GLBT Insurance, Employment Protections and Advocacy Frustrations

GLBT Insurance, Employment Protections and Advocacy Frustrations

I promised myself that I would not be blogging politically for the foreseeable future b/c my frustration with the state of LGBT advocacy in Western Pennsylvania is just off the scale.  I have little objectivity b/c it is my actual life and livelihood and living conditions that have been cast aside in favor of bigger […]

Final Update on PA’s so-called Marriage Protection Amendment

Final Update on PA’s so-called Marriage Protection Amendment

Final nail in the coffin.  For this round. Courtesy of Equality Advocates: The Pennsylvania legislature adjourned for its summer recess in the first week of July without any further action on the proposed Constitutional amendment, SB 1250. The legislation attempted to prohibit legal recognition of non-marital relationships in Pennsylvania including marriages of same-sex couples and […]

Obama and Faith Based Anything: I Knew It!

Obama and Faith Based Anything:  I Knew It!

Color me not surprised by this little pronouncement from Mr. Theocracy. Reaching out to evangelical voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is announcing plans that would expand President Bush's program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups and – in a move sure to cause controversy – support their ability to hire and fire […]

Domestic Registry Passes First Hurdle

Domestic Registry Passes First Hurdle

As reported by the PG web-edition, City Council gave a thumbs up on the first vote for the domestic partner registry.  The lone naysayer was the Reverend Ricky Burgess.  Final vote will be next week.  No word on how the Mayor feels about all this registry stuff, but it appears veto proof at this stage of […]

Correction on the Campaign Event for Luke Ravenstahl

Correction on the Campaign Event for Luke Ravenstahl

I have been informed that individuals invited to the LGBT luncheon with Luke Ravenstahl are not being required to make a campaign contribution.  They are invited to do so, as their discretion. I don't know all the ins and outs of these sort of invitations, so I'm going to take this information at its word.  […]

Luke and the Gay Luncheon … You Knew There Was More To The Story …

Luke and the Gay Luncheon … You Knew There Was More To The Story …

As we discussed earlier in the week, plans are underway for LGBT “supporters of Luke” to get together with him over lunch to discuss LGBT issues.  A few key LGBT designated leaders have been invited.  This was confirmed by local LGBT business owner and chair of the Delta Foundation, Gary Van Horn, in the comments […]

Ulf, Canine Cop, Responsible for Every Civil Rights Violation in the History of Pittsburgh

Ulf, Canine Cop, Responsible for Every Civil Rights Violation in the History of Pittsburgh

What's more important for local social justice – the stability of the Thomas Merton Center or the culpability of a dead police dog?  I'd like to ask Carole Weidmann that question.  Carole's pants were ripped during an anti-war protest a few years ago and the culprit may have been Ulf, the dog who was shot […]

City-County Merger: Here’s The Homosexual Agenda

City-County Merger:  Here’s The Homosexual Agenda

Simply put, we cannot support this merger until we have two guarantees. First, we must have the County pass legislation ensuring our civil rights are preserved.  Right now, those of us who live or work in the City are assured protections based on our sexual orientation and gender identity.  At the Big Gay Chat last spring, sponsored […]

Will Pennsylvania outlaw divorce?

Will Pennsylvania outlaw divorce?

Pennsylvania's most colorful Senator — and he would stand out brightly even in the gayest of gay communities — Vince Fumo is proposing to amend the, well, amendment legislation to outlaw divorce with a few exceptions. Mr. Fumo, who leaves the Senate on Nov. 30, said the stated goal of Senate Bill 1250 is to […]

SB1250 – What’s Next?

SB1250 – What’s Next?

The legislation passed in the Appropriations Committee 18 – 8.  Four Democrats voted yes.  Two Republicans voted no.  So now the legislation moves toward a vote by the full Senate.  Yes, that means more telephone calls.  The “yes” votes (pro-Amendment) in SW PA are: John Pippy (R) Barry Stout (D)  – Yikes! Mary Jo White […]