Win Surprise Surprise DVD, from Ariztical Entertainment.. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from July 30 through August 20.

When you read about the rich and famous “going spiritual”, e.g., going to meditation retreats, studying Buddhism in India, reading (and writing) Spiritual/New Age/Personal Growth books, what the hell is going on?  Is this a true search for dealing with pain and suffering or is it mere New Age quackery?  Is it just another way to make a buck, or is there really something valuable there? 

Author: Michael Kimmel

We are writing to express how extremely troubled we are that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has not yet been scheduled for a vote by the full House of Representatives. We believe a floor vote must be scheduled for ENDA immediately.

In a scene reminiscent of the recent racist smear campaign against public servant Shirley Sherrod, the Potter County Tea Party in rural northern Pennsylvania has launched an attack on a local public library simply for being the site of a screening of the award-winning PBS documentary film OUT IN THE SILENCE, and is attempting to vilify a conservative Christian pastor who appears in the film.

Earlier tonight, Bilerico.com broke the story that at today's anti-gay National Organization for Marriage rally in Indianapolis, a NOM supporter called for the murder of gay couples. The supporter's sign states that the "Solution to Marriage" is that gay people should "be put to death" and quotes Leviticus 20:13 ("Their blood shall be upon them"). In case his quotation was not clear enough, the sign includes an image of two nooses.  The sign states the NOM supporter's name and address: Larry Adams, from Cross Bearer Ministry in Indianapolis.

MONTCLAIR, N.J., July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's procedural decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court, voting 3 to 3 not to take the marriage equality case directly and all but inviting our side to initiate a new case at trial, is, of course, profoundly disappointing. Today's decision represents a delay until the Court hears how the civil union law has devastated same-sex families and their children.  And any time justice is delayed, justice is denied. 

Los Angeles, CA, July 23, 2010 - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today released its fourth annual Network Responsibility Index (NRI), a report that maps the quantity, quality and diversity of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people on television. Primetime programming on the five broadcast networks was evaluated as well as original primetime programming on 10 of the highest-rated cable networks.

HELENA, MT — Seven committed same-sex couples on July 22 filed a lawsuit against the state of Montana for failing to provide legal protections to same-sex couples and their families in violation of the Montana Constitution’s rights of privacy, dignity and the pursuit of life’s basic necessities and its guarantees of equal protection and due process. The goal of this lawsuit is ensure that same-sex couples are able to protect their families with the same kind of legal protections that opposite-sex couples are offered through marriage.

In the early sixties I spent a lot of time, like most teens, trying to figure out who I was. My best resource was the library. The section where I found the most relevant information was Criminology.

Author: Lee Lynch

On Sunday, July 8, 80 people gathered at Butler's Alameda Park to share in a picnic sponsored by Persad Center's "Community Safe Zone Project" (CSZP) and Butler County PFLAG. CSZP is a program of Persad Center which provides GLBTQI community building projects and events to non-urban areas outside of Pittsburgh. Directed by Ted Hoover of Persad, this new program and Butler County PFLAG sponsored a showing of "Out in the Silence" in May.

Author: Joe Tomlinson

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Win Change of Life DVD, from Ariztical Entertainment.. To enter the contest, fill out the form here from July 23 through August 13.

Author: Deb Spilko

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Please note that the Erie Sisters Transgender Support Group has a new web site. At the end of 2010 it will be their primary site. The new site is http://eriesisters.ning.com/. You can also find them on Facebook.

Social group for lesbian, bisexual and transgendered women. Meets the 2nd Sunday of month at Presque Isle Gallery Coffeehouse. Contact: Laurie Finch. Phone: (814) 452-6645, cell 450-8804). Email: lbtwomen-owner@eriegaynews.com. For details on these events, visit http://womynoferie.wetpaint.com/

Author: Laurie Finch

Since 1894, the taunt “Sticks and stones may ‘break’ my bones but words will never hurt me,” has resounded across playgrounds and school hallways. Time has taught us bones will heal but emotional wounds not so easily.

I attended a church-related college which required every student to take a freshman course in introduction to Christianity. It was called something like Religion 101. The professor was an older man who was strict and dogmatic in his religious beliefs.

Author: Rev. Richard Moyer

Noted country singer Chely Wright recently came out as a lesbian, a first for a performer in that genre. Check out the interview below. Also, Chely Wright sings "Like Me" from her new album,. "It’s clear in this song that it’s about me in a relationship with a woman," she told Ellen DeGeneres. She calls it "the musical centerpiece of all these songs we’ve been working on."

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On Thursday, October 7th, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates will host the 11th annual Out & Equal Workplace Awards Dinner at the Los Angeles Convention Center as part of this year’s Out & Equal Workplace Summit. The “Outie” Awards recognize individuals and organizations for exceptional achievements on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.