PA Senator says he is “allowing [gays] to exist”

PA Senator says he is “allowing [gays] to exist”

Just in from Keystone Equality comes word that Pennsylvania State Senator John Eichelberger made the following comments in his radio debate with Senator Daylin Leach about their dueling marriage equality bills.  Senator Eichelberger's bill would amend the constitution of Pennsylvania to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Here’s a partial transcript of […]

Would the ACDC notice if you stopped donating?

Would the ACDC notice if you stopped donating?

My head has been spinning.  In between trying to get some work done, I was flipping through my Blackberry to keep up with the breaking news on federal events.  The LGBTQ community is getting mightily angry with the Obama administration and it looks as if, as Pam Spaulding puts it, the queer ATM might be […]

Dialogue about advocacy and Pride

Dialogue about advocacy and Pride

My colleague Thomas Waters picked up on my Pride post, focusing on the advocacy assessment.  Thomas and I share a fairly similar world view so often it does come down to tactics and strategy differences (very different).  I had commented that: My frustration with these events is that they gear people up for an activity […]

The Dallas Principles

From Pam's House Blend comes interesting news of what could be a momentous turning point in the struggle for equality.  This document is referred to as the Dallas Principles (drafted in Dallas this past weekend).  Here's some of the language: PRINCIPLES The following eight guiding principles underlie our call to action.  In order to achieve […]

Outing: a new movie and a talk show host threatening a guest

Outing:  a new movie and a talk show host threatening a guest

You may have heard about the new movie OUTrage which explores the controversial practice of outing LGBT elected officials and staffers who want to have their cake and eat it, too.  In other words, they work diligently to oppose full equality in their legislative guise, but still live the gay life — be it enjoying […]

Rumor has it …

Rumor has it …

Prediction time. Lots of little birdies have been whispering in my ears.  These predictions are based solely on my interpretation of recent events, historical behavior and the indignation of anonymous comm enters.  I hope I am wrong.  First, I predict Luke Ravenstahl will announce the formation of Pittsburgh first Mayoral LGBT Advisory Committee two weeks […]

Friday morning stuff

Friday morning stuff

The ER finale was pretty good. I think the opening of Dr. Carter's medical center was a bit over the top, but bringing in Mark Green's daughter was mad genius.  I also thought it was weird that Dr. Carter practiced medicine at County because I thought you need privileges and insurance to practice.  There a touching […]

Dan Onorato’s Silence is not Moot

Dan Onorato’s Silence is not Moot

Let me just say this.  If HB 300 becomes law and our community gains statewide civil protections in the areas of housing, employment and public accomodation, it will be a good thing.  However, it is shortsighted to celebrate that avoiding a county vote on this issue — especially any public commitment from our Chief Executive — is […]

City Paper publishes article on Council hearing (are you paying attention, PG?)

City Paper publishes article on Council hearing (are you paying attention, PG?)

Melissa has the story at the City Paper. She covered the Allegheny County Council hearing on a proposed Human Rights Commission.  She talked to pro-ordinance folks.  She talked to anti-ordinance folks.  She considers multiple angles on the gay rights versus religious freedoms issues.  All in all, she does a pretty good job covering the event.  […]

The Agenda: Civil Rights

The Agenda:  Civil Rights

From the updated White House website.  It sounds great.  Now let's see what kind of inclusive action unfolds. Support for the LGBT Community “While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by […]