Black Trans Woman Diamond Jackson-McDonald, 27, Murdered in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving

Diamond Jackson-McDonald

Pennsylvania was home to the most recent victim of anti-transgender violence terrorizing our nation. Her name was Diamond Jackson-McDonald. She was 27-years-old when she was murdered on Thanksgiving. Diamond was a Black trans woman. Shahere “Diamond” Jackson-McDonald was found shot to death inside her mother’s apartment on the 400 block of Manheim Street in the […]

On World AIDS Day, The Pittsburgh LGBTQIA+ Commission Remembers and Honors Anthony Silvestre — Researcher and Activist Who Dedicated His Life’s Work to Ending AIDS

Since 1988 and every year thereafter on December 1, World AIDS Day has been an international  day for global health in the fight against AIDS. On this day, our communities remember those who  we lost to HIV/AIDS, cherish those who are living with HIV, and recognize the impact this disease   has had on families and […]

City Council Proclaims Dec 10 2022 to be “Sue Kerr Day” in the City of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh City Council Sue Kerr Day

I thought it was a LGBTQ activist emergency. Really. Monday morning, my wife texted me repeatedly, telling me to call City Councilor Bruce Kraus’ office immediately. I was a little dumbfounded by the request. So I called, no answer. I called his cell phone (it is Pittsburgh, having his cell phone is not that unusual), […]

‘I Will Survive’ – The Official #ProtectTransKids Video

Protect Trans Kids

Each time I see a yard sign, I feel a little thrill. When I saw multiples, it increases. That’s not just satisfaction, it is validation that all of these spaces are proclaiming that they stand with transgender kids. And when I drive down a block or two and see many signs, it is a wonderful […]

Review: Les Misérables Brings Zombie Metaphors to Reflect on Modern Culture

Les Miserables runs through Sunday November 27, 2022 at the Benedum Center. On Tuesday night, my favorite musical partner Sarah P and I went to see Les Miserables at the Benedum Center. The Benedum is one of my favorite places to see things because it is a beautiful grand theatre with comfortable seats and wonderful […]

There is a Wrong Way to Celebrate Thanksgiving

This year, Thanksgiving is an empty space. Usually there is family. But several members of my extended family blame me for unrest and there is a very large gulf. So holidays are diced into rotating portions of time and energy. Sometimes there is good food, my favorite meal of the year. But I am rarely […]

Pittsburgh SciTech Math Class Incorporates #ProtectTransKids Into Lessons

Received this today from a Pittsburgh SciTech 10th grade math class I am really struggling right now so this was very well timed indeed. Making the list with ice cream, and mole sauce is high praise indeed. Thank you, teacher, for educating me today in a bit of “thankful math” I pulled up one of the […]

Processing Trauma of Childhood Hunger

Last week, my therapist and I picked up with EMDR to process more trauma. We intentionally defined a period of my childhood that was brutal, 1979-1983, or the years of 4th to 8th grade. Historically, EMDR has been quite helpful with my lesser traumas and anxiety. The hard stuff hasn’t cooperated and we’ve respected that. […]

Why do we need a campaign to Protect Trans Kids?

Protect Trans Kids

In mid-October, I received several reports of a disturbing new advertisement on local radio stations. The ads claimed that President Biden and other Democrats were supporting policies that forced children to transition. The reality is that the ad itself used lies and unscientific claims to terrorize transgender children and their families. It repeated conservative arguments […]

Trans Day of Remembrance 2022

In this year of 2022, I have documented the lives and deaths of 34 transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming neighbors so far. This list is not exhaustive and is not lined up directly with the official TDOR tracked information. But it matters that we all try, try to lift up the lives of these neighbors […]