EGN200809 by Erie Gay News

September 2008 October 2003

EGN

Erie Pride weekend pages 9-12

Erie Gay News

Times-News article

On July 29, 2008 the Erie Times-News ran a front page article about same-sex marriage, “Erie same-sex couples consider Calif. marriages.” The reporter interviewed three local same-sex couples who were in long term committed relationships. To read the article go to the link at the online version of this article at www.eriegaynews.com

Watchfire Alliance Picnic Sept 12

from Bethany Robson WatchFire Alliance, monthly social networking group in Chautauqua County, will be getting together Friday September 12 for a picnic at Lily Dale at 6 PM. Contact Bethany Robson (716) 499-4817 or brobson515@msn.com for details and location.

Vertigo Dance Parties are back!

from Vertigo Vertigo Parties in Butler PA are back again! We have a new location that is gay-owned and operated, so we won’t have to worry about being kicked out for being gay (which is what happened in the previous location). The parties will be held the third Friday of every month. First Vertigo Party is September 19 at 9 PM at Sanbeano’s Pizzeria, 395 W Wayne St, Butler, PA 16001-5849, Phone: (724) 285-1644. Visit Vertigo’s MySpace page at www.myspace. com/butlervertigo email: vertigov@aol.com

GLBT block at Great Lakes Film Festival by Mike Mahler Details are pending as we go to press, but the Great Lakes Film Fest will have a block of GLBT films again this year. The festival will be at Theatre 145 (site of the former Roadhouse Theatre), 145 W 11th St, Erie PA on September 25-28. More details

Jan Hanusik and Laurie Finch were interviewed in a front-page feature on same-sex marriage in the Erie TimesNews will be at both www.eriegaynews.com and also www. greatlakesfilmfest.com. We should have details about the GLBT film block in the next issue, which will be out a few days before the festival starts.

Erie Gay Business Alliance meetings and events

by Mike Mahler Upcoming events for the Erie Gay Business Alliance: Gay Guy/Girl Happy Hour (G2H2) will be on September 10 from 6 to 8 PM at Billie’s Jazz and Wine Bar in the Avalon, 16 W 10th St, Erie PA. This is a social event. Business meetings are now the 4th Thursday of the month and start at 7 PM. Folks can show up to socialize at 6 PM, if they like. The next business meeting will be September 25 at 7 PM at the Zodiac More Community News inside!

In This Issue...

Reinstate PA's Hate Crimes Law................5 Calendar.......................................................6 On Stage......................................................8 Theater.........................................................9 ELECTION 2008........................................9 Java Buzz......................................................10 “We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!”..............11

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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 for next issue: Monday, September 15; this will be distributed the night of Tuesday, September 23. The Erie Gay News is published monthly as a source of news, events, information, and support for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered people (GLBTs), their families, friends, and supporters in the Erie PA area. We welcome and encourage all readers to submit timely news, comments, and opinions of interest to local GLBTs for publication in these pages. We will consider for publication any nonfiction article, blurb, or illustration graphic that upholds that spirit. Please include your contact information with any piece you submit. We will not publish any material that 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.

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From Your Friends at Erie Gay News

To the Zone for hosting, Brian Lonyo, Bruce Shrout, Charles, David Shaffer, Johauna & James von Loewe for folding; Brian Lonyo, Charles, Bruce Shrout, Christopher, Johauna, James von Loewe, Deb Spilko, Jerry McCumber, Charles, Paula and Dylan for distribution, Charles for proofreading, Mike Lipiec for ad layout & etc. If you’re interested in helping out, contact Michael Mahler at (814) 456-9833 or info@ eriegaynews.com.

Erie Gay News - September 2008 To the Avalon for hosting, James von Loewe,

Community News

(continued from front page) Dinor, 2516 State St, Erie PA. The speaker for this meeting will be Doris Cipolla, who will be talking about marriage equality and her experiences of losing her partner of 30 years. Also check out the yummy menu of items available for purchase at the Zodiac. The following G2H2 social event will be October 8 from 6 to 8 PM at Craze Night Club, 1607 Raspberry St, Erie PA. The business meeting that month will be October 23 at Scotty’s Jazz & Cigars, 301 German St, Erie PA. The meeting starts at 7 PM. Additionally, Erie Gay Business Alliance will be having a Candidates’ Night on Sunday, October 26 at 7 PM at the Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA. Please come and be informed about the election! For more info, email egba-owner@eriegaynews. com or call (814) 340-1346.

