Amplifying Trans Voices in Western Pennsylvania in Honor of the Trans Day of Remembrance

Trans Day of Remembrance 2016

Sunday, November 20 is the Trans Day of Remembrance.  If you read our blog regularly, you know that we try very hard to honor the lives and acknowledge the deaths of our trans neighbors who have been lost to violence. We encourage you to participate in local TDOR events. You can find our previous posts: […]

#AMPLIFY and LGBT History Month

LGBT History Month Pittsburgh

We want to keep growing and we especially want to begin offering audio recording options to conduct interviews with community elders as well as others who have limited access to the Internet. We have connected with a lesbian owned transcription service based in Johnstown, PA, but it will still cost $125-250 per interview. That’s one reason we ask people to try to use the online form if possible.

During October, we are again crowdfunding for the project – we hope to raise $3,000 so we can schedule the audio sessions throughout the winter. The funds will be used to set up “AMPLIFY Info” sessions in the outlying counties so we can meet people & encourage them to participate as well as to set up the actual recording times. And, of course, pay for the transcription.

We’ve been invited to New Castle (Lawrence County), Johnstown (Cambria County), Bradford (McKean County), as well as Armstrong, Beaver, Butler and Clearfield counties. If you need a little encouragement, consider this story from Melanie (a Trump supporter) who lives in Washington County.

“Your Story Can Heal” Says Rain, 26, #AMPLIFY

Demisexual Greene Washington Allegheny counties

At the end of the day, your silence is damaging. Your story can heal and make people feel like they’re not alone. Name:  Rain Age:  26 ** Update – I made an error and listed Rain’s age as 44. I am sorry for the error. – Sue County of Residence:  Allegheny, formerly Washington and Greene Preferred […]

#AMPLIFY LGBTQ Families, 29 Parents Share Their Experiences

Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day

For the past 18 months, I have been collecting Q&A responses from LGBTQ folks with ties to Western Pennsylvania. The project is called #AMPLIFY and we plan to continue seeking Q&A contributions through the end of 2017. Participants are 18+, identify as part of the LGBTQ community and have ties to Western Pennsylvania. We ask […]

Maggio, 28, is Unapologetically a Bi-sexual Queer Feminist Scholar #AMPLIFY

Allegheny Butler County Bisexual

Name:  Maggio Age: 28 County of Residence: Allegheny, formerly Butler Preferred Pronouns: She/Queen How do you describe your identity? I am a bi-sexual queer feminist scholar. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? For as long as I remember I was attracted to girls. In middle school I started explaining to […]

Mia Donna Has Wild Happy Life as a Pansexual Polyamorous Person #AMPLIFY

queer Washington County

  Name: Mia Donna Age: 43 County of Residence:  Washington, formerly Allegheny and Westmoreland Preferred Pronouns: she, her How do you describe your identity? pansexual gender fluid human Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? ha. i laugh because i dont believe i really had a true coming out experience. i […]

#AMPLIFY: FAQ

Western Pennsylvania

Why is this called AMPLIFY! LGBTQ? What are you amplifying? I’ve spent ten years blogging about my observations and experiences. I’m interested in creating a space in the blogosphere (and beyond) to shine a light on your observations and experiences. I believe that as people get to know their LGBTQ neighbors, friends and coworkers, their […]

Niki Talks About Living as a Gender Queer Trans Woman in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Name:  Niki Age: 32 County of Residence: Allegheny. Washington county where I grew up. Crawford county, Erie county. I went to college in both places Preferred Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? My sexual orientation I describe as either bi, pan, or queer. I don’t care too much about those specific kinds of labels, just that gender isn’t important to […]

Jean Came Out As Bisexual After Her Retirement #AMPLIFY

Bisexual Pittsburgh

Name: Jean Age: 61 County of Residence: Allegheny, Westmoreland, then Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: complete person, happy woman How do you describe your identity? I am an American, who is a white bi-sexual woman, of German, English, and Scottish background. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out as bi-sexual to […]

Jaime from the ReelQ Film Festival Says ‘Yep, I’m Gay!’ #AMPLIFY

ReelQ Film Festival

Name:  Jaime Age:  35 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She/Her How do you describe your identity? I am a white, cisgender female lesbian. Some refer to me as a chapstick lesbian or a tomboy, but I’m just me. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out […]