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, […]

Will Dan Savage Bring His Best Santorum to the US Capitol Steps?

Rick Santorum internship

I’m fairly certain I’m one of a handful of 44 year old people who still list their college internship on their resume. My six-month stint with then-Congressman Rick Santorum in 1991 has proved to be one of the most unintentionally fruitful items on my list of professional accomplishments. Thanks to Santorum’s decision to run for […]

24 Year Old Trans Woman of Color Keymori Johnson Murdered in Georgia

Keymori Johnson

Three days after the murder of Deshawnda Sanchez in Los Angeles, a Georgia woman became the 13th trans woman of color known to be murdered in 2014. *I know this number is disputed so please feel free to leave a comment or email me with corrections. Keymori  Shatoya Johnson was 24 years old living in […]

34 Year Old Gay Pgh Man Missing for Two Months

Andre Gray

  Black lives matter. Andre Gray is a 34 year old black man who has been missing for two months from his Lawrenceville home. Andre is also part of the LGBTQ community – according to his family, he came out when he was 30 and had recently been involved with someone. Andre is also known […]

Don’t Ask Me To Extend an Olive Branch Unless You Have Your Facts Right UPDATED

Dove

Bruce Barron, a Pittsburgh resident and former staffer for Rick Santorum, penned a loathsome piece in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette requesting that the LGBTQ community offer Christians an olive branch. He’s suggesting that we allow Christian business owners “conscientious objector” status with regard to discriminating against LGBTQ persons in private business matters. Like baking wedding cakes. […]

Trans Woman of Color Killed by Gunshot in LA

Deshawnda Sanchez

  Deshawnda “Tata” Sanchez was just 21 years old when she was murdered around 4 AM Wednesday morning (December 3) in Los Angeles. From KTLA: “She was definitely at that door, pounding on that door seeking help,” LAPD Detective Christopher Barling said. The occupant of the home came outside after hearing multiple gunshots but it […]

I Have Never Had To Put My Hands Up For The Police

Hands Up Don't Shoot

UPDATED Earlier this week at 1 PM, I stood outside my home in observance of the 4.5 minute tribute to Michael Brown. I wasn’t able to join my Northside neighbors a few miles up the street so I stood alone on my block in the freezing sleet. It was definitely uncomfortable, but not just because […]

Artistic Q&A: Vannevar Bush on The Art of Urban Observation

As part my NaBloPoMo examination of art and blogging, I asked a few folks to consider some of the same questions I’m pondering. Today, I’m sharing the responses from local blogger Vannevar Bush.   I first met Vannevar via Facebook when I posted about my fear of cycling in an urban environment. That conversation led […]

Video For Our Podcamp Pittsburgh Panel on Art, Advocacy and Blogging

Podcamp Pittsburgh

See you Sunday at my Podcamp Pittsburgh panel at 2 PM. NEW NEW ART VISION VIMEO with slides/ pics from Brian Cottington on Vimeo.

Pittsburgh Municipal Equality Index Score Increases for 2014

Municipal Equality Index

The 2014 HRC Municipal Equality Index has been released. Pittsburgh residents have gained significant benefit from the 2014 court decision legalizing same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania, but has only made slight actual gains in terms of municipal initiated efforts to address equality. Pittsburgh’s most noticeable ongoing weakness is evident in the “gender identity” indicators. The scoring […]