Dean Sees Queer Struggles as Stories of Strength #AMPLIFY

Gay Asexual Polyamorous Pittsburgh

Name: Dean

Age: 31

County of Residence: Allegheny

Preferred Pronouns: Male, He, Gay.

How do you describe your identity? Gay male with asexual tendencies in a polyamourus relationship

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Coming out was a matter of lie, deny or try. I was outed by a female friend that had a crush on me in 8th grade. She decided to tell the only out gay male in our class / school – which led to everyone soon bringing the question up to me & family members. At the time I was seeing a fellow classmate on the wrestling team. He denied and I chose to try and not lie.

How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? After experiencing much in the strictly male “gay world” I now prefer to be associated with a queer community than just men. There has been more open arms, plus understanding amongst a community made up of all genders + sexualities & identifications. Not just one orientation alienating my personal views.

Brian, 29, Wants the LGBTQ Community to Address Social Isolation #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Gay Man

Name: Brian Age: 29 County of Residence:  Allegheny, Grew up for the most part in and around Burlington, Vermont. I moved to North Carolina for undergrad and called Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill home for 8 years before moving to Pittsburgh in 2013. Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His How do you describe your identity? I’m a white, cisgender, gay Duke fan. Go, […]

Jim, 63, Reminds Us That Environmental Issues are Queer Issues #AMPLIFY

Gay Pittsburgh

Name:  Jim Age:  63 County of Residence:  Allegheny, formerly Venango, Philadelphia Preferred Pronouns: Just don’t call me Mrs. How do you describe your identity? Gutter trash who happened to meet the right people, have the right fate, and got to see the world as an out gay man. It’s been a blessing I tell you. Thank you Jesus. […]

Benjamin, 35, is a Cis Gay Man Who Came out Four Times #AMPLIFY

Ben Gay Pittsburgh

  Name:  Benjamin Age: 35 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: he How do you describe your identity? I self-identify as a gay cisgender man. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I’ve probably come out 4 different times. First as someone “into guys,” then as someone with a homosexual […]

Dave On Coming Out and Being Out in Cambria County #AMPLIFY

Gay Cambria County

Editor’s Note: This post contains content about adults sexually abusing children. While we completely disagree with framing such contact as consensual, we recognize that this is a lived experience for many of our contributors. Survivors make their own survival choices; I condemn the adults involved, not the children. We have included information on where to […]

Norman, 67, is a Gay Black Male of African Descent #AMPLIFY

Gay Black Pittsburgh

Name:  Norman Age:  67 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: he/his/him How do you describe your identity? gay (same gender loving) Black male of African Descent Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My coming out experience happened in the late 60’s with my sisters when I was in my […]

Ben, 29, is Proud to be a Queer Pittsburgher #AMPLIFY

Gay Pittsburgh

Name: Ben Stoviak Age: 29 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: He/They How do you describe your identity? Queer, gay, male-bodied; I like to think of myself as a lover above these things, though, and like to remind people that I’m many more things than this—I’m a teacher, professional, creative, son, brother, adventurer, and friend. Please describe your coming out […]

Naheen, 29, Is a Gay Black Male Who Feels Confident in Himself #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Gay

Name: Naheen Age: 29 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: He, him How do you describe your identity? I am a gay black male Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I was forced to come out after my mother allegedly accidentally was going through my voicemails on my old cricket phone […]

Finalists in the Readers Choice Awards

The finalists have been announced in what I’m told is a record-breaking number of votes cast for the Keystone Alliance Gaylife Newsletter 2016 Readers Choice Awards. I am honored to be voted as a finalist in nine categories. I am especially proud that the #AMPLIFY project is a finalist as well. Here are the categories […]

RevDrRay, 49, Believes LGBTQ Folks Deserve Strong & Powerful ‘Spiritual’ Life #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Gay Black Man

I just want to say that it is possible to have a strong and powerful “spiritual” life; we do not deserve the often used bible or faith based abuses dished out and far too often accepted by the masses. Name: RevDrRay Age: 49 County of Residence: formerly Allegheny County, now Washington DC metro area Preferred Pronouns: masculine How do […]