Updated: Final Arrangements for Andre ‘Pokie’ Gray

Funeral Flowers Pittsburgh

As we reported, Andre’s body was recovered from the Ohio River on March 20 near Wheeling, West Virginia. His cause of death has been declared a homicide by gunshot wound. A person of interest (Hubert Wingate) is already being held at the Allegheny County Jail for other charges. No charges have been filed and Pittsburgh […]

Andre Gray Found Murdered in Ohio River

Andre Gray

Very sad news for the families of Andre Gray and another missing man, Paul Kochu, who was cis het. Both of their bodies were found in the Ohio River, near Wheeling, West Virginia. The cause of death for Paul is undetermined until a complete autopsy is performed. Andre died from a gunshot wound, so his […]

Monday 3/23 Marks Five Months Since Andre Gray Disappeared in Pittsburgh

Andre Gray Pittsburgh

  Monday March 23 marks five months since Andre Gray disappeared from his Lawrenceville home. Andre is 5’9″, 200 lbs. He is part of the LGBTQ community. There have been no significant leads in the case. Andre’s family has repeatedly said that they want closure, they want to bring Andre home. They have organized searches, […]

This Is Spring Depression

Depression Anxiety

March has been a pretty good month in our household. The critters are all doing well in terms of their health and quality of life, something that we value with 3 very elderly animals. We’ve had some fun and exciting experiences socially. Both of our work lives have been fine. I heard that a grant […]

Pittsburgh has 2nd Lowest Percentage of LGBT adults in 50 Metro Areas

This is important. A recent Gallup study of the 50 largest metropolitan cities in the United States found that Pittsburgh was ranked 49 thin terms of the size of our LGBT population. These results are based on responses to the question, “Do you, personally, identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender?” — included in more […]

CBS Daytime Soap Reveals Transgender Storyline Twist

Maya Bold and the Beautiful

This week, The Bold and The Beautiful revealed a significant plot twist with the disclosure that Maya Avant is a transwoman. The show had played up a “big secret” moment involving Maya’s college-aged sister, referencing family rejection and denial. Maya first appeared on screen in December 2013 as an old-friend of Dayzee with a troubled […]

Johnstown City Councilman Attacks Pridefest, LGBTQ Youth Prom

Johnstown Pride

Johnstown’s Pride Celebration is the latest battleground for rightwing attacks on the LGBTQ community.  Organizers of the May 2 Pride dinner and related events sought a proclamation from Johnstown City Council. The gathering serves as a prom for LGBTQ youth and an awards dinner for the annual Reader’s Choice awards. The dinner is held at […]

My modest proposal to prevent “bathroom panic”

A number of states—mostly of the far-right-wing variety—have now introduced legislation that would forbid transgender people from using a public restroom if it doesn’t correspond to the gender on their birth certificate. (Pennsylvania hasn’t tried this yet, but I’d be surprised if some legislator doesn’t have a draft bill sitting on his or her desk. […]

A Reel Take On the Movie ‘Boys’

Boys the Film

Boys is a sweet movie about teenaged boys who run a lot and kiss sometimes, and that’s alright, although I’m not familiar with the legal aspect of things. It’s the sort of movie that’s shot in a way that makes you think “teenaged boys kissing is alright in my book!” and then you think, “I […]

Giveaway: Into The Woods on Blu-ray

Into The Woods

Enter to win an Into The Woods Blu-ray™ Combo Pack! Into The Woods From the director of Chicago and the producer of Wicked comes a modern twist on the beloved fairy tales you thought you knew. Iconic characters, such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel, find their fates intertwined […]