How Some People Use Shame to Get Their Needs Met

Someone tried to shame me today. The circumstances don’t matter. It is my reaction that matters. And truth be told, I’m struggling. Because shaming is an effective tool that when dispatched with cunning and the intent to wound can be absolutely devastating. We see this playing out on a very public matter with the tactics […]

Casual Catholic Culture & Pittsburgh: No More Glorifying Fish Fries, Pierogies, and the Like

Pittsburgh Fish Fry

I came across a local online contest for the best local pierogies this weekend, one of those features that media sites run to generate interest and engagement. It was the final round of voting and one of the finalists is a local Roman Catholic parish here in Pittsburgh. My initial reaction was both shock and […]

Q&A: Actor Shamika Cotton on the ‘Female Gaze’ of Her African-Carribbean Feminist Spy Character, Marianne Angelle

Shamika Collage Marianne Angelle

“I think the thing that resonates with me the most about Marianne is her willingness to jump in the fight for “freedom, justice, humanity” in spite of the inherent sacrifice that comes with that. Such bravery. A human bravery, which comes with a nagging fear which can only be dealt with by finding allies that can help you along the way.”

Q&A with City Theatre: #PayWhatYourWant and Radical Hospitality in the Arts

Pay What Your Want Pittsburgh

Affordability has been a frequent factor for many of my arts and cultural decisions over the years. As a disabled social worker, my income only stretches so far and has historically been constrained by my profession. My first trip to City Theatre was as an invited guest of a dear friend in 2003 and I […]

20 Year Old Londonn Moore is the 20th Reported Trans Person Murdered in the US in 2018

Londonn Moore

  She was 20 years old. Her name was Londonn Moore Kinnard and she was a Black trans woman living in North Port, Florida which is near Charlotte County. On Saturday September 8, her body was found face down shot to death at the intersection of Sawyer Circle and Red Oak Road at 7:30 AM in […]

When The Ceiling Comes Tumbling Down

Last week started out tough. I was recovering from an asthma attack, trying to schedule carpal tunnel surgery, gearing up for the chaos of our roof being replaced and it was 89 bazillion degrees. That was Tuesday. Thursday night at 8:30 pm, I got a wake-up call about the challenges of the slow-moving state of […]

Ray Zaborney is the Real Republican Threat to LGBTQ People in Pennsylvania

Ray Zaborney Caitlyn Jenner joke

From Billy Penn comes this (not) shocking transphobic move by Republicans On Thursday morning, Ray Zaborney, a well-known political consultant whose GOP-leaning firm was recently retained to handle Wagner’s media operations, texted a meme of television personality Caitlyn Jenner next to a statement that seemingly mocks the celebrity’s gender transition. Zaborney sent the meme to four people: Jason High, […]

Stephen, 36, is a Gay Male Gaymer in Armstrong County #AMPLIFY

Gay Man Armstrong County

  Name: Stephen Wade Age: 36 County of Residence: Armstrong County, formerly Allegheny County Pronouns: Him How do you describe your identity? Gay Married Male Video Gaymer. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out to most of my friends when I was 14 and a Freshman in High […]

Shantee Tucker 19th Trans Person Reported Murdered in the US This Year

Shantee Tucker Philadelphia

Shantee Tucker had just celebrated her 31st birthday earlier this week on September 2. Today, we mourn her untimely death shot in the back in Philadelphia, making her the 19th trans neighbor whose violent death we report on this year. From Philly.mag According to a police report, at 1:05 a.m. on Wednesday morning officers responded […]

Three Reasons I’m Not Attending my 30th High School Reunion

West Mifflin High School Class Reunion

It’s been 30 years and four long months since I was graduated from West Mifflin Area High School in May 1988. My tenth year class reunion in 1998 was pretty typical – sit down meal, cash bar, banquet hall, DJ, etc. This was before social media, but still a time when we could exchange email […]