Pennsylvania Equality Project

Goal: $2,000.00

Specific Need

For several years, Pennsylvania Equality Project has conducted surveys to measure discrimination, housing affordability, bullying, and most recently the mental health of the LGBTQIA+ community in Pennsylvania. The research we are conducting provides the data to demonstrate that our area needs a Community Resource Center and Drop In Safe Space shelter for the LGBTQIA+ community. To reach a broader audience, we are raising money to pay for the costs related to the surveys and work we do. As our way of giving back to the community, we conduct FreeShop at the Meadville Public Library. Your contribution will help us continue our research and ongoing FreeShop efforts. PEP Radio online began operating on our website on August 15, 2024 at 11 AM and is live now! Tune in every Saturday and Sunday for the Smokers' Lounge, an hour of jazz from its roots.

Mission

We exist to educate all Pennsylvanians about the LGBTQ+ community that lives and thrives all across the Commonwealth. At both the federal and state levels of government, we seek an end to discrimination against the community for all matters related to housing, education, public accommodations, and credit; a ban on conversion therapy; protection from bullying for students and teachers in schools; and fairness and equality under the laws of Pennsylvania and the United States.

Profile

The Pennsylvania Equality Project, a 501c3 organization located in Meadville, is the largest grassroots organization in Pennsylvania fighting for LGBTQ civil rights. Beyond our goal of opening the resource center, we need your help bringing our other goals to fruition. We have taken on some major initiatives, which include:

1. Opening a combination community resource center and drop in safe space shelter in Meadville.

2. Creating a statewide database of LGBTQ+ owned and operated or affirming companies.

3. Conducting surveys and studies about housing, mental health, and discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community.

4. Hosting FreeShop at the Meadville Public Library to support the needy in our area. Our next FreeShop will be Friday September 27 and Saturday, September 28.

5. Hosting statewide educator and guidance counselor online webinars and interactive training sessions that will focus on LGBTQ+ issues. (We have already begun doing this work with CASA in Cambria and Somerset Counties.)

6. Operating PEP Radio, 95.7 FM WPEP-LP, Meadville. We received a construction permit to operate a new FM low-watt radio station. Our online radio station begins operation on August 15, 2024 at 11 AM.

These agenda items are very ambitious, but together we can accomplish all of them. Please help in any way you can - whether a little or a lot. We moved from Edinboro to Meadville in March 2021 because we firmly believe in the people and businesses of Crawford County -- their generosity and kind spirit drew us here.