Swissvale Borough Adopts Nondiscrimination Protections, Creates Human Relations Commission

I just learned that the Borough of Swissvale passed a comprehensive human relations act that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity on January 4, 2023. Ordinance #23-01 to add a Chapter to the Code of Ordinances to provide for the creation of the Swissvale Human Relations Commission and […]

Black Trans Woman Cashay Henderson, 31, Killed by Gunshot in Milwaukee

Cashay Henderson Trans Woman

Cashay Ashanti Henderson was a 31-year-old Black trans woman. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she most recently lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin before returning to her hometown. Milwaukee was where she died from a gunshot wound. On Sunday, February 26, her body was found in a burning building in Milwaukee. Someone shot Cashay and either set a […]

Latina Trans Woman Maria Jose Rivera Rivera, 22, Killed in Houston

Maria Jose Rivera Rivera was a 22-year-old Latina trans woman from El Salvador. Her death was first reported in late January, but unconfirmed by law enforcement investigators until recently. Maria Jose was killed in what’s described as a murder-suicide by an intimate partner on January 21, 2023 in Houston. Based on early reporting, her death […]

Arrest Made in 2021 Murder of Black Trans Woman Angel Naira in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Angel Naira Transgender

Angel Naira was 36 when she was found dead in her Aliquippa apartment from multiple gunshot wounds in late November 2021. On Friday, Pennsylvania State Police announced that they’ve arrested and charged 46-year-old Darese Darrel Raines on homicide and weapons charges. He’s being held in the Beaver County Jail without bond. From KDKA According to […]

100+ LGBTQ Organizations and Leaders Call on New York Times to do Better by Transgender Community

Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents and Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities both signed this letter. You can, too. http://glaad.org/nytimes Last night, my mother-in-law told my wife that girls dressed as cats requested litter boxes in their classroom. She’s a progressive person so were both appalled. My wife stopped her cold and explained how that myth is a lie and […]

Q&A With Lita Brillman, Candidate for City Council District 5

Lita Brillman

This is how I have come to describe my campaign: Community-focused, data-driven. This is the next post of our 2023 primary election season series ‘Political Q&A’ with progressive candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running for any level of office. Please note that these are not necessarily endorsements, more of an opportunity […]

“Shame On You (Insert Lesbian Slur)” For Calling Out Local Labor Leader Over Affordable Housing

Phil Ameris lesbian bashing

I spent Saturday afternoon tabling for #ProtectTransKids projects at a local arts event. This meant I repeatedly described the anti-trans abusive behavior of the neighbor who targeted the young Black trans teen at the heart of the project. People shared their own stories – their personal experiences, their family members, grandkids, nieces. In the midst, […]

26-Year-Old Trans Woman Zachee Imanitwitaho Killed in Louisville

26-year-old Zachee Imanitwitaho was a Black trans woman, born in the African nation of Rwanda. She immigrated to the US in 2019 and settled in the Hazelwood neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. On Friday, February 3, Zachee was shot and killed near her workplace at JB Swift in Louisville around 3 PM CST. Police found her […]

Need Your Help to Get More #ProtectTransKids Yard Signs Into Suburbs. Here’s Why …

Protect Trans Kids

From Politico:  More than 180 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced so far this legislative session, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, with dozens centered on restricting transgender students in school. Last year, state legislators introduced 315 anti-LGBTQ bills, according to the Human Rights Campaign. More than 90 percent of the legislation failed as only 29 […]

Q&A with Abigail Salisbury, Candidate for PA State House District 34

Abigail Salisbury

I was excited to see Governor Shapiro take office and announce that he would keep a kosher kitchen in the Governor’s Mansion.  Most of the time, Jewish observances are mysterious and holidays are sort of an “also-ran,” just mentioned in passing when they have some relationship in time with Christian holidays, and people don’t really […]