Trans Man Matthew Spampinato Killed in Hit and Run While Walking Home From Work

Matthew Spampinato

Matthew Angelo Spampinato was a 21-year-old white man living in New Castle, Delaware walking home from work when he was run down by a hit-and-run driver on February 9, 2022. The accident took place along State Route 237 near the intersection with Quigley Avenue. Matthew was born and raised about an hour outside of Atlanta, […]

How Starbucks Helped Me Endure the Pandemic. Until Now.

I used to smirk at people who sat in line, engines idling, for long periods of time at a local Starbucks. I could park, go in, place my order, use the bathroom, collect my order, and walk out while they sat there just waiting. My wife and I spent a lot of time at Starbucks. […]

Five Ways We Practice Self-Care During This Pandemic

Or Day 173 Took Me To The Cleaners. You know it has been a beast of a year with very few bright spots. Our family still chooses to isolate as much as possible to minimize the impact of exposures we can’t avoid, like Laura’s work duties. Something has to give. We won’t go to a […]

Queering the PA Wilds: Day Two

Technically, our first full day of vacation. This is my travelogue. You are welcome to read along.Our little camping cottage is super cute and efficient, but I don’t like the bed. It’s big, plumpy, and covered in a bamboo woven comforter. But my back hurts.The breakfast local recommended by our friends was closed today. So […]

Update on Holiday Projects for LGBTQ Neighbors

We’ve been working with three local LGBTQ projects to support our neighbors during the holidays. Here’s an update. Persad’s SAGE project works with LGBTQ elders (50+) and each year identifies clients who have minimal or no family engagement. Coupled with living in rural communities on fixed incomes, their holiday support isn’t really strong. In years […]

UPDATED One Week Left to Donate Gift Cards for LGBTQ Elders #ReachOUT

Persad SAGE party

We met our goal in less than 24 hours after posting this recent update! Thank you, Pittsburgh! The headline is this – we still need gift cards for some of the LGBTQ elders connected to the SAGE project with Persad Center. They are all over 55 and have little to no family support so this […]

Fish Fry Friday: St. James in Sewickley

Pittsburgh Fish Fry

Name: St. James Church Date: February 12, 2016 Time We Ate: 7 PM Random review of #fishburgh adventures during Lent. Find a fish fry on this Google maps collection. You can also follow them on Facebook and find tons of reviews and suggestions. Here is our general criteria: In review, the factors we assess or review include: Location/directions/parking/signage Atmosphere/Volunteer […]

Even More #PSL Memes

I find myself fascinated with the concept of a basic white girl who likes PSL. The intrigue is both in the sexist assumptions about women and the class issues – I can name dozens of women like me who grew up desperately aspiring to be a basic white girl. It finally dawned on me that […]

What Do You Want to Know About Your LGBTQ Neighbors?

Amplify LGBTQ

Do you have a burning question about LGBTQ life in Western Pennsylvania? As I’ve been working on the AMPLIFY! LGBTQ project, I’m pondering the types of questions that will get to the heart of the lived experiences of our neighbors – from Waynesburg to Erie. So I’m going to open the floor to you, dear […]

Four Ways to Take a Mental Health Break (at Starbucks)

Mental Health Month

Remember when someone would use the “mental health day” reason to take a day off from work? Well, today is Mental Health Month Blog Day (that’s a mouthful) which I like to think of as a mental health day in the middle of mental health month. The goal? Mental Health Month Blog Day to educate the public […]