Coroner Reports Death of Black Trans Woman Elisha Stanley was Accidental

Elisha Stanley Cause of Death

Earlier this year, we reported on the September 16 death of 46-year-old Pittsburgh native, Elisha Stanley, who had traveled to her hometown to visit family. Elisha was a Black trans woman and her death was sudden and unexpected so understandably people were very concerned both for the loss of her as an individual and the […]

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 […]

‘Christian’ Psychic, Dakota James Foundation Sharing Misinformation About Gay Bars in Pittsburgh

A self-described ‘Christian Intuitive Medium and Psychic Detective’ named Troy Williams is contacting members of the local LGBTQ community to help identify a so-called person of interest in the disappearances of Dakota James and Paul Kochu. This person of interest was photographed in Cruze Bar and Williams is circulating the photo looking for a name.  Note, […]

Top Blog Posts from 2017

This annual roundup is always very sobering for me because most of the posts are typically my coverage of violence against LGBTQ people. I’ve written elsewhere about why this matters and I will continue to do my best to provide good information on these important stories. 15 posts out of the top 20 most read […]

The Tragedy of Dakota James and Overlooking Other Violent Epidemics

This post began as a Facebook post as I reflected on the outpouring of skepticism around the autopsy findings in the death of Dakota James. The autopsy declared his death an accidental drowning, suggesting he fell into the water on his own. His family rejects that finding and insists that there must be more of an […]

I’m Honoring #DayWithoutAWoman by Fundraising for a Pittsburgh Vigil to Honor Trans Women of Color

I wasn’t sure exactly how to honor this day. I work from home and don’t have plans to really shop or spend money of any sort this day. As a two women household, abstaning from household or caretaking labor is not possible because there is no one who is not woman-identified to pick up (or […]

Rest In Power, Dakota James

Dakota James Missing Person

I read with mixed emotions the news that the body of 23-year-old Dakota James had been found in the Ohio River near Neville Island. Dakota has been missing since January 25, 2017. There’s no appropriate comment, nothing I can think of that would bring comfort to the exhausted family who lost a 23-year-old adult child […]

Monday Candlelight Vigil for Dakota James; Second Man David Carter Also Missing

Vigil for Dakota James

If you are able to be present for Dakota’s family at this Monday evening vigil, please do so. I also ask that you keep your thoughts on another local man missing since January 18, 2017. His name is David Carter. He was last seen at the Homestead Grays Bridge around 4:30 PM and it is […]

More Info in Search for Missing Gay Man in Pittsburgh #FindDakotaJames

Dakota James Missing Person

As we’ve shared, a 23-year-old gay man named Dakota James has been missing for several weeks. His extended family have poured into town, searching tirelessly and drawing other people into their efforts. A reward of $10,000 is offered for information leading to the whereabouts of Dakota. New information has come to light from video footage, […]

$10,000 Reward Offered To Find Missing Gay Pittsburgh Man #DakotaJames

Dakota James Missing Person

The family of Dakota James have been crisscrossing the streets of Downtown Pittsburgh every day, all day in hopes of finding someone who has a clue to their son’s disappearance. 23-year-old Dakota, a Northside resident and Duquesne University grad students, has been missing since January. Dakota also happens to be a member of the LGBTQ […]