GLBT for Obama

by Deb Spilko GLBT for Obama is a network of people who are interested in volunteering for the Obama campaign. If you are interested contact Mike at (814)456-9833 or info@eriegaynews.com

Give feedback and enter to win cool stuff!

from There’s Power in Our Pride Participate in the largest LGBT Community Survey in history, and help demonstrate the growing Power in Our Pride. Everyone who completes the survey by Sept 14, 2008 will be entered into a drawing to win one of FIVE iPod Shuffles or the Grand Prize of TWO free airline tickets from/to any of the participating airline’s destinations in the 48 continental U.S. States, plus Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Restrictions apply. Please take the survey on our website today, and tell your friends! Link is at the online version of this article at www.eriegaynews.com We respect your privacy. All personal survey data is held confidentially by Community Marketing, Inc., an independent market research and communications firm based in San Francisco (founded 1992, and © 2008 EGN

Erie Gay News - September 2008

Community News proudly 100% gay-owned and -operated) and will not be sold to third parties or used for marketing purposes. Thank you!

Mahoning Valley Pride moves

from Mahoning Valley Pride Center Effective immediately, all support group meetings and business meetings for the Mahoning Valley Pride Center will take place at our new home at 1523 Poland Ave. in Youngstown Ohio. We graciously thank the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown for all the years of allowing us to call them home! Contact at mahoningvalleypridecenter@yahoo. com Visit www.mvpridecenter.org and www.myspace. com/youngstownpridecenter

Anal Dysplasia Clinic in Pgh

from Pitt Men’s Study Did you know that gay and bisexual men have the hightest risk of developing anal cancer? The Pitt Mens Study would like you to know that

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screening, follow-up and treatment for anal cancer is abailable at the Anal Dysplasia Clinic within the Pittsburgh Treatment Evaluation Unit (PTEU)/Pittsburgh AIDS Center for Treatment (PACT) in Oakland. Call (412)647-0996 to set up an appointment.

Pittsburgh Fall Boat Ride Sept 28

from Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh The SOAK Annual Fall River Boat Ride happens Sunday, September 28, 2008 in Pittsburgh. Boarding 6:15 PM, sail 7 PM - 10 PM. Leaves from the Gateway Clipper Fleet, 350 W Station Square Dr. Pittsburgh PA 15219 Proper ID required by all. Dancing, DJ, Drinking, Food and a Special Guest: Crystal Waters. Tickets $20 in advance, $30 day of if available, $15 for parties of 10. Buy tickets online Tickets.com or go to www. pittsburghpridespace.com To order by phone (800) 919-8361 or (412) 246-4451. The SOAK Boat Ride is the official closing party of the TREAT Bowling Tournament.

TREAT Bowling Tournament Sept 26- 28

from TREAT TREAT is a gay/lesbian bowling tournament that takes place in Pittsburgh every two years. Come expierence our beautiful fall weather and help us Celebrate Pittsburgh’s 250th Birthday! Competition, parties, boat cruise (see previous item) and other events. For information visit www.treatpgh.org

Ohio Lesbian Festival Sept 13

from Ohio LBA The 19th Annual Ohio Lesbian Festivals just keeps getting better! The Festival will take place at Frontier Ranch in Kirkersville, Ohio on Saturday September 13, 2008. Performers include Bitch & Ferron, Judith Casselberry & JUCA, Comedian Kelli Dunham, Nervous but Excited, God-des & She and an amazing line-up of home-grown Ohio performers. If that is not enough, the Limelight Stage will showcase local performance artists and entertainers. The 2008 Limelight Stage is presented by Viva Valezz! and features burlesque, kings, belly dancing, spoken word and more. Also workshops and Euchre Tournament. For details visit www.OhioLBA.org

