Samantha, 44, Wants Better Trans Health Choices in Pennsylvania #AMPLIFY

Name: Samantha Age: 44 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: Her, she, b*tch, LOL How do you describe your identity? I am a Trans woman questioning my sexual preference. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I truly was lucky. I found support everywhere. The biggest challenge was telling my Mom. We […]

“Your Story Can Heal” Says Rain, 26, #AMPLIFY

Demisexual Greene Washington Allegheny counties

At the end of the day, your silence is damaging. Your story can heal and make people feel like they’re not alone. Name:  Rain Age:  26 ** Update – I made an error and listed Rain’s age as 44. I am sorry for the error. – Sue County of Residence:  Allegheny, formerly Washington and Greene Preferred […]

Trans Woman Rae’Lynn Thomas, 28, of Columbus, Ohio Murdered By Mother’s Ex-Boyfriend

Rae'Lynn Thomas

Rae’Lynn was 28 years old. She was a performer and loved fashion. She transition at age 18, according to her family. And she was brutally murdered in cold blood by her mother’s ex-boyfriend who lived in the family home. From mic.com: Renee Thomas said her daughter transitioned 10 years ago. Rae’Lynn’s aunt, Shannon Thomas, said […]

Jill, 48, Has Ties to Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland Counties #AMPLIFY

Washington County

Name:  Jill Age: 48 County of Residence:  Washington, formerly Allegheny and Westmoreland counties Preferred Pronouns:  I am a human being How do you describe your identity? I am me. Short and fat and happy. Lol. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I feel I have always been out. […]

Erykah Tijerina, 36, of El Paso Latest Trans Woman Murdered in the US

Erykah Tijerina was 36 years old. Her sisters describe her as “funny, giving and unapologetic.” Sadly, she is also the latest transgender neighbor to die a violent death in the United States. Her Facebook posts are filled with love and family and hopefulness. Erykah’s body was found Monday in her El Paso apartment complex. She […]

Caitlyn, 51, Lives Her Authentic Self as a Trans Woman in Erie #AMPLIFY

transgender Erie Pennsylvania

  Name: Caitlyn Strohmeyer Age: 51 County of Residence: Erie Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers How do you describe your identity? Woman/transwoman/transfeminine Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My first memory of wishing I had been born a girl was when I was around 5 years old. When I was in the first […]

Melissa, 23, is Androgynous and Queer in Butler County #AMPLIFY

Queer Butler County

Name: Melissa Age: 23 County of Residence: Butler, formerly Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/They/Them How do you describe your identity? I consider myself more of an androgynous person. I identify my sexuality as “queer”. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I didn’t have a big to-do with my coming out. I told […]

Central Pennsylvania Pridefest aka Our Trip to Harrisburg for #AMPLIFY

Central PA Pridefest 2016

This past weekend, Ledcat and I took a road trip to the capital city to experience their pridefest. Overall, we found the festival to be pretty nice – the location is a riverfront park along a long winding, shady path. There were A LOT of vendors, most hyper local and engaged. The entertainment was at […]

Delilah, 31, Find Trans Community on Twitter #AMPLIFY

Transgender Cambria County

Name: Delilah Age: 31 County of Residence:  Cambria, Indiana, Lancaster, Dauphin, and some others in the Commonwealth that escape me at the moment. Preferred Pronouns: she, her, mademoiselle, and other female pronouns How do you describe your identity? I identify as a trans woman. To a lesser extent, I identify as a lesbian. I say to a lesser extent because […]

Jamie, 52, Celebrates the Queer Tribe Rising #AMPLIFY

Jamie Shupe Pittsburgh

Editor’s Note: Jamie is a friend and a former contributor to this blog. I am so honored to have their contribution as the 150th post in the #AMPLIFY project. That’s a big milestone. Jamie’s milestone as the first legally recognized non-binary resident of the United States is pretty damn big, too. Read on … Name: Jamie […]