Pittsburgh Dad Makes First Reference to Gay Neighbors

I like Pittsburgh Dad. He rings true to me – this strange amalgam of adult men in my family and my friend’s fathers. Yep, he’s corny. Yep, he’s sometimes tries too hard. Yep, he’s a little too loose and easy with the insults of others. That’s what I mean – he sounds real to me. […]

Top Ten Brad Takei Moments in the “To Be Takei” Documentary

Includes Spoilers! Laura and I met the Takeis several years ago at a function at ToonSeum in the Cultural District. It was a very heady moment when George Takei stopped at the registration table and said “George and Brad Takei are here” then thrust out his wrist for his paper bracelet. One of the perks […]

In 2013, 72% of anti-LGBT Homicide Victims Were Transgender Women

Island Nettles

This is an important piece from BuzzFeed about the epidemic of violence against trans women, particularly trans women of color. This snapshot commemorates the one year anniversary of the murder of Islan Nettles, a crime that remains unsolved. Out of 18 anti-LGBT homicides in 2013 included in a report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, almost […]

Can I Bring My Gay Friend to the GLCC Youth Programs?

Earlier this week, I represented Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Community Center (the GLCC) at an event for teen girls in a program called GirlGov . My assigned task was to describe advocacy opportunities with the GLCC. But as so often is the case, my actual reason for being there was something entirely different. The set-up was like speed […]

REVIEW: Pittsburgh Pride Theater Festival 2014

Pittsburgh Pride Theater

I like theater. I don’t attend nearly often enough for my own satisfaction, but I always come away with this inexplicable sense of wonder and puzzlement. I want to rush into the theater lobby and talk about it all to everyone, while also wanting to rush home and be quiet with my thoughