The Right to Marry is not the Requirement to Marry

Why are nearly 50% of same sex couples still cohabitating without getting married? This post is part of my ongoing court cases around same sex divorce, civil rights, and trauma. I have three legal cases and one additional legal action sort of floating around involving my work to Protect Trans Kids. I still need help […]

Disability Pride Month: Do You Know About 302’s?

A 302 in Pennsylvania is shorthand for an involuntary civil commitment. 302 is the section of the Pennsylvania code under Mental Health Law. This is a disability pride issue. Last year, LGBTQ activist and writer, Susan “Sue” Kerr suffered an inexcusable violation of her civil rights when multiple officials deliberately disregarded established ‘sprocesses meant to […]

The reasons my blog is not sustainable. Nor am I.

My blog is not sustainable People often point out to me that my blog model is not sustainable. They seem to think this is important information for me, something I don’t know. Mediasplaining, perhaps? Should sustainability aka financial self-sufficiency define the value of media? Or the folx creating the media? Should it define anyone? Does […]

First Ever Trans Specific Civil Rights Bills Introduced in PA General Assembly

PA Rep Mark Cohen

PA Representative Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia) has introduced  the first ever transgender specific civil rights bills in Pennsylvania history. The Transgender Health Benefits Act HB304 is based on a piece of Philadelphia legislation  that allows for transition related healthcare for government workers, but the state bill covers public, as well as private and Medicaid plans. Despite this progress, […]

NAACP President Addresses Pgh Youth

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, I learned that staunch LGBTQ ally Benjamin Jealous was in town yesterday to speak with youth attending a matinee performance of “Thurgood” – a one man show about the civil rights icon, Thurgood Marshall. And I was pleased that Jealous specifically referenced LGBTQ rights. Citing issues such as gay rights and […]

Pgh Public Radio News Show Talks Marriage Equality With Tony Norman

I’m still puzzled by the lack of local LGBT voices in the media coverage. Clearly, that’s an issue we need to address as a community. But I was quite intrigued to learn that a man I greatly admire, Tony Norman, would be appearing on today’s Essential Pittsburgh to discuss the President’s statement on marriage equality. […]