Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

I see you sharing lots of (awesome) content in honor and recognition of Black History Month. I see you liking the content I’m sharing. And I admittedly am trying each day to find fresh content to signal boost on my social media channels.

But this is not enough. We have to do real anti-racism work as individuals and within our systems and networks. We also must invest in Black creators, educators, and community builders.

So I’ve made a list of five Black educators, creators, and community builders from within the LGBTQIA community whom I personally support financially as I’m able. You can make one-time donations, you can make a monthly pledge for sustainability, or you can sponsor events and buy tee shirts and support other fundraising projects. Four are Pittsburgh based and one is national.

This list is not exhaustive by any means. But these are folx (and orgs) whose support of my own work has been an invaluable asset and support. I treasure the time I get to spend with them and honor their wisdom and community conscience. And I am eternally grateful for their willingness to work with and trust me as a blogger, neighbor, friend, and ally.

• Joy KMT – Take a look at some of the content I’ve created with or inspired by this Pittsburgh based healer, educator, parent, and community leader. Joy is the first person I ever sponsored on Patreon with a monthly sustaining donation. Investing in Joy is investing in our history and our future. Find Joy at the Tabernacle.Life website.
• TrueT Pittsburgh – A local organization for resource sharing, arts, activism,and entertainment. Founders Dezmanian and Naheen have been incredibly supportive of this blog – from sharing their stories to helping with AMPLIFY fundraisers to simply making themselves available to educate and advise me on stories. They allowed me to partner with them on their recent winter coat drive. I try to donate to their projects when I can and to lift up their specific requests. (I wish they’d set up a recurring donation option!)  Find them on FB
• People’s Pride 2k19: Pride of the Ages – Back for a third year with expanded programming and opportunities, this event is organized and led by QTPOC creating space for all LGBTQ folx. Funds raised from registration and sponsorship will help provide safety and entertainment for Peoples Pride Parade & Celebration while also supporting the Initiatives Black Trans Education Fund and Expanding Our Pride mini grant with SisTersPgh.
• Monica Roberts at Transgriot – I’ve been an avid reader of the blog Transgriot since I met Monica in 2012. Her unapologetic approach to the world as a Black trans woman is incredibly important. I think I have more outgoing links to her blog than any other. I am a monthly donor to her important work and I think you should consider doing that, too.
• J. Coley Alston – Coley is a creator, educator, social agent, and advocate. They are one of the first Black trans nonbinary individuals in a management role with local LGBTQ orgs. They are also very supportive of my work – making themselves available with advice, feedback, suggestion, and information. Coley is working in child welfare right now and is one of those folx I can reach out to any time day or night to access help for a youth in need, LGBTQIA or straight cis. We need to sustain people who allow that sort of access to their wisdom and experience. You can find Coley on Twitter and IG and Facebook