More Info in Search for Missing Gay Man in Pittsburgh #FindDakotaJames

Dakota James Missing Person

As we’ve shared, a 23-year-old gay man named Dakota James has been missing for several weeks. His extended family have poured into town, searching tirelessly and drawing other people into their efforts. A reward of $10,000 is offered for information leading to the whereabouts of Dakota. New information has come to light from video footage, […]

23 Year Old Black Lesbian Stud is Murdered in Pittsburgh’s Knoxville Neighborhood UPDATED

Pittsburgh Stud Shanique Sanders

Her name was Shanique Sanders.

Pittsburgh Stud Shanique Sanders
Shanique Sanders via Facebook
She was 23 years old and a resident of Homestead. Wednesday afternoon, she became the latest fatality in the epidemic of violence when her body was found at 1:45 PM on McKinley Street in the Knoxville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. She had been shot at least one time when she was found and transported to UPMC Mercy where she later died.

Shanique used the name Loyalty Fashigg in social media and self-identified as a stud, according to local LGBT activist Amber Sloan who was a friend and mentor to Shanique. Amber told me that Shanique was born in Garfield, grew up in Homewood and was a graduate of Westinghouse High School.

Maine Trans Woman Found Dead in Reservoir

Lexxi Sironen

On the heels of learning about the brutal murder of T.T. in Chicago this past weekend, I was saddened to read more tragic news on the Transgriot blog. 43 year old Lexxi Sironen’s body was found floating in the Kennebec River on September 6 at 8:15 AM EDT near the water reservoir of the Brookfield […]

The Anxious Life Part Six: I’m Not Talking About Orlando

The Anxious Life Part Six: I’m Not Talking About Orlando

I don’t want to talk about it. I put the rage and fear and hopelessness into a little box and tucked that into my heart in a little space that keeps it secure. I was very sad for very many days. I spent those hours asleep or numb which is what you feel when you […]

Finalists in the Readers Choice Awards

The finalists have been announced in what I’m told is a record-breaking number of votes cast for the Keystone Alliance Gaylife Newsletter 2016 Readers Choice Awards. I am honored to be voted as a finalist in nine categories. I am especially proud that the #AMPLIFY project is a finalist as well. Here are the categories […]

Thank You For Nine Nominations In The Readers Choice Awards

We are honored to be nominated for nine awards across eight categories for the 2016 Keystone Alliance Gaylife Newsletter Reader’s Choice Awards.  Thank you to everyone who nominated us in these categories. We regularly contribute to the newsletter and appreciate their good work in the Southwest Central PA region. This is the semi-final ballot. To vote, […]

Top Twenty Posts of 2015

best of 2015

I took a look at the most ‘popular’ posts/pages from 2015. AMPLIFY didn’t even crack the top twenty which is interesting because the individual posts do quite well. Clearly, my regular blogging is still driving most of the traffic to the website. So that’s an important lesson for me to keep in mind. And a […]

The Lack of Bisexual Resources in Pittsburgh #BiWeek

Bisexual Umbrella

  This is National Bisexual Visibility Week (#biweek) and not an especially positive reflection on Pittsburgh.  Our community does not have a single group or resource devoted to the bisexual community, nor do we have any openly bisexual individuals in leadership roles within the community. We have two very prominent community leaders who are bisexual […]

Who Was Mike V?

Friday night, a small group of people took to the streets in Shadyside, displaying a banner that read “RIP Mike V.” Then some vandalism happened and I’ve spent most of the day fielding inquiries about Mike, anarchists and vandalism. What would he think? (I don’t know.) Who is behind this? (Don’t know that, either.) Do […]

Art All Night Bans All Weapons at Community Art Event

Some good news from Art All Night, a community art event held annually each spring in Lawrenceville. They have put an official no-weapons policy in place, for volunteers and the public. No guns – permit or not. As you may recall, last year we found a volunteer openly carrying a handgun in his waistband. From […]