Q&A with Bob Charland, Candidate for City Council, District 3

This is Q&A number 20 in our 2023 series, a new record for us. We have several still outstanding. It is not too late to refer the candidates whose name you don’t see in our list at the end of this post. In the time since Councilman Kraus’s first election, we have elected a number […]

Little Pink Milestones for You and Me

Today, the promotional folx for John Mellencamp invited me to review his upcoming concert series at The Benedum in late May. Wow. That’s a big step up for us in terms of fame. I know that sounds weird, but I’m still not recovered from the Rick Springsteen rejection of our Q&A (pre-pandemic) as a slap […]

Q&A with Deb Gross, Candidate for City Council, District 7

Deb Gross

One item the kid’s proclamation mentions is the challenge of housing affordability and security in the trans community. While this is a big problem across the city and its communities, there are some housing forms that are more affordable and appealing for youth. Other cities have created programs like host homes, boarding houses with meal […]

Pittsburgh Trans Girl Discusses the Murder of Brianna Ghey in England as Part of ‘Violence toward trans teens that is unseen’

When we connect on social media, it helps us as trans people become stronger, because we will have each other’s backs. Social media helps us speak to others like us and communicate who we are as trans individuals.  Brianna Ghey. a 16-year-old British transgender girl from Birchwood in Warrington, Cheshire, England, died from fatal stab wounds in Culcheth Linear Park […]

Q&A with Barb Warwick, Candidate for City Council, District 5

If we really want to serve our residents AND attract new ones, we need to fix the fact that most people can’t go 1.5 miles in Pittsburgh without getting in their car. So, what’s the answer? More buses, more bus drivers, more routes, better bus stops, and dedicated bus lanes. No fancy technology required (although […]

Q&A With Lita Brillman, Candidate for City Council District 5

Lita Brillman

This is how I have come to describe my campaign: Community-focused, data-driven. This is the next post of our 2023 primary election season series ‘Political Q&A’ with progressive candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running for any level of office. Please note that these are not necessarily endorsements, more of an opportunity […]

Q&A with Bethany Hallam, Candidate for Allegheny County Council, At-Large

Bethany Hallam Allegheny County Council

I’ve conducted numerous unannounced inspections of the jail, talking with incarcerated individuals about their concerns and needs. I’ve advocated for trans folks who are incarcerated, and fought to expose the archaic process by which the jail classifies the gender of incarcerated individuals (according to the gender listed by the police in their arrest report). The […]

Review: Bombas Socks Kick-Ass

Christmas of 2021, my wife gifted me with a package of LGBTQ/pride themed sock from Bombas. In addition to being cute, she knew I would like that the company gives away a pair of socks with each pair purchased. I liked that they were a medium weight, they retained their shape after multiple washings, and […]

Coming Out Against Transphobia in the Lesbian Community

I am not inspired today. When I logged into Facebook today, I saw that a longtime friend posted an anti-trans link, framing the use of pronouns as patriarchal and misogynistic. A lot of my spirit deflated. The premise that biology and gender are fixed is an outgrowth of patriarchy and misogyny. The premise that the […]

My World Mental Health Day in 2022

World Mental Health Day

CN: childhood sexual violence, trauma This World Mental Health Day, I’m thinking ahead 12 days to my birthday (Oct 22.) I have a complicated relationship with my birthday because of the trauma I experienced during my childhood along with the neglect and abuse. There’s a lot of reasons – the inconsistent celebrations, the shame and […]