2015-12 EGN by Erie Gay News

December 2015 - Issue 241 October 2003

EGN

Erie Pride weekend pages 9-12

Erie Gay News

2016 Pride Logo Design Contest Win $100!

from NW PA Pride Alliance Who wants $100 and a free shirt? You do! But how? All you have to do is get creative: We’re looking for a new T-shirt design for 2016, and we want to see what you’ve got. The NW PA Pride Alliance will be accepting your design entries from Dec. 1 through Feb. 29. The design we select will receive a free shirt and a $100 Visa gift card. But first, there are a few rules. Your design must be on the front of the shirt, in the area indicated on the little shirt template we’ll provide. You can download the template from the web version of this article on our web site at www. nwpapride.org. We will also be glad to provide you with our logo to use (or not, it’s up to you), but you do have to use the colors in the logo in your design. The preferred format is an Adobe Illustrator Vector File (or something we can convert to that format), 300 dpi, with the canvas size being a maximum of 9 1/2” wide by 15” tall. Please email your entry to president@nwpapride. org on or before Feb. 29. Any questions may also be sent to the same email address.

Resource Guide Update

Mike Mahler, Erie Gay News For over twenty years, Erie Gay News has maintained a resource directory for the local LGBT community. We are presently updating that directory. You can see the online directory if you browse to www.eriegaynews.com and then choose News -> Resources -> GLBT Resources. We are working to make sure that we have complete and accurate info, so we ask that if you are an area resource that is relevant to the GLBT community and are currently listed or would like to be listed, that you verify/add your info by Saturday, Dec. 19. You can email us at info@eriegaynews.com. If you are a

Kim Conti and Caitlyn Strohmeyer were among the two dozen people attending the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil. The event was held in the Avalon courtyard in Erie Nov. 20. More photos on our website. Photo by Deb Spilko currently listed resource with a valid email address, you should have already received a request to verify/ update your info. For any questions, contact me at (814)456-9833 or info@eriegaynews.com

NY Gov. Cuomo announces new transgender protections Info from Empire State Pride Agenda (New York, NY) Oct. 22, 2015— Governor Andrew Cuomo announced new regulations to protect transgender New Yorkers from discrimination in basic needs including housing, employment, credit, education, and public accommodations. “After years of tireless advocacy, we’ve won a

In This Issue...

2016 Pride Logo Design Contest - Win $100!....1 Resource Guide Update....................................1 NY Gov. Cuomo announces new transgender protections ................................................1 Info from Empire State Pride Agenda..............................1 LGBT Roundtable update................................3 Another Great Gala...........................................4 GEAE Gives Back to PACA recap....................5 World AIDS Day Programs 2015.......................6 Calendar............................................................7 Union for Reform Judaism passes transgender rights resolution.........................................10 Online Contests................................................11

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Erie Gay News 1115 West 7th St. Erie PA 16502-1105 (814) 456-9833 Fax: (530) 451-9833 info@eriegaynews.com www.eriegaynews.com Editor: Mike Mahler Assistant Editor and Layout: Deb Spilko Ad Design: Mike Lipiec Deadline for next issue: Dec 14; Folding and distribution is Tue, December 22 at Griffin Room at Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel. ISSN 2159-1792

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The Erie Gay News is published monthly as a source of news, events, information, and support for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender 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. Please include your contact information with any piece you submit.

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To Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel for hosting! Andrea, Audrey, Bill, Bonnie, Cate Kager, Johauna, Kim, Rex Apps, and Trish Catalano for folding; Andrea, Bill, Jerry McCumber, Johauna, Kim, Rex Apps, and Trish Catalano for distribution; 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 - December 2015 - Issue 241

