By Central Voice (Click here to link to article on Central Voice) A local vigils for Marriage Equality is planned for March 26 in front of Federal Courthouses all across Pennsylvania in support of Marriage Equality. The events are being coordinated by Marriage Equality for Pennsylvania (ME4PA). The US Supreme Court begins hearing oral arguments March 27 on the constitutionality of the Definition of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s anti-same-sex Proposition 8. The court’s decision could set anti-gay, same-sex marriage laws all across the nation on their ear. Harrisburg Federal Court House March 26, beginning at 4:30 p.m. across the street from Harrisburg City’s Federal Court House, 3rd and Walnut Sts., a coalition of groups will to hold a vigil. Partners in the event included Capital Region Stonewall Democrats, Marriage Equality for PA, Equality PA, LGBT Community Center of Central PA, MCC of the Spirit, LGBT Interfaith Coalition, TransCentral PA, Pride Festival of Central PA, Silent Witness, Unitarian Universalist Church, Alder Health Services, PA NOW, Planned Parenthood, with Central Voice and other outlets providing media promotion. Speaking at the event were Steve Dorko, president, Capital Region Stonewall Democrats; Katie Somers, Marriage Equality for PA; Harrisburg City Controller Dan Miller, State Rep. Patty Kim, 103rd Dist., member of Equality Caucus, Ted Martin, Equality PA. Other Locations Marriage Equality for Pennsylvania (ME4PA) is also hosting or co-sponsoring candlelight vigils on March 25, 5-7 p.m. at the James A Byrne Federal Courthouse in Philadelphia. Several other groups have signed on to this vigil including the primary sponsor, Delaware Valley Americans United; and co-sponsors, Philadelphia Family Pride, the Giampolo Law Group, Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia, SafeGuards LGBT Health Resource Center, and Southern New Jersey Gay Pride. On Tuesday, March 26, ME4PA hosts a vigil in Erie and co-sponsors an event in Scranton. Facebook Events
More Info: www.ME4PA.org www.CapitalStonewall.org www.LightToJustice.org www.thecentralvoice.ning.com Contact: Media Contacts/Event Organizers: David Moore (814)746-1739 Joshua Adam Szczesny (814)923-3149 Erie Event: Emily Crofoot (814)572-3282 Harrisburg Event Coordinator: Katie Somers (215)205-5395 Group Email: ME4PA2@gmail.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/me4pa Online: http://www.me4pa.org Twitter: @me4pa Visit Central Voice at: http://thecentralvoice.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network Add Comment Article provided courtesy of Central Voice After board members voted 5-4 not to support a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club at Chambersburg Area Senior High School, two groups have threatened a lawsuit against the district if the board doesn’t change its vote by the end of the week. The ACLU of Pennsylvania and Equality Pennsylvania sent a letter to the district’s leadership Tuesday, saying the board is in violation of the federal Equal Access Act. The club has been meeting but is not formally recognized by district. Not having recognition hampers communicating about the club and fund raising, examples of resources used by other recognized organizations. Carl Barton, one of the school directors to vote against formation of the club, told Fox43, “I thought there should be more public discussion. It has become controversial other places.” He refused to speak on camera. Central Voice asked Martin to reflect on school board member Carl Barton’s statement to Fox43 about more public discussion. Martin responded,”As for discussion, they can have all the respectful conversation they like but in the end the law requires them to permit the formation of a GSA.” Martin continued with “The school board has a wonderful opportunity to let their LGBT students know that they don’t have to wait until they get older to have a safe space to be themselves and that they can have it right now, at Chambersburg High School.” Since the controversy began, Thomas McCalmont, a Chambersburg Area Senior High School alumnus has coordinated a petition on change.org which as of this morning has received 5,698 signatures. He hopes to have at least one board member change votes, reversing the 5-4 refusal. In his communication to school board directors, McCalmont reports that bullying is bad within the school, sometimes reported, sometimes not, and that students fear retribution. He notes that “Students who identify as LGBTQ are 2 to 3 times more likely to be bullied in school, and 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts. 9 out of 10 students that identify as LGBTQ report being harassed at school.” Martin says the lack of an LGBT-inclusive anti-bullying law in Pennsylvania means local school districts are left on their own to ensure safe environments for LGBT students. “We hope that Chambersburg School Board will do the right thing and allow students to organize a GSA in their district. The school board meets tonight but no action on the matter is expected. Petition: http://www.change.org/chambersburgGSA Visit Central Voice at: http://thecentralvoice.