Q&A: Rad Pereira Queers Prince Ferdinand in Pgh Public Production of The Tempest

Rad Pereira

How do you describe your identity? In a nutshell, I’d say I’m a brown queer genderfluid immigrant. My gender identity varies day by day. Style has been one of my most consistent modes of self-care because I can fully express myself through it, especially when I’m working in institutions where I’ve felt silenced.

Block Family, Post-Gazette Refuse (Again) to Publish Letter from Newsroom Employees

Block Family Foul

You’ve probably read this elsewhere, but I wanted to show my solidarity by publishing this letter here. I also want to point out that there are a lot of members of the Block family who derive financial benefit from the operations of Block Communication, Inc (and the Post-Gazette) which affords them a degree of financial […]

How the good intentions of families of LGBTQ youth might harm other LGBTQ youth

Allies Harming LGBTQ Youth

I feel very sad for Dakota James’ family, especially his mother who seems immersed in unresolved grief. But their unwillingness to consider that a terrible accident befell their son while he was drunk is having a negative impact on the LGBTQ community and general population of Pittsburgh. The Foundation they established is taking LGBTQ resources […]

One Year After My Hysterectomy

lesbian hysterectomy

When I think back to my surgery, a few random thoughts leap to mind. I remember thirst. My surgeon had allowed me to have Gatorade right up to the moment I went into the pre-surgery room. But there was a delay for the patient ahead of me (they ended up okay so no worries) that […]

Ehrrin, 45, identifies as a white cis fat queer femme dyke in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Queer Femme Pittsburgh

  “I WANT to be seen as queer, as it is a foundational part of my identity.” Name: Ehrrin Age: 45 County of Residence:  Allegheny Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity?  I am a white cis fat queer femme dyke. I grew up rural and working class, and alllmost southern. I hail from southern West Virginia which […]

279 #AMPLIFY Q&A’s from your LGBTQ neighbors in Western Pennsylvania – How Many Have You Read?

We have published 279 Q&A’s to date. Western Pennsylvania has about 4 million residents and about 210,000 LGBTQ residents. How many have you read? And have you shared your story using our online Q&A? Below is a reverse chronological list of the AMPLIFY Q&A’s Maria Talks Lesbian Life in the North Hills of Pittsburgh  Suzanne, […]

Maria Talks Lesbian Life in the North Hills of Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County lesbian

  Name: Maria Vincenzia La Monica Age: 33 County of Residence: Allegheny Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? Female, Lesbian, writer, cancer survivor, advocate, enthusiast. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I was deeply closeted until I was 29, I walked out of the closet and into the […]

With Anti-Transgender Editorial, Post-Gazette Officially Proves that Pittsburgh Never Was #StrongerThanHate

The phrase ‘a new low’ seems inadequate to describe the mean-spirited, churlish, vicious, nasty, hateful bitterness of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial Board. But writing out that serious of descriptive words repeatedly is equally insufficient to capture the true evil this Board has embraced. This week, they published this scathing indictment of Twitter’s new speech policies […]

F. Dok Harris: “This hate is growing and fermenting. So take a stand and give back in a way that can really help the people who are at the most risk.”

Franco Dok Harris Pittsburgh Current

Check out this story at the Pittsburgh Current and watch/listen to the podcast below. Generous Donation Makes Holiday Brighter For LGBTQ Youth I suggested the story to Pittsburgh Current because we never hear the media covering stories of generosity to the LGBTQ community.  We hear about Secret Santas visiting Wal-Mart every year and anonymous affluent […]

Suzanne, 39, never felt that honoring her orientation was even an option #AMPLIFY

female bisexual Pittsburgh

  Name: Suzanne Age: 39 County of Residence: Allegheny, but grew up in Armstrong County. Northern Armstrong County bordering Clarion and Butler counties, different parts of Allegheny County, and Mexico City Pronouns: she/her/hers How do you describe your identity? female bi-ish lesbian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I consider that I […]