Community News tremendous victory for transgender civil rights with Governor Cuomo’s announcement tonight,” said Nathan Schaefer, Executive Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda. The Governor will instruct state agencies and introduce regulations to prohibit harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender identity, transgender status, and gender dysphoria in the areas of public and private housing, employment, credit, education and public accommodations. These regulations will carry the full force of law as the New York State Division of Human Rights has statutory authority under Executive Law 2995 to promulgate regulations interpreting the Human Rights Law. The announcement comes in the wake of the State Senate’s repeated failure to pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), which would expressly add “gender identity or expression” to the existing Human Rights Law. Info: www.prideagenda.org

LGBT Roundtable update

from LGBT Roundtable committee LGBT Roundtable Project: Over the past year, a steering committee from the Northwest PA Pride Alliance (NWPAPA), the Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE), and Transfamily Support of Erie have organized and held three LGBT Roundtable discussions. The committee invited leaders from various LGBT organizations from Erie and the surrounding counties. The roundtable project is off to a great start with about 15 different groups participating! These LGBT Roundtable discussions had two different purposes. One was to begin a multi-phased needs assessment for the greater Erie LGBT community conducted through the Edinboro University Social Work Department. The second purpose was to unite the various organizations serving different members of our LGBT community in order to provide a platform for communication and collaboration. During this most recent LGBT Roundtable discussion, participants grappled with the long list of

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Erie Gay News - December 2015 - Issue 241

Community News LGBT community needs that resulted from the first two meetings, generated a list of the various strengths of each group and the LGBT community as a whole, and then determined a next step in addressing our needs. As a result of this year’s efforts, the LGBT Roundtable Project is excited to continue to collaborate in 2016 with the vision to INVITE, UNITE, & IGNITE; Invite members of the LGBT community to Unite as a collaborative and diverse group and Ignite within us a passion for addressing these issues together! It is the intention of the steering committee that 2016 Roundtable discussions will be held periodically in order to continue to provide this forum of collaboration for the benefit of our community. If you are interested in hearing about future LGBT Roundtable discussions, please contact Steering Committee Chair, Will Koehler at (814)732-1973 or wkoehler@edinboro. edu. – submitted by Will Koehler.

15.000 Sq. Ft. of Just About Everything... ...Primitives to Mid-Century

Another Great Gala

from Erie Sisters and Brothers The annual Lake Erie Gala, moved up this year from its traditional date, was held at the Avalon Hotel Wednesday Oct. 28 through Sunday Nov. 1 with 78 attendees. Events began Wednesday evening with dinner at Molly Brannigan’s, followed by a night of bowling at Green Garden Lanes. Tours began Thursday morning. First stop on the tour was Fuhrman’s Cider Mill. After leaving Fuhrman’s, the tour proceeded to The Brewerie, where we had lunch and a guided tour of the spooky catacombs beneath Union Station. We were the very first group several years back on a Gala tour to be able to see what was under Union Station, and it’s every bit as spooky now as it was then. Among other things, still in storage there from the Cold War era were canisters of crackers from when the building was designated as a fallout shelter. Paranormal investigators have frequented the site over the years, and it doesn’t disappoint. We then continued the tours with stops at Arundel Cellars & Brewing, and Arrowhead Winery before returning to the Avalon. Thursday Evening saw our only scheduled entertainer at the Avalon, Cliff Hopkins, who amazed the audience with his talents. The first stop on Friday’s tours was at the Grape Discovery Center, which just opened in 2013. We were treated to a tasting of grape juice and wines from various different wineries in the area, then on to the McClurg Museum in downtown Westfield NY. The 14-room, Federal-style house was built in 1818 by pioneer James McClurg, and is home to the Chautauqua County Historical Society. Following that, a walk across Moore Park to Brazill’s for a soup, salad & sandwich lunch. We were then off to Five & Twenty Spirits for a tasting of wine, beer and liquor. Our last stop was at Burch Farms, with a presentation and history of the six-generation produce farm and winery by Tim Burch, with a sampling of four of their wines and a dessert from their bakery. DJ by Steve Maffei with dancing for our annual Glitter Ball followed. With the Halloween time setting, all meals and decorations for the event were Halloween- themed. Friday afternoon was left open for vendor time, and after dinner, the ballroom was opened to the public for dancing and a Halloween costume party. Lighting

