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How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? I wouldn’t say I’m fully out but I’m working on it. If I’m talking to people and they ask if I’m seeing anyone I am nervous at first to say I have a girlfriend but I do and I am proud of myself after. I need to get past my concerns on what other people think of me. I need to work on what I think of me. We are “official” on social media and both our families know also.
Name: Ira Age: 30 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: They/Them How do you describe your identity? I identify as pansexual and genderqueer, or possibly agender. I just don’t “get” gender I guess? I don’t care about it in my partners and don’t feel it applies to me personally. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? […]
Name: Lavi
Age: 29
County of Residence: I grew up in Greene county. I moved to Allegheny County when i was 18. Ive lived in Pittsburgh the past 11 years
Preferred Pronouns: She, her
How do you describe your identity? trans queer bi white
Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I started coming out when I was about 15 I think. At that time I found support online. There was an online community of mostly other teenage trans kids we helped each other out with what we could.
I didn’t have support from my family and local community. I felt isolated and alone. I was. I tried to run away but it didn’t work.
I came out more finally when I turned 18 and moved to Pittsburgh. It was finally a time when I could start to be myself and figure out who I am.
I still had trouble finding support. I went to transpitt but felt a big generational gap. I learned a lot tho from Nancy. I always remember her.
Name: Ciora Thomas
Age: 27
County of Residence: Allegheny
Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers
How do you describe your identity? I’m a Bi Transwomn.
Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My coming out experience wasn’t really a coming out more so i got caught by my step father and my family then turned on me. I found support in downtown Pittsburgh and the GLCC when it was in Squirrel Hill ran by Lyndsey Sickler. I faced many challenges the main being a homeless trans teenager.
Name: Anonymous
Age: 30
County of Residence: Washington, formerly Allegheny
Preferred Pronouns: Her, she, etc.
Name: Janet
Age: 66
County of Residence: Allegheny. I lived in my youth in Cambridge, MA, Bonn, Germany, New Haven CT and Oxford England.
Preferred Pronouns: She, her hers
How do you describe your identity? I am bisexual in my sexual orientation and cisgender but mildly gender non-conforming in my gender presentation.
In June 2015, we added this question to the Q&A
“What motivated you to take part in this project?”
The responses have been enlightening when I consider why people take 30-60 minutes to share some of their most personal thoughts with the wide world. Their investment isn’t fleeting – the Q&A will live on as our archived collective experiences.
“I particularly wanted to participate because I wanted an older perspective to be included.”
Name: Dominic
Age: 18
County of Residence: Allegheny County
Preferred Pronouns: He/Him
How do you describe your identity? Cis White Male Bisexual
Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? When I came out, my mom took away my computer for the summer (I came out right at the end of the school year), saying that she was taking it away because of my “porn addiction” and that her taking it away on the same day I came out was coincidental. When I got my computer back for the school year, she installed a religious filter on my computer called Covenant Eyes.
We want to keep growing and we especially want to begin offering audio recording options to conduct interviews with community elders as well as others who have limited access to the Internet. We have connected with a lesbian owned transcription service based in Johnstown, PA, but it will still cost $125-250 per interview. That’s one reason we ask people to try to use the online form if possible.
During October, we are again crowdfunding for the project – we hope to raise $3,000 so we can schedule the audio sessions throughout the winter. The funds will be used to set up “AMPLIFY Info” sessions in the outlying counties so we can meet people & encourage them to participate as well as to set up the actual recording times. And, of course, pay for the transcription.
We’ve been invited to New Castle (Lawrence County), Johnstown (Cambria County), Bradford (McKean County), as well as Armstrong, Beaver, Butler and Clearfield counties. If you need a little encouragement, consider this story from Melanie (a Trump supporter) who lives in Washington County.
Name: Dean
Age: 31
County of Residence: Allegheny
Preferred Pronouns: Male, He, Gay.
How do you describe your identity? Gay male with asexual tendencies in a polyamourus relationship
Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Coming out was a matter of lie, deny or try. I was outed by a female friend that had a crush on me in 8th grade. She decided to tell the only out gay male in our class / school – which led to everyone soon bringing the question up to me & family members. At the time I was seeing a fellow classmate on the wrestling team. He denied and I chose to try and not lie.
How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? After experiencing much in the strictly male “gay world” I now prefer to be associated with a queer community than just men. There has been more open arms, plus understanding amongst a community made up of all genders + sexualities & identifications. Not just one orientation alienating my personal views.
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