Shawn, 41, identifies as a gay/queer/bear/cub/ethical slut #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County LGBTQ

Name: Shawn Age: 41 County of Residence: Allegheny, originally from Burlington, CT a sleepy bedroom/hill town community in Hartford County, CT. I’ve also lived in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, MA. MA IS MY TRUE HOME. Pronouns: I’m a cis gay man and don’t care what you call me. How do you describe your identity? Gay/queer/bear/cub/ethical slut […]

Bob, 24, is an autistic butch non binary lesbian. This is their story. #AMPLIFY

Austistic Nonbinary Lesbian Pittsburgh

  I still don’t know how to tell them I legally changed my name. Maybe they’ll see this and find out. Hi mom, hi dad. I love you. I wish I could tell you how incandescently happy changing my name made me. A weight has been lifted. I hope you can respect that. Name: Bob Rudenborg […]

Flip, 32, Describes Rural & Urban Life as a Pansexual, Queer Man #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Pansexual Queer Man

Name: Flip Shuffstall Age: 32 County of Residence: Allegheny County, formerly Venango County. Clarion County. United Kingdom, Liverpool. Pronouns: Him How do you describe your identity? Cis Male—Pansexual—Queer Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Imagine if Dharma and Greg had kids. My maternal side—liberal—loving and accepting. Paternal side—right-wing-Christian—homophobic—rich. Some summers […]

Rachael, 21, Describes Bisexual Life in Rural Western PA #AMPLIFY

Butler Erie County Bisexual

  Being out feels a lot like there’s a clearer, more accurate presentation of myself being shared with the world and that’s how I prefer it. Name:  Rachael Age: 21 County of Residence: Butler County, formerly Erie County Pronouns: She/Her How do you describe your identity? Bisexual Cis and Caucasian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did […]

Q&A with Drag Queen Aquaria about Her Pennsylvania Roots, Queer Fashion, and Her Funky Drag Race Family

Werq The World 2019 lands in Pittsburgh at Heinz Hall on Saturday, October 12. The tour cast includes Pennsylvania native and Season 10 winner, Aquaria, who graciously agreed to a Q&A with our blog. it’s always important to frequent your local bars, clubs, and theaters to find talent that sparks your particular interest. There are […]

Anonymous, 46, is a Lesbian Who Chooses Not to Be Involved in the Pittsburgh LGBTQ Community #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County LGBTQ

I’m actually not that involved, mainly because I’m not outgoing and haven’t inquired or explored the Pittsburgh area.   Name: Anonymous Age: 46 County of Residence: Allegheny County Pronouns: she, her How do you describe your identity? Lesbian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out at […]

Q&A: Maia Sharp Talks About Being an Out Musician, Her Work with Bill Deasy, & What She Loves About Pittsburgh

Maia Sharp

Roscoe & Etta will perform at Club Cafe on South Side, Saturday August 17.  7:00 PM (Doors 6:00 PM) The show is 21+ and tickets are $13.00. Maia Sharp came out at age 23 in 1994 and has been making herstory ever since. She’s recorded seven albums and had all sorts of interesting collaborations in […]

Lisa Moondrop, 33, Has a Voice as a Bisexual Person in Western Pennsylvania #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Bisexual Woman

The biggest challenge I faced was coming out to myself. I was very surprised, scared, and ashamed of my attraction to females at first. I didn’t know how to respond to my emotions and was scared others wouldn’t know how to respond to my sexuality. Name: Lisa Moondrop Age: 33 County of Residence: Allegheny formerly Westmoreland Pronouns: She/her/hers and […]

Q&A with Michele Harris, a bisexual poet from Western PA about her newest book and her decision to change venues in response to allegations of sexual misconduct by a coffeehouse owner

Michele Harris Poet

A local, queer female-owned bookstore Rickert & Beagle is hosting an upcoming reading on August 16 featuring Western PA native poet, Michele Harris. Harris was originally scheduled to read at Biddle’s Escape in Regent Square, but after learning about allegations of sexual misconduct by the owner, she cancelled in solidarity with the survivors. Rickert & […]

Q&A with Meg Fair, Now Covering the LGBTQ Beat for the Pittsburgh Current

I was stoked to learn that my newspaper home, The Pittsburgh Current, had brought Meg Fair on board FT to cover the ‘LGBTQ beat’ as well as to provide music and other coverage. They have done some great reporting and I think their openly queer identity is very important to this role. Note – I […]