Sarah, 38, Talks Transitioning in Her Rural Pennsylvania Community #AMPLIFY

Trans Woman Rural Pennsylvania

Students past and present, parents, and community members spoke out against his hateful rhetoric. It briefly went viral in the surrounding area and I received countless messages of support from strangers and friends alike until he deleted the post and backtracked his statements. Obviously, there are still many people who agree with his position in […]

Helen, 32, is a Lesbian, Immigrant, Irish Comedian Living in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Irish Immigrant Lesbian Comedian

How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? I am super out! I talk about being a lesbian openly in my comedy often. I hope by being super open about my sexuality, I can bring some visibility to the community and hopefully win some hearts for the LGBTQ community from folks who haven’t perhaps had personal experiences with queer people in the past.

Jason, 38, Talks About Workplace Discrimination as a White Gay Man #AMPLIFY

white gay male Pittsburgh

  Marriage equality is great, but it has overshadowed our greater fight. Name:  Jason Age: 38 County of Residence: Allegheny, raised in Warren, Warren County, PA; lived in North Haledon, NJ and Bay Shore, NY (Long Island) Pronouns: gay male How do you describe your identity? white gay male Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? […]

Q&A: Rad Pereira Queers Prince Ferdinand in Pgh Public Production of The Tempest

Rad Pereira

How do you describe your identity? In a nutshell, I’d say I’m a brown queer genderfluid immigrant. My gender identity varies day by day. Style has been one of my most consistent modes of self-care because I can fully express myself through it, especially when I’m working in institutions where I’ve felt silenced.

Bill, 62, is a Gay Man Being Visible in Mercer County #AMPLIFY

Gay Man Mercer County

   I remember in New Castle the highest paying factory job was impossible for gay men to get because they relied on reference only from people who already worked there and there was an understanding among them that they wouldn’t give a positive reference to a gay man. Name: Bill Age: 62 County of Residence: Mercer County, formerly […]

How the good intentions of families of LGBTQ youth might harm other LGBTQ youth

Allies Harming LGBTQ Youth

I feel very sad for Dakota James’ family, especially his mother who seems immersed in unresolved grief. But their unwillingness to consider that a terrible accident befell their son while he was drunk is having a negative impact on the LGBTQ community and general population of Pittsburgh. The Foundation they established is taking LGBTQ resources […]

Review: Blank My Life series offers intriguing emotional layers, a bisexual storyline, and lots of Pittsburgh touches

Blank My Life is quirky and puzzling. What begins as a series of vignettes in the first two seasons evolves into a full throttle series in Season Three. And it works. A ridiculous premis like accidentally killing your GBF and then moving to Ohio from NYC makes for compelling, if uneven, viewing. Lead character Susan […]

Joslyn, 22, is a Trans Female Concerned About LGBTQ Mental Health Supports #AMPLIFY

Transgender Woman Allegheny County

  Name: Joslyn Age: 22 County of Residence: Allegheny Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? White, trans female Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My coming out experience was kinda iffy. When I came out at bi my mom basically told me it’s okay. But she ONLY wanted to […]

Maxwell, 22, is a Queer Trans Man from McKean County #AMPLIFY

McKean County Trans Man

What motivated you to take part in this project? 

I want people like me to know that it does get better. You are not sick, you are not broken; you are you, and you are brave and strong. I wish I’d known who I am earlier, but it doesn’t always happen that way, and that’s okay. Finding yourself can take a long time, but it’s worth it.

West Middlesex School District in Mercer County Implements Trans Inclusive Student Policies

West Middlesex School District Transgender Policies

Well frankly, I am a straight, white, Christian, cisgender male. It’s people like me that need to step up and show support for the marginalized people. In early December, officials in the West Middlesex School District (Mercer County) announced that existing school policies on inclusion, diversity, and respect would expand to include allowing transgender and […]