Erie Gay News - December 2015 - Issue 241

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Community News

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GEAE Gives Back to PACA recap

Schneider Professional Associate TelCall 412 me 501-5089 501-5089 today Fax and412Craig let’ sFinancial discuss how you Craig Schneider Financial Professional Associate Cell 814 397-4742 Craig Schneider The Prudential Insurance Company of America from Greater Erie Alliance for Equality Financial Professional Associate The Prudential Insurance Company of America can meet those challenges, too. Financial Professional craig.schneider@prudential.com Associate The Prudential Insurance Company of America Tel 412 501-5089 Fax 412 501-5089 On October 14th, the Greater Erie Alliance forThe Prudential Insurance Company of America TelCell 412814 501-5089 Fax 412 501-5089 397-4742 Tel 412 Equality hosted our last GEAE Gives Back! event ofTel 412 501-5089 Fax 412 501-5089 Cell 814 501-5089 397-4742 Fax 412 501-5089 Craig Schneider Cell 814 397-4742 Cell 814 397-4742 2015. craig.schneider@prudential.com Financial Professional Associate craig.schneider@prudential.com About 35 people came out to give back to PACA -craig.schneider@prudential.com The Prudentialcraig.schneider@prudential.com Insurance Company of America the Performing Artists Collective Alliance at 1501 State Tel 412 501-5089 Fax 412 501-5089 Street. PACA will soon be opening a performing arts Cell 814 397-4742 program for youth. To help out with this, those who 0259452-00001-00 0259452-00001-00 0259452-00001-00 attended were able to donate about $600 and a ton of 0259452-00001-00 craig.schneider@prudential.com art supplies. GEAE provided some great food from the Zodiac Diner, and PACA staff and volunteers opened the facility to the public, gave a tour of the amazing space they’ve created, and provided some special performances of Rocky Horror numbers. 0259452-00001-00 We wish PACA well in their continued efforts to bring this city to life with vibrant art and quality performances they work hard to make accessible for everyone! For more about PACA visit paca1505.com 0259452-00001-00

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Erie Gay News - December 2015 - Issue 241

World AIDS Day Programs 2015 Erie PA

Please consider the opportunities to attend the various events that are free and open to the public. You can also purchase a World AIDS Day T-SHIRT and/or make a Donation to contribute to us receiving five Quilts. You can make a monetary donation to support the NAMES Project Foundation in Atlanta, GA, where Several AIDS Quilts come from to go on display in ERIE for awareness and knowledge opportunities. One of the Quilts that we will be receiving has two panels that were created in Erie by family and friends. Nov. 24 to Dec. 2 - Community Health Net 1202 State St, Erie, PA 24 hour Display of AIDS Memorial Quilt, Education and Promotional Free & Confidential HIV Rapid Testing. Contact: Gwen Galloway and Kelly Kidd 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Nov. 29 and Dec. 1 - T-Sounds Production Nov 29 - Concert Bethany Outreach Center 254 E 10th, Erie 6pm; Dec 1 - Faith Talk 1500 State 9am. Contact Person: Tom Lee Dec. 1 - Dec. 4 - Mental Health Association, 1101