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network Article provided courtesy of Central Voice This morning (March 12, 2012) Dan Miller formally announced his bid for mayor of Harrisburg. Openly-gay Miller, a former City Council member and currently City Controller, faces a slate of other Democratic candidates in a city with an overwhelming Democratic voter registration edge over Republican and Independent voters. Miller said he is “the right guy” for the city’s current financial mess, citing his finance background. He also noted that with past media reports of “animosity” between him and current Mayor Linda Thompson, he said that he had not talked to Thompson often over the last three years and not for about the last six months. Miller cited the city’s dilapidated condition – pot holes, sink holes, clogged drainage ducts, and massive debt – as the reality of a city that “I believe has great potential”. Traditionally, whoever wins the Primary Election, this year May 21, usually carries the vote in the General Election, barring a successful write-in campaign by an opposing party challenger or, as is shaping up this round, a challenge from declared Independent candidate Nevin Mindlin. Mindlin is the Republican candidate who last election cycle came within 842 votes of beating then-City Council member and current Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson. Mindlin announced his campaign as an Independent March 9. His campaign makes it possible that whoever wins the Democratic Primary May 21 will face a challenger in the General Election. All declared candidates as of today, the final day to file documents except for non-Republican and non-Democratic candidates, are Democratic candidates Eric Papenfuse, owner of the Midtown Scholar Bookstore, incumbent mayor Linda Thomspon, Miller, city resident Lewis Butts Jr. Harrisburg City Council member Brad Koplinski, long thought to be interested in the mayor’s office, has switched gears and announced he is running for Lieutenant Governor. Mindlin’s March 9 announcement makes him the fifth declared candidate. Unlike regular party candidates, Mindlin has until August to file all required documents, although his campaign material indicates he expects to have all documents filed by the end of April. Visit Central Voice at: http://thecentralvoice.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network Annville's Allen Theatre will host the premiere of a documentary next week that goes behind the scenes of Lebanon photographer Scott Church's work with drag queens. "ScottChurch's DRAG," a feature-length documentary that follows Church on a year-long journey to photograph drag performers - men who dress up and behave like caricature women, often for purposes of entertainment - from Lebanon and neighboring counties, will be screened at 10 p.m. on Nov 9. Click here to read more from the Lebanon Daily News...   Celebrated photographer ScottChurch and producer/director Michael Donati, the team who gave you "The Art of ScottChurch." are about to unleash "ScottChurch's DRAG" with a world premiere at the historic Allen Theater in Annville, PA. The world of drag performance has never been more colorful and entertaining. This insightful documentary goes beyond the glamour for a one-of-a-kind look at the lives at drag performers of all ages and back grounds. Their stories will amaze you. Location: Historic Allen Theater 36 East Main Street, Annville, PA 17003 Time: 10 PM Cost: $5.00 at the door Come and join us! Add the film on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottchurchs-DRAG/210232249067060 See the trailer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6XX11PMjGI  Dame Glenda Passes, Known throughout State for Her Benevolences Word traveled quickly that Dame Glenda passed today (August 22) after a lengthy illness and courageous fight with diabetes. She had been in the hospital the last few days, a stay that ended with a fatal stroke. Born April 6, 1957, Glen Wagner is known throughout the state for her many volunteer fundraising efforts for many good causes, including HIV prevention and treatment, Central PA Pride Festival, and children’s funds, among other endeavors. Glenda was featured on the cover of the 2011 Pride Guide of the Central PA Pride Festival, along with other performers. “She gave her all. She cared. She mentored and taught and brought out the best in us all,” said one of her charges who credited Glenda with providing guidance and confidence “when I had none in myself.” “The legacy I inherited when volunteering to chair Pride was Glenda’s year-in, year-out commitment to raising funds for our annual event,” said Brad Martin, current chair, Central PA Pride Festival. “No matter what, Glenda stood in the wings waiting to mount her shows, some years four shows, other years six shows, and on top of that also producing fund raisers for other worthy community causes,” Martin said. “Her example to us all is one of open arms, no judgments and a loyalty to always giving back,” he said. Friends and others are hosting a memorial fundraiser Sun., Sept. 1, 9 p.m. at Liquid 891 called “It’s Time to Give Back to Her”. The community at-large is invited to attend and participate. Article Courtest of Central Voice: http://centralvoice.