Emily, 40, Talks About LGBTQ Visibility, Intersectionality & Resiliency #AMPLIFY

lesbian pittsburgh

What motivated you to take part in this project? Part of wanting increased visibility for your community is being more visible yourself. When the plea was posted in the LGBTQ Community of Pittsburgh Facebook group I felt it was my responsibility as a member of this community to contribute my voice. Plus, I love talking about myself. 😉

KD is a Gay Woman Who Chooses To Be On The Periphery #AMPLIFY

Name: KD Age: 49 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: she /her/hers How do you describe your identity? Gay woman. Like Ellen, I don’t like the word lesbian. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I did not have 1 single experience. I came out to different people at different times. So […]

ENDA, Religious Exemptions, and Why Non-Discrimination Matters

Repent Amarillo

Most people do not believe this so let me open with a statement of fact – in most of the United States (and Pennsylvania) it is legal to fire someone or deny them a rental unit or service because they are LGBTQ.  It is legal. It doesn’t have anything to do with “right to work” […]

Overheard At Work: “Tone Down the Gay”

Daily Prompt: Hear No Evil Tell us about a conversation you couldn’t help but overhear and wish you hadn’t. One day, I attended an early morning work meeting (this was awhile ago) and made casual conversation with the others in attendance by sharing an anecdote about the gas company waking Ledcat and me up super […]

A Bishop, a Rabbi and a Newspaper Columnist Walk Into a Gay Bar

The Post-Gazette has published a lovely piece from Rabbi Aaron B. Bisno, senior rabbi of Rodef Shalom Congregation in Squirrel Hill. We don’t like the government intruding into citizens’ personal lives, and we have a deeply ingrained sympathy for victims of prejudice, having so often been victims ourselves. As Rabbi Yoffie states, “We know from long […]

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Calls for ENDA Passage

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has come out in support of passage of the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Although federal law bans employment discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, age and disability, it does not prohibit bias due to sexual orientation or gender identity. Some states have laws that provide such protection, but Pennsylvania is among 29 […]

LGBTQ&A: Bonnie Humphrey is Straight But Not Narrow

An occasional series where we pose some questions to local LGBTQ folks (and Allies) to learn more about their personal experiences with LGBTQ culture. Click here for a complete list of all LGBTQ&A profiles.  During Pride 2013, we are trying to feature someone each day. Bonnie is the only woman I’ve kissed in recent memory, aside […]

NaBloPoMo: It Sucks Up My Energy When You Don’t Believe Me

Tuesday, January 29, 2013 What reoccurring thought uses up a lot of your mental energy? This theme ties very nicely into an ongoing discussion I’ve been having on Facebook about being gay bashed. THAT is a thought which consumes a lot of my mental energy. Not in an obsessive think about it with anxiety every […]

Post-Gazette Reminds Us That Most LGBT PA Residents Can Be Fired For Being Gay

Post-Gazette Reminds Us That Most LGBT PA Residents Can Be Fired For Being Gay

It is always worth repeating this mantra – we can be fired based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The Post-Gazette took some time to do this. In nearly 70% of the state, there is no protection. Your boss can fire you for being gay. Your landlord can refuse to renew your lease. […]

Senator Casey (D- PA) Statement on ENDA Hearing; the Status of Employment Equality in PA

Senator Casey oft considered a very moderate Democrats is co-sponsoring the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)which would prohibit discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity. WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today attended a Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on the bipartisan Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).  Senator […]