How To Organize a Birthday Project aka A Pop-Up Tote Bag Project

wishing well

On October 22, I will turn 45. I couldn’t be happier as I’ve mention before when describing aging. Our celebration will be pretty low-key – probably dinner at a good restaurant and a cake in my preferred flavor. I’m pretty sure Laura will gift me with some new winter jammies. Who can complain? But this […]

#ReelQ30 Preview: S&M Sally

S&M Sally

S&M Sally Saturday October 10, 4 PM at The Harris Theater S&M Sally is the third of a series of sorts following lesbians Jamie & Jill as singletons and, in this third installment, as a couple of one solid year. It is a comedy that delves into the BDSM world with all the of the […]

Maria Wants You To Know a Family Like Hers #AMPLIFY

Gay Allegheny County

Name: Maria Pompura Age: 47 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She How do you describe your identity? Not fond of the word Lesbian. My wife and I identify as Gay. I am White. My family consists of my wife, 2 step daughters 32 and 27 and 2 adopted sons age 7 and 5. Please describe your coming out experience. […]

Lyndsey Identifes as a Queer Genderfluid Lipstick Butch #AMPLIFY

AMPLIFY queer

This is the 50th AMPLIFY profile that we’ve published. Name: Lyndsey Age: 38 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She her hers, they them theirs, anything as long as it isn’t said in a manner of disrespect How do you describe your identity? Queer, Gender Fluid, lipstick butch. ** Please note I use Queer as an inclusive catch-all. This is […]

#REELQ30 Review ‘While You Weren’t Looking’ Explores

#Reelq30

One of the true gems of this year’s LGBTQ Film Festival is this film from South Africa which explores queer relationships from a multi-generational and socio-economic divide perspective. Terri and Dez are a multi-racial couple parenting 18 year old daughter, Asanda, in an upper-middle class household. Their own relationship is sexually intense, but they are […]

Rebirth

Rebirth

If you had the chance to be reborn, would you choose to return as your present self, or would opt for a fresh start? Tell us about what motivates your choice. I have no real answer for this prompt. My only real wish is that however I come back, I have enough food to eat every single day.  

Alex is a Black Trans Man Who Will Not Apologize for His Existence #AMPLIFY

Gay Pittsburgh

Alex Smithson Alex is the closing keynote speaker for the Transpride Pittsburgh Conference 2015 this weekend. He’ll be addressing the conference Sunday afternoon from 4-5 PM in Lawrenceville. It is very powerful that this conference is opened by a trans woman of color (Ciora Thomas) and closed by by a trans man of color, both […]

How I Research People

Today, share something you love about yourself  — don’t be shy, be confident! — but that few other people know about you or get to see very often. I am really good at researching people. It was a skill I refined when I was a foster parent recruiter – I had a whole protocol of information […]

Even More #PSL Memes

I find myself fascinated with the concept of a basic white girl who likes PSL. The intrigue is both in the sexist assumptions about women and the class issues – I can name dozens of women like me who grew up desperately aspiring to be a basic white girl. It finally dawned on me that […]

#ReelQ30 Kicks Off With ‘Out To Win’ Documentary

ReelQ

This year marks 30 years of LGBTQ Film Festivals in Pittsburgh and the Reel Q Film Festival has a wonderful lineup to celebrate. On a very interesting note, the Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the sponsors of the opening night events. I think the focus on sports comes at a very important time for Pittsburgh […]