Seeking Political Candidates to Take Our Political Q&A

Political Q&A

Since 2018, we have published a series of Q&A’s with candidates for all levels of political office – borough councils, school boards, judicial candidates, statewide office, and more. We kicked off our 2021 Primary season via Q&A with Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto earlier this month. And we’ve invited other candidates to participate. Here are the […]

Body of 34-Year-Old Trans Woman Jenna Franks Found in North Carolina Community

Her name was Jenna Franks. On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the body of 34-year-old Jenna Franks was discovered in Jacksonville, North Carolina. From The Daily News (misgendering and deadnaming at that link): According to a news release from JPD, Jacksonville City Street personnel were clearing the ditch area when they saw a body located in the […]

TONIGHT: Weekly MasQueerade Virtual Meetup to Focus on 3 Western PA Transgender Victims of Fatal Violence

Transgender Lives western pennsylvania

Each Saturday night, the Pittsburgh MasQue ProjecT brings you a virtual meetup to offer some respite from the isolation of COVID-19 in a fun, casual atmostphere. You can find out more at the project Facebook page. Tonight’s edition will be specifically focused on discussing and processing the horrible murders of three trans BIPOC in rural […]

Correction: Three Young Trans Folx Were Murdered in Western Pennsylvania This Past Week

Jasmine Cannady

Earlier this week, we reported on the tragic shooting death of 22-year-old Jasmine Cannady and younger brother, Jeffrey ‘JJ’ Bright, in Ambridge, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. At that time, we noted that JJ identified as a trans male teen, having begun his transition at age 12. He was 16 at the time of his death. Since […]

How to Donate to Funeral Expenses for Chynaa Carrillo, Jasmine Cannady, and Jeffrey ‘JJ’ Bright

Over a five day period, Western Pennsylvania lost three young BIPOC neighbors to violent deaths. On Thursday, February 18, in New Wilmington, PA 24-year-old Chynaa Carrillo was beaten to death by the man she was dating. He was killed by police at the scene. Chynaa was a trans Latinx woman and a CNA working in […]

16-Year-Old Trans Male and Older Sibling Shot to Death by Mother in Western Pennsylvania

Jasmine Jeffrey Bright

Another tragedy involving a trans neighbor unfolded Monday, February 22 in Ambridge, Beaver County, Pennsylvania when a 48-year-old mother shot both of her young adult children in the head, killing them at the scene inside the family home. 22-year-old Jasmine Cannady and younger brother, 16-year-old Jeffery ‘JJ’ Bright died. JJ has been repeatedly misgendered and […]

Update: The Man Who Killed Trans Woman Chynaa Carrillo Served Eight Years for Murdering His 20-Year-Old Cisgender Wife

Two women

On Thursday, February 18, a 24-year-old trans Latina was brutally murdered in New Wilmington, a small town in rural Western Pennsylvania. Her name was Chynaa Carrillo. The man who murdered her, Juan Carlos Hernandez, was 30 years old. He appears to have been a native of Ohio and recently returned there. From prison. He was […]

24-year-old Latinx Trans Woman Chynaa Carrillo Killed in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania

Chynaa Carillo

  Her name was Chynaa Carrillo. She was a 24-year-old Latina trans woman. On Thursday, February 18, she was murdered by a man who was so intent on beating her to death that he refused police commands to stop and ended being killed himself. Her family told the media that Chynaa had recently started dating […]

Remember the Kitties: Ferat Cat Colony Food Drive Update

where to donate cat food pittsburgh

  Remember, we are hosting an ongoing cat food drive to benefit the human neighbors who take care of the colonies. Some are elders (up to 97!), some are also volunteers with feral cat organizations, others are veterans and families and even more have picked up the mantle from a family member – what a […]

Gay Respectability and How Our Families Reacted to Our Wedding

lesbian wedding

Today marks our two week wedding anniversary. We had originally planned to celebrate with Mexican food and a Henry Louis Gates marathon, but the frigid temps make it patently unfair to ask any human being to go out into the weather to deliver food. So it is soup from the pantry and HLG marathon. Married […]