Being ‘out’ in hostile places

(Update from Trish: I’ve received permission from my friend to share her story. I should have asked in the first place, but my thought process sometimes is like a bunch of suitcases falling down the stairs!) — As LGBTQ people, do we have any moral obligation to be out in places that are hostile to […]

Monday is Bisexuality Visibility Day

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there’s been a Bisexuality Awareness (or Bi Pride) Day since 1999. Then immediately chagrined that I hadn’t known that. You are likely familiar with the ongoing dialogue around identity and language – affectionately dubbed “the alphabet soup” debate. Is it LGBT, GLBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQI, etc? In the midst […]

Feminism and trans rights are compatible

More than 400 feminist authors, bloggers and academics have signed onto a campaign to speak out against transphobia and attacks on transgender people by other feminists. (Update: More than 500 people have now signed, as of the afternoon of Sept. 19.) “A Statement of Trans-Inclusive Feminism and Womanism” is signed by people from all corners […]

A Bishop, a Rabbi and a Newspaper Columnist Walk Into a Gay Bar

The Post-Gazette has published a lovely piece from Rabbi Aaron B. Bisno, senior rabbi of Rodef Shalom Congregation in Squirrel Hill. We don’t like the government intruding into citizens’ personal lives, and we have a deeply ingrained sympathy for victims of prejudice, having so often been victims ourselves. As Rabbi Yoffie states, “We know from long […]

Do PA Mayors Performing Marriage Have Ethical Responsibilities Regarding the Legal Status of LGBTQ Couples?

marriage pennsylvania

As I read about Braddock Mayor John Fetterman performing a wedding ceremony for two gay men from Regent Square, I had mixed reactions. On the one hand, it is an act of civil disobedience designed to create a more equal society and I support that step. But on the other hand, it puts an LGBTQ […]

What Does Blogging for Justice Accomplish?

I’ve been strangely ambivalent about the #PghBlog4Justice project and unable to put my finger on why. I’ve been part of more than a dozen different blog events over the past years and typically enjoy a group think approach to a topic. Maybe its because to my knowledge there are no people of color participating? I […]

Tampons, Texas and Tears – Sister Supplies

The meme about the Texas State Legislature banning state resident from bringing tampons or pads into the General Assembly buildings during a heated debate on abortion really got me thinking. On its face, this is patently absurd – have you ever tried to throw a tampon at anyone? Or a pad? Even drenched in water, […]

Mixed emotions

We were on vacation at the Lake Erie shore last week when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decisions overturning the Defense of Marriage Act and bouncing California’s Proposition 8 back to a lower court. Like everyone else, I watched our friends giving each other virtual high-fives on Facebook and Twitter. And it bugged […]

Review: Other Desert Cities at Pgh Public Theater

This wasn’t my favorite play of the season, but I believe that Polly Wyeth – mother, Republican, wife – may be among my favorite characters of the season. Other Desert Cities is a riff on a sign along desert highways – the Wyeth elders, Polly and husband Lyman are living the retirement dream in Palm […]

LGBTQ&A: Jodi Hirsh Reminds Us Never to be Silent

An occasional series where we pose some questions to local LGBTQ folks (and Allies) to learn more about their personal experiences with LGBTQ culture. Click here for a complete list of all LGBTQ&A profiles.  During Pride 2013, we are trying to feature someone each day. Jodi Hirsh was just a name on an email list for […]