Blog, #AMPLIFY and Sue Featured in Northside Chronicle

I’m going super-meta here, blogging about the interview I gave to a local reporter for The Northside Chronicle. When Sarah Gross contacted me via email to request an interview, it was near Pride and I was immediately skeptical. I had turned down a half-dozen requests to talk – yet again – about the Delta Foundation, […]

Three LGBTQ Black Voices Speak Out About the Shooting of Antwon Rose in Pittsburgh

Before our local Pride events, a friend contacted me – she’s a journalist and was working on a piece about the intersection of queer and Black identities. She wanted to know if any of our AMPLIFY contributors might be interested in talking with her (because she gets the point of AMPLIFY – to signal boost […]

How to Support Children & Families Impacted by the Immigration Separation Policies

Here’s a roundup of local opportunities to support the families impacted by the Trump Administration’s immigration separation policies. Advocacy Some want to offer supplies to be passed on to the children, but she said the most urgent need is for the kind of action that would change the stance of the policy-makers.  “The key is, what […]

My Hysterectomy, Ledcat’s Paid Sick Days, and Pittsburgh International Women’s Strike 2018

This is a story of how Paid Sick Days saved my life. I’m sharing this because of an upcoming important event in Pittsburgh. Women from across the Pittsburgh region will gather on March 7 and 8 to underscore the need for paid sick days and call on people to pledge support for the local Paid Sick Days […]

UPMC v Highmark: Chapter 897689

Highmark UPMC

For the past several months, I have been interviewed by reporter Carolyn Johnson for a Washington Post piece on the Pittsburgh healthcare scene. More specifically, she was writing about the impact of two companies ‘stacking’ healthcare insurance with healthcare providers into what we know as UPMC and Highmark/Allegheny Health Network. I think vertical integration is the […]

Animal Friends, Humane Action Pittsburgh Give State Senator Guy Reschenthaler Platform

The animal rights world has its own rules and intersectionality is not often among them. But even I was shocked to see two local animal welfare/rights organization create a platform for State Senator Guy Reschenthaler (State Senator Guy) to talk about his strong commitment to critters. Who is this State Senator Guy? He’s very pro-fracking […]

The 20th Summit Against Racism Call For Proposals 2018

The Summit Against Racism, a multicultural initiative of the Black and White Reunion, is accepting workshop proposals for this year’s Summit, January 20, 2018. The theme of this year’s conference, chosen by volunteer organizers, is The Struggle Continues: Healing Trauma, Building Community, Inspiring Action. We need ideas and action to make Pittsburgh a better place for all! Please consider […]

Gender Identity Imploded Local Queer Women’s Community in 2007 #LGBTHistoryMonth

In honor of LGBT History Month (October), we will be exploring some of our historical content and sharing historical perspectives from readers. If you’d like to contribute, please email us pghlesbian at gmail dot com. In 2007, we covered a significant story  – the decision by a lesbian-centric fundraiser, Celebrate the Night, to ban a […]

Transgender Bigotry in Sharon, Butler Reinforce Need for NonDiscrimination Protections

Pittsburgh Transgender

Content Note: misgendering, deadnaming, lies, transphobia. On Sunday, the Sharon Herald printed a newspaper article updating the community on the status of a civil lawsuit against the Sharon Police Department involving the shooting death of 23 year-old Sean Hake. Sean was a transgender man. The Sharon Herald first reported that he was a trans woman, […]