Erie Gay News - September 2008

Reinstate PA's Hate Crimes Law by Mike Morrill, Keystone Progress When I was a boy growing up in Boston I had an older neighbor who was a little different. As a teenager Rick was outgoing, liked to dance and wore flamboyant outfits. Despite his clothing choices, he was popular with a lot of the boys in the neighborhood because he was a great dancer, and he was willing to teach us some basic moves so that we could go to the junior high dances and not look completely foolish. One day I saw Rick walking by my house, but I didn't recognize him. His face was swollen his nose was broken and he lost some teeth. My mother said he was beaten up because he was "a queer." I didn't know what that meant, but I knew it was wrong to beat up somebody simply because he was a little different. I remember telling my mother that there should be a law to protect people like Rick. In Pennsylvania, there was a law protecting people like Rick. It was an amendment to a law called the Ethnic Intimidation and Institutional Vandalism Act, better known as the PA Hate Crimes Law. It was overwhelmingly passed in 2002 by Democrats and Republicans and signed into law by then-Governor Mark Schweiker. That bill extended protections against hate crimes for people based on their gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and mental and physical disability. But last month the PA Supreme Court struck down the law on a technicality, saying it was passed illegally. That leaves Pennsylvanians in all of those categories vulnerable to hate crimes. I don't know about you, but I find that unacceptable. That's why we're calling on our State Senators and State Representatives to once again pass this legislationand to do it right this time. Pennsylvania protects people based on their religion, race and ethnicity. Shouldn't we extend the same protections to people based on their gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and mental and physical disability? Please join Keystone Progress in calling for the reinstatement the amendments to PA's hate crimes law by going to http://keystoneprogress.org or from the link at the online version of this article at www. eriegaynews.com © 2008 EGN

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Erie Gay News - September 2008

Calendar This calendar is also online at www.eriegaynews.com/ calendar.html Aug 29-Sep 1 (Fri-Mon) - W.O.O.F. Weekend 2008 (Pittsburgh) Labor Day weekend Bear Run, hosted by the Burgh Bears. August 21st is the deadline for registration for the weekend run packages. All registrations after August 21st will be handled on a case by case basis. Have questions? Feel free to call 814-3840463 or e-mail the WOOF ‘08 Coordinator, Gary S. at garbear73@gmail.com for answers and further details. Visit: www.burghbears.org Aug 29-Sep 1 (Fri-Mon) - Labor Day NASCAR Weekend at Jones Pond. Get ready for the checkered flag as we celebrate a long Labor Day Weekend and the end of summer. Join us for the 400-Block NASCAR Party- Black & White Ball (wear black & white!) and the “Drag Races” Drag Show! Phone: (585) 5678100. Email: info@jonespond.com. Browse to www. jonespond.com. Aug 29-30 (Fri-Sat) - Skin Weekend (Craze Night Club, 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA) Summer’s end

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is near so come out and enjoy the last of the heat with us for a weekend of Skin! We wanna see you show off your tattoo’s, body art, piercings...Show us your SKIN! Prizes and contests all weekend! Contact: Duane. Phone: (814) 456-3027. Browse to www. crazeerie.com. Aug 30 Labor Day Holiday Weekend at Camp Davis (Boyers PA) Register early. 311 Redbrush Road, campd@aol.com (724) 637-2402 www.campdaviscampground.com Sep 4 (Thu) - Block Party to benefit SafeNet (Scully’s Pub, 408 State St, Erie, PA) 5 PM to 11 PM. Music by: Money Shot. Bring your golf club, get a hole in one and get register to win a LCL/HDTV Donated by Wal-Mart. For information call Scully’s Pub (814) 454-0067 or Rick at (814) 455-1774 extension 234. Phone: (814) 454-0067. Sep 5-7 (Fri-Sun) - Friends & Family 2 - Homecoming Weekend at Jones Pond 9835 Old State Rd, Angelica, NY. Everyone is welcome for our last Friends & Family weekend of the summer, Bring a dish to share for the Homecoming Potluck! And join us for the Homecoming bonfire & dance later that evening! Phone: (585) 567-8100. Email: info@jonespond.com. Browse to www.jonespond.com. Sep 6-7 (Sat-Sun) - Mardi Gras Weekend at Camp Davis (Boyers PA) Register early. 311 Redbrush Road, Boyers, PA 16020 campd@aol.com (724) 637-2402 www.campdaviscampground.com Sep 6 (Sat) - Zone Back to School Party! (Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA) Grab your lunch money and jump on the bus to the Zone as we go Old School for our Back to School Party! Come dressed as a naughty school girl, hot teacher, ditzy cheerleader,

