Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

The demise of the Pittsburgh City Paper

The first thing I did after learning about this turn of events was to go to the CP archives and download a pdf of every article that referenced me (77) so I wouldn’t lose them. Not a single piece covering the closure of this significant media asset mentioned archiving. I’m not taking any chances.

And since the Block family owns the archives, I guess we’ll have to wait and see if they do right by this treasure trove documenting 34 years of alt-everything in Pittsburgh. It has certainly lost its luster under its final management, but there was a time when snapping open the print edition was a satisfying way to plan your weekend. The longish form pieces, the quirky arts coverage, the ribald ads and those bill-paying back pages.

A friend of mine declined to be nominated for a ‘Best of Pittsburgh’ award because they thought the brand was seedy and not a good fit for them. I had actually forgotten about the seedy side of Pittsburgh’s alt-weekly as it had rolled away with the control-alt-right shift into the mainstream media. My seedy-awards give me an edgy satisfaction, like the truly cool kids invited me to their table. It also reminds me how much Chris Potter did not want to be labeled a msm journalist. Look at him now!

It is impossible to understand the Burghosphere/blogosphere and ensuing media outlets without the print alt-weekly. The CP was perfectly positioned to pivot to online engagement with the everyday Pittsburgher. Their readership became our readerships. But perfectly positioned doesn’t mean financially viable. As journalists jumped ship and ownership went to Daryl Metcalfe territory in Butler then sunk down to the Blocks, it was clear that the clock was ticking.

Most likely all of this was about access to printing presses and not at all about producing an alt-weekly.

My personal favorite City Paper moments

Gender Gap – September 2007. A wonderful (for the time) deep dive into the coming-out experiences of a local trans woman, Jessi Seams. Jessi and her partner Emilia came to me for advice when a local women’s variety show rejected her magician act because of her trans identity. I wrote about it, but also contact the CP’s Melissa Meinzer. This piece offers a thoughtful look at trans identity the late 2000s and an equally powerful look at how the local lesbian and gay communities were embracing an ever expanding understanding of gender and sexual identity. Still worth a read. Should be a classic in any local course on gender.

Fostering Hope – July 2008. I was very proud of this story that I also pitched to Melissa Meinzer. As a recruiter of foster parents, I faced an uphill challenge finding new homes. I was told to think outside of the box, so this seemed like a good idea. I asked a representative group of foster parents to participate and I think it is a solid piece. The foster care system has changed quite a bit since 2008. The mix of experiences – single parents, two working parents, families with bio children, former foster kids, queer homes – reflects the reality of that time period. At least four of the families interviewed adopted from the foster care system Only one family didn’t go through with their plans.

Where Have All the Bloggers Gone? – Feb 2010 an editorial by former editor-in-chief Chris Potter making his way around the Burghosphere. With my favorite line “Sue Kerr is still giving headaches to the powers that be.” Also, 15 years after this was published, my blog is still here.

Best Local Blogger – October 2016 The very first time the City Paper included this category (later changed to Best Local Blog), I won. When they called to tell me, I was sure it was a prank and I called Chris Potter to verify. I’ve won many awards before and since then, but this remains very special to me. It was all the validation one could ever have from your hometown. I still bask in that honor.

12-year-old drag artist E! The Dragnificent wants people to change the way they view gender – November 2017 This article came after I interviewed Esai for my blog and sent the post to then-editor Charlie Deitch. It is a gorgeous exploration of gender identity, gender creativity, and gender expression from the perspective of a Gen Z kid who grew up to become an accomplished jazz musician, recently recording her first album. Charlie described this story as his proudest moment. Sadly, after E’s performance at the International Drag Festival in November that year, the attacks came. After consulting with E’s parents, I called Charlie and begged him to take down the article, at least the photos, offline. He did it within minutes. He didn’t call a meeting or lecture me about media ethics. He took it down, talked with the family, and eventually it came back online. The outlet put the safety of a trans kid above all else.

Scenes from a longterm Pittsburgh couple’s backyard pandemic wedding – February 2021. This is bittersweet for reasons you already know, but still a favorite. Our wedding was very simple with a few last minute changes, but I wanted to preserve it. I needed a photographer who could deal with COVID restrictions. I called Jared Wickerham and asked to hire him for the gig. He said “I’ll call you back” and when he did, he proposed a photo feature for the CP, “good news” he said. My then-partner agreed. He was great, unobtrusive, prepared to do the individual groupings minus in laws or ex laws. And it was like being in the City Paper Society Pages, had such a section existed. Jared very graciously released the photos to me.

“Protect Trans Kids” signs spring up throughout North Side in support of local family alleging harassment – July 2022. This story (probably allegedly maybe) resulted in a defamation lawsuit filed against me, my blog, the Pittsburgh City Paper, and journalist. Even as the City Paper closes, that lawsuit is still there hanging over my head as there are no expiration dates on such things. Still, this exploration of the launch of the Protect Trans Kids yard sign project – and more importantly the stories of the family – was something. We distributed 2000 signs, 10,000 stickers, pens, and more. The neighbor was charged with one count of harassment, an important precedent for anyone targeted for their identity.

There are other many great stories, important moments. These are just mine.

Media coverage of Two Pittsburghs

The loss of the Pittsburgh City Paper is a blow to the community, but also a sad loss for me personally. All of my blogging is wrapped up in its words and images, links and listings. I’ve posted events of every sort. I scanned each page with a mixture of wonder, horror, and amusement. I’ve cheered to see the people I love and the work they do celebrated and commemorated. I’ve sent hundreds of press releases and media alerts and countless email messages.

One time, Chris Potter asked me to submit a draft column circa the late aughts It was horrible. He never said that exactly, but I knew with certainty that blogging was my lane.

The alt-news part of Pittsburgh is one where I dwell, roads and ravines that are easy to miss or overlook if you aren’t careful about your gaze. It is a vibrant part of our City, deeply embedded in everyday life with its dark secrets and quiet lapping of the river upon the shores, it is there whether we acknowledge it or not.

Alt-news navigates two Pittsburghs, contextualizing media report with racial justice, ethnic diversity, disabilities, queerness and poverty. Who will do that now?

The shuttering of this landmark institution does not erase the stories to be told, silence voices to be heard, nor does it erase the people living in-between, making art woven with strands of social justice, anchored in equity and peace. Or no peace depending how you look at it.

What’s next?

Don’t compare my blog to a 34 year old media outlet. No blog, no podcast in this region fills that void. I will smack you silly if you do that, if you dare to put that weight on my shoulders like a blessing, rather than an unfunded mandate. If you think a group of middle aged assorted white cisgender folx are going to save the day, you are a fool.

Who will tell the stories? As always, new media. Blogs, podcasts, vlogs, social media reels will carry the torch until the final collapse of 20th century legacy journalism makes way for well, whatever is next.

I’d like closure. Let’s all meet on a Wednesday night, light a CP newspaper box on fire, and hurl it into the Ohio River as it flows away from Pittsburgh. Without a permit, but with a Gen X soundtrack nod to the demise of MTV and an on-sight vote for the Best of Second Pittsburgh.