All in a day’s work!

Last week, I wrote about a Post-Gazette reporter who wanted to talk to me about Caitlyn Jenner. On Friday, she called me to say there was a misunderstanding, and the Post-Gazette does not have a “real names” policy regarding transgender people. They could have quoted me using my pen name, she said, and she apologized for […]

Graham crackers

It seems like the Post-Gazette’s Jennifer Graham, winner of this week’s “Best Turd in a Punchbowl” award, is new to Pittsburgh. Her magnum derpus about Caitlyn Jenner is only her second column for One of America’s Best Potato-Peelings Catchers, according to Davyoe of “2 Political Junkies.” I did look at Jennifer “Quietest of Voices” Graham’s […]

Meanwhile, at Pittsburgh’s ‘liberal’ paper

On Tuesday, I was emailed by a reporter at the Post-Gazette who wanted to ask my take on Caitlyn Jenner’s transition. I replied, that’s fine, I’m happy to help, but you have to understand that “Trish” is a pen name, not my legal name. Oh, the reporter responded, my editor says we’ll need to use […]

UPDATED: London Chanel, 21, Eighth Trans Woman of Color Murdered in 2015

London Chanel Transgender

Very sad news from close to home in Philadelphia – 21-year-old London Chanel was murdered early Monday morning and then promptly misgendered in the reporting. Fortunately, her friends weighed in quickly and the media updated their reporting. How sad that’s part of the ritual of mourning our trans sisters – fact checking the media. A […]

My modest proposal to prevent “bathroom panic”

A number of states—mostly of the far-right-wing variety—have now introduced legislation that would forbid transgender people from using a public restroom if it doesn’t correspond to the gender on their birth certificate. (Pennsylvania hasn’t tried this yet, but I’d be surprised if some legislator doesn’t have a draft bill sitting on his or her desk. […]

First Ever Trans Specific Civil Rights Bills Introduced in PA General Assembly

PA Rep Mark Cohen

PA Representative Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia) has introduced  the first ever transgender specific civil rights bills in Pennsylvania history. The Transgender Health Benefits Act HB304 is based on a piece of Philadelphia legislation  that allows for transition related healthcare for government workers, but the state bill covers public, as well as private and Medicaid plans. Despite this progress, […]

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 […]

The Full Obituary of Madeleine Hershey

Madeleine Hershey (1963 – 2015)

Yesterday, I read about the death of a member of Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ community. Her name was Madeleine Hershey and she was 51 years old. I knew her only very casually, but I was struck by her family’s decision to self-publish her obituary.  This is what I read: Below is Madeleine’s obituary and information about celebrations […]

Bisexual Resource Center in Pittsburgh

Bisexual Resource Center

I’ve shared this story before, but it continues to resonate for me (in a negative way) even many years later. I was at a meeting of community leaders called together to discuss some “issues” and the convener made an off-the-cuff remark about transgender people never attending things and bisexuals “well, we know that they don’t […]

Philadelphia Trans Woman, Diamond Williams, Murdered & Further Violated by the Media

UPDATED Last week, Diamond Williams – a trans woman living in Philly – was brutally murdered and dismembered by Charles Sargent, then dumped in a vacant lot  in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. Sargent is in jail and has been charged. Sadly, the mainstream media added another atrocious twist to this gruesome story by making repeated […]