Gender Identity Imploded Local Queer Women’s Community in 2007 #LGBTHistoryMonth

In honor of LGBT History Month (October), we will be exploring some of our historical content and sharing historical perspectives from readers. If you’d like to contribute, please email us pghlesbian at gmail dot com. In 2007, we covered a significant story  – the decision by a lesbian-centric fundraiser, Celebrate the Night, to ban a […]

New Pride Events in Pittsburgh Shake Up The Status Quo

A few years ago, a group known as Roots Pride stood up in a very public way against the structural racism embedded in the current incarnation of Pittsburgh Pridefest. With very limited resources, organizers coordinated community meetings, activities and events to celebrate the LGBTQ community of the region and the spirit of Stonewall – creating […]

Regina, 33, Finds Comfort in Lesbian Ambiguity #AMPLIFY

Lesbian South Hills Pittsburgh

I came out to my mom when I was 16. She is a compassionate and reasonably progressive person but I come from a fundamentalist Christian family. I really didn’t know how it would go.

I wrote out what I planned to say and rehearsed my rebuttals. When I finally got up the nerve all of those words drained from my mind and I simply said, “I’m gay. ” My mom responded just as simply with, “I know.”

I won’t say I didn’t run into any challenges as an openly gay high school student or since (coming out is constant) but I have the benefit of an extremely supportive family, church community, and group of friends. That gives me a lot of strength when folks aren’t so kind.

Mayors Bill Peduto, Bill de Blasio Drop by OUTrageous Bingo UPDATED

OUTrageous Bingo Pittsburgh

The Mayor of New York City was campaigning for Katie McGinty and Hillary Clinton at gay bingo in Pittsburgh. As you can imagine, the crowd went wild. But when Mayor DeBlasio took a seat to call a game with an able assist from Peduto, I was charmed to hear the crowd yelling at him because he called too many ‘O’ numbers in a row and resisting his attempts to launch into a round of ‘Happy Birthday’ in the middle of the game. You come to bingo, you call bingo. LOL

Brian, 35, ‘It’s okay to be whatever you want’ #AMPLIFY

As part of our role as the Official Social Media Sponsor of the ReelQ LGBTQ Film Festival, we are featuring a few Q&A’s with those involved. Today, we are delighted to share the AMPLIFY contribution from Brian who is hosting a fundraiser for the organization on Saturday evening. Be sure to check out Brian’s cultural […]

Jay, 33, Says Stories Are Part of Queer Liberation #AMPLIFY

Queer Mennonite

Name:  Jay Age:  33 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns:  they/them How do you describe your identity? white, genderqueer, queer, Mennonite, survivor with PTSD, justice worker Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face?  It was a slow process. I had my first girlfriend freshman year of college at […]

First Issue of AMPLIFY Zine Available Now in Western PA, List of Distribution Spots

It is FINALLY here – Issue one of the AMPLIFY zine. And I think it is pretty awesome myself. You can click here to see a web version of the zine with clickable links. You can download a pdf version here to print. You can pick up a hard copy at these locations – check back […]

Patricia, 41, Does Not Feel Safe As a Trans Woman in Her Urban Pgh Suburb #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County Trans Woman

Name: Patricia Age: 41 County of Residence: Allegheny, formerly Washington Preferred Pronouns: She/Her How do you describe your identity? At some point, the mental switch flipped in my head firmly into a “female” identity. (I think it was always set to “female” but I was trying to force it to say “male”!) So I identify as a trans woman. I […]

Sueno, 33, Adds Her Particular Color of the Rainbow to the #AMPLIFY Narrative

queer poc pittsburgh

  Name: Sueño Age: 33 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She How do you describe your identity? Queer poc. I feel it encompasses the whole range of the “rainbow”, and doesn’t pin me into box. I used to identify as a lesbian, then felt like I had forsaken my whole identity when I developed real feelings for a […]

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 […]