Lebo Pride Response to Anti-Trans Lawsuit Filed Against Mt. Lebanon School District

Mt Lebanon School District Law Suit

When news broke of this lawsuit filed by three parents in the Mt. Lebanon School District, I reached out to Lebo Pride and requested a statement. I urge you to connect with them on social media to resist this attack on trans students ~ Sue All over this country, buzzwords and phrases such as “parental […]

Q&A with Cheryl Patalano, Candidate for Northgate School Board of Directors

I am all for reforming the way charter schools source and use their money.  Paying charter schools is the biggest drain on public schools.  I am for school choice because there will always be situations where a public school is not the right fit for an individual student, but destroying public schools in the process […]

Q&A With Lissa Geiger Shulman, Candidate for PA State House 30

Lissa for PA

As a woman, I do bring a still under-represented perspective as only 26% of the General Assembly is women. However, I also have a privileged perspective due to my race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. I acknowledge that this limits my perspective, and will work to listen to and elevate more diverse voices as a […]

Is Liberty University Online Targeting Pittsburgh Community Leaders?

Liberty University Online LGBT

Something of concern that I’ve noticed over the past years – an increasing number of regional community leaders have ties to Liberty University via the online school – folks pursuing higher degrees. This article from the New York Times and ProPublica lays out the reasons why that might be the case ($$) and it is concerning. […]

On Being an Ally: A List of LGBT 101 Resources

LGBT 101

Recently, someone asked me to answer their LGBTQ 101 questions. After a few, I suggested links they could read. They dropped the subject. And I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Yes, I was setting a boundary because answering these questions over and over does get tiring. Sometimes I am just not up for it. […]

Guest Post: You Can Help LGBT Students in Pittsburgh Public Schools Right Now

Pittsburgh Public School transgender

Guest post by Rayden Sorock As you probably know, there have been numerous attacks on LGBT students’ rights recently, many of which revolve around the much-disputed “bathroom issue.” Here are several things you can do RIGHT NOW that will make a real difference in the lives of LGBT and gender-expansive youth in local public schools. […]

For Jodi’s Kids, Having Two Mothers Is Just a Fact of Life #AMPLIFY

Jodi same sex Allegheny County

  Name:  Jodi Hirsh Age: 40 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? I’m a white jewish woman in a long-term same sex relationship who is the parent of two kids under 7. I’m very sleepy most of the time. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What […]

LGBTQ&A: State Senator Wayne Fontana

An occasional series where we pose some questions to local LGBTQ folks (and Allies) to learn more about their personal experiences with LGBTQ culture.  Click here for a complete list of all LGBTQ&A profiles.   I’ve lived in Senator Fontana’s district for more than eight years and I”m very active – I email him pretty often and […]

PA Charter School Does Not Bow to Rightwing Anti-Gay Forces

For 11 years, the Southern Poverty Law Center has organized “Mix It Up Lunch” day to promote kids meeting and spending time with a child they did not know, a child who isn’t  in their clique perhaps. Big shocker that the American Family Association is taking an opportunity to smack the SPLC – which recently […]