Tell the Steelers to Make an "It Gets Better" video!

We've already asked you to help us persuade our state's baseball teams to jump on the "It Gets Better" bandwagon. Now, we're asking the Pittsburgh Steelers to do the same. The world of sports isn't always so friendly to LGBT youth, so it's important to see athletes taking a stand for equality and respect. The Pittsburgh Steelers can reach a huge audience, and have thousands of fans who could be reached by an "It Gets Better" video. You can ask them to join the campaign by signing the petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/pittsburgh-steelers-create-an-it-gets-better-video-and-stand-up-to-homophobia-in-sports.

Same-Sex Couples Under Threat in PA

This week we celebrated an historic moment for marriage rights, as New York became the most recent and largest state to legalize gay marriage. Congratulations to the New York state legislature, for recognizing that everyone deserves the right to marry the person they love. Unfortunately, here in Pennsylvania, a group of state legislators are attempting to keep same-sex couples from obtaining this basic civil right. House Bill 1434, created by Republican Representative Darryl Metcalfe, states that “Marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife and no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.” The bill, which currently has 37 sponsors, would not only prevent same-sex couples from obtaining civil unions in Pennsylvania, but would also invalidate any preexisting civil unions in the state, even if they are recognized by other states. The passage of this bill would represent a devastating setback to Pennsylvania’s LGBT community. Make sure you speak up against this discriminatory and unjust bill by signing our petition at www.equalitypa.org.

Help Spread the Word About Equality PA!

The team at Equality PA has been working hard to make Pennsylvania a better place for its LGBT residents. But we can’t do it without you! Yesterday marked the launch of our “Ask 10” campaign, which we hope will help us spread our message throughout the state. The success of the “Ask 10” campaign depends on you! So, what can you do to help? Simply “like” our Facebook page, and then invite at least 10 of your Facebook friends to do the same. “Liking” our page will give you access to breaking news, hundreds of photos, and an online community of like-minded LGBTQ folks and allies. It’s a great way to stay updated on the fight for LGBTQ rights. Join us at www.facebook.com/equalitypa.

Attic Youth Center Launches City-Wide Campaign

We here at Equality PA are proud to congratulate the Attic Youth Center on its recent ad campaign targeting anti-gay bullying in the City of Philadelphia. The campaign’s posters can be found on buses and in the subway, advocating “It’s OK to Be You.” Long praised for its afterschool work with LGBT youth, the center aims to provide these young adults with a message of acceptance in the face of societal pressures to sequester one’s sexuality and/or gender identity.
Attic Youth Center Director Carrie Jacobs initiated the program in the face of Seattle-based activist Dan Savage’s “It Gets Better Project.” A collection of YouTube videos filmed by LGBT adults and allies of the movement, the project’s theme of an ideal future is taken by some to mean that the present must be tolerated rather than celebrated. Jacobs and others at the Attic Youth Center amended the project’s goals – choosing to focus on specific elements of the LGBT rights movement’s struggle and framing their posts as “It Gets Better When...” or “It Gets Better If…”. Through this program, the center was able to expand its already developed adult-youth LGBT mentorship program, helping young adults to thrive in the present and envision a more open future simultaneously.
After a horrible string of nationally-publicized LGBT suicides this past fall as well as research which demonstrates a clear relationship between teenage homophobic bullying and later mental and health-related concerns for LGBT individuals, this ad campaign is truly necessary and welcomed. The team at Equality PA looks forward to seeing these posters across Philadelphia and hopes they will provide LGBT youth an added example of the community which supports and advocates for them every day.


More information can be found by Gregory Thomas’s article on the topic.

Bethlehem Takes a Stand Against Discrimination

The City of Bethlehem celebrated a huge victory for civil rights last night. After a hearing that had over 100 speakers, the City became the 21st municipality in Pennsylvania to pass an LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance. The vote by the City Council was unanimous and this ordinance will make it illegal to discriminate against LGBT people in employment, housing and public accommodations in Bethlehem.
We thank the City Council and the Mayor for their courage and perseverance to pass a strong ordinance that says discrimination is NOT welcome. We are also deeply grateful to the many volunteers and members of the public who attended countless meetings and spoke eloquently about the importance of passing this ordinance. Their words and presence made such a difference. The PA Diversity Network also deserves not only our thanks, but everyone’s, for their tireless leadership in The Lehigh Valley on equality for LGBT folks. We always try to partner with local and regional groups, and we respect and value all that they have done. The ACLU, NAACP, and AARP also played a crucial part in getting this legislation passed.
EQPA was there in all aspects of the process, from helping to build public support to refining language to speaking at meetings. We intend to continue working hard for the passage of local ordinances all over Pennsylvania for as long as it takes to ensure that LGBT citizens are treated equally and fairly EVERYWHERE. More importantly, we will fight for local ordinances because the clear message their passage sends to the Legislature in Harrisburg is that NOW is the time to finally vote on a statewide, LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination law in Pennsylvania. This is a historic time in the fight for LGBT rights in the state, and you can be a part of it! Want to pass a non-discrimination ordinance in your area? E-mail themartin@equalitypa.org
Want to support our valuable work? PLEASE donate today at www.equalitypa.org/donate.html.

