This Year In Pennsylvania, These Openly LGBTQ Candidates Won Office

A list of openly LGBTQ people who won elected office in Pennsylvania in 2023. Each time I create a post like this, I am humbled to think of how much has changed since I began blogging in December 2005. At that point, an openly gay man won office on Wilkinsburg Council in the 90s, but […]

Election Outcomes Primary 2023

I am so pleased and/or relieved by the outcomes of the Pennsylvania Primary in Allegheny County. Note: It feels silly to congratulate candidates on winning a campaign or running a good campaign. I want to congratulate the residents of Allegheny County for not only a win, but a massive shift toward better models of government. […]

Q&A with Corey O’Connor, Candidate for Allegheny County Controller

I want the Controller’s office to go beyond simply pointing out problems and moving on and work in collaboration with County and City departments, as well as outside stakeholders, to set policy and provide a vision for the county’s future. Our next post in our 2023 primary election season series ‘Political Q&A’ with progressive candidates […]

LGBTQ Electoral Victories in Pennsylvania

According to the Victory Fund,  at least 1,065 out LGBTQ people ran for office in the November midterm elections. At least 340 out LGBTQ won their races as of November 9, 2022 with more results yet to come in.  In Pennsylvania Jessica Benham, State Representative in Pennsylvania House District 36 and the first openly queer woman […]

My Essay About Voting

Day two of #NaBloPoMo This feels mandatory, a reminder to all of you about why you must vote and vote Blue in the elections next week. I like to think that anyone reading my blog would be familiar with these issues and already a regular voter. But since I don’t actually know most of you, […]

PA Senate Debate: Dr. Oz Says Abortion Decisions Should Be Between”a Woman, her Doctor, and Local Political Leaders”

“I don’t want the federal government involved with that at all. I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that’s always allowed our nation to thrive to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves.” Dr. Mehmet Oz

Update on How to Request Campaign Yard Signs in Pittsburgh

Earlier this week, I wrote a post outlining the convoluted steps to get yard signs for races that are deemed critical to democracy. I reached out to all of the campaigns and asked them 1. Do you have yard signs available for the community? 2. What options do you have for people to request a sign?  3. Is a […]

How to Request Campaign Yard Signs around Pittsburgh

I know, I know – yard signs don’t generate votes. My campaign staff friends tell me this and I say “phooey” to them. I notice signs. And I especially notice the signs in my own neighborhood (Manchester on the Northside) which is 70% Black and 30% white. I notice which candidates have support. I notice […]

Where do These 36 Pennsylvania State and Federal Candidates Stand on the Potential to Overturn Roe? Nine of Them Have Told Us in our Q&A Series

Political Q&A

As part of our current Political Q&A series with candidates running in the May 2022 Primary, we require participants to identify as pro-choice along with meeting other criteria. For me choice/body autonomy/reproductive justice are deeply embedded in LGBTQ equality and rights. That is also true in terms of the Supreme Court rationale used in cases […]

Q&A with Deja Alvarez, Candidate for State House District 182

Currently, there has never been an openly trans-state lawmaker in the PA legislature nor has a trans-Latina been elected nationwide. We know representation directly impacts how our voices are heard, budget is spent, and resources are allocated. For the trans community in particular our lived experiences should not exclude us from being part of the […]