Two Questions for the Pgh Mayor’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee

Pittsburgh Mayor's LGBTQIA+ Advisory Council

I have a few questions about local governing and LGBTQ issues. I will be sharing these directly with the members of the Council whom I personally know. I’ve asked if I could attend a meeting to discuss my concerns, but was informed that the Department of Personnel would not permit me to do so.  Earlier […]

Robert E. Lee Was a Cousin of Mine

This weekend, a lot of rhetoric flowed exhorting us to respond to a horrifying display of white supremacy in Charlottesville, Virginia. One thing that resonated with me was the exhortation by some of my black friends to me, as a white woman, that I need to collect my people. The only people who should be […]

An Open LGBTQ Pride Letter to @SenCasey UPDATED

Senator Casey LGBTQ

Senator Bob Casey has been working hard to move left and seize the post-electoral mantle of a progressive leader in Pennsylvania. And we absolutely need him to continue his aggressive leadership on choice, healthcare, immigration and more. So it was quite jarring to come across this the other day. It is a photo from the […]

UPDATED: Dozens of Ducklings Have Died in Highland Park Reservoir, Access Ramp Needed to Save Remaining Few

Content Note: photo of the bodies of the dead ducklings As of 2:45 PM, I’ve not heard back from Mayor Peduto’s spokespersons, or really anyone except a staffer for Councilor O’Connor who said he was sharing my information with the Parks Director. Whom I told him is out of the office, as is Councilor O’Connor. […]

Rumors Abound in 2017 Pittsburgh Democratic Primary

WTAE broke the story about Darlene Harris alleging Bill Peduto is registering homeless people to bolster his chances of winning reelection. You can see the whole clip here.  “I was told by his people that they’re registering them to vote on Watson Street in the Hill (District),” Harris said. “So, you know, talking about politics, […]

Does it Matter if a Mayor or District Magistrate Will Perform Same Sex Marriages?

There’s been some furor lately in the electoral race for an East End magisterial judge seat. Incumbent Judge Dan Butler is under scrutiny for not performing marriages – he doesn’t perform any marriages. The tricky part is that he belongs to a socially conservative Jewish congregation that defines marriage as between a man and a […]

Updated: Open Letter to John C. Welch, Candidate for Mayor in Pittsburgh

Dear Reverend Welch, A robust primary election process is necessary for a healthy democracy, so I have been watching your early candidacy days with anticipation of your agenda for Pittsburgh. Because I have yet to see any public statements by you on LGBTQ issues and the LGBTQ residents of Pittsburgh, I am writing this letter. […]

Carlisle Approves Non-Discrimination Ordinance, 37th Pennsylvania Municipality to Do So

Non-Discrimination Pennsylvania

On Thursday December 8, Carlisle Borough in Eastern Pennsylvania voted 5-2 to approve a local non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes. Carlisle is the 37 municipality to take action to protect LGBTQ residents while the PA General Assembly remains unable to move forward on similar statewide legislation […]

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Can’t Pick Their Preferred Presidential Candidate So They Took Their Blocks and Went Home

When I read that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was refusing to endorse a candidate in the Presidential election, opting instead to publish a “voting guide” that is absurdly biased and inaccurate, I was swallowing bile while trying to find the words to explain the situation to Lecat. The jokes and the hideous screams of outrage just […]

Here’s Why I Think You Should Vote for Hillary Clinton

HIllary Clinton Pennsylvania

For weeks, my head has been in a muddle over all sorts of things. I have been wanting to write a coherent explanation of why I’m supporting Hillary Clinton in this election, an urge that grows more insistent with each encounter I have with folks I know supporting Trump. But my mind is working against me as it is prone to do when I feel anxious.

So000 I’m going to share a few links with you that I hope will help you to understand where I’m at in my head. I understand the fear of neo-liberal policies is genuine and based in the worst elements of capitalism and democracy. I understand that Hillary is far from perfect, but I do think she is the most perfectly qualified woman to shatter the glass ceiling of the White House as well as the most prepared and experienced candidate for President.