct 1 - “Respect: A Musical Journey of Women” Hanna Theater, Cleveland OH www.playhousesquare.org From the folks who brought you Menopause the Musical comes a new show about the journey of women, told through Top-40 music. www.respectamusicaljourney.com Sep 15- Michael Feinstein Allen Theatre in Cleveland www.playhousesquare.org Sep 15 - 16 - “But Not For Love” Playshop Theatre, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA. A new one act play by Matt Everett. Directed by Martin Scott Marchitto. A double wedding. Two couples—one straight, one gay—divided over what their ceremony should mean to themselves or anyone else. A lovelorn lady minister who has a secret of her own. A policeman torn between the picket line outside the church and the ceremony he's obliged to protect. A protester with ties to the bride and the grooms. Reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets are available starting Sept. 5. Reservations can be made by calling (814)8533414. The tickets can be picked up and paid for 1/2 hour before the performance. Tickets are adults $7.50; non-Allegheny students $5; senior citizens $5. Phone:

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(814) 853-3414. Browse to http:// www.allegheny.edu/visitors/index.html. Oct 6 - David Sedaris at Playhouse Square Center, Cleveland OH. www.playhousesquare.org Oct 10 - David Sedaris University of Buffalo Center for the Arts, Buffalo NY. http://www.ubcfa.org/ Nov 1 - Augusten Burroughs at Playhouse Square Center, Cleveland OH. www.playhousesquare.org Websites/email lists for area performers Judith Avers www.judithavers.com/ Bob Bearfield www.bobbearfield.com Carrie Sample www.myspace.com/carriesample Jocelyn Porter Project www.jocelynporterproject.com Leah Zicari www.leahzicari.com Two Girls Alone http://twogirlsalone.iuma.com email list: twogirlsalone@verizon.net.

Erie Gay News - September 2006

THEATER

At Allegheny: But Not For Love Allegheny College Playshop Theatre commences the 2006-2007 with an original work entitled, But Not For Love by Matthew Everett. Martin Scott Marchitto of the Theatre department will be directing the production. The performance dates will be Friday, September 15th and Saturday, September 16th starting at 8 PM. The Playshop Theatre is located on Allegheny Campus in Arter Hall. But Not For Love is a provocative and inspiring new play that sincerely embarks upon the issue of samesex marriage in America. The issue of same-sex marriage is one that has been igniting controversy in America for sometime. This play presents different views of the argument for and against same-sex marriage and also branches out into other areas such as transgender individuals, as well as gay rights in general. But Not For Love raises the questions that are plaguing America today, what is marriage? What is love? What is right or wrong? And more importantly who gets to decide or who should decide? Everett cleverly adapts the theme of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, by altering the duel heterosexual wedding in Shakespeare to a duel marriage between a heterosexual couple and a homosexual couple. Brother and sister, Ephram and Eleanor are set to have a duel wedding with their fiancÊs, Patrick and Roland. Eleanor and Roland could have opted for a separate wedding without the cameras, the protestors, and even the police. However, the bond between family and what is just are too important for Eleanor to ignore and insists on sharing her day with her brother and his fiancÊ. Tragedy strikes the couples when protestors from the outside begin to throw rocks into the church in attempt to end the ceremony. The suspense of the play is over the battle of who will win out, the lovers or the protestors? And not only does it leave the audience guessing, it provokes them to ask, should there be a battle in the first place?

