Have You Requested a #ProtectTransKids Yard Sign?

Protect Trans Kids

Have you requested your #ProtectTransKids yard sign or stickers yet?  With your support, we’ve produced 2000+ signs and 10,000+ stickers to ensure our trans neighbors know that we will stand with them. Back to school will be here before you know it and we’d love to see more signs along school bus routes to amplify this important […]

Trans People Are Relevant

Matthew Spampinato

Yesterday, a family friend of Matthew Spampinosa left a comment on this blog post about his death. I was appalled enough to draft a message in response to her, but my gut tells me she isn’t going to hear me. So I opted to share my thoughts with you. After all, just today Georgia introduced […]

Facemask Q&A with Goblin Girl Designs’ Lori Korchok

Goblin Girl Designs

It is not my place to decide who should wear what colors. Self expression is so important. It makes us unique, so who am I to say what colors are assigned to which genders? One important part of the Pittsburgh MasQUe ProjecT is highlighting safe and affirming places for trans and queer folx to purchase […]

What Happens When We Don’t Listen to Black Women in Pittsburgh

Black Women Pittsburgh

I’m still struggling along this week so I’ve had to skip a few significant stories I’d typically blog about. But I am paying attention. I live about a mile away from the Exxon gas station in Marshall-Shadeland where three male employees assaulted two Black women over what amounted to $17 worth of gas. I encourage […]

How the good intentions of families of LGBTQ youth might harm other LGBTQ youth

Allies Harming LGBTQ Youth

I feel very sad for Dakota James’ family, especially his mother who seems immersed in unresolved grief. But their unwillingness to consider that a terrible accident befell their son while he was drunk is having a negative impact on the LGBTQ community and general population of Pittsburgh. The Foundation they established is taking LGBTQ resources […]

With Anti-Transgender Editorial, Post-Gazette Officially Proves that Pittsburgh Never Was #StrongerThanHate

The phrase ‘a new low’ seems inadequate to describe the mean-spirited, churlish, vicious, nasty, hateful bitterness of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial Board. But writing out that serious of descriptive words repeatedly is equally insufficient to capture the true evil this Board has embraced. This week, they published this scathing indictment of Twitter’s new speech policies […]

AMPLIFYing LGBTQ History Month: Q&A with David DeAngelo

To date, the AMPLIFY project has published over 270 Q&A’s from the Western Pennsylvania region. These stories capture important moments in LGBTQ History, from the current day and extending as far back as the Kennedy Administration in terms of lived experiences of LGBTQ people.  I’ve asked some folks to weigh in on the impact of this project […]

The Post Where I Thank the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh

One of the ugliest things about bullying is that it isolates the target. I’ve been feeling very isolated this past week, reaching out for support and action from LGBTQ organizations and allies. I contacted statewide groups, local groups, members of Pittsburgh City Council, and more. Because that’s how allies are supposed to behave – when […]

On Being an Ally: A List of LGBT 101 Resources

LGBT 101

Recently, someone asked me to answer their LGBTQ 101 questions. After a few, I suggested links they could read. They dropped the subject. And I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Yes, I was setting a boundary because answering these questions over and over does get tiring. Sometimes I am just not up for it. […]

Phat Man Dee Talks About ‘Creative Love Energy’ and #LGBTHistoryMonth

Phat Man Dee

In honor of LGBT History Month, I’ve asked several friends to share something that they consider significant with regard to the regional LGBTQ experience. Here, Mandy L Kivowitz-Delfaver also known as Phat Man Dee, responds. I’ll admit that she made me tear up quite a bit.  ~ Sue My friend Sue Kerr of the wonderful blog […]