Ellen owes the Dixie Chicks an apology

While I’m not particularly surprised that Ellen Degeneres continues to lose touch with the experience of typical queer folks, I was dismayed by her comments defending her friendship with former President George W Bush. “We’re all different and I think that we’ve forgotten that that’s okay that we’re all different … but just because I […]

Visibility in Coming Out, Both Quietly and Publicly #NationalComingOutDay

Yep I'm Gay

I had an idea to explore an important question around coming out – the need for visibility and representation by publicly out folks in all industries, occupations, walks of life balanced against the very personal decisions we make to come out. I wrote about this in 2015 regarding the workforce of the City of Pittsburgh. […]

QT is a 28 year old cis, white, queer female with ties to rural Western Pennsylvania #AMPLIFY

Armstrong Allegheny Cambria Indiana counties

As someone who does not get clocked as LGBT, i hear a lot of very negative talk at work, from people who are very anti lgbt and unaware that I’m part of the community Name: QT Age:  28 County of Residence: Allegheny, previously Armstrong, Indiana, Cambria Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? Cis white queer female […]

Tig, Ellen, and Hannah Walked Onto a Stage … and Wanda is Next

Recently, we decided to watch Ellen DeGeneres’ stand-up special on Netflix. Titled Relatable, we were so inspired by our lesbian sisterhood to watch the Tig Notaro special Happy to be Here. After that, we looked at one another and used our sapphic bond to agree that of course we must re-watch the Hannah Gatsby special Nanette  […]

Louie, 50, Identifies as Queer, Pansexual, & Kinky #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County LGBTQ

Name:  Louie Age: 50 County of Residence:  Allegheny Pronouns: No preference How do you describe your identity? Born cis male, identify as Queer, Pansexual, and kinky Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Self aware with lots of research. Found minor support in local kink community. Not really much else. […]

Katie, 26, is a Lesbian Working on Suicide Prevention in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Kate lesbian Pittsburgh

  Name:  Katie Age:  26 County of Residence:  Allegheny, formerly lived in Massachusetts Pronouns: She/Her How do you describe your identity? Lesbian, White, Woman Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Very supportive, no issues How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? Out and proud, […]

Kool Kase, 32, is a Black Lesbian at Peace With Herself #AMPLIFY

  Name: Kool Kase Age: 32 County of Residence: Allegheny, formerly Butler County Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? Female, lesbian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My challenges came from those same people I looked at for support. I was always an outgoing person and not one […]

Reece, 31, Grew up in Southern Virginia, but Found LGBTQ Connections in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Name: Reece Age:  31 County of Residence:  Allegheny, formerly Butler County.  Lived prior to that in Southern Virginia. Pronouns: he/him/his How do you describe your identity? Mostly gay. Most of my life I identified as bisexual. A lot of guys come out as bisexual to “soften the blow” for when they later come out as gay. That […]

Dan, 36, is a Bisexual Man in Pittsburgh Who Wants to Build a Better World #AMPLIFY

Bisexual Man Pittsburgh

Name: Dan Burda Age: 36 County of Residence:  Allegheny Pronouns: Mr. How do you describe your identity? bisexual 35% Women 65% Men Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I was 22 years old living in Los Angeles. It was there that I discovered gay men were not what is typically […]

Kelsey, 22, Talks Lesbian Life in Elk County #AMPLIFY

Lesbian Elk County

Name:  Kelsey Age:  22 County of Residence:  Elk County, formerly Jefferson County Pronouns:  Her or she How do you describe your identity?  I’m a white lesbian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out to my mom when I was 12. I had a signature on […]