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The cast of But Not For Love features Dan Vereb (home) as Ephram, Jessica Bailey (home) as Eleanor, Shaun Hayden (home) as Roland, and Jim Jackson (home) as Patrick. The cast also features a transgender reverend played by Angela Nitchman (home), a police officer played by Professor James Hollerman of the Allegheny College Mathematics department, and Thom Och (home) plays Jacob, protestor and brother to Patrick. Set design done by Amanda Wright (home) and Lizzy Pecora is the production’s stage manager. Anna Heller Sebok (home) will be assistant director to Martin Scott Marchitto. Tickets for But Not For Love are $7.50 for adults; $5.00 non- Allegheny students, senior citizens, and Allegheny employees. Admission is free for Allegheny students with identification. For more information or to order tickets contact the Playshop Theatre Box Office at 814-332-3414. Submitted by Martin Scott Marchitto

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Erie Gay News - September 2006

National News Briefs by Bob

Poll Shows Americans Support Civil Unions Despite political efforts focus on opposition to the gay rights movement, a new national poll shows that most Americans’ opinions on gay rights issues are actually somewhere in the middle. The poll, conducted by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center, was intended to address what the center called “talk of ‘culture wars’ —and the high visibility of activist groups on both sides of the cultural divide.” The Pew poll looked at Americans’ opinions on such divisive issues as: stem cell research, abortion and gay rights. While the majority of voters support stem cell research and hovered around the middle on abortion, the poll found that 56 percent of respondents oppose same-sex marriage and 52 percent oppose adoption rights for gays. However, 54 percent said they are in favor of the idea of civil unions. The poll also found no consensus among either supporters or opponents over how far groups should go to press their positions. Just a slight majority of same-sex marriage opponents actually favor amending the U.S. Constitution to ban it. Similarly, only 51 percent of those who favor equal marriage rights say supporters should “push hard” to make it legal as soon as possible, with almost four in 10 urging caution to avoid animosity.

S.F. Catholic Charities Works Around Gay Adoption Ban Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Francisco has found a way to connect hard-to-place children with welcoming parents, gay or straight, without violating the Catholic Church’s views on homosexuality. The Catholic group is partnering with another adoption service to increase the number of children that find homes, even with same-sex couples, said the agency’s executive director, Brian Cahill. California Kids Connection, a statewide adoption exchange established by the nonprofit Family Builders by Adoption, features information on about

500 children on a Web site that prospective parents can browse. However, because of limited staffing, the group had to limit the number of children they sought to help. But with the help of three Catholic Charities employees who will be placed there, they’ll be able to handle more cases, said San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer. The Catholic Charities workers will refer prospective parents to agencies that can complete the adoption proceedings, Niederauer said. “That’s where we’ll help,” he said. “What we won’t be doing . . . is placement in homes. We can’t be involved in that anymore.”

Topeka City Council Waters Down Anti-Phelps Resolution Militant anti-gay activist Reverend Fred Phelps was facing the wrath of his hometown Mayor, until the City Council stepped in. Mayor Bill Bunten of Topeka, KS, where Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church is located, proposed that the city pass a resolution critical of the church’s practice of frequently staging anti-gay protests at the funerals of members of the military. Although City Council passed the Mayor’s resolution, they first removed the references to Phelps’ church, which they said were unnecessary. The amended resolution was approved by a 7-1 vote, after council member Sylvia Ortiz said three lawyers who considered the changes said it would achieve the same purpose as Bunten’s initial proposal. All references to the Westboro Baptist Church were eliminated, and wording that “condemned” pick-

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

Erie Gay News - September 2006

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National News (continued from previous page) eters was replaced by a statement saying the council neither supports nor approves of funeral picketing. Church member Margie Phelps said that Bunten’s proposal would have prompted a lawsuit from the church, but she called the amended measure “meaningless.�

Split Among U.S. Episcopalians Widens The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, which is at the epicenter of conservative Episcopal dissent over gay bishops, has rejected the authority of the incoming head of the denomination, but has stopped short of a full break with the Episcopal Church. Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan is asking the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the Anglican spiritual leader, to immediately assign another Anglican leader to oversee the Pennsylvania diocese. Duncan objects to the June 18 election of the new

Episcopal presiding bishop, Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori who in 2003, voted to elect the church’s first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. Jefferts Schori also supports ordaining gays and blessing same-sex relationships. She will be installed Nov. 4. The vote by the Diocese of Pittsburgh came on the same day that the liberal Diocese of Newark, N.J., tested the new Episcopal call for restraint on the appointing of gay bishops by naming a gay California priest as one of four nominees to become its next bishop. The Episcopal Church and its fellow Anglicans worldwide are struggling to prevent differences over the Bible and sexuality from escalating into a permanent split. Most Anglican archbishops believe same-sex relationships violate Scripture, and many broke ties with the U.S. church over Robinson. However, conservatives are a minority within the American church.

