Category: Activism

Activism

Microaggressions on the Rise in Pittsburgh?

November 27, 2016 by

So I’m going to document the microagressions on this blog. I’m going to make sure you, dear readers, have a glimpse into how the world has shifted for a white, middle aged, middle class, gis gender lesbian on a day to day level. Because it is everywhere, it always has been and I’ve usually been able to acknowledge, but move on most of the time.

But there are too many Confederate flags waving over the trucks and homes of friends of my friends. There are too many Catholic-lite folks who deny the racial divides in Pittsburgh while swigging a craft brew at their favorite food truck. There are too few women in elected office and too many kids not part of the ‘412’ culture. Too many good intentions making things worse while demanding validation for trying. It is the participation trophy demands in social justice work that are draining our resources and preventing us from lifting up the actual contributions from people of color, queer and trans folks, bisexual folks, disabled people, etc. We have too many sacred cows and not enough kleenex for the white tears of indignation and outrage.

ActivismTrans

Storytelling is Solidarity #NaBloPoMo #TDOR

November 20, 2016 by
Trans Day of Remembrance 2016

Today, we acknowledge and commemorate the lives of our trans siblings & neighbors who have lost their lives to violence this past year via the Trans Day of Remembrance #TDOR. Since early 2013, I have tried diligently to write one blog post for each person so I can use a proper photo, use their lived […]

ActivismBisexual

Final Arrangements for Dalia Sabae UPDATED

November 16, 2016 by
Dalia Sabae

These are the final arrangements for Dalia Sabae as organized by her family. She will be buried in Canonsburg. Memorial donations are suggested to the women’s shelter of your choice. To learn more about Dalia and why I am sharing, please read this post.  I have spoken with one of Dalia’s friends who lives in Pittsburgh. […]

Activism

Six Bloggers Walk Into an Art Gallery

November 16, 2016 by

Six bloggers walked into an art gallery to have a conversation … This was far more fun than I anticipated. I had forgotten quite a bit about some of the history of political blogging during the mid-2000’s. It was fascinating to revisit that time period and have a chance to look through the eyes of […]

ActivismBlogiversary

Panel Discussion on History of Political Blogging in #Burghosphere

November 13, 2016 by

2016 is the tenth anniversary of the phrase ‘Burghosphere’ which was coined to capture the unique vibe of Pittsburgh’s blogging network. To honor this important moment, we are bringing back the band by inviting some of the political bloggers from that era to have a conversation about the history (& future) of blogging. We also […]

ActivismBisexualIn Memoriam

Her Name Was Dalia Sabae

November 11, 2016 by
Dalia Sabae

Her name was Dalia Elhefny Sabae. She was 28 years old. She was born in Egypt, spent some time living in Moscow and has lived in the United States. According to her Facebook and LinkedIN pages, Dalia was fluent in three languages – American English · Français ·Arabic and proficient in three others – Hebrew, Spanish and Russian. Arabic was her native language. She was also bisexual, interested in both men and women.

Dalia was a dancer. She had been an instructor and worked various jobs as she pursued her education. She earned a pharmacy degree in 2011 and was working on a master’s program through Washington & Jefferson College near her home. Dalia was a pharmacy intern at the time of her death.

Activism

Butler City Council Postpones Vote on Nondiscrimination Ordinance

October 30, 2016 by
Butler County Queer

The anticipated vote on a municipal nondiscrimination ordinance in the City of Butler was postponed to give advocates more time to work on language.  PFLAG Butler has put together a comprehensive explanation of the ordinance here.  The Mayor of Butler, Tom Donaldson, opposed the ordinance and wants a vote now rather than later, calling the […]

Activism

Butler City Council to Vote on NonDiscrimination on Thursday

October 23, 2016 by

This week, City Council in Butler, Pennsylvania will vote on an ordinance to create municipal level protections for residents based on protected classes (gender, race, religion, etc) including sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. For months, members of PFLAG Butler have been working tirelessly to educate members of council and the larger community about […]

Activism

Thanks for Voting Me Best Local Blogger via the Pgh City Paper

October 19, 2016 by
Best Local Blogger Pittsburgh

It is such a fluke thing to be named the best of something that literally hundreds of other people do everyday right here in Pittsburgh. I don’t know what to say beyond thank you. Thank you for reading. Thank you for voting. Thank you for sharing our content. Thank you for supporting a blogosphere that values the voices of queer and fat and disabled female bloggers among many others.

Read all the blogs. You won’t regret it. (And read #AMPLIFY, too!)

ActivismAMPLIFYLGBTQ

#AMPLIFY and LGBT History Month

October 5, 2016 by
LGBT History Month Pittsburgh

We want to keep growing and we especially want to begin offering audio recording options to conduct interviews with community elders as well as others who have limited access to the Internet. We have connected with a lesbian owned transcription service based in Johnstown, PA, but it will still cost $125-250 per interview. That’s one reason we ask people to try to use the online form if possible.

During October, we are again crowdfunding for the project – we hope to raise $3,000 so we can schedule the audio sessions throughout the winter. The funds will be used to set up “AMPLIFY Info” sessions in the outlying counties so we can meet people & encourage them to participate as well as to set up the actual recording times. And, of course, pay for the transcription.

We’ve been invited to New Castle (Lawrence County), Johnstown (Cambria County), Bradford (McKean County), as well as Armstrong, Beaver, Butler and Clearfield counties. If you need a little encouragement, consider this story from Melanie (a Trump supporter) who lives in Washington County.