The 44 Year Old Bridesmaid

Same Sex Marriage Pennsylvania

I’ve never been a bridesmaid. I’ve been the lector (the person who reads during a Catholic Mass) many times over, but never a bridesmaid. Don’t get me wrong, this has its advantages. I can wear whatever dress I want, I often was included in the pre-wedding festivities and my outlay of cash was minimal. But […]

UPDATED 24 Year Old Trans Man Dies By Suicide in Pittsburgh

Andi Woodhouse

The news about the death of Leelah Alcorn outside of Cincinnati brought to my attention a similar tragedy much closer to home. On Saturday, December 13, 2014, 24-year-old Andi Woodhouse died by suicide near the 10th Street Bridge in Pittsburgh. Andi was from Lebanon, PA. He was in Pittsburgh temporarily for some services and he […]

Election 2014 Don’t Let the Trans Community Bear the Brunt of the Anti-LGBTQ Attacks Alone

Vote Pennsylvania

There are many reasons to vote and many critical elections impacting Southwestern PA. It is easy to give in to the sense of inevitability or futility and not bother to turn out, but that’s exactly what our opponents want to see happen. The act of voting IN SPITE of the odds is an act of […]

When A Manager Send You Pornographic Email

Porn Email

While debate rages over the “inappropriate email” scandal in Harrisburg, I am reminded of one much-overlooked fact: this happens to a lot of us in our workplaces. And it is not a pleasant experience, precisely because it typically reflects deeper things about the workplace culture rather than a one time “whoops” scenario. Here’s what’s happening […]

Turn Out For What? MidTerm Elections In Southwestern PA

Turn Out For What? MidTerm Elections In Southwestern PA

Can you name anyone running for in the 2014 November 4 elections? You should. Every member of the United States Congress is up for reelection. And we are electing a Governor. This new video from Rock The Vote, takes an interesting approach though. Instead of focusing on WHO we are electing, it reminds us that […]

Pumpkin Spice Latte Memes

pumpkin spice latte

Changing colors, dropping temperatures, pumpkin spice lattes: do these mainstays of Fall fill your heart with warmth — or with dread? When did PSL become a mainstay of fall (not Fall)? I guess when pumpkin spice latte gained a prominent hashtag aka #PSL which I use all of the time. I love pumpkin spice latte. […]

Plaintiff in PA Marriage Equality Lawsuit, Fredia Hurdle, Dies at Age 50

Fredia Hurdle

  Fredia Hurdle is remembered as a force of nature by her family and friends in the aftermath of her death on Thursday, August 7, 2014. She is known for her role as a plaintiff in the landmark case that brought marriage equality to Pennsylvania (Whitewood, et al v Wolf, et al) where she and […]

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” […]

Partner of Alleg Co Employee Speaks Out on Termination of Domestic Partner Benefits

Allegheny County Domestic Partnership

  I am scheduled for a total knee replacement 8/2014. I also need to have a hysterectomy as I have tested positive for precancerous cells and have a family history. Eileen Halloran  and her partner have been together for nearly ten years. They have 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren. Five years ago, Eileen’s partner took […]

Petition: Keep Domestic Partner Benefits Until PA Passes Statewide Non-Discrimination

UPDATE: Nearly 550 signatures in three days. Let’s keep this going.  UPDATE: Over 150 signatures in less than 24 hours. Will you lend your name?Allegheny County in Southwestern Pennsylvania has announced plans to eliminate domestic partner benefits for employees, effective July 31, 2014. Same sex couples who receive benefits have until that date to legally marry […]