24-Year-Old Black Latinx Trans Woman Murdered in San Jose

Natalia Smut Lopez

  Natalia Smüt Lopez was a 24-year-old Black Latinx trans woman was murdered by a man she was dating near her home in San Jose, California on Friday, April 23, 2021. From Planettransgender: The Milpitas Police Department responded to a 911 call on April 23rd made by a male who identified himself as Elijah Cruz […]

Facemask Q&A with Dre Cortes and Lex Londino of Bows for Beaux Co.

Queer Masks

No matter where you procure your masks, please wear them properly and stay safe! One important part of the Pittsburgh MasQUe ProjecT is highlighting safe and affirming places for trans and queer folx to purchase masks. In addition to this Q&A series, we maintain a list on the project homepage. This Q&A was crafted to […]

Trans Woman Michelle Ramos Vargas Found Shot to Death in Puerto Rico

Michelle Ramos Vargas

Puerto Rican authorities announced that a transgender woman was fatally shot on Wednesday, September 30. Her name was Michelle “Michellyn” Ramos Vargas.  She was 33 years old and a nursing student. From The Washington Blade The Associated Press reported the body of Michelle “Michellyn” Ramos Vargas, 33, was found along a highway in San Germán, a municipality […]

Penélope Díaz Ramírez is the Third Trans Woman Murdered in Puerto Rico in Ten Day Period

Just days after reporting on the murders of two Latina teens women in Puerto Rico, we’ve learned of the brutal slaying of a third. Penélope Díaz Ramírez, a 31-year-old trans woman, was beaten and hanged to death at the Bayamon correctional complex, a men’s prison in Puerto Rico. She was murdered on April 13, but […]

Maria, 37, is a Queer Trans Latinx Challenging Us To Be Better Trans Allies #AMPLIFY

Trans Woman Pittsburgh

It is never easy coming out, be it for the first time or the hundredth time, and that little bit of fear is still there after having some people in my life no longer wish to be a part of my life. But I feel it is important to be out, and visible, and that […]

City Theatre stages a hip-hop autobiography about growing up Latinx in a black and white world

City Theatre announces the details of the third show of the season: Where Did We Sit on the Bus? written and performed by Brian Quijada. Where Did We Sit on the Bus? stages a hip-hop autobiography about growing up Latinx in a world that categorizes everyone in black and white. It is directed by Chay […]

Latinx Perspective on the #AMPLIFY Project

Latinx Western Pennsylvania

Yesterday, we published a terrific #AMPLIFY contribution from Chi Chi who is a 47 year queer Latina living in Pittsburgh. Chi Chi is from Panama, but grew up about a mile from where I grew up – we went to different schools and never met. Until #AMPLIFY. We have plans to meet in person next […]

Chi Chi, 47, Lives Her Version of Latina, Queer and Spiritual #AMPLIFY

queer latina

  Name:  Chi Chi Rivera Age: 47 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns:  she How do you describe your identity? I am first and foremost a spirit, that has taken residence within a BIG queer latina female body, this time. Next lifetime, I may be a white drag queen or a straight woman with 16 children, or […]

The Anxious Life Part Six: I’m Not Talking About Orlando

The Anxious Life Part Six: I’m Not Talking About Orlando

I don’t want to talk about it. I put the rage and fear and hopelessness into a little box and tucked that into my heart in a little space that keeps it secure. I was very sad for very many days. I spent those hours asleep or numb which is what you feel when you […]

Kim, 40, Mother, Pansexual, Mexican-American & Washington Co Resident #AMPLIFY

Washington County

Name:  Kim Age: 40 County of Residence: Washington, formerly Allegheny and Westmoreland counties Preferred Pronouns: pansexual How do you describe your identity? I’m mother to a 20-year-old transwoman. I’m a third generation Mexican American. I tend to take in wayward humans and animals. Im a singer. Im permanently disabled. I bake really crazy cakes. Im many things. Im a […]