Peach St, Erie, PA Display of AIDS Memorial Quilt, HIV and AIDS Education, Free & Confidential HIV Testing Contact Person: Rita Wheeler 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Dec. 1 - John F. Kennedy Center 2021 East 20th St, Erie, PA Display of AIDs Memorial Quilt Guest Speaker from Gaudenzia Shout Outreach Quilt Display from The NAMES Project Foundation in Atlanta, GA Free HIV Testing will be available. Information tables, PowerPoint video, Light refreshments! Guest Contact Person: Sabrina Tolbert Dec. 1 - Iglesia Bautista El Calvario Full Gospel 1711 Plum St, Erie, PA Bilingual Educational and Prayer Service Contact Person: Sonny Concepcion 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1- Dec. 31 - Erie County Health Department 606 West 2nd St, Erie, PA Display of AIDS Memorial. Quilt from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, hang ribbons on Tree of Hope, Provide condoms to the public. Contact Person: Sylvia Holland and Renee Warrack 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Dec. 3 - Gannon University Social Work Department Display of AIDS Memorial Quilt, Class Room Presentation on HIV/AIDS. Contact Person: Parris Baker Program Time: 12:00 p.m. Dec. 5 - Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 1719 Cascade St, Erie, PA Display of AIDS Memorial Quilt, Collaboration with Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Gaudenzia Shout Outreach, Speakers, Education Awareness, Free & Confidential HIV Testing 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Contact Person: Elaine Stanton, Steve Simmelkjaer Dec 5 - Gaudenzia Shout Outreach Mental Health Association 1101 Peach, Eri PA. Display AIDS Memorial Quilt, Remembering the Spirit of Julia and Recovery Speakers. 2:30-4:30pm

Youngstown Ohio

Dec 2 (Wed) - YSUnity World AIDS Day (Youngstown State University, 1 UniversityPlaza - YSU Kilcawley Center, Youngstown, OH) 10AM-7PM. Fair : 10 AM-3PM Free HIV testing: 10 AM-3PMCandlelight Vigil : 4-5PM Safe Sex discussion: 5-7PM (330) 941-3597 YSUnity@gmail.com. www.ysu.edu/.

Erie Gay News - December 2015 - Issue 241

ÂŠ 2015 EGN

Calendar Detailed calendar listings in our online calendar www.eriegaynews.com

Live & Let Live is an LGBTQA-friendly AA meeting that meets every Sunday, at 7PM, at Community United Church, 1011 West 38th Street, Erie, PA 16508. For more information, visit www.aaeriepa.org. Nov 26 - Thanksgiving Dinner at The Center (LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland 6600 Detroit Ave. Cleveland, OH )“You are cordially invited to join us for a community meal on Thanksgiving. Doors open at noon for fellowship and community building, food served 1:00 PM. The Center will remain open until 3:00 PM. The basics will be provided (including turkey) but you are welcome to bring any sides or desserts that you would like to. We look forward to spending this holiday with you.” Info: SAGE Program Activities Coordinator, Mary Beth Bartholomew at MBBartholomew@lgbtcleveland.org.

www.lgbtcleveland.org Nov 27 (Fri) - Zone Divas Steampunk Drag Show (Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA) Performers include Misty Michaels Kall, Michelle Michaels, and special guest from Pittsburgh, Alora Chateaux. (814) 452-0125. TheZoneDanceClub@aol.com. www.facebook.com/TheZoneDanceClub. Nov 28 (Sat) - LBT Women go to Made in Erie Marketplace (East Bayfront Neighborhood, 231 Parade St, Erie, PA) 11 AM. (814) 314-9512. www.facebook.com/ LBTWOMENOFERIE. Nov 28 (Sat) - TransFamily of Erie Support Group meets (Mental Health Assoc. of NW PA, 1101 Peach St, Erie, PA) 2-5 PM. Support group for transgender, gender non-conforming, gender-questioning, and intersex people and their loved ones Contact: Caitlyn Strohmeyer. (814) 823-1969. caitlynxpress@gmail.com. www.facebook.com/TransfamilyOfErie. Nov 28 (Sat) - Erie Sisters and Brothers meets (Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 Perry Hwy, Erie, PA) 7 PM. Local transgender support

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Erie Gay News - December 2015 - Issue 241

