Welcome to the Greater Erie Alliance for Equality  Resources Page. This section is designed to provide links and information about a variety of local, regional and national LGBT and LGBT-friendly government and not-for-profit organizations. It is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive list. These listings are a public service and Greater Erie Alliance for Equality, Inc. is not promoting or endorsing any entity.  If you have suggestions of other listings, please email us at GEAEinfo@gmail.com.

Local

Erie County Department of Health
www.ecdh.org

Among the many services available, the Erie County Department of Health provides information and confidential testing for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. For detailed information, call the department at (814) 451-6700.

Erie County Human Relations Commission
www.eriecountygov.org/HRC/

The Erie County Human Relations Commission administers the Erie County HRC ordinance to ensure equal opportunities in employment, housing and public accommodations for all, including LGBT individuals. Call (814) 451-7021.

Erie Gay News
www.eriegaynews.com

Erie Gay News is the primary print and web news resource targeted specifically to GLBT people in Erie and the surrounding Northwest PA, Western NY and far Eastern Ohio area. The website also includes resources and information on a wide variety of business, organizations and issues.  Call (814) 456-9833.

Gaudenzia Erie, Inc. – SHOUT Outreach
www.gaudenziaerie.org

In addition to providing a complete continuum of care, including detox, residential, dual diagnosis, outpatient and halfway house services, Gaudenzia Erie, through its SHOUT Outreach program, offers educational and prevention programs to address drug use and risk behaviors that can increase the risk for contracting and transmitting HIV. Call (814) 459-4775.

Regional

American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania
www.aclupa.org
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is the nation’s foremost guardian of liberty. It is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to defending and protecting individual rights and personal freedoms. Through advocacy, education and litigation, ACLU attorneys, advocates and volunteers work to preserve and promote civil liberties including the freedom of speech, the right to privacy, reproductive freedom, and equal treatment under the law.  There is a Northwest PA Chapter and an office in Pittsburgh. Call them toll-free at 1-877-PGH-ACLU (744-2258) or in Pittsburgh at (412) 681-7736.

The Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh
www.pittsburghpride.org

The Delta Foundation produces events and supports projects that help make the Pittsburgh a vibrant and exciting city that is attractive to the LGBT community. These include Pittsburgh Pride, (PITTSBURGH)RED on World AIDS Day, a Memorial Day Picnic, various fundraising events, and it’s newest project, Equality Partners of Western Pennsylvania. Call (412) 246-4451.

Equality PA
www.equalitypa.org

The central goal of Equality PA is to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Pennsylvanians through education and policy and legislative reform.
Call the Harrisburg office at (717) 319-5210 or the Philadelphia office at (215) 731-1447.

GLENDA
www.glenda.org

Based in Pittsburgh, GLENDA fosters appreciation of gays, lesbians and all people by working together with diverse communities to make western Pennsylvania a better place to live.
Working together, GLENDA volunteers help to beautify the region, assist less fortunate neighbors, help fight disease and help fight prejudice. GLENDA provides an opportunity for diverse people to work together, dispel negative stereotypes, appreciate differences and recognize the positive impact everyone can have when they pull together on behalf of the entire community. Call (412) 422-1303.

Northwest PA Rural AIDS Alliance
www.clarion.edu/57941

Based at Clarion University, the Northwest PA Rural AIDS Alliance works in unison with the communities of northwest Pennsylvania to improve, protect and promote their health by being their health care partner in the struggle against and treatment of HIV and AIDS. The Alliance provides access to high quality, comprehensive early intervention services for the medically underserved HIV positive individuals in the region. Call (814) 764-6066 or toll-free at 1-800-359-2437.

Persad Center, Inc.
www.persadcenter.org

Persad Center, Inc. is the nation’s second oldest licensed counseling center specifically created to serve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community. The Center is committed to helping GLBT and HIV+ individuals and the people who love them. Persad’s staff of mental health professionals is trained to respond to the emotional needs of the GLBT community in a caring way that is sensitive, non-judgmental and culturally specific. They offer a variety of clinical programs and services. Call (412) 441-9786.

National

Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
www.hrc.org

The Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of over 750,000 members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. Based in Washington, DC, the HRC can be reached toll-free at (800) 777-4723.

Matthew Shepard Foundation
www.matthewshepard.org

The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year-old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion and Acceptance” through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story. It’s mission is to support diversity programs in education and to help youth organizations establish environments where young people can feel safe and be themselves. The organization is based in Denver, CO. Call (303) 830-7400.

MortgageLoan.com
www.MortgageLoan.com

This website helps explain the different approaches that same-sex couples can take to getting a mortgage, establishing ownership of a home, and creating legal documents that anticipate legal or property-ownership issues that might occur if the couple breaks up or one partner dies. This site is NOT a substitute for specific, tailored advice from a licensed attorney.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
www.pflag.org

PFLAG is a national organization that promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, education and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.  There are local chapters serving Erie/Crawford counties and Butler County in PA and Chautauqua County, NY.

The Trevor Project
www.thetrevorproject.org

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. In addition to operating the crisis and suicide prevention lifeline (866-488-7386), The Trevor Project provides online support to young people through the organization’s Web site, as well as lifesaving guidance and vital resources for educators and parents.