Candlelight Vigil April 4 for Kathryn Newhouse, Trans Teen Murdered by Her Father in Georgia

Kathryn Vigil

Friends and neighbors have responded with outrage to news of the murder of 19-year-old autistic Asian-American trans woman, Kathryn Newhouse, at the hands of her father. The LGBTQ media has barely responded, leaving the media narrative skewed by Kathryn’s brother. That’s rarely good when it comes to violence targeting trans folx. I’ve spent the better […]

PA House Republicans Advance Anti-Trans Legislation That Will Do Nothing to Help Working Families

On its face, the legislation is absolute rubbish. Trans women and trans girl and nonbinary folx are incredibly underrepresented in academic athletic programs. All this fuss and bother to pass these bills in Republican controlled states is such an obvious attempt to delude voters into thinking they are protecting children while actually not attending to […]

How to Support LGBTQ People in Ukraine

Ukraine Grunge Flag

This is a list curated from various sources that I trust. I cannot personally verify each source so I strongly urge you to do your due diligence. But I also urge you to consider donating what you can. The terror of war coupled with the virulent anti-LGBTQ sentiments in the safe haven countries must be […]

Update – Missing Person: Latina Trans Woman Africa Otero Died in a Car Accident

Africa Otero

Sadly, Africa Otero did not survive the evening. She was killed in an automobile accident. RIP, Africa. Africa Otero, 26, has not been heard from since 1 AM Sunday, March 20, when she posted a short video on YouTube from inside the Mamajuana club, on the first block of North 9th Street in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. […]

Trans People Are Relevant

Matthew Spampinato

Yesterday, a family friend of Matthew Spampinosa left a comment on this blog post about his death. I was appalled enough to draft a message in response to her, but my gut tells me she isn’t going to hear me. So I opted to share my thoughts with you. After all, just today Georgia introduced […]

LGBTQIA+ Commission 2022 Black History Month Statement

What Does “I’ll Be Thinking of You” Actually Mean?

What Does “I’ll Be Thinking of You” Actually Mean?

When I was a kid, I remember funerals with cards in the mail, casseroles, prayers, flowers, and other very tangible examples of sympathy and condolences. And other perhaps odd but thoughtful gestures – a neighbor taking the car to fuel it up so that wasn’t a concern, someone minding the baby without being asked, lawns […]

Mayor Gainey Appoints Out Trans Latina Maria Montaño as Press Secretary, Unveils Letterhead With Pronouns

Maria Montaño

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey made a landmark announcement today, sharing that he has appointed Maria Montaño as his Press Secretary. Montaño is an experienced communications professional who brings a lot of talent and wisdom to the position. She also happens to identify as a proud trans, queer, Latinx woman. Montaño is possibly the highest ranking […]

Call To Action: Stop Chambersburg from Repealing Local Non-Discrimination Ordinance

The newly elected Borough Council in Chambersburg plans to vote on Monday, January 24 to repeal a local non-discrimination ordinance just four months after it was enacted. From PennLive The ordinance, which extends protections against discrimination to gay, transgender or genderqueer people in employment, housing and public accommodations, was passed in October by the then-Democratic […]

PYC Statement on Former LGBTQ Nonprofit Leader John Dawe’s Sentencing for Sexual Abuse

I am glad to see the Pennsylvania Youth Congress coming forward with a clear, concise record of their efforts to hold sexual predator John Dawe and the LGBTQ adults who enabled him accountable for sexual violence inflicted on our youth. This has been known for years. These organizations are no better than the Catholic Church […]