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Erie Gay News - September 2006

National News Wisconsin Unions Fight Against Gay Marriage Ban Wisconsin labor unions are joining the fight against a proposed ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions which is the subject of a November 7 referendum in that state. Representing employees ranging from teachers to prison workers, the unions are worried that if approved, the amendment will take away their ability to bargain for benefits such as health insurance for the domestic partners of gay and straight employees. AFSCME, which represents 44,000 public service and health care workers in Wisconsin, became the latest group to join the cause. By making donations, organizing volunteers and educating their members, the unions are part of an attempt to make Wisconsin the first state to defeat a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. By taking this public action, the unions are underscoring one of the main arguments made by the proposed amendment’s critics: that same-sex marriage is already illegal in Wisconsin by law, and that the amendment threatens a range of legal protections for all unmarried couples. Brian Weeks, director of AFSCME’s political arm, called the amendment “an attack on labor unions’ collective bargaining rights.” He noted that AFSCME locals representing public employees for the city of Madison and Dane County stand to lose benefits if the amendment passes. “Backers of this ban are trying to break deals and take away rights and protections that working people have earned through good-faith negotiations,” Weeks said.

In his senior thesis, Raggio argued that the military’s policy banning gays is not only wrong, but harmful to the Army. “I love the Army and I think that this is hurting the Army,” said Raggio, 24, in an published interview from his new military post at Fort Riley, KS. “I see it as my obligation to say ‘I don’t agree with what you’re doing.’ I’m not being insubordinate — I just think we’re making a mistake here.” While the thesis topic was controversial and contrary to the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, Raggio was presented the Brig. Gen. Carroll E. Adams Award for the best senior thesis in the art, philosophy and literature major in West Point’s English department. “It won independent of the subject matter and content,” said his thesis adviser Richard Schoonhoven, a philosophy professor at West Point. “It was a closely argued piece of philosophical prose. He tackled a substantive issue, took a stand and didn’t back down from the controversy. He presented a good case.” (continued on next page)

West Point Thesis Challenges “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” A West Point Cadet has taken on the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in his senior thesis, and has received an award for his efforts. Cadet Alexander Raggio was 16 when he learned one of his relatives was gay. Watching that person’s struggle gave him a grim introduction to discrimination against gays, an introduction he carried on to the U.S. Military Academy. Erie Gay News - September 2006

15

National News (continued from previous page) “The Army often talks of doing the harder right rather than the easier wrong, and now it is time to put the policy where the propaganda is,” Raggio wrote in his 24-page thesis. “Allowing the open service of gays in the military is the right thing to do, no matter how difficult a transition it may be,” he added. “I have a problem where you have a military that says you can’t discriminate based on race; in all but very minimal ways you can’t discriminate based on gender, and you can’t discriminate based on religion or lack of religion,” Raggio said in the interview. “The only people not getting a fair shake were homosexuals,” said Raggio, who describes himself as “about the straightest guy you can imagine.” In his thesis, Raggio acknowledged that changing the policy may create tension or put openly gay soldiers at risk of violence. But he argued that soldiers who make life and death decisions in Iraq and handle volatile situations with insurgents and prisoners are capable of dealing with a gay soldier in their battalion.