Calendar group that provides support and encouragement for both MTF and FTM transgender individuals. Followed by dinner at a local restaurant and dancing at The Zone Dance Club. (440) 265-8191. shub1@suite224.net. eriesisters.ning.com/ Nov 28 (Sat) - Zone ‘Steam’ Steampunk Party (Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA) It’s “Steam!” Grab your goggles and top hats and take a ride on the Steampunk Time Machine! (814) 452-0125. TheZoneDanceClub@aol.com. www.facebook.com/ TheZoneDanceClub. Dec 1 (Tue) - World AIDS Day www.worldaidsday.org See Erie and Youngstown events page 6 Dec 4 (Fri) - G2H2 (Gay Guy/Gal Happy Hour) (Bourbon Barrel, 1213 State St, Erie, PA) 6-8 PM. GLBT professionals, colleagues and friends Dec 5-6 - “NCMC Unwrapped” North Coast Men’s Hanna Theatre @ Playhouse Square, 2067 E. 14th Street, Cleveland, OH www.ncmchorus.org Dec 5-12 “Next Fall” ( (Dramashop, 1001 State Street 2nd Floor, Erie, PA) Staged Reading Series. While the

play’s central story focuses on the five-year relationship between Adam and Luke, Next Fall examines what it means to “believe” and what it might cost us not to. info@dramashop.org. dramashop.org Dec 6 (Sun) - TransFamily Youth meets (Lake Erie Counseling, 301 West 10th, Erie PA) We provide a safe space for all youth who fit somewhere in the gender spectrum, or who are questioning, to share their experiences and to obtain support from others who have had similar experiences. We welcome anyone 21 and younger who identifies as gender-variant. We also support the community through advocacy efforts and education to the larger cisgender community, and we attend to charges of discrimination experienced by transgender youth in Erie County. Info: (814) 5041507 cmn0626@gmail.com or Caitlin: (814) 823-1969. caitlynxpress@gmail.com. Dec 6 (Sun) - PFLAG Butler meets (Covenant Presbyterian Church, 230 E Jefferson St, Butler PA) 5 PM - 8 PM. (724) 290-9674 . president@pflagbutler.com. www.pflagbutler.com/.

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Erie Gay News - December 2015 - Issue 241

Dec 8 (Tue) - Youngstown PFLAG meets (St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave, Youngstown, OH) 6:30 PM. Contact: Marguerite Felice. youngstownpflag@aol.com. www.youngstownpflag.org/. Dec 9 (Wed) - Bears Do Dinner (Golden Wok Chinese Restaurant, 3202 Pittsburgh Ave, Erie, PA) Join the Bears for a casual night of food and fun! Dinner is on your own. Contact: Gary Snyder. (814) 446-2327. info@drenchedfur.com. www.drenchedfur.com. Dec 11-13 - “Believe” Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus holiday concert buffalogaymenschorus.com/ Performances in Buffalo and N. Tonawanda. Dec 12 - “RCC Holiday Concert” Pittsburgh’s Renaissance City Choir holiday concert rccpittsburgh.com Dec 13 (Sun) - LBT Women meets (Brew Ha Ha at the Colony, 2612 W 8th St, Erie, PA) 12 PM. (814) 314-9512. ErieBeans@aol.com. www.facebook.com/ LBTWOMENOFERIE. Dec 12 (Sat) - TransFamily of Meadville meets (Counseling Center, 898 Park Ave (2nd flr), Meadville, PA) 2 - 5 PM. We provide a safe space for all who fit somewhere in the gender spectrum, or who are questioning, to share their experiences and to obtain support from others who have had similar experiences. We welcome anyone who identifies as gender-variant, their family, friends, and allies of the community. We also support the community through advocacy efforts and education to the larger cisgender community. Contact: Richelle Kohler. richellekohler@hotmail.com. www. facebook.com/TransfamilyOfErie. Dec 12 (Sat) - Veronyca’s Showgirls Holiday Extravaganza (Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge No. 119, 201 West State Street, Olean, NY) 9 PM. $6 Cover Dec 14 (Mon) - Deadline for Erie Gay News January

