Four Phases of My Mental Illness Journey (So Far)

CN: mental illness, mental health industry, child abuse, sexual violence, Catholic Church My mental illness journey has four significant chapters, beginning with my decision to seek help. I use the term “phase” rather than stage because it isn’t so much that they play out this way in most people’s lives as my being able to […]

Flipping the Script: a New Twist on Our Q&A

AMPLIFY LGBTQ

For the past 13+ years, I’ve been creating Q&A’s for a range of people – actors, writers, performers, politicians, allies, culminating in the 2015 launch of the #AMPLIFY Q&A archive of LGBTQ stories from Western Pennsylvania. As we near #AMPLIFY 300, I thought it would be a good opportunity to ‘flip the script’ and put myself on […]

Ten Years Later: Looking Back at the 2009 Steel City Stonewall Democrats Endorsement Meeting

Steel City Stonewall Democrats Endorsement 2019

I’m resharing/reposting this post from exactly ten years ago – my summary of the 2009 Steel City Stonewall Democrats endorsement meeting. I’ve included the comments. You might notice a similarity with the modern incarnation of progressive Dems – both candidates and activists (and commenters). And the criticisms that I’m irrelevant, self-serving, and demanding as well […]

Facing Complex Trauma as an Adult

Trauma Informed Care Persad Center

I’ve blogged in the past about my journey living with mental health diagnoses and trying to access resources for support. For many years, I’ve been dealing with the dual diagnoses of a major mood disorder and anxiety disorders. And I’ve referenced growing up in a neglectful family surrounded by addiction, untreated mental health issues, chaos, […]

Helen, 32, is a Lesbian, Immigrant, Irish Comedian Living in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Irish Immigrant Lesbian Comedian

How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? I am super out! I talk about being a lesbian openly in my comedy often. I hope by being super open about my sexuality, I can bring some visibility to the community and hopefully win some hearts for the LGBTQ community from folks who haven’t perhaps had personal experiences with queer people in the past.

Jason, 38, Talks About Workplace Discrimination as a White Gay Man #AMPLIFY

white gay male Pittsburgh

  Marriage equality is great, but it has overshadowed our greater fight. Name:  Jason Age: 38 County of Residence: Allegheny, raised in Warren, Warren County, PA; lived in North Haledon, NJ and Bay Shore, NY (Long Island) Pronouns: gay male How do you describe your identity? white gay male Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? […]

How the good intentions of families of LGBTQ youth might harm other LGBTQ youth

Allies Harming LGBTQ Youth

I feel very sad for Dakota James’ family, especially his mother who seems immersed in unresolved grief. But their unwillingness to consider that a terrible accident befell their son while he was drunk is having a negative impact on the LGBTQ community and general population of Pittsburgh. The Foundation they established is taking LGBTQ resources […]

Can the Delta Foundation be redeemed?

Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

(Note: If you want a rundown on the Delta Foundation’s history, read this post.) A few days ago, I was doing a walk and talk with someone chatting about general LGBTQ community news. They asked me point-blank “Is there anything the Delta Foundation can do to redeem itself?” My response boils down to this. There […]

Q&A with Creator of ‘Good Luck With The Holidays’ Queer Resilience Zine

Queer Resiliency Zine Pittsburgh

I hope the message of our zine is that safety and joy come first, and that you absolutely deserve both as an LGBTQ person. It’s not always easy to see that when the message you’re getting from your family is that you aren’t allowed to participate in holidays and family unless you censor your queerness to make others comfortable.

Maria Talks Lesbian Life in the North Hills of Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County lesbian

  Name: Maria Vincenzia La Monica Age: 33 County of Residence: Allegheny Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? Female, Lesbian, writer, cancer survivor, advocate, enthusiast. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I was deeply closeted until I was 29, I walked out of the closet and into the […]