Mayor Gainey Appoints Out Trans Latina Maria Montaño as Press Secretary, Unveils Letterhead With Pronouns

Maria Montaño

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey made a landmark announcement today, sharing that he has appointed Maria Montaño as his Press Secretary. Montaño is an experienced communications professional who brings a lot of talent and wisdom to the position. She also happens to identify as a proud trans, queer, Latinx woman. Montaño is possibly the highest ranking […]

How 39 Candidates for the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas Stack Up on LGBTQIA+ Issues

There are 39 candidates for 9 openings on the Court of Common Pleas. That is a lot of people to wade through, research, and figure out whom to support. Judges matter. They make life-defining decisions for children, youth, and adults. They help to shape the courtroom culture. They shape culture, period. This is one type […]

Here’s What To Do After the Pridefest in Pittsburgh

Stonewall 50th Anniversary Pittsburgh

Pride weekend has ended in Pittsburgh, but the celebration continues all month long …  Here’s our original list of ways to honor the legacy of Stonewall with upcoming activities this month … AND WE ADDED EVENTS This is not in any particular order. It is not a ranking of events, just a listing. Read away. […]

50+ Pittsburgh Ways to Honor the 50th Legacy of Stonewall #PghPride

Stonewall 50th Anniversary Pittsburgh

The legacy of Stonewall’s 50th Anniversary is hotly contested, revised, and yet still remains vitally important to all of us LGBTQ people. I decided to create a list of 50 events and actions you can take to honor that legacy. These are not in any particular ranking nor chronological order. This list is meant to […]

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? […]

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.

Stephen, 36, is a Gay Male Gaymer in Armstrong County #AMPLIFY

Gay Man Armstrong County

  Name: Stephen Wade Age: 36 County of Residence: Armstrong County, formerly Allegheny County Pronouns: Him How do you describe your identity? Gay Married Male Video Gaymer. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out to most of my friends when I was 14 and a Freshman in High […]

Hansen, 20, is an Unapologetic Queer Filmmaker #AMPLIFY

Queer Fox Chapel

  Name:  Hansen Bursic Age: 20 County of Residence:  Allegheny County, Living part-time in Philadelphia to attend Temple University Pronouns: he/him/his How do you describe your identity? Unapologetic Queer Filmmaker Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My mother discovered my sexuality after I unsuccessfully lied about an event I was going […]

Ben, 30, Wants All Gay White Men to Learn To Take a Step Back #AMPLIFY

  Name: Ben Age: 30 County of Residence: Allegheny, formerly Cambria (Johnstown) Pronouns: he/him How do you describe your identity? gay man Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Well in high school I found myself attracted to other guys in school over any girls, but I didn’t think much of […]

Bobbi Jo, 63, is a Transgender Lesbian in Indiana County #AMPLIFY

Transgender Indiana County

  Name: Bobbi Jo Age: 63 County of Residence: Indiana, formerly Butler County Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? Female lesbian. I’ve always been attracted to women. Transgender.  Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? It happened while I was in a substance recovery program in Indiana. I am […]