Municipal Government and Publicly Out LGBTQ Employees

Does it matter if local and regional government employers hire and appoint openly LGBTQ people to leadership roles? This question has launched many a Facebook chats, unleashing discussions on everything from outing people to privacy concerns to dislike of being labeled as “the gay <insert title>.” These are valid points to consider. In my mind, […]

Another QTPOC Murder Underscores Epidemic of Violence

Transgender Candle

I saw a tweet when I slipped into my car after some grocery shopping. It was impossible, I thought to myself, that another transgender sibling was dead. Not again. I just wrote about two trans sisters who had been murdered as well as the murder of a lesbian and the death of a 51 year […]

Ty Underwood Shot in Texas, 2nd Trans Woman of Color Murdered in 2015

Ty Underwood

Even more tragic news to share – this time 24 year-old Ty Underwood, a trans woman of color, was found shot to death Monday morning in Tyler, Texas. A woman called 911 saying a car had hit a telephone pole and that her children heard gunshots. Underwood’s roommate believes Underwood was targeted because she is […]

Candra Keels, 20 Year Old Queer Woman of Color, Murdered in Domestic Dispute

Candra Keels

This morning, the family of 20-year-old Candra Keels of Rochester, NY are burying their loved one who was murdered allegedly at the hands of her girlfriend. Officers responded to 15 Denver Street about 3 A.M. for the report of a fight. There they found Candra Keels with a stab wound to her torso area. Keels […]

UPDATED: Trans Woman of Color Lamia Beard Murdered in Norfolk

Lamia Beard

Lamia Beard was just 30 years old. Her body was found Saturday morning, January 17. Her life and death were shown further disregard by police & media misgendering as well as victim blaming. From The Virginian Pilot: According to a news release, Beard was found shortly before 4 a.m. in the 700 block of E. […]

The Legacy of Cathy Cairns

Cathy Cairns

One year ago today, Cathy Cairns departed this life with her best friend at her side and the comfort of knowing her final wishes had been filled. Among those wishes was a desire to be buried with her parents – a wish you helped to fulfill with thousands of dollars in donations. As we wound […]

Five Places To Donate Feminine Hygiene Supplies in Pittsburgh

A recent article on The Huffington Post titled “For Homeless Women, Getting Their Period Is One Of The Most Difficult Challenges” has been a topic of much discussion on Facebook. I’ve written about this in the past, but here are the talking points Tampons, pads and related supplies cannot be purchased with SNAP (food stamps) […]

FOUND 14 Year Old Boy Missing in Pittsburgh

Da'Juan Sherrod

UPDATE – Da’Juan has been found safe, according to local police.   Because #BlackLivesMatter – I hope you will share this post.    

Governor Elect Tom Wolf Takes Two Important LGBTQ Visibility Steps

Dr. Rachel Levine

I’ve been pondering the issue of why LGBTQ visibility in municipal government matters. By pondering, I mean this is something I’ll write about again and again. And again. By visibility, I specifically mean the presence of LGBTQ individuals in positions of senior leadership and responsibility. I think we all agree that a diverse workforce is a good […]

Jessica Fletcher Is My Spirit Guide?

Jessica Fletcher

Yesterday was exhausting. I feel like my brain melted, leaving me incapable of composing coherent sentences. And, as has been historically been the case, this leaves me unable to engage my allies. I feel frustrated because I know that we are talking past one another and yet I can’t find that one well-crafted phrase to […]