Jessica, 38, is a Cis Lesbian Who Came Out Later in Life #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Cisgender Lesbian

I was very comforted by seeing stories of women like me. Those who came out later in their lives, those who had families and marriages. If my story can help even one person to feel seen, then I’m grateful to have participated. Name: Jessica Age: 38 County of Residence:  Allegheny County, formerly Lancaster County, Dauphin County Pronouns: […]

Priya, 24, Identifies as an Aromantic, Asexual Indian American College Student #AMPLIFY

  Name: Priya Age: 24 County of Residence: Allegheny Pronouns: She/her How do you describe your identity? Aromantic asexual Indian American Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out through a video on facebook to friends. It was generally positive, although some of my female friends asked very intrusive […]

a. drift arguello, 41, identifies as an autistic, queer, apache mexican,artist #AMPLIFY

Autistic, queer, apache mexican,artist

 I feel cultivating a no apology energy field has gotten me far, never being hesitant to educate by example and with a fist full of words. It’s survival out here and being a soldier is a power. Name: a. drift arguello Age: 41 County of Residence: Allegheny County Pronouns: She/her How do you describe your identity? Autistic, queer, […]

Chris, 22, is a Gay Man Who is Out, Proud, and Never Looking Back #AMPLIFY

Gay White Man Pittsburgh

Tell me about the first LGBTQ person whom you met. What impact did they have on your life?

I was scared of him. I was only ten so I believed the lies I’d heard of the LGBTQ community. As I grew, that fear turned into pride and a desire to never hide myself away again. He lost almost everybody when he came out, and I want to be part of the generation that ensures that never happens to anybody ever again. I suppose it’s also my way to apologize to him, since I can’t do it in person.

Ed Pinto, Phat Man Dee Drop Bubble Bath Video This Weekend with Rubber Duckie Cameo

Ed Pinto Pittsburgh

Ed Pinto has upped his investment in the “How much would you pay to hear Ed Pinto’s life story?” fundraiser for #AMPLIFY with this video that dropped over the weekend. Quick Recap – Ed is offering up chronicling his life story for the AMPLIFY archive as a fun fundraiser. We are trying to raise $2,000 […]

How much would you pay to hear Ed Pinto’s queer life story? #AMPLIFY

Ed Pinto Pittsburgh

This is Ed Pinto aka Eduardo Pienta aka Eddie the Jagoff. I met Ed in January 2017 at a fundraiser organized by Viva Valezz to support the ACLU. His body was covered in ink, the ‘script’ of a performance spoken word piece. I was impressed that he could do a backbend and had very pretty […]

Deb, 60, is a Lesbian Who Wants to Preserve Western PA Gay History #AMPLIFY

Queer lesbian Elder

  Name: Deb Age: 60 County of Residence: I live in California now, but was born in Allegheny Co and raised in Clearfield County and went to college in Butler County Pronouns: her How do you describe your identity? Queer, lesbian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I was home […]

We #AMPLIFY Stories from 50+ LGBTQ Parents in Western Pennsylvania on #LGBTQFamiliesDay

Welcome to another year of LGBTQ Families Day, a ‘day of blogging (and more)’ about LGBTQ families, sponsored by the blog Mombian and the Family Equality Council. Once again, I’ve decided to share #AMPLIFY posts highlighting the voices of parents, step-parents  and grandparents and other caretakers of children.  If you are a LGBTQ person with ties […]

Eli, 37, is a Queer Bisexual, Trans Man, and Small Business Owner #AMPLIFY

Trans Man Lawrenceville

  By telling our stories, we expose others to narratives they may not be familiar with. This includes reaching potential allies, and folks who are struggling with their sexual and gender identities, as well as those who feel isolated because of them. Name: Eli Shumaker Age: 37 County of Residence: Allegheny County, formerly Clinton, Centre counties Pronouns: He/Him […]

QT is a 28 year old cis, white, queer female with ties to rural Western Pennsylvania #AMPLIFY

Armstrong Allegheny Cambria Indiana counties

As someone who does not get clocked as LGBT, i hear a lot of very negative talk at work, from people who are very anti lgbt and unaware that I’m part of the community Name: QT Age:  28 County of Residence: Allegheny, previously Armstrong, Indiana, Cambria Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? Cis white queer female […]