Pride Weekend Wrap-Up

This past weekend, three cities in Pennsylvania celebrated Pride in a big way! Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Erie pulled out all the stops for a seriously memorable weekend. In Philadelphia, PrideFest went off without a hitch. Everyone we spoke to was having a great time, and we were very excited to see such a wide range of people attending. The entertainment was amazing, and the rain held off until just before we left. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table to sign a petition or take a photo! In Pittsburgh, revelers enjoyed the soulful sounds of the inimitable Patti LaBelle during Pride in the Streets on Saturday, followed by Pridefest on Sunday. Thousands of people showed up for a day of dancing, eating, face painting, and fun. We also got to spend some time with the Student Network Across Pennsylvania, Equality Pennsylvania’s youth advocacy branch, which connects student youth LGBT activists from across the state.You can learn more about them at equalitypa.org/snap.html. The new Greensburg branch of PFLAG was also present for the festival. A little bit of rain didn’t stop us from having a blast at the Erie Pride Family Picnic. We all enjoyed the delicious food, much of it brought by community members, and had fun talking to all the families and friends who showed up for the festivities! Of course, Equality PA couldn’t have participated in all the Pride Weekend events without a dedicated team of volunteers and interns. We offer a heartfelt thanks to all of you for all of your help,as well as to SNAP and Greensburg PFLAG. Keep up the amazing work! And don't forget, Pennsylvania has lots more Pride to go around! The next festival is Lancaster Pride, which runs from 12-6PM this Saturday, June 18th.

Tell Our Sports Teams to Make an "It Gets Better" Video!

Last week, we at Equality PA challenged two of our state's biggest sports teams to stand up for LGBT youth by making an "It Gets Better" video. They would be joining the San Francisco Giants, the Chicago Cubs, and the Boston Red Sox who have already stepped up to the plate and agreed to make videos. When you have two such great teams in one state, why shouldn’t we make the pitch?
You can help make this happen! Take a minute today to encourage the Boys of Summer to make a video. Tell them this is important and that strong public support like this is crucial to letting LGBT teens know that it gets better.
Since the beginning of this project, tens of thousands of personal videos have been recorded offering hope to vulnerable teens and over 350,000 people have pledged their support to end hate and intolerance. We think it’s time for our baseball heroes to join this effort.
Call the Philadelphia Phillies (215-463-6000) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (412-323-5000 – CHOOSE EXT. 8) and ask them to speak up for LGBT teens and make an “It Gets Better” video!And while you’re at it, write them a message on Facebook or on Twitter, and make a request there too!
The Facebook and Twitter accounts for the Phillies are Facebook.com/phillies and twitter.com/phillies. For the Pirates, use facebook.com/pirates and twitter.com/pirates.

Bethlehem's New Anti-Discrimination Bill Under Attack

On June 7, the city of Bethlehem had a chance to finally pass a bill that would protect the LGBT community from discrimination. But because of vague wording within the bill’s text, the vote to ratify it has been postponed until June 21st. The bill would create a Human Relations Commission in Bethlehem, which would prevent discrimination in housing, public facilities and the workspace. Bethlehem is the largest city in Pennsylvania without an antidiscrimination ordinance; clearly, this legislation is long overdue. The mayor, John Callahan, supports the bill, saying "I think it sends a very clear message to people about Bethlehem that we're inclusive and we put a high value on human rights,” in an interview with WFMZ News. However, although the legislation has strong community support, it is still threatened by two anti-gay groups. The American Family Association and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Allentown have been spreading homophobic propaganda to try and kill the bill, warning of an impending takeover of the city by those favoring the “gay lifestyle.” They are also responsible for the inclusion of an extremely vague “religious exemption,” which would exempt about 50% of the city from following this ordinance. We can’t allow bigotry and misinformation to carry the day in Bethlehem. Please sign the petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/urge-bethlehem-pa-to-adopt-a-strong-lgbt-inclusive-non-discrimination-law?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition, urging Bethlehem’s City Council to pass the ordinance after making the “religious exemption” clause more specific. We also need as many people as possible to pack City Hall on June 21st, the next time the bill will be voted on.Hopefully, the city of Bethlehem will take a stand for civil rights for everyone.

