Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

CN: anti-trans rhetoric, influencer, suicide, haters

I hit a nice, fun milestone last night, reaching 50k followers on Instagram. Being a curious person, I dove deep into the world of followers and influencers and so forth. In return, every social media analytic company under the sun sent me an email.

See, fun?

But what does it mean? Am I a micro influencer? A regular influencer? A mid-tier influencer? (???) Do I add all of my followers up across platforms? Surely there is duplication. Do I have an influence niche? Politically progressive lesbian cat folx? Mouthy middle-aged bored housewife? Witchy? Bitchy? Definitely not richy.

As with many things that are difficult to discern, I decided to just go my own way (see below.) Since I am more of a curator than creator, “middle management” seems right. Essential to functioning, not especially notable. No real authority, but a lot of power/influence because of institutional knowledge. Mid-50’s and mildly perplexed that I seem to be on an upswing with influence. Unsure where my actual job duties stop and “let’s get Sue to do it” begins. Mildly indifferent to spelling and grammar, sometimes mischievously so. Conscientious about giving credit where credit is due with some oversights. Too many comments to monitor so often hoping the good outweighs the bad.

Ultimately, a crucial intermediary in the content economy. Best of all, all of this work unpaid.

I will shill/review your stuff if the spirit moves me. Keurig, self-cleaning litter boxes, trinkets, movies, cat stuff, clothing. Reviewing can be fun, but the paperwork is a PITA.

And if I play my cards right, I can keep doing what I do because reaching 1 million followers is satisfyingly out of reach. I’m stuck in the middle.

If you’d like to follow my meteoric middle-age melioration, you are most welcome

• Facebook.com/Pghlesbian
• Pghlesbian.bsky.social
• Instagram.com/Pghlesbian
• Threads @Pghlesbian
• TikTok.com/@pghlesbianblog
• Twitter/X (yes, still lingering there) @pghlesbian24
• Reddit @Pghlesbian
• Medium @pghlesbian
• Pinterest @pghlesbian
• Tumblr @pghlesbian

I have probably plateaued with more than the typical number of honors and lauds, but there are a few more dreams to dream

It has been a week. Kicking back a few times each day to dive into (mainly) Instagram for thoughtful, helpful, or just funny content is often the best part of my day that doesn’t involve cats.

Earlier this week, I shared some vicious anti-LGBTQ smack posted on my NextDoor profile.

As the day progressed, something was gnawing at me – usually I find it cathartic to shine a light, then let the feelings go. Then I realized what I did NOT share – earlier this week, a local well known TERF hijacked a Facebook post about homeless cats to take some swings at me.

So first, the cats are fine. Volunteers came forward, but we can use more for sure.

Second, that FB group responded to her terror tantrum. Not me.

For the record, NextDoor also removed the ugly content without my asking.

The system rights itself. Even if the Mayoral campaigns don’t. People just want to lash out or walk away.

The thing is – it definitely doesn’t stop. My engagement on the Facebook page for this blog (not my personal page) and my Instagram have skyrocketed. I try to filter comments, but it is impossible. The hate and ugliness are horrible.

But I have to be on the lookout for the actual threats. How to do that? As one unpaid person? What does it mean? What if I get it wrong?

Remember the guy from North Carolina who claimed that he’s in advanced dementia so will take us both out?  The Pgh LGBTQIA+ Liaison confirmed that local authorities did a welfare check. The man left FB, they were assured.

This week, FB suggested him as a friend to me, with his fresh new content.

Sigh.

Then someone sent me instructions to buy rope and a chair. Their profile is “One of God’s mailmen Pronouns: Bat/Man/AK/47.”

I could lower this stress threshold if I make myself small, stop speaking to the camera (AOC!), and shut up. 

But then I read these comments

I have read your blog for a few years, finding it shortly after me and my [family] moved near Pittsburgh.  I just want you to know that you have helped me, and undoubtedly many others.  Speaking honestly about mental illness is incredibly brave.   [My spouse’ battled depression, also diagnosed bipolar. Mental healthcare was so difficult to find, and finding good care was simply impossible.  Thank you for sharing really personal, painful stuff and helping to chip away at the stigma surrounding mental health issues. 

And then …

Hi. your page is one of the best curated, most inspiring, most informative on the internet at this time. it’s helping people not feel alone and the messages are reaching all around the world. I’m in Scotland. so, thank you!

And this …

thank you! keep up the loud noise and resistances!

Obviously, these are lovely sentiments.  But on a deeper level, they remind me that the content these folks want/need/appreciate comes with the price of exposing myself to the vile ones. It isn’t a noble endeavor, but it is one with good intent. My personal motto is to be the adult I needed in my life when I was a kid. That person, had they existed, would have needed to take hits and do a lot of uncomfortable things, brave things, and risky things. Someone in the middle of me and the childhood trauma, to show me the beauty, the bravery, and the boldness.

It is sort of against the grain for a 54 year old disabled fat queer cat woman to be gaining influence. I’m not young or engaged in some world changing activity, getting videos of cats is often futile. I’m just me. The lesson is that you have that opportunity to have a voice. It isn’t just for special people with special skills – it is for everyday folx.

I can only do it with your support. If you can invest in our work, please do – and that includes reading and subscribing.

GFM bit.ly/HelpLGBTQBlogger * Venmo@ Pghlesbian * Paypal.me/Pghlesbian * CashApp $Pghlesbian

If you do see something hateful posted on content I shared, please reach out to me. Tagging me is not useful. I’ll do my best to manage from the middle.