Maxwell, 22, is a Queer Trans Man from McKean County #AMPLIFY
What motivated you to take part in this project?
I want people like me to know that it does get better. You are not sick, you are not broken; you are you, and you are brave and strong. I wish I’d known who I am earlier, but it doesn’t always happen that way, and that’s okay. Finding yourself can take a long time, but it’s worth it.
West Middlesex School District in Mercer County Implements Trans Inclusive Student Policies
Well frankly, I am a straight, white, Christian, cisgender male. It’s people like me that need to step up and show support for the marginalized people. In early December, officials in the West Middlesex School District (Mercer County) announced that existing school policies on inclusion, diversity, and respect would expand to include allowing transgender and […]
When You Ask Me About the Delta Foundation …
This is a follow-up post to one I just published: Can the Delta Foundation be redeemed? With increasing frequency, people are contacting me to ask for my summary of the Delta Foundation’s actions. I think you should 1) review the primary source materials directly and 2) decide for yourself. Keep in mind, we are talking […]
Can the Delta Foundation be redeemed?
(Note: If you want a rundown on the Delta Foundation’s history, read this post.) A few days ago, I was doing a walk and talk with someone chatting about general LGBTQ community news. They asked me point-blank “Is there anything the Delta Foundation can do to redeem itself?” My response boils down to this. There […]
Cirque du Soleil ‘Corteo’ in Pittsburgh for a Limited Run This Week
Cirque du Soleil is back. The amazing sow, Corteo, will be at the PPG Paints Arena from January 16-20, 2019 for just 7 performances in this limited run. Tickets start at $59. Cirque holds a special place in my heart. My first performance was the evening we learned that our oldest niece was going to […]
Family movie night with niblings aka Mary Poppins Returns
One Year After My Hysterectomy
When I think back to my surgery, a few random thoughts leap to mind. I remember thirst. My surgeon had allowed me to have Gatorade right up to the moment I went into the pre-surgery room. But there was a delay for the patient ahead of me (they ended up okay so no worries) that […]
Dana Martin, 31, is the first trans homicide victim of 2019 in the United States
Dana Martin, a 31-year-old Black trans woman from Hope Hall, Alabama, was murdered by a gunshot on Sunday, January 6, 2019 in Montgomery. Her death remained unknown to her community because the police and the local media misgendered her. In addition to coping the loss of their loved one, her friends must also take on […]
Rene, 48, is a Lesbian from Mercer County who wants to belong #AMPLIFY
Name: Rene Age: 48 County of Residence: Mercer County, formerly Washington County Pronouns: Her How do you describe your identity? Lesbian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I was in college and fell in love with a woman while I was engaged to a man. I (we) didn’t know […]
All in My Queer Family: Discovering DNA Ties to My LGBTQ Friends in Pittsburgh
One unexpected benefit of chronicling my family history has been discovering that people I already know are part of my extended family. First there was my friend Dave Ninehouser (6th cousin) and then a neighbor, John Graf (4th cousin 1x removed), followed by finding new-to-me local folks who are also in my tree. Our pet […]