South Side School District in Beaver County Threaten Welfare and Safety of Trans Students With New Policies

In 2022, information surfaced from South Side School District in Beaver County, Pennsylvania that they were considering trans-affirming policies. This after a teacher refused to comply and was suspended. Parents were outraged so the School Board reinstated the teacher AND stepped away from what they now termed ‘guidelines.’ They would then consult with the Pennsylvania […]

Add Jacob Williamson to the Conversation about Brutal Violence Targeting Trans and Nonbinary Youth

Transgender youth

Content Note: transgender, anti-trans violence, graphic descriptions of violence As we continue to grieve the violent death of Nex Benedict in Oklahoma, there’s another case that should hold our attention. Jacob Williamson, an 18 year old white trans man, was brutally murdered in Monroe, North Carolina while on a first date with someone he met […]

Grieving Nex Benedict: the Brutal Killing of 16 year old Nonbinary Student in an Oklahoma High School

nonbinary white teenager flashing the peace sign

The Crime Nex Benedict (they/them) was a 16-year-old nonbinary youth living in Oklahoma. They endured a reportedly vicious beating in a high school bathroom of Owasso High School, Nex died the next day in the hospital. They were a sophomore. This was February 7 and 8th. Last week, Nex was in high school. This week, […]

What Are the Legal Costs To Defend Domestic Partnerships and Marriage Equality in Pennsylvania?

This past weekend was my third wedding anniversary. It was a bit harder than I thought to think about marriage joy. But we had a plan. I’ve gifted my wife with the “traditional”gift each year that we could share, so I decided to gift myself something leather this year. In this leather case, it was […]

How to Participate in the Campaign Q&A’s for the 2024 Primary Election

Political Q&A

Each election cycle, our blog publishes Q&A’s with candidates for elected office. You can see previous Q&A’s at this link. During 2023, we published 29 Q&A’s. Obviously, the Presidency is literally at the top of ballot, but don’t dismiss the many other critical elections. We invite candidates from all races in Pennsylvania to complete our Q&A’s. […]

Here Are 13 Things I Have Learned During My Separation

Obviously, a time of separation gives you reasons to reflect on your life and relationship. Not all lessons are about the relationship itself. Some are useful in other situations. All have come with a lot of sadness, pain, and struggle. But good things, too. Some of you are on the run, to escape a real […]

On Christmas Eve, Black Trans Woman Amber Minor, 40, Was Shot to Death in Missouri.

Amber Minor

The Crime Amber Minor, 40, was killed in Raytown, Missouri on Christmas Eve. She was a Black trans woman. Furthermore, her death brings the total for 2023 to 44. At 8:35 a.m. on Dec. 24, officers were dispatched to the 9800 block of 77th Terrace on a report of a body lying in a driveway. […]

Is My 1991 Internship With Rick Santorum No Longer The Most Quirky, Interesting Thing About Me?

Rick Santorum internship

Today, I met an LGBTQ person from Pennsylvania who did not recognize the name Rick Santorum. Huh. This was in the context of an interview with the Philly Gay News about my blogging. It was bound to happen eventually. He left public office in 2006, defeated by current Senator Bob Casey. He has a lackluster […]

Suspected DUI Driver Crosses Lanes, Kills Virginia Trans Advocate Before the New Year

Lexus Shelby Riddick-Walker

The Crime The last violent fatality of 2023 comes at the hands of a familiar foe, alcohol or more specifically driving under the influence. Lexus Walker, a Black trans woman, was 43 when she was killed by an alleged drunk driver doing the wrong way through a stretch of tunnels in Hampton Roads, Virginia. This […]

The Murder of a 53 year old Trans Woman in Maryland

The Crime Meghan Riley Lewis, 53, was a white trans woman living in Maryland, parent to two children, technology professional, a Dead Head, musician, and resoundingly lauded for her compassion and kindness. On December 27, she tragically joined the ranks of trans neighbors who have died violent deaths in 2023 when a single gunshot fatally […]