Add Jacob Williamson to the Conversation about Brutal Violence Targeting Trans and Nonbinary Youth

Transgender youth

Content Note: transgender, anti-trans violence, graphic descriptions of violence As we continue to grieve the violent death of Nex Benedict in Oklahoma, there’s another case that should hold our attention. Jacob Williamson, an 18 year old white trans man, was brutally murdered in Monroe, North Carolina while on a first date with someone he met […]

Is My 1991 Internship With Rick Santorum No Longer The Most Quirky, Interesting Thing About Me?

Rick Santorum internship

Today, I met an LGBTQ person from Pennsylvania who did not recognize the name Rick Santorum. Huh. This was in the context of an interview with the Philly Gay News about my blogging. It was bound to happen eventually. He left public office in 2006, defeated by current Senator Bob Casey. He has a lackluster […]

Suspected DUI Driver Crosses Lanes, Kills Virginia Trans Advocate Before the New Year

Lexus Shelby Riddick-Walker

The Crime The last violent fatality of 2023 comes at the hands of a familiar foe, alcohol or more specifically driving under the influence. Lexus Walker, a Black trans woman, was 43 when she was killed by an alleged drunk driver doing the wrong way through a stretch of tunnels in Hampton Roads, Virginia. This […]

This Year In Pennsylvania, These Openly LGBTQ Candidates Won Office

A list of openly LGBTQ people who won elected office in Pennsylvania in 2023. Each time I create a post like this, I am humbled to think of how much has changed since I began blogging in December 2005. At that point, an openly gay man won office on Wilkinsburg Council in the 90s, but […]

35 Year Old Trans Latina Sherlyn Marjorie Killed in Albuquerque

Sherlyn Marjorie

Her name was Sherlyn Marjorie. She was a Latina trans woman, just 35 years old when she was found dead alongside a road in Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 26, 2023. She had been missing since September 16, 2023. The Crime The man who murdered Sherlyn was arrested on October 12. He claims they had […]

Black Trans Woman Bre’Asia Bankz Shot to Death in Arizona

Bre'Asia Bankz photo

Bre’Asai Bankz was born and raised in Crossett, Arkansas. She moved with her family first to Los Vegas and then to Los Angeles, California. After graduating from Crossett High School, she went on to study at the University of Arkansas and then studied hair styling at Beauty Education. At age 27, her life ended at […]

Crowdfund and Life Update

Crowdfund Sue Kerr

I’m still doing okay – safe with friends and taking things one day at a time. I went back to court last week, negotiated and agreed to a continuance, and took a break. Spent a lot of time with my nephews this weekend. We had a firepit fire and made s’mores. Celebrated a birthday and […]

UPDATE: Registration of LGBTQ Youth for Holiday Day Gift Card Drive Exceeds Expectations by 40%

Only three groups have registered so far – Pittsburgh Public Schools, Proud Haven, and Project Silk. When Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities decided to wrap up 2022 with a gift card drive for LGBTQ youth, ages 12-21, connected with community groups – we did a preliminary assessment of how many youth might participate. You’ll remember that we […]

When They Said “Happy Anniversary” and No One Clapped

On our anniversary (July 18), we went on a dinner sunset cruise here in Erie. It wasn’t fancy, but it was nice. They asked for people to share birthdays and anniversaries so I impulsively told them it was our 19th anniversary. Laura looked at me and sighed. She was right. I asked the server if […]

SisTers PGH Statement on COVID-19

SisTers PGH

I’ve reached out to several local LGBTQ organizations, requesting an update on how they are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. These include: Pittsburgh Center for Equality, Persad Center, PFLAG Pittsburgh, TransPride Pittsburgh, Proud Haven, OUTrageous Bingo, Shepherd Wellness Community, SisTers Pgh, and True T Pittsburgh. As I receive their responses, I will publish. Some of […]