May 24 – 26 (Fri – Sun) – MEMORIAL DAY MILITARY WEEKEND – In The Navy! (Jones Pond Campground & RV Park, 9835 Old State Rd, Angelica, NY 14709-8729) “In the Navy” is the theme. Get out your best Nautical Outfits and have fun at our Sunday afternoon T-Dance. Memorial Day weekend dances all three nights! Yah, the pool is open! Phone: (585) 567-8100. Email: info@jonespond.com. Browse to http://www.jonespond.com.

May 25 (Sat) – Holiday Weekend (Camp Davis, 311 Redbrush Rd, Boyers, PA 16020-1219) Dance Saturday and Sunday Night Contact: Jim. Phone: (724) 637-2402. Email: campd@aol.com. Browse to http://www.campdaviscampground.com.

May 25 (Sat) – LGBT Float in Perry 200 Parade (Perry 200 Parade, 12th and Cherry, Erie, PA 16502) We are looking for other groups and individuals to help with building the float and also to be on it. If your group wants to display their banner, that’s terrific! This Grand Patriotic Parade is scheduled to take place from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. The parade route is 1.8 miles long – from W. 12th Street and Liberty to 3rd and State Street. The parade will consist of civic dignitaries – including the Governor of Pennsylvania leading the parade, military and marching bands, veterans, floats of American wars – especially from the War of 1812, Erie history floats, special wave dancers, ethnic groups from the area, Erie organizational floats, large balloons of cartoon characters, clowns, antique cars, and much more! Contact: Michael Mahler. Phone: (814) 456-9833. Email: president@nwpapride.org. Browse to http://www.nwpapride.org/article.php?recordid=201302perry200parade. RSVP/Register/Tickets at http://www.nwpapride.org/register.php?prideid=48.

May 25 (Sat) – Tribal: Jungle Fever (Craze Night Club, 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA 16502) Bust out the camel shades, leopard or zebra print. Show off the golden tan body. Get the feathers ready. It’s time to go TRIBAL! Phone: (814) 456-3027. Browse to http://www.facebook.com/crazenightclub.

May 25 (Sat) – TransFamily of Erie Support Group meets (Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, 1011 Peach St, Erie, PA 16501) 2 PM – 5 PM. TransFamily of Erie is a support group created to serve the transgender community of Northwestern PA and the surrounding region. The group provides a safe space for all who fit somewhere in the gender spectrum, or are searching. This includes all transgender subcategories, including FTM, MTF, cross dresser, genderqueer, questioning, etc. Family members of all ages, friends, parents and spouses are welcome at the meetings. Meetings are held from 2 – 5pm on the 4th Saturday of each month at Mental Health Association of Northwest PA (MHA – 1101 Peach St. Erie, PA, 16501) Meetings consist of group discussion around some topic of interest, followed by time for social interaction. Please bring some type of snack to share. Parking in the MHA parking lot is free. Contact: Caitlyn Strohmeyer. Phone: (814) 823-1969. Venue Phone: (814) 452-4462 ext 117. Email: caitlyn_xpress@verizon.net. Browse to venue web site http://www.mhanp.org/.

May 25 (Sat) – Erie Sisters meets (Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Erie, 7180 New Perry Highway, Erie, PA 16508) 7 PM. Erie Sisters is a local transgender support group that provides support and encouragement for both MTF and FTM transgender individuals. The group meets for discussion the fourth Saturday of each month at 7pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church; 7180 Perry Highway, Erie PA, followed by dinner at a local restaurant and dancing at The Zone Dance Club. Phone: (440) 265-8191. Venue Phone: (814) 864-9300. Email: shub1@suite224.net. Browse to http://eriesisters.ning.com/. Browse to venue web site http://www.uuerie.org.

May 26 (Sun) – LBT Women go to Troika Russian Festival (Church of the Nativity, 251 E Front Street, Erie, PA) 12 PM. FREE admission. Food and drink available for $. Meet us at noon under the big tent for lunch, then we will check out the festival grounds. If you are planning on attending, please e-mail Laurie at LFinch003@neo.rr.com so we don’t lose you in the crowd Contact: Laurie Finch. Email: LFinch003@neo.rr.com. Browse to http://womynoferie.wetpaint.com/. Browse to venue web site http://www.churchofthenativity.net/.