For more information, contact: Erie Ofﬁce: Booker T Washington Ctr 1720 Holland St, PA 16503

814-453-5744 or 1-800-400-2437

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814-764-6066 or 1-800-359-2437

“GET TESTED: YOU NEED TO KNOW” EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO PREVENTION Erie Gay News - September 2008

Calendar brainy nerd, or hot jock. Wear sexy football, baseball, wrestling or basketball uniforms! PRIZE for sexiest student body! Naughty boys & girls get paddled or sent to detention. Go Zone! Wear Black & Red Zone school colors & uniforms. Support the team - buy a Zone T-shirt! Cheerleading try-outs and pep rally at Midnight! Get an apple for the teacher! Try a Back to School Apple Martini or get a bite to eat from the Zone Cafeteria! Get into the Zone and Study up, because there will be a test! Phone: (814) 452-0125. Browse to www.thezonedanceclub.com. Sep 10 (Wed) - G2H2 (Gay Guy/Girl Happy Hour) Billieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jaz and Wine Bar in Avalon Hotel, 16 W 10th St, Erie PA. 6 - 8 PM. Sponsored by Erie Gay Business Alliance. Phone: (814) 340-1346. Email: egba-owner@ eriegaynews.com. Website: http://networking.eriegaynews.com. Sep 12 (Fri) - Watchfire Alliance Picnic at Lily Dale Contact Bethany Robson (716) 499-4817 or brobson515@msn.com for location and further details. We invite friends from NW PA to visit. Sep 12-13 (Fri-Sat) - Disco Weekend (Craze Night Club, 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA) Break out your platform shoes and boogie on down to Craze for a weekend of retro and funk favorites! Contact: Duane. Phone: (814) 456-3027. Web: www.crazeerie.com. Sep 13 (Sat) - Ohio Lesbian Festival ( Kirkersville OH) Performers, workships, euchre tournament, vendors, party. 11AM-2AM. Visit www.ohiolba.org Sep 13-14 (Sat-Sun) - Country Western Weekend 2 at Camp Davis (Boyers PA) Register early. 311 Redbrush Road, Boyers, PA 16020 campd@aol.com (724) 637-2402 www.campdaviscampground.com Sep 19-21 (Sat-Sun) - Jones Pond Halloween Week-

ÂŠ 2008 EGN

Erie Gay News - September 2008

Calendar

On Stage

end at Jones Pond 9835 Old State Rd, Angelica, NY. Last BIG weekend of the season. Horror in the Woods Halloween Party. Costume Contest! Prizes! Phone: (585) 567-8100. Email: info@jonespond.com. Browse to www.jonespond.com. Sep 20 - Pajama Party at Camp Davis (Boyers PA) 311 Redbrush Road, Boyers, PA 16020 campd@aol. com (724) 637-2402 www.campdaviscampground.com Sep 23 (Tue) - Erie Gay News folding/distributing work party (Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA) 7 PM. Help us get out the print edition of Erie Gay News. 21 and over, please. We will be folding and distributing the copies. It’s also a great way to hang out and chat with folks! Contact: Michael Mahler. Phone: (814) 456-9833. Email: info@eriegaynews. com. Browse to http://www.eriegaynews.com. Sep 25 (Thu) - EGBA Monthly Business Meeting. Zodiac Dinor, 2516 State St, Erie PA. 7 PM. Sponsored by Erie Gay Business Alliance. Speaker is Doris Cipolla bout marriage equality. Phone: (814) 340-1346. Email: egba-owner@eriegaynews.com. Website: http://networking.eriegaynews.com. Sep 26-28 Fri-Sun) - Closing Weekend at Jones Pond 9835 Old State Rd, Angelica, NY. See you next year! Thanks for a great summer! Phone: (585) 5678100. Email: info@jonespond.com. www.jonespond. com. Sep 27 (Sat) - Harvest Festival at Camp Davis (Boyers PA) 311 Redbrush Road, Boyers, PA 16020 campd@aol.com (724) 637-2402 www.campdaviscampground. Oct 6 (Mon) - PA & OHIO: Last Day to Register to vote in November election Oct 10 (Fri) - NEW YORK: Last Day to register to vote in November election