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Check Out Our Wesite at: www.eriegaynews.com for our list of locations

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Santorum Withdraws Workplace-Diversity Support Less than a week after becoming the 170th member of Congress to affirm that his office does not discriminate in its employment practices based on “sexual orientation or gender identity and expression,” Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, rescinded his signature on the diversity statement. “Every person deserves the opportunity to pursue their career and succeed, regardless of whether they are gay, transgender, or fit expectations for masculinity or femininity,” said Riki Wilchins, executive director of the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition. “We were surprised but pleased when Sen. Santorum affirmed that his office does not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. We are disappointed by the senator’s new decision and hope he will reconsider in the future.” Santorum’s signature came after a July meeting between the senator and GenderPAC volunteers. A copy of the senator’s signed statement was faxed to GenderPAC on Aug. 1, and the signature was confirmed by Santorum’s openly gay communications director, Robert Traynham. But less than a week later, Santorum faxed GenderPAC a new statement that read in part, “To be clear, my office has not adopted the proposed ‘diversity statement’ nor the agenda of your organization. . . . My name should no longer be reported as having adopted the ‘diversity statement.’” “I am very frustrated with my senator’s flipflopped message to his constituents,” said GenderPAC volunteer Adrian Shanker. “Pennsylvanians deserve representatives that have a strong record in supporting equality for all. This latest move doesn’t come close.” So far, 24 U.S. senators and 145 representatives — 19 Republicans and 148 Democrats — have endorsed the diversity statement. Santorum is up for reelection this year, facing a strong challenge from Democrat Robert Casey, Jr., currently Pennsylvania’s state Treasurer.

Erie Gay News - September 2006

Regularly meeting Always Our Children Sep 6, Oct 4, Nov 1 Catholic Charities, 329 W. 10th St, Erie, PA. For Catholic parents of GLBT children Phone: (814) 456-2091. Deadline for print edition of Erie Gay News Sep 15, Oct 15, Nov 15 EGN, 1115 W 7th St, Erie, PA. Contact: Michael Mahler. (814) 456-9833. info@eriegaynews.com. Butler Area Equality Project Sep 27, Oct 25, Nov 22 Ginger Hill UU Congregation, 174 S Main St, Slippery Rock, PA. 7 PM. Contact Reid at (724) 735-4407 butlerdiversity@yahoo.com. Be Ye Kind One To Another (BYKOTA) Sep 4, Sep 18, Oct 2, Oct 16, Nov 6, Nov 20 UnitarianUniversalist Parish House, 346 Chestnut St, Meadville, PA. 7 PM. We are a cross-denominational Christian group of/for LGBT people – encompassing spiritual nurture, discussion of LGBT issues, and mutual support. All are welcome! Phone: (814) 724-1832. Email: bykota@eriegaynews.com. Planning meeting for Fall Pride Event Sep 17 Zodiac Dinor, 2516 State St, Erie, PA. 2 PM. Meeting to plan for Erie's Fall Pride event. The event will be held on September 30. Contact: Dan Burdick. Phone: (814) 602-0252. Email: eriegaypride@yahoo.com. Browse to http://eriegaynews.com/mailman/listinfo/ event_eriegaynews.com. Lake Erie Alliance for Democracy (LEAD) Sep 11, Oct 2, Nov 6 218 E 11th St, Erie, PA. 7 - 8:30 PM. Contact: Cindy Purvis. Phone: (814) 453-4113. Email: cindypur vis@velocity.net. Browse to www.erielead.org PFLAG Erie/Crawford County Sep 11, Oct 9, Nov 13 Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 New Perry Highway, Erie, PA. 7 - 8:30 PM. Contact: Mark H pflagerie@eriegaynews.com. Phone: John at (814) 454-1392. Support group for those dealing with loss Sep 12 at 7 PM, Sep 21 at 10 AM, Oct 10 at 7 PM, Oct 19 at 10 AM, Nov 14 at 7 PM, Nov 16 at 10 AM, Hospice of Metropolitan Erie, 202 E 10th St, Erie, PA. Ph: (814) 456-6689. Email: hospice@velocity.net. The Guys Sep 13, Oct 4, Oct 25, Nov 15 Various locations, Erie, PA. 7 PM. Informal get together for gay/bi men at local establishments. Contact: Brian Bohrer. Phone: (814) 825-6203. Email: brianbohrer@peoplepc.com.

