Guest Post: Pumpkin spice is white culture

My friend Ashley shared this on Facebook. It struck me hard, so I asked her to submit as a guest post. She agreed. ~ Sue I don’t make fun of pumpkin spice stuff (which I have, like, once a year) because it’s “feminine”. I make fun of it because it’s white culture. I also make […]

25 Year Old Black Trans Woman Shot to Death in Chicago

Brianna Ulmer Hamilton

A 25-year-old Black trans Chicago woman is the latest victim of the ongoing campaign of terror targeting the trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming community. Her name was Brianna Ulmer, also known as Briana Hamilton and Brinasty. She was shot to death in the early morning hours in the 7800 block of South Bishop, Auburn/Gresham neighborhood, […]

Disaya Monaee Smith, Black Trans Woman, Murdered near Chicago

Disaya Monaee, a 32-year-old Black transgender woman was fatally shot near Chicago, Illinois on September 6. Disaya was from Chicago, but died about 25 miles away in the village of Dolton, Illinois. Disaya grew up in the Near North Side neighborhood of Chicago. Officers were sent to the Prestige Inn and Suites at 1335 E. Sibley Blvd. […]

20-Year-Old Black Trans Woman Taya Ashton Shot Dead in Maryland

A 20-year-old Black transgender woman, Taya Ashton, has become the latest victim in the violent epidemic of murder targeting the transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming community. Tavahn Ashton of Suitland in Prince George’s County, Maryland was pronounced dead on Saturday, July 17, 2021. On July 17, 2021, at approximately 9:55 pm, officers responded to an […]

Maria Montaño Challenges Social Norms, Political Structures as ‘Best Thirst Trap’ Nominee in Pgh City Paper Best of Pittsburgh Awards

For so long, trans women and our bodies have been sold as objects under capitalism. This has led to our marginalization – and the belief that we are nothing but sexual deviants is directly related to the way we are demonized by so many. Capitalism has deprived us of our humanity, and our own sexual […]

SisTers PGH to protest Black trans exclusion from Sen. Casey’s Pride Month celebration.

For previous Bob Casey inclusion issues, check out this 2017 post I wrote. Senator Bob Casey Excludes Black Trans Voices From Pride Event 6/29/2021 This afternoon, Sen. Bob Casey will be hosting a Pride Month celebration featuring special guest and hometown icon Billy Porter, among others. Panelists at this event are supposed to be discussing […]

UpStairs Lounge, Pulse Nightclub, and 941 Saloon – Intersections of Racial Justice, Trauma, and Identity

In the summer of 2020, a group of activists protested the racist dress code of a local LGBTQ owned bar and restaurant called the 941 Saloon. It was a situation that required a response because this racist dress code disproportionately impacted QTPOC.With the closure of so many LGBTQ owned bars and restaurants, finding a comfortable […]

23-year-old Black Trans Man EJ Boykin aka Novaa Watson Dies from Gunshot Wound

On Monday, June 14, 23-year-old Black trans man EJ Boykin also known as Novaa Watson died in Lynchburg, Virginia from a gunshot wound. From The News & Advance: Officers responded to the parking lot outside the Family Dollar on Fort Avenue at about 6 p.m. Monday for reports of a malicious wounding, LPD previously said […]

What Happened to Poe Black, a 21-year-old Trans Man Killed in Slab City, California?

The body of 21-year-old Poe Black was discovered in the Sonoran Desert on May 11, 2021 near Slab City in Niland, California. Also known as Oliver Jackson, Poe was a resident of Slab City, an unincorporated collection of camps frequently occupied by homeless folks and others who purposefully chose to live outside of conventional communities. […]

35-Year-Old Trans South Carolinian Thomas Hardin Murdered During Killing Spree

The story of Thomas Hardin’s death is nuanced, complicated, and frightening. The frightening element is in most part because the man who is believed to have killed him and four other people in two states is armed and on the run. According to family, friends, and law enforcement, Thomas Hardin identified as a woman. But […]