Sep 23 - Melissa Ferrick in Buffalo at Ninth Ward (downstairs of Babeville) www.babevillebuffalo.com Sep 25 - Lez Zeppelin in Pittsburgh at Diesel Club Lounge www.liveatdiesel.com www.myspace.com/ lezzeppelin Oct 3 & 4 - “Menopause The Musical” in Erie at the Warner Theatre at www.erieevents.com Oct 5 - The Village People in Niagara Falls at The Seneca Niagara Events Center All ages welcome, but under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. www. senecaniagaracasino.com Oct 15 - Melissa Ferrick in Pittsburgh at Rex Theatre www.rextheatre.com Nov 16 - Johnny Mathis in Cleveland at Cleveland Playhouse . www.playhousesquare.org Nov 14 - Margaret Cho in Lakewood OH at Lakewood Civic Auditorium. Special guest Liam Sullivan. Nov 18 - Madonna Sticky & Sweet Tour is sold out on both dates in Toronto, are available for the November 18 concert in Detroit available August 23.

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Erie Gay News - September 2008

Theater Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean! At Directors Circle. September 18-Oct 4 On September 30th, 1955, legendary film star James Dean was killed in a car accident on a remote California Highway. The Directors Circle Theatre kicks off its 14th season with “Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean!” by former Erieite Ed Graczyk. The play takes place in the small Texas town of McCarthy in 1975. Inside of the Kressmont five-anddime store, a reunion is planned for the members of a local 1950s James Dean fan club. An odd assortment of women arrive, revealing hidden secrets, with flashbacks to September 30th, 1955, showing the women as young James Dean fans, and then jumps forward to present day to reveal the ravages of time and lost innocence. Among the women returning for the reunion is Mona (Karen Shelinsky), a disturbed woman who, in the ‘50s, got a job as an extra on the Giant film shoot and nine months later gave birth to a son, who she claims is James Dean’s child. There is Sissy (Carolin Lynn), a wisecracking waitress, and also Joanne (Nicole Stewart), who holds a shocking secret that is revealed at the reunion. Besides the three main players, a collection of supporting characters maneuver around the periphery. They are Stella Mae (Caryl Unseld), the wife of a rich petroleum executive; Edna Louise (Cameo Harris), a shy, withdrawn woman with numerous children; Juanita (Linda Gamble), the manager of the five-and-dime store; and Joe Qualley (Pete Wojochowski), a young man who has masqueraded as one of the former singing group, The McGuire Sisters. “Jimmy Dean” marked the stage and film debut for Cher, and also starred Sandy Dennis, Karen Black and Kathy Bates. The production, directed by Michael Weiss, will open on Thursday, September 18th and play Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM thru October 4th. Check the reservation line for possible matinee performances. Directors Circle is located at 1001 State Street on the 2nd floor of the Renaissance Centre. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 814-451-1153.

ELECTION 2008 Important information: Register to vote!

You can’t vote if you aren’t registered. Pick up a form or register online from the link at www. eriegaynews.com Deadline is October 6 (October 10 for New York residents).

Voters Guide available mid-October

The GLBT Voters Guide will be available in the November issue of EGN, which will be available the night of October 21.