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Erie Gay News - September 2006

17

RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY

Marsha Stevens-Pino coming to Western NY by Kathy Robson Marsha Stevens-Pino, Christian singer and songwriter has agreed to share her music with Western New York for 11 days in September, 2006. Some may not know Marsha, but may know a song she wrote at the age of 16. Energized and joyful at her personal encounter with Jesus, she wrote the song “For Those Tears I Died” which also has been known as “Come To The Water”. Several churches have already joined the excitement and confirmed the dates they are welcoming Marsha to their church homes. We anticipate a total of eight concerts plus a fundraiser. The fundraiser which will benefit AIDS Family Services, “Song and supper with Marsha”, will be just that. There will be a limited number of tickets sold for the opportunity to attend the afternoon concert and then stay for a reception buffet with Marsha immediately following. At some point during the reception, there will be a question and answer session where we can ask Marsha pretty much whatever we like. The concert schedule as of August 14, 2006 is: Sept. 7th - First Congregational UCC 822 Cleveland Avenue, Niagara Falls NY 7:30 PM Sept. 8-Good Shepherd Community of Faith 187 Southside Pkw, Buffalo NY 7:30 PM Sept. 9th - Pilgrim-St. Luke’s UCC -335 Richmond Avenue, Buffalo NY 7:30 PM Sept. 10th - Trinity Gold UCC 115 Gold Street, Buffalo NY 10 AM Sept. 10th - Eggertsville UCC 3400 Sheridan Drive Amherst NY 7 PM Marsha’s partner Cindy will also appear at the above performances. There is no admission fee for the above concerts. A love offering will be taken to help cover Marsha’s expenses. Sun. Sept. 17th - Fundraiser at First Presbyterian One Symphony Circle, Buffalo NY. Concert 3 PM followed by a reception buffet. For the fundraiser, the admission is $10 for the concert. The cost for “Song and supper with Marsha” is $50. This includes the concert and all activities that follow, including the reception buffet and a theme basket raffle as well. For tickets, please contact AIDS Family Services of Buffalo at (716) 881-4612. Marsha’s website: www.balmministries.com 18

Marsha-Stevens-Pino and her spouse Cindy Since September of 2002, the right-wing Christians have been re-introduced to Marsha by “The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music,” sold in Bible bookstores across the country. Here is an excerpt of what they had to say about her. “If Larry Norman is to be called the father of Christian Rock, then Marsha Stevens certainly deserves to be known as the mother of contemporary Christian music, a title that Christian Century and others have bestowed upon her. She was the leader of what is considered to be the world's first contemporary Christian music group, Children of the Day, and she has continued as a solo artist to produce albums of worshiporiented and edifying adult contemporary pop. As such, she remains the progenitor of what, by 2002, would become the single most popular genre in the contemporary Christian music market. Such artists as Susan Ashton, Margaret Becker, Amy Grant, Kim Hill, Twila Paris, Sandi Patty and Jaci Velasquez all sing in her shadow. Whether they know it or not, Marsha Stevens went before them to prepare the way - against odds they can scarcely imagine. ”

Erie Gay News - September 2006

RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY

Open Minds, Open Hearts And Open Arms Note from Brian: In light of the picture that was in last month’s newsletter [church with homophobic message] I asked Reverend Richard Moyer, the Pastor of Community United Church to write an article about our church to let people know that there are other churches in the area that are willing to accept those of us in the GLBT community. by Rev. Richard Moyer The United Church of Christ is not a stranger to controversy. We ordained our first openly gay minister in the mid-1970’s, long before any other Protestant denomination would have even considered such a revolutionary move. Ever since then, the United Church of Christ has recognized and celebrated the gifts of all Christian people, regardless of sexual orientation. To be sure, there has been a price to pay. The membership of our denomination in the United States declined by one million members since that ordination took place. At our most recent General Synod, held last summer, the United Church of Christ was embroiled in another serious controversy when the delegation overwhelmingly voted to support those churches that wanted to perform same-sex marriage in states where that would be permissible. The result was additional loss of membership. There was a decision several weeks ago by the Puerto Rico Conference to become independent from the United Church of Christ because of our open stand on homosexuality. Loss is always painful and we who remain loyal to the United Church of Christ feel deep regret when Christian sisters and brothers leave our fellowship of

