Celebrate National Coming Out Day By Reading These 318 Stories

National Coming Out Day

On this National Coming Out Day, it is important to remember that coming out is not a one and done experience – we “come out” every time we meet someone new who has been taught to assume everyone is heterosexual and cisgender. And sometimes we don’t come out because it is not safe. We might […]

318 Coming Out Stories from Western Pennsylvania

National Coming Out Day Pittsburgh

Happy National Coming Out Day! Today is the day we celebrate coming out – being more open about our LGBTQIA+ identities AND encouraging folx still “in the closet” to take their own steps. Sharing our own unique stories is an essential tool to offer support. In honor of that reality, I am offering this list […]

Visibility in Coming Out, Both Quietly and Publicly #NationalComingOutDay

Yep I'm Gay

I had an idea to explore an important question around coming out – the need for visibility and representation by publicly out folks in all industries, occupations, walks of life balanced against the very personal decisions we make to come out. I wrote about this in 2015 regarding the workforce of the City of Pittsburgh. […]

Anonymouse, 62, is an Atypical Late Blooming Bisexual in Somerset County #AMPLIFY

Somerset County Bisexual

Content Note: sexual abuse, child abuse, mental illness, religious abuse. We’ve posted several hotline numbers at the end of this post for  your reference. Name: Anonymouse County of Residence: Somerset County. Age: 62 years old Pronouns: He, him, they, theirs, yinz How do you describe your identity?  I’m an atypical late blooming bisexual – I came to understand […]

Rachael, 21, Describes Bisexual Life in Rural Western PA #AMPLIFY

Butler Erie County Bisexual

  Being out feels a lot like there’s a clearer, more accurate presentation of myself being shared with the world and that’s how I prefer it. Name:  Rachael Age: 21 County of Residence: Butler County, formerly Erie County Pronouns: She/Her How do you describe your identity? Bisexual Cis and Caucasian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did […]

Anonymous, 46, is a Lesbian Who Chooses Not to Be Involved in the Pittsburgh LGBTQ Community #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County LGBTQ

I’m actually not that involved, mainly because I’m not outgoing and haven’t inquired or explored the Pittsburgh area.   Name: Anonymous Age: 46 County of Residence: Allegheny County Pronouns: she, her How do you describe your identity? Lesbian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out at […]

Q&A: Maia Sharp Talks About Being an Out Musician, Her Work with Bill Deasy, & What She Loves About Pittsburgh

Maia Sharp

Roscoe & Etta will perform at Club Cafe on South Side, Saturday August 17.  7:00 PM (Doors 6:00 PM) The show is 21+ and tickets are $13.00. Maia Sharp came out at age 23 in 1994 and has been making herstory ever since. She’s recorded seven albums and had all sorts of interesting collaborations in […]

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: […]

Maria, 37, is a Queer Trans Latinx Challenging Us To Be Better Trans Allies #AMPLIFY

Trans Woman Pittsburgh

It is never easy coming out, be it for the first time or the hundredth time, and that little bit of fear is still there after having some people in my life no longer wish to be a part of my life. But I feel it is important to be out, and visible, and that […]

Q&A with Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields

When I read that the Magnetic Fields were coming to Pittsburgh for a two-show performance of their latest album ‘50 Song Memoir‘ – I threw caution to the wind and requested an interview with Stephin Merritt. He can obviously have his pick of all the mainstream media in the region; I was hoping that his […]