GLBTVote list

Subscribe to GLBT-VOTE list if you want to stay informed about the campaigns and/or become active. http://lists.eriegaynews.com

HIV COUNSELING & TESTING Free•Confidential Walk-In Clinic No Appointment Necessary

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Erie Gay News - September 2008

Java Buzz Music returns to Eclectic Etceteras

For details and upcoming events, visit their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/eecoffeehouse. Eclectic Etceteras is at 118 Erie St., Edinboro PA. Phone (814) 734-2909. Email: res0tlty@verizon.net

Awakened Cafe looking for new location

from Jeremy J. & James S. We are working on a new location for the Cafe, which will feature all the same elements as our last location-minus the menu and wifi. It’ll be a larger venue focusing on the art and music. And don’t worry - we will include our award-winning fair trade organic coffees and teas. (Any suggestions for newly-vacant, appropriate spaces in Erie, with at least some parking, are more than welcome). Sorry again to all of you who were disappointed by the Cafe’s hasty closure - but that building is a sinking

ship, and we needed to perform some triage before it took us down with it. Just wanted to let you know that the parent company of the Cafe - Misinformed Productions - is still busy busy busy... Creating plenty of entertaining distractions for our fans, most of which can be seen on our website(s), www.MisinformedProductions.com and www.AwakenedCafe.com Misinformed News: Our newest web series, delves into the art of independent news media. Our next short film is in pre-production, “Second-Hand Romance.” And we are working on short documentary pods on both the Great Blue Heron and Erie Blues & Jazz Festival. Some clips from each are posted on the site. Peace, love and creativity... and spread the word.

Brother Bean

Brother Bean Global Coffeehouse is at 2803 State Route 257, Seneca, PA. Phone: (814) 677-0232 www.myspace.com/brotherbeancoffeehouse Game night every Saturday. Events start at 7 PM unless otherwise noted. Upcoming: Aug 30- Nick Piccone (indie folk acoustic) Sep 5 - John McGrail (indie, alt, folk--with alot of creativity!) Sep 6 - Game Night (now on Saturday nights) Sep 12 -Brad Yoder (acoustic pop rock, singer/songwriter) Sep 19 - “Whose Hair Am I Wearing?” Dramatic production with Amy Dittman. Sep 26 - Gypsy Piano Blues

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Erie Gay News - September 2008

SPIRITUALITY & RELIGION

“We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!” By Rev. Richard A. Moyer Pastor, Community United Church Recently I watched a television program that showed some of the old commercials that I remember when I was growing up. One was the Virginia Slims cigarette commercial. They showed a woman wearing a 19th century dress, smoking a cigarette behind the barn, out of the sight of disapproving eyes that thought women should not smoke. In contrast, there was a 20th century women openly smoking her Virginia Slims without having to hide or feel embarrassed. The announcer proclaimed: “You’ve come a long way, baby.” In many ways this is true. Our society has made great strides in education, tolerance and in understanding human nature. And yet, when it comes to the subject of homosexuality we’re so often still in the Dark Ages! One of the first times I remember being keenly aware of the popular misconceptions about homosexuality was around the same time when the Virginia Slims commercial was popular. I was a freshman in a college psychology class. The professor asked us what we would do if we discovered that one of our friends was gay. I thought it was an odd question, but at least one student was eager to answer. He told the professor that he would invite the friend-in-question to go to the YMCA with him. I laughed out loud. T really thought the student was joking. That he was giving a sarcastic answer to a stupid question. To my great embarrassment neither the professor nor the student was amused by my

laughter. In fact, the professor complimented the student for answering in such an appropriate way. The professor went on to explain that it would be helpful for the gay friend to see manly men working out at the “Y”. If this gay friend had masculine role models in his life, then he would be well on the way to getting “the cure.” Such exposure would help him to unlearn the learned behavior that caused him to be attracted to men than to women! I thought to myself, “And this guy who’s teaching has a PhD in psychology! Oh brother!” And yet, I still hear just as foolish a naïve remarks about homosexuality today, this many years later, even from supposedly educated and well-informed people! “We’ve come a long way, baby”. Yes we have in so many ways. And yet, in other ways, we’re as ignorant as ever.

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Erie Gay News - September 2008