William Way LGBT Community Center to Hold Homecoming

On June 11th, the William Way LGBT Community Center is holding its first ever Homecoming extravaganza! If the thought of Homecoming conjures up nightmares of unflattering dresses and awkward dance-floor encounters, never fear. The Way Center’s version promises to be nothing like your high school’s dance, unless you went to the coolest high school ever. Things get rolling at 8 PM in the Center’s 1315 Spruce Street location, with a performance from the radically inclusive gospel choir A Voice for All People. They’ll be followed by the Liberty City Kings, Philadelphia’s renowned queer drag burlesque troupe. Last but certainly not least will be the divine Ladies of Sinful Sundays. The Notorious OMG will be running the show as the Mxtress of Ceremonies. Feel free to wander from room to room, enjoying the delicious summertime food and drinks. And of course, it wouldn’t be Homecoming without a King and Queen! The Center will be crowning two community leaders in a ceremony that is not to be missed. In fact, Equality PA's own Brian Sims has been nominated as part of the evening's Homecoming Court! If this sounds like fun to you (of course it does), you can purchase tickets online at http://www.waygay.org/events/homecoming2011.asp. Tickets run from $75 for VIP, to $35 for general admission, to $20 for “sobers, seniors, students, and starving artists.” It’s the perfect way to celebrate before Philly’s PrideFest the next day, or to cut loose after Saturday’s Dyke March! Bring your friends, or maybe ask that special someone you’ve been crushing on (it is Homecoming, after all).

Pennsylvania Pride

Break out your rainbow flags! The season of Pride is finally upon us. This weekend Pennsylvania will celebrate Pride in not one, not two, but three cities across the state. In Philadelphia, be sure to check out the Philly Dyke March, which starts at 3 pm on Saturday, June 11th at 11th & Pine streets. Attendees will enjoy performances from musicians like singer-songwriter Ami Verrill, LYFE dance, and appearances from the Liberty City Kings and the Radical Faeries, who will be providing water ice to tired marchers. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Philadelphia’s infamous Pride Day parade and festival is this Sunday, June 12th. The party starts at noon, with a parade beginning at 13th and Locust, in the heart of Philly’s gayborhood. The parade will finish at Penn’s Landing, the location of the Pride Festival. This year’s keynote speaker is the actress Aisha Tyler, of “Talk Soup” and “Nip/Tuck”. Admission to the festival is $10, which gets you access to six hours of fabulous entertainment and over 120 vendors.
Pittsburgh will be throwing its own Pridefest bash this week. Pride events started on June 3rd in the Steel City, with a Pride Advocacy Rally on the steps of the City-County building. If you’re in the area on Saturday, make sure not to miss Pride in the Street, Pittsburgh’s largest outdoor street party. This year, the one and only Patti LaBelle will be gracing the festival with her presence. The party continues on Sunday, with the Pride Awareness March, which will start at 10 AM on Boulevard of the Allies, and finish at Liberty Ave and 6th Street, at the entrance to Pridefest. Pittsburgh’s Pridefest promises to once again draw a crowd of thousands; come join the party!
Those of you living in Erie have your own Pride party to look forward to! The Erie Gay New Family Pride Picnic will be held this Saturday, June 11th, from 1 to 6 PM at Presque Isle State Park. You can register before the event online at http://www.eriegaynews.com/pride/register.php, or in person at the picnic. The beautiful setting, near the Waterworks beach, is perfect for playing volleyball (always a popular activity) or any of the other games planned for the day. Got kids? There’s a playground nearby, as well as a variety of children’s activities to take part in. Food will be served from 2 to 4, and you are encouraged to bring a dish to share. You also have the chance to win a fabulous door prize!
Whichever Pride event you attend this weekend, make sure you come say hello to the Equality PA crew! We’ll be hanging out in each city, registering voters and helping you take action for LGBT rights in your community. We’ll have letters to your legislators that you can sign to make sure they hear your voice! We also would love some volunteers to help us staff the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh events. If you’d like to help, please email Allyson Hamm at allyson@equalitypa.org.

Philadelphia Trans Health Conference to be Held This Weekend

The Philadelphia Trans Health Conference is celebrating its 10th year this weekend. This event will bring trans-identified people and allies from all over the country to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for three days of educational workshops, socializing, and support. Workshops will cover everything from hormone therapy to creating a trans-friendly environment in the workspace. The conference is family-friendly; there will be separate workshops for trans youth, as well as a pool party for families with children. All are welcome at this event; there is no registration fee.
The Trans Health Conference has been run by the Mazzoni Center since 2006. The Mazzoni Center provides health care to the Philadelphia LGBTQ community. The Equality Pennsylvania team is proud to support the conference & plan to participate everyday as a vendor. We’ll also be registering people to vote, providing consignment-quality clothes for donations, and doing some political organizing! Come talk to us about opposing an amendment to define marriage as solely between a man and a woman, the recent change to PennDOT’s gender marker policy, and several other ways that you can support the LGBTQ community. Also, one of our former interns will be hosting an all-day legal clinic.
With so many different activities planned, the 10th annual Trans Health Conference truly has something for everyone. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you still have time to register online at www.trans-health.org. We hope to see you there!