Updated: Open Letter to John C. Welch, Candidate for Mayor in Pittsburgh

Dear Reverend Welch, A robust primary election process is necessary for a healthy democracy, so I have been watching your early candidacy days with anticipation of your agenda for Pittsburgh. Because I have yet to see any public statements by you on LGBTQ issues and the LGBTQ residents of Pittsburgh, I am writing this letter. […]

City of Pgh Accepting Applications for LGBTQIA Advisory Committee

Mayor Bill Peduto is looking for applicants to serve on the soon to be re-established advisory group. Participants will meet monthly and serve on at least one subcommittee. Applicants must submit their information via an online form; the City has partnered with multiple community groups to allow individuals access to the application even if you […]

UPDATED Pittsburgh Will NOT Enforce Free Speech Zones at Pridefest

Pittsburgh Pridefest

That was quick. This came in from the City of Pittsburgh via Sonya Toler. Sight and Sound zones are outside of the following locations: 100 Wood Street PNC 1st Side Park BNY Mellon Plaza PNC Triangle Park 620 Liberty Avenue Liberty Center Federal Building Corner Adjacent from the Federal Building The Zones will be there […]

Pgh City Council President Will Not Participate in Pittsburgh Pride

Bruce Kraus Pittsburgh

A statement released by openly gay City Council President Bruce Kraus reads as follows: I have to add something here – Kraus has had conversations with former members of the foundation’s board. That’s a group from whom we have heard almost nothing. There’s a lot of unpacking to be done here.

The Advocate on Why LGBT Visibility in the Workplace Matters

Yesterday the delightful local lunchtime eblast Eat That, Read This referenced an issue near and dear to my heart – LGBTQ visibility among municipal and other governmental workforces. mayor peduto’s administration noted for being diverse. not mentioned in this piece: how many awesome staffers, at all levels, are gay! Adam his the nail on the […]

The Real Reason LGBTQ Visibility in Pgh Gov Matters

The Real Reason LGBTQ Visibility in Pgh Gov Matters

             

Victory! City of Pgh Will Continue to Offer Domestic Partner Benefits to Employees

Pittsburgh Domestic Partner Benefits

I am so very relieved. I just got off the phone with the Personnel Department of the City of Pittsburgh. They confirmed for me that after a review, the City has decided to maintain its existing policy with regard to domestic partner benefits. No one will lose coverage if they remain unmarried. New employees can […]

In 2013, 72% of anti-LGBT Homicide Victims Were Transgender Women

Island Nettles

This is an important piece from BuzzFeed about the epidemic of violence against trans women, particularly trans women of color. This snapshot commemorates the one year anniversary of the murder of Islan Nettles, a crime that remains unsolved. Out of 18 anti-LGBT homicides in 2013 included in a report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, almost […]

Allegheny County Extends Existing DP Benefits Until June 30, 2015

domestic partner benefit Pittsburgh

This morning, Allegheny County announced plans to revise their deadline for the termination of domestic partner benefits from July 31, 2014 to June 30, 2015. “Now that same sex marriage is legal in Pennsylvania, I believe that it is important to continue to keep our employees on equal footing and that means requiring proof of […]

Affordable Care Act Offers Options to Domestic Partners

Obamacare

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Allegheny County notified employees about the discontinuation of domestic partner benefits via email. Eileen’s partner (a County employee accessing domestic partner benefits) did not receive this notification. I don’t know what the notice said or how it was worded, but I do hope one element was included – information on […]