2016 print edition (Erie Gay News, 1115 W 7th St, Erie, PA) Please have all articles, ads, and submissions in by this date. This issue will be released the evening of Dec 22. For a complete list of upcoming deadlines and release dates, check the print edition schedule at www.eriegaynews.com/printedition/deadlineschedule. php Contact: Michael Mahler. (814) 456-9833. info@ eriegaynews.com. www.eriegaynews.com. Dec 15 (Tue) - LGBTQ Support Group Meeting in Meadville (Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S Main St, Meadville, PA ) 7 PM. (814) 724-6736 sroncola@allegheny.edu (Stone UMC) Dec 18 (Fri) - Zone Diva Christmas Show (Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA) (814) 452-0125. TheZoneDanceClub@aol.com. www.facebook.com/ TheZoneDanceClub. Dec 19 - COLORS Unity Christmas Party (Salamanca Public Library, 155 Wildwood Ave., Salamanca NY) 1-5PM BYOBeverage and dish to pass, RSVP by 12/15 to rayw.colors@gmail.com Contact danndh.colors@ gmail.com or Family Adoption Wish List and the

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Erie Gay News - December 2015 - Issue 241

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Calendar

Calendar Raymond (aka Diva) to RSVP for this fun-filled event!! Dec 19 (Sat) - TransFamily of Erie Support Group meets (Mental Health Assoc. of NW PA, 1101 Peach St, Erie, PA) 2-5 PM. Safe space for all who fit somewhere in the gender spectrum, or who are questioning, to share their experiences and to obtain support from others who have had similar experiences. We welcome anyone who identifies as gender-variant, their family, friends, and allies of the community. We also support the community through advocacy efforts and education to the larger cisgender community, and we attend to charges of discrimination experienced by transgender people in Erie County. Contact: Caitlyn Strohmeyer. (814) 823-1969. caitlynxpress@gmail.com. www.facebook.com/TransfamilyOfErie. Dec 20 (Sun) - Michelle Michaels presents FACE Drag Show (Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie, PA) 11 PM. “Great entertainment with all of your favorite drag queens, new drag queens and special guests” (814) 452-0125. www.thezonedanceclub.com/. Dec 22 (Tue) - Erie Gay News folding/distribution work party (Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel, Griffin Room, 55 West Bay Dr Erie, PA) 7 PM. All ages welcome! info@eriegaynews.com. www.eriegaynews.com. Dec 26 (Sat) - Erie Sisters and Brothers meets (Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 Perry Hwy, Erie, PA) 7 PM. Local transgender support group that provides support and encouragement for both MTF and FTM transgender individuals. Followed by dinner at a local restaurant and dancing at The Zone Dance Club. (440) 265-8191. shub1@suite224.net. eriesisters.ning.com/ Jan 26 - Mar 3 - “The Fluidity of Gender: Sculpture by Linda Stein” Allegheny College art galleries, Meadville PA. The exhibition explores the continuum between masculinity and femininity, while inspiring the compassion, empathy and bravery it takes to become an upstander rather than a bystander. Stein asks people to re-invent and visualize bravery for themselves, to look at the armor they wear, the safety they seek. The exhibition has traveled to more than 24 museums and universities around the country. allegheny.edu/

Union for Reform Judaism passes transgender rights resolution Info from Human Rights Campaign Delegates from the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) on Nov. 5 passed a historic resolution calling on the U.S. and Canadian governments to do more to ensure full equality and protections for people of all gender identities and expressions. The resolution also encouraged Reform institutions to take practical steps to ensure the dignity and safety of transgender and gender non-conforming people. The vote took place during the URJ’s biennial, which is being held this week in Orlando, Florida. The largest Jewish gathering in North America, the biennial has brought together more than 5,000 Reform Jewish leaders under the theme, “Bringing Congregations Together.” Rabbi Denise Eger, the first openly lesbian president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and distinguished member of HRC’s Religion Council, called the resolution “visionary.” Visit www.hrc.org.

Read EGN Print Version ONLINE Just go to our website and click on the image of the print edition!

Erie Gay News - December 2015 - Issue 241

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Erie Gay News - December 2015 - Issue 241