Sue Will Be Guest on Essential Pittsburgh Discussing Pridefest Today

I’ll be on the WESA 90.5 daily talk show “Essential Pittsburgh” today along with Gary Van Horn from the Delta Foundation. Our topic is the cultural impact of pridefest on the region and inclusivity.   Pittsburgh Pride’s website quotes Richard Florida in his best-selling book on economic growth, The Rise of the Creative Class, “the most […]

Pittsburgh Dyke and Trans March

Pittsburgh is one of the few cities with a trans inclusive Dyke March – a reflection of how our unique LGBTQ community creates interesting spaces.  

“Put a Rainbow On It” – Quirky Video Explores How We Create Queer Safe Spaces

My friend Ian Awesome passed this along … the commercialization of “Pride, Inc” has always been troubling, but perhaps inevitable in our market driven society. The issues about creating false messages of safety and other deceptive practices are worth considering. It is sort of like a Mayor signing a pledge about a marriage he can’t […]

Hoping for a full circle

I’ve written before about my own struggles with organized religion and my belief in a higher power. (A saga which I should probably get around to finishing one of these days… hmm.) I don’t believe it’s necessary for you to believe in a higher power, or to belong to any organized faith. It works for […]

Blogging Because We Are Family!

I was a young girl of 8 when the Pittsburgh Pirates adopted the song “We Are Family” during their drive to win the World Series in 1979.  As a grown woman of 42 living in Pittsburgh, the song is permanently fused in my head as both an LGBTQ and sports champion anthem. Perhaps that’s fitting […]

Let’s Tax Fireworks to fund Veterans Programs in Pennsylvania

Texas has a “special tax” on fireworks to fund rural fire departments. I think that makes sense – there’s a clear connection between stupid people who intentionally set things afire and rural fire department resources. I propose a similar tax – 2% – on the sale of fireworks in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to fund […]

Jen Asks YOU to Change Your Facebook/Twitter Profiles to Support LGBTQ Equality in Scouting

Jen and her son Cruz are in Texas this week, working very hard for today’s vote to lift (partially) the BSA ban on LGBTQ scouts and leaders.  She asked me to ASK you to support them by changing your profile pictures. Visit the GLAAD website for all the details. Jen missed her daughter’s 8th grade […]

Save the Date: Blogging for LGBT Families Day is June 3, 2013

Once again, we’ll be participating in Blogging for LGBT Families Day, this year on Monday, June 3. Save the date! Monday, June 3, will be the 8th Annual Blogging for LGBT Families Day, hosted right here at Mombian—but powered by your blogs! Anyone who wants to post in support of LGBT families is welcome. The event is […]

Election Day Information – Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Today is the day to vote in primary elections.  Polls are open from 7 AM – 8 PM. If you are in line at 8 PM, you will get to vote. You can find your polling place at this link (Allegheny County.) Here is the information on Voter ID and Provisional Ballots. From the ACLU […]

My Big Idea for the New Mayor as Published in the Post-Gazette

I was recently asked to contribute to a compendium piece in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on “big ideas” for the next Mayor of Pittsburgh. Other contributors include economist Chris Briem, Cheryl Hall-Russell from Hill House Assocation, Jon Rubin from CMU and Leah Lizarondo of “The Brazen Kitchen” blog and more!