Swissvale Borough Adopts Nondiscrimination Protections, Creates Human Relations Commission

I just learned that the Borough of Swissvale passed a comprehensive human relations act that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity on January 4, 2023. Ordinance #23-01 to add a Chapter to the Code of Ordinances to provide for the creation of the Swissvale Human Relations Commission and […]

PYC Statement on Former LGBTQ Nonprofit Leader John Dawe’s Sentencing for Sexual Abuse

I am glad to see the Pennsylvania Youth Congress coming forward with a clear, concise record of their efforts to hold sexual predator John Dawe and the LGBTQ adults who enabled him accountable for sexual violence inflicted on our youth. This has been known for years. These organizations are no better than the Catholic Church […]

Being Acknowledged on International Women’s Day by Statewide Pennsylvania Organization

International Women's Day 2019

Ross Township Extends Nondiscrimination Protections to LGBTQ Residents

Ross Township Nondiscrimination

Now here’s a much-needed shot in the arm for LGBTQ folks in Western Pennsylvania – Ross Township has extended nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The vote was 5-2 to create an Equal Opportunity Board and extended the protections.  As you might anticipate, the vote was […]

PA State Human Relations Commission Expands Discrimination Classes to Include Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity

Pennsylvania discrimination

This is a pretty significant move, but please note that this is NOT the same thing as the General Assembly passing legislation. Like the other two statewide rights (marriage equality and second parent adoption) for LGBTQ people, this has not come from our elected officials in the General Assembly. The Commission issued a guidance that […]

Back to School Q&A with Trans Activist Daniel, 16, of Lakeview School District

We’ve blogged earlier in the year about the decision of Lakeview School District in Mercer County to expand their nondiscrimination policies to explicitly address needs of transgender students. This was a rule change to better comply with existing policy, not a new policy altogether. When the School Board met in May, one student – Daniel […]

Hansen, 20, is an Unapologetic Queer Filmmaker #AMPLIFY

Queer Fox Chapel

  Name:  Hansen Bursic Age: 20 County of Residence:  Allegheny County, Living part-time in Philadelphia to attend Temple University Pronouns: he/him/his How do you describe your identity? Unapologetic Queer Filmmaker Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My mother discovered my sexuality after I unsuccessfully lied about an event I was going […]

PA Youth Congress Celebrates ‘Fun Home’ Performance in Pittsburgh

The Pennsylvania Youth Congress is hosting a terrific set of events in conjunction with the performance of ‘Fun Home’ at Heinz Hall this week, focusing on the unique needs of rural LGBTQ youth. ‘Fun Home’ is based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir, FUN HOME introduces us to Alison at three different ages as she explores and […]

Rest In Power, Dakota James

Dakota James Missing Person

I read with mixed emotions the news that the body of 23-year-old Dakota James had been found in the Ohio River near Neville Island. Dakota has been missing since January 25, 2017. There’s no appropriate comment, nothing I can think of that would bring comfort to the exhausted family who lost a 23-year-old adult child […]

Carlisle Approves Non-Discrimination Ordinance, 37th Pennsylvania Municipality to Do So

Non-Discrimination Pennsylvania

On Thursday December 8, Carlisle Borough in Eastern Pennsylvania voted 5-2 to approve a local non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes. Carlisle is the 37 municipality to take action to protect LGBTQ residents while the PA General Assembly remains unable to move forward on similar statewide legislation […]