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faith. But what is also true is that we have gained the trust and respect of persons who have felt rejected by their own religious groups because of their sexuality. We in the United Church of Christ remain true to what we see as our calling from God. We believe that God’s love is extended to all people and that all people who desire to be members of the household of faith should be welcomed with open arms. Some Protestant denominations say that they welcome everyone; we do it in the name of the Risen Christ.

Emmaus: 2006 Retreat for Gay & Lesbian Catholics Emmaus: 2006 is the seventh annual retreat weekend for gay & lesbian Catholics at the Jesuit Retreat House in Parma, Ohio. The retreat environment is one of acceptance that allows participants to be open and honest about who they are. A highlight for many is breaking into small groups where people can share their thoughts and concerns regarding personal, family and faith issues. For the first time Emmaus 2006 welcomes parents to join gay Catholics in prayer. There will be time for conversation separately and together between both groups. The Retreat will take place October 6-8, 2006 at the Jesuit Retreat House in Parma, Ohio. For more information: (440)884-9300, info@jrhcleveland.org or visit https://www.jrhcleveland.org/emmaus.html

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HEALTH

Methamphetamine’s “Honeymoon� period Excerpt from Tweakers: How Crystal Meth Is Ravaging Gay America, by Frank Sanello (Alyson Publications, 2005) Besides great sex, another reason for meth's popularity is that users who smoke or inject the drug first experience a blast of euphoria -- the "rush" -which lasts only a few minutes. That state is followed by a powerful sense of well-being that can last up to eight hours. Users say the drug makes them focus better, although the ability to concentrate occurs only on the way up. An often-debilitating inability to concentrate accompanies the user on the way down. As the drug wears off, the user "crashes" and can become anxious, depressed, and incapable of accomplishing tasks. One of the many reasons crystal is so alluring is that the user is always trying to recapture the original rush. Opium addicts in 19th-century China used to call this phenomenon "chasing the dragon." It's a feckless pursuit, a classic wild-goose chase. Chasing the dragon often spurs the user to binge on the drug in an attempt to re-experience the euphoria of the first time. "The last month of my using, I never got high, but I continued to use crystal and continued to feel the depression and angst that is associated with withdrawal," says Los Angeles drug counselor Mark Hufford. "It was very bad." Mark's friends never complained about his drug use because they were all drug users themselves. "Everyone I associated with did crystal as well, so nobody suggested I stop," says Mark. "My life became so painful, I just couldn't continue to live the way I lived. Crystal was affecting me psychologically, and I was just miserable. I stopped because I

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didn't want to continue the way I was living. It was a living hell." CrystalRecovery.com notes that methamphetamine gives users almost "immediate pleasure." The subconscious remembers the initial high and tries to recapture it with repeated use. The reason users never seem able to catch the first high is that the meth-induced release of dopamine and other pleasure-stimulating neurotransmitters shuts down the brain's natural production of neurotransmitters. Dopamine governs the body's natural reward system. MethAbuse.net describes how individuals whose natural reward systems are compromised can become "less responsive to real-life stimulators, like getting a new job, a new promotion, having lasting relationships and in general functioning at a normal level." When the addict stops using crystal, he or she is "completely deprived of the body's natural feel-good reward system, and the addict feels an acute apathy or life-is-not-worth-living attitude." This explains why "most people who attempt to recover without effective and reliable treatment are prone to consistent relapse." The user compensates for the depletion of neurotransmitters by using more crystal to restimulate the artificial production of dopamine. The Web site for Solutions for Recovery, a drug rehabilitation center in Dana Point, California, offers a lucid explanation of why withdrawal from crystal is so painful and relapses are so common. "As more of the methamphetamine comes into the body, more of the body's [dopamine production] is suppressed. Eventually, [dopamine production] is almost shut down completely. If the drug is removed at this time, there will be a feeling of panic. This extreme state of irritability, tension and anxiety is what is called withdrawal."

