The Misinformation of Mayor Peduto’s LGBTQIA Advisory Group

Those of you who have been reading along since 2005 or know how to use Google probably know that I’ve been paying attention to this group since the Ravenstahl era. I was at meetings, I read minutes, I pushed and pulled, I resisted – basically, I showed up and paid attention more consistently than any […]

UPDATED with Comment from Mayor Peduto – City Earns Perfect Score in LGBTQ Equality Index, Remains Mum on Chick-fil-A Sponsorship of Pittsburgh Marathon

This one hurts me on a personal level. When we learned that the Pittsburgh Marathon was teaming up with Chick-fil-A to sponsor the youth events, some of the first people contacted for support were City of Pittsburgh officials. They made a lot of promises about looking into things, standing with the LGBTQ community in a […]

Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Community Center Renamed Pgh Equality Center

Big news in Pittsburgh – the organization we all know as the GLCC or the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh has officially changed its name to the Pittsburgh Equality Center. “When we looked at rebranding with a new name and logo, we were particularly mindful of the long history and the work of […]

Stop enabling Delta Foundation

  One thing I’m learning in therapy is that when I have someone in my life who’s spoiled rotten and who doesn’t have my best interests in mind, then at some point, not only do I have to call them to account, I also have to hold their enablers accountable. And I include myself. For […]

Updated: Open Letter to John C. Welch, Candidate for Mayor in Pittsburgh

Dear Reverend Welch, A robust primary election process is necessary for a healthy democracy, so I have been watching your early candidacy days with anticipation of your agenda for Pittsburgh. Because I have yet to see any public statements by you on LGBTQ issues and the LGBTQ residents of Pittsburgh, I am writing this letter. […]

Jason, 42, aka Miss Thea Trix Spreads a Positive Vibe in the Mon Valley #AMPLIFY

Name: Jason Zubovic Age: 42 County of Residence: Fayette, formerly Allegheny and Westmoreland counties Preferred Pronouns: Mr. and Miss – him and her How do you describe your identity? I am an openly gay white male entertainer with an amazing partner of three years. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My […]

Delta Foundation, Mayor Peduto Resist Transparency About Pridefest Security Plans

Pittsburgh Pridefest

Let it not be said that this divisive blogger doesn’t *try* to get along. I began emailing The Delta Foundation and Mayor Pedutor’s PR folks (Tim & Katie) on May 9 with questions about security plans, prompted by the decision of Repent Amarillo to file a lawsuit against the City of Fort Worth for constraining […]

What Are the Safety and Security Plans for Pittsburgh Pridefest?

Pittsburgh Pridefest

Protestors with an avowed anti-LGBTQ bent haven’t historically been a significant presence at Pittsburgh Pridefest. Yes, here and there. But it was really only in 2014 that they garnered the sort of attention that they craved when Repent Amarillo protested at the City County Building, strolled down the Pridefest route and then set up a […]

The Advocate on Why LGBT Visibility in the Workplace Matters

Yesterday the delightful local lunchtime eblast Eat That, Read This referenced an issue near and dear to my heart – LGBTQ visibility among municipal and other governmental workforces. mayor peduto’s administration noted for being diverse. not mentioned in this piece: how many awesome staffers, at all levels, are gay! Adam his the nail on the […]

I Owe Bill Peduto an Apology

Pittsburgh Pridefest

Last night, Bill Peduto made his first official Pridefest appearance as Mayor at OUTrageous Bingo. He came in looking very relaxed and comfortable in a blue bowling shirt and took the mike like a pro. He acknowledged the longevity and importance of Bingo, Shepherd Wellness and the Gay & Lesbian Community Center. He called a […]