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/dame-glenda-passes-known-throughout-state-for-her-benevolences/ By DIANA FISHLOCK, The Patriot-News Published: Saturday, July 28, 2012, 7:30 PM Updated: Sunday, July 29, 2012, 6:46 AM Say what you want about gay and lesbian issues. It’s all good, said Juan Anthony, 28, of Harrisburg. Anthony said any conversation about gay and lesbian issues is a good one. There are a lot of debates swirling, as cities boycott Chick-fil-A for its anti- gay marriage stance and the Boy Scouts of America reaffirms its policy not to accept openly gay Scouts and leaders, two months after President Barack Obama said he supports gay marriage and 10 months after “don’t ask, don’t tell” was repealed. The fact that people are openly discussing gay and lesbian issues is garnering support in politics and the corporate world, he said. “It’s just free marketing because the more they make it a known thing, the more support there is,” he said Saturday afternoon at Pride Festival of Central PA. About 4,400 gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual people and their friends and families gathered in Riverfront Park in Harrisburg Saturday for the annual celebration of gay culture. Read the original article from The Patriot News' PennLive.com. LGBT Local News: The City Council of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania signed a resolution on Tuesday, July 10th recognizing the Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania for its many contributions to the community including its partnerships with other organizations to provide educational forums on diverse LGBT subjects, providing the Festival and Unity Parade to celebrate equality, awareness and acceptance, and thus attracting visitors and tourists to the City of Harrisburg, bringing business and attention to local shops, restaurants, taverns, etc. This is an important step whereas members of our local government and City Council recognize and accept the LGBT community as equal members of society and as an influential segment of the local buying power. The Pride Festival of Central PA is very excited to have the respect and support of the City of Harrisburg. We would like to recognize and thank Brad Koplinski for sponsoring our Resolution, presenting it to his fellow Council members and in the end, ensuring that it was signed and adopted. Please join us in your emphatic thanks to Brad and the entire Harrisburg City Council.   Central PA Pride Festival's own president, Brad Martin, was showcased in an interview published in today's Harrisburg newspaper. The article outlines the vision for this year's Pride Festival as well as our plans for the upcoming year(s). Enjoy! http://theburgnews.com/TheBurg-July2012-p7.pdf  Pride in the Park 2012 Date: July 22, 2012 Location: Hershey Park Time: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM **9:30 to Noon - Pick up T-shirts & Tickets at the Welcome Tent (Tudor Square) **Noon to 1:00 PM - All You Can Eat Picnic (Trailblazer Pavilion) Cost: Tickets range from $40 - $56 @ Pride in the Park Tickets Event Details:Alder Health Services, The Black and White Party and Central Voice invite you to celebrate Pride with us on Sunday, July 22 from 10 AM to 10 PM.. Ride the rides, and see the shows, but save some room for a fantastic picnic luncheon.
The Hershey Park Tickets are NOT dated and can be used for one admission on any day you choose. If you can't attend on July, 22nd, you can still show your Pride by purchasing a ticket to use on another day. Select "Park Pass (USE ANY DAY)" when you purchase your ticket to indicate that you want the ticket(s) mailed to you for use on a different day of your choosing. For more information please call Alder Health Services (1.800.867.1550) or email Pride in the Park. Event Sponsors: Alder Health Services, The Black and White Party and Central Voice. Event Supporters: Capital City Bears, Susquehanna Valley Bears, The Central PA LGBT Community Center Coalition, The Pennsmen, Family First Health, MCC Vision of Hope, Pride of Central PA, Harrisburg Gay Men's Chorus |
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