I am tired after a long day so I'll save my Dyke March 2010 reflections for Sunday.

I have posted photos on my Facebook page if you'd like to check them out.

Overall, the event was great. The move to Bloomfield was genius for visibility ... tons of people came out on the streets and stoops to watch us march by.  There were very few problems and a good job on the part of the Pittsburgh Police.

There is some inaccurate information floating around about street closures and so forth. I submitted the permit and spoke with the officer in charge so I will clarify tomorrow.  Trust me that Bloomfield's grid was not permanently destroyed by dyke visibility.

Congrats to Eli Kuti, Miranda Vey and the dozens of volunteers who organized a great event.  Best.Dyke.March.Ever. 

Well, today is the day.  This afternoon at say 2:45 PM, we'll see if our "fierce allies" in City Hall were able to finally resolve the issue of police protecton and allow women who don't typically attend fundraisers and public meetings the safety to exercise their first amendment rights?

Don't get me wrong -- I had responses when I reached out, but not a single leader offered to attend in solidarity with these women.  Not to me at least.  They just kept telling me to call if there's a problem.  Making sure the police do their jobs is great, but it is really sad that NO ONE thinks it worth an hour of their time to show solidarity for victims of Pittsburgh bureacratic incompetence and homophobia.

Maybe I'll be wrong and they'll show.  I'll let you know. 

While I am heartened to learn about the recommendations of the Human Relations Commission to extend domestic partner benefits to Allegheny County employees,  I must admit wondering what the next hurdle will be? 

I don't enjoy being cynical on this topic.  My heart feels for the employees left in limbo because the process has taken six + years so perhaps I'm too quick to think the County Personnel Director could have lunch with the City Personnel Director and figure the basics out.  I know unions, rules, negotiatons, blah, blah, blah.  Still, as the recommendations point out ... both the City and the Public Schools overcame those obstacles so yeah, let's stop with the excuses.

I know we have to elect Dan Onorato to save the Commonwealth from uber-crazy and hope the resulting shift right won't roll the liberals into New Jersey.  Still, we don't have to quietly into the good night.  We have an equally important race to focus on federally and there are only so many LGBTQ campaign donations to go around. 

There's a clear benefit to extending these benefits over the summer -- a big progressive bump at Labor Day. What could be the reason for more delays?  Would it really impact the moderate voter?  Would they care?  Would someone in the T see it as a homosexual lobby issue?

I say give the campaign a call and ask when the health care for same sex families employed by the County will be resolved.  That's the day you put on your bumper sticker and write your check.  It really doesn't have to be complicated. 

(412) 281-5678
info@voteonorato.com

Plus, I'd really like to start counting how long it will take Governor Onorato to help pass HB 300.  :-)

As always, I get very excited when folks write about stuff in the PG letters section.  Average folks exercising their First Amendment muscles ... what better way to start a Saturday!

This one made me snort my coffee:

Bring in his brother

Regarding Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's 311 line:

It's annoying that we, Pittsburgh taxpayers, must wait and hear numerous delays when one desires to report a situation to this help line.

I suggest the mayor give his brother Adam a job in the call center, and then maybe the wait will not be so long.

THERESA CIOLLI

sdf