Meth online Life or Meth www.lifeormeth.com/ Tweaker.org www.tweaker.org CrystalRecovery.com www.crystalrecovery.com

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STOP SANTORUM

Share this with your straight women friends by Deb Spilko And now a little something to share with your straight female friends. Santorum doesn’t limit his intolerant rantings to GLBT folk. He also goes after the so-called “radical feminists,” who supposedly are on a crusade to drag women out of their proper place (in the home) and out into the working world. Like this quote, from Santorum’s book It Takes a Family: “Many women have told me, and surveys have shown, that they find it easier, more ‘professionally’ gratifying, and certainly more socially affirming, to work outside the home than to give up their careers to take care of their children. Think about that for a moment…Here, we can thank the influence of radical feminism...” And yet, when asked to name the radical feminists who were on this crusade, Rick Santorum couldn’t name one. When George Stephanopulos interviewed him last year on This Week, Santorum sputtered and stammered and repeatedly tried to change the subject: STEPHANOPOULOS: Let’s talk about something else in the book, radical feminists. A second quote from the book, you say, “Respect for stay-at-home mothers has been poisoned by a toxic combination of the village elders’ war on the traditional family and radical feminism’s misogynistic crusade to make working outside the home the only marker of social value and selfrespect.” Let’s get specific here. Name one or two of these radical feminists who are on this crusade. SANTORUM: Well, I mean, you know, you have — you go back to, what’s her name, well, Gloria Steinem, but I’m trying to remember — I can’t remember the woman’s name. It’s terrible. Anyway… STEPHANOPOULOS: But it’s kind of an important point. Because you paint this broad brush: radical feminists, village elders. Name one. SANTORUM: There’s lots of — no, there’s lot’s of — well, Gloria Steinem. There’s one. I mean, there’s lots of writings out there…

STEPHANOPOULOS: She’s been on a crusade against stay-at-home moms? SANTORUM: There’s lots of writings out there, and there is an opinion by the elite in this country across academia, across the media, that stay-at-home motherhood is not adequately affirmed and respected by our society. SANTORUM: And if you don’t believe that, get a panel of stay-at- home moms here on your show, and you ask them whether they feel affirmed by society, whether they feel affirmed by the culture. STEPHANOPOULOS: Listen, I can go home. My wife Wendy both works and stays at home at various times. And sometimes, when she’s not working, you know, she gets upset, but it’s not some message that’s being driven by… SANTORUM: Isn’t it? STEPHANOPOULOS: … specific people. SANTORUM: Isn’t it a message for us? I mean, where does this come from? Does this come from the ether? STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, I’m asking you. Where are these radical feminists? ...and on an on. He never answered George’s question. Interesting too, that it doesn’t seem to occur to Santorum that many or most women who work have to do so to provide for their families.

Other Stop Santorum news... Bob Casey is losing some of his lead over Santorum. Some of this probably is due to the ad blitz the Santorum campaign has mounted. Hopefully Casey will get going on that. If you would like to work on the Casey campaign (or as I prefer to think of it, the Dump-Santorum campaign), note that they have opened headquarters at 10th & State Streets in downtown Erie. Links to items in this column can be found in its web version at www.eriegaynews.com

Erie Gay News - September 2006

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Ashtabula Pride Pics

Here are a few photos from Ashtagayla, Ashtabula’s first pride event, held on July 29. Photos shown here were taken by James von Loewe, except staff members and crowd shot (above and below), which were taken by Deb Spilko. See lots more photos at the photo gallery at the Erie Gay News website!

Erie Gay News - September 2006

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