Erie’s Pride celebration is just a few weeks away, but one Erie organization won’t be coming back to Pride on the Bay: the Erie VA Medical Center.

Mike Mahler is the treasurer of the NWPA Pride Alliance. They’re the ones who organize the vent.

He said the Erie VA has been at Pride events for years. 

“I want to be very clear here that they have always been professional and courteous. Their top priority has been making sure all veterans are cared for,” he said.

The problem comes from the federal level of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

He said they have denied the Erie VA’s request to be at Pride on the Bay.

“They had put in for other area events. So this is not just ‘We’re not participating in events.’ Just not this particular event,” Mahler said. 

The Erie VA said they can’t comment. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hasn’t gotten back to us yet.

Mahler doesn’t think money is the problem. It only cost the VA $30 to get a table.

“It was a teeny amount of money,” he said. “I’ve spent as much to fill up the tank of my car.”

It’s money they spent last year, but Pride on the Bay was cancelled because of storms.

“We offered anyone who had already paid for a table for 2024 that if you like, you can carry that over to 2025,” he said. 

He said the federal decision is a bad one. LGBTQ+ veterans often face unique challenges and need to know about the help they can get.

“It is important to know that the Erie VA is supportive of everyone and not that, if I’m part of a particular community, that I am not going to be welcomed and supported,” he said. 

Mahler said they are still expecting a great event, whether or not the VA is there. Pride on the Bay is on June 28 at Liberty Park.