May 26 (Sun) – Pittsburgh Big Gay Picnic (North Park, Babcock Blvd & E Ingomar Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101) 12 PM. Your admission ticket includes all-you-can-eat and drink, live performances, fun sporting activities, and so much more. We have the whole place to ourselves! Phone: (412) 246- 4451. Venue Phone: (724) 935-1766. Browse to http://www.pittsburghpride.org/. RSVP/Register/Tickets at http://www.showclix.com/display_events.php?sid=181. Browse to venue web site http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/parks/npfac.aspx.

May 28 (Tue) – Buffalo Pride Festival (Buffalo, NY) Buffalo and Western New York’s annual Pride Festival has grown to be just too BIG for one weekend, so we’re pleased to announce that -due to popular demand- Pride 2013 has expanded to encompass a full week’s worth of celebration, advocacy and community engagement. Browse to http://www.buffalopridefestival.com/.

May 30 (Thu) – FRIENDS & FAMILY – Extra Long Weekend (no nudity) (Jones Pond Campground & RV Park, 9835 Old State Rd, Angelica, NY 14709-8729) Friends & Family can check in a day early this year when our F&F weekend starts Thursday. Friday night BINGO where, in addition to regular winnings, Jones Pond will give a special gift to all “Friends & Family” winners. Wii Bowling & Pool Tournaments on Saturday plus a whole lot more! Phone: (585) 567-8100. Email: info@jonespond.com. Browse to http://www.jonespond.com.

May 30 (Thu) – Thirsty Thursdays Return to Craze! (Craze Night Club, 1607 Raspberry St, Erie, PA 16502) Come play with one of the new bartenders ALL SUMMER LONG! Avoid the craziness downtown, chill out on the patio, and enjoy the summer! Phone: (814) 456-3027. Browse to http://www.facebook.com/crazenightclub.

May 30 (Thu) – LBT Women go to The 23rd Annual Erie Wild Rib Cook Off and Music Festival (Perry Square, W 6th and State Streets, Erie, PA 16501) 6 PM. Meet at 6 PM at the fountain in east Perry Square. From there we will get dinner, then check out the vendors, and later the music. www.ErieRibFest.com You can e-mail me if you are coming at LFinch003@neo.rr.com so we don’t lose you in the crowd. Also you can call my cell at 814-450-8804 -Laurie Contact: Laurie Finch. Email: LFinch003@neo.rr.com. Browse to http://womynoferie.wetpaint.com/.

Win a personally signed copy of Damaged Angels by Larry Benjamin from Beaten Track Publishing 

Win a personally signed copy of Damaged Angels by Larry Benjamin from Beaten Track Publishing To enter the contest, fill out the form at http://www.eriegaynews.com/news/article.php?recordid=201305damagedangels&sourceid=2 from May 21 to June 11.

Damaged Angels, a truly extraordinary collection of short stories from Larry Benjamin whose characters are determined to find their place in the world; if they cannot find a place, they make a place. Even when their lives aren’t perfect, it’s never because they’re gay but because they’re human, and like all humans, they often suffer the consequences of ego and bad judgment.

With Damaged Angels Benjamin chooses to look at the gritty site of love and relationships. To look at love when physical and mental health are compromised. The main characters in all thirteen stories are hauntingly similar to the Author’s own experiences and to read this collection, is to get inside his head. Benjamin admits “And that scares me: do I want anyone to know me that well?”

“…a beautiful collection of stories, some short, some a little longer, all presenting a side of life that most of us do not see, by reason of choice or privilege. They are often gritty, sometimes erotic, occasionally surprising (it had never occurred to me how a man might fake an orgasm – I’m not sure I’m glad for the knowledge, but anyway…), always vivid…” (DM via goodreads.com)

We are giving away 3 copies in total. The first person drawn will be contacted by the publisher who will ask the exact nature of the wording required in the signed copy.

Winners for two further unsigned copies will also be drawn.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Kenton Mahler, Erie Gay News
1115 W 7th St, Erie PA 16502-1105
Phone: (814)456-9833
Fax: (530)451-9833
Email: info@eriegaynews.com
“Covering news & events in the Erie PA region since 1992”
AOL Chat ID: MahlerEGN
Yahoo Chat ID: mike_mahler
MSN Messenger Chat ID: eriegaynews@hotmail.com