Black Trans Woman Kesha Webster, 24, Found Dead in Jackson, Mississippi

Kesha Webster

Kesha Webster was found dead on Charleston Drive in Jackson, Mississippi on Saturday, March 26, 2022. Her death is under investigation with family telling the media it was a ‘robbery-homicide’ but no further information from local law enforcement. I haven’t been able to find any media reports of the incident itself. Kesha’s mother wants to […]

Mairin, 31, is an out and proud lesbian in Philadelphia with Pittsburgh roots #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Philadelphia lesbian

Working around dress codes has always been difficult for me. I dress in men’s clothing and it isn’t always acceptable in professional settings (it is also not always easy to find clothes to begin with!). Every time I start a new job or show up to a dressy function, I worry what people are going […]

Flip, 32, Describes Rural & Urban Life as a Pansexual, Queer Man #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Pansexual Queer Man

Name: Flip Shuffstall Age: 32 County of Residence: Allegheny County, formerly Venango County. Clarion County. United Kingdom, Liverpool. Pronouns: Him How do you describe your identity? Cis Male—Pansexual—Queer Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Imagine if Dharma and Greg had kids. My maternal side—liberal—loving and accepting. Paternal side—right-wing-Christian—homophobic—rich. Some summers […]

Rachael, 21, Describes Bisexual Life in Rural Western PA #AMPLIFY

Butler Erie County Bisexual

  Being out feels a lot like there’s a clearer, more accurate presentation of myself being shared with the world and that’s how I prefer it. Name:  Rachael Age: 21 County of Residence: Butler County, formerly Erie County Pronouns: She/Her How do you describe your identity? Bisexual Cis and Caucasian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did […]

“Can you take a 13-year-old Caucasian boy?” Guest Blog Post for #LGBTQFamiliesDay

Lesbian Foster Family

This is a guest post written by a friend who is a foster parent. Her son has given permission to share pieces of his story to signal boost the vital role of LGBTQ foster families. This is part of our contributions to the #LGBTQFamiliesDay project. Content Note: Abuse, Trauma, Homophobia, Family Rejection “Can you take […]

We #AMPLIFY Stories from 50+ LGBTQ Parents in Western Pennsylvania on #LGBTQFamiliesDay

Welcome to another year of LGBTQ Families Day, a ‘day of blogging (and more)’ about LGBTQ families, sponsored by the blog Mombian and the Family Equality Council. Once again, I’ve decided to share #AMPLIFY posts highlighting the voices of parents, step-parents  and grandparents and other caretakers of children.  If you are a LGBTQ person with ties […]

Jason, 38, Talks About Workplace Discrimination as a White Gay Man #AMPLIFY

white gay male Pittsburgh

  Marriage equality is great, but it has overshadowed our greater fight. Name:  Jason Age: 38 County of Residence: Allegheny, raised in Warren, Warren County, PA; lived in North Haledon, NJ and Bay Shore, NY (Long Island) Pronouns: gay male How do you describe your identity? white gay male Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? […]

Allie, 51, Talks Living as a Trans Woman in Washington County #AMPLIFY

Transgender Washington County

Name: Allie Age: 51 County of Residence:  Washington County Pronouns: she/her/hers How do you describe your identity? Transfemale Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? It was kinda slow and steady. I was outed to a coworker by a family member. It ended up as a victory for me since I […]

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 […]

Tristan, 28, is Gay, Mexican-American, a Comedian and Writer and Drag Queen #AMPLIFY

gay pittsburgh drag queer

Name: Tristan Age: 28 County of Residence: Allegheny Pronouns: He/Him How do you describe your identity? Gay, Mexican-American Comedian and Writer, and drag queen Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out when I was 15 to my parents. I don’t know why I […]