Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Last week, friends set up a meal train for us to help me with my struggle to eat. It has been a lovely resource and quite effective. Dinner is handled most nights giving Laura a bit of breathing room with all the home stuff she has to manage in addition to her job and all […]

Grief, Anger, Fear, and Guilt: Comments from a Friend of Kathryn Newhouse at Her Candlelight Vigil

Kathryn Newhouse

On Saturday March 19, 2022, a 19-year-old Asian-American autistic trans woman living with mental illness issues was murdered by her father (filicide) in their family home. Her father then died by suicide using the same gun. Her name was Kathryn (Katie) Newhouse. Yesterday, friends and neighbors organized a candlelight vigil to honor her life and acknowledge […]

What I Learned About Gender From Running Track in High School

Among my many facts that shock people is one that I don’t often discuss – the letter I earned in my junior year in high school on the women’s track team. This was at West Mifflin Area High School in 1987. I was never an athlete. I played softball recreationally, but my horrible depth perception […]

Annual Dr. John P. Ruffing DVM Memorial Pet Food Drive

Dr. John Ruffing

Did you know Dr. Ruffing? He started as a vet assistant in the 1980s and practiced as a veterinarian until disability forced him to stop in the mid 2000s. He passed in 2007. John’s legacy was embedded in his intimate bonds with his clients. He was a “get on the floor” vet who soothed scared […]

Candlelight Vigil April 4 for Kathryn Newhouse, Trans Teen Murdered by Her Father in Georgia

Kathryn Vigil

Friends and neighbors have responded with outrage to news of the murder of 19-year-old autistic Asian-American trans woman, Kathryn Newhouse, at the hands of her father. The LGBTQ media has barely responded, leaving the media narrative skewed by Kathryn’s brother. That’s rarely good when it comes to violence targeting trans folx. I’ve spent the better […]

Show Your Community Cat Pride with this Unique Yard Sign

Proud Community Cat Folx

Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities (PLC) created these yard signs to highlight the many wonderful cat folx throughout the region – pet owners, rescuers, colony caretakers, veterinary professionals, and others. We love our yard signs in this region! And ’tis the season for other yard signs to spring up everywhere. Let’s add cats to that mix. Your […]