How Allies Can Erase LGBTQ People When Scheduling LGBTQ Events

Allies Pittsburgh

A recurring theme in the ‪#‎AMPLIFY‬ series is the lack of LGBTQ resources – funding, space, services, leadership opportunities, etc. We have lost a lot over the years, that’s true and we are still battling for the most basic rights., including visibility and dignity. Progress is rarely a linear progression, right? So it is especially frustrating to […]

Maria Wants You To Know a Family Like Hers #AMPLIFY

Gay Allegheny County

Name: Maria Pompura Age: 47 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She How do you describe your identity? Not fond of the word Lesbian. My wife and I identify as Gay. I am White. My family consists of my wife, 2 step daughters 32 and 27 and 2 adopted sons age 7 and 5. Please describe your coming out experience. […]

Lyndsey Identifes as a Queer Genderfluid Lipstick Butch #AMPLIFY

AMPLIFY queer

This is the 50th AMPLIFY profile that we’ve published. Name: Lyndsey Age: 38 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She her hers, they them theirs, anything as long as it isn’t said in a manner of disrespect How do you describe your identity? Queer, Gender Fluid, lipstick butch. ** Please note I use Queer as an inclusive catch-all. This is […]

Occupational Therapy is a Pain in The Hands

Homeless donation

Last week, I started occupational therapy – I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. I also have a semi-permanent tremor as a side effect of medication that I take. The intersection of hand weakness and hand tremors makes for good times, let me tell you. While surgery can help the carpal tunnel, it can’t […]

Shawna on Her Unique Experience as a Lesbian in Indiana County #AMPLIFY

LGBT Indiana County

Read the entire AMPLIFY LGBTQ Q&A archive. AMPLIFY LGBTQ is a new occasional series of blog posts designed to give a “signal boost” to the voices of our LGBTQ neighbors throughout Western Pennsylvania. We are using a Q&A format and will minimize editing their responses. The questions, however, may change as we ask each participant to […]

Amber Has Always Been Proud Of Being OUT #AMPLIFY

Amber Sloan

How would you describe yourself in terms of “being out”? I’ve always been proud of being OUT, it allowed me to actually feel comfortable in who I was and am!! When I was coming up it was not acceptable to be OUT. it was hard so as time changed I felt a sense of relief to just be able to be myself at work in my community work and feel free!!!

Describe your geographical community. im from Homewood Brushton which is an urban community!!!

Skip Believes The Act of Coming Out Is A Continuous Process #AMPLIFY

Read the entire AMPLIFY LGBTQ Q&A archive. AMPLIFY LGBTQ is a new occasional series of blog posts designed to give a “signal boost” to the voices of our LGBTQ neighbors throughout Western Pennsylvania. We are using a Q&A format and will mostly avoid editing their responses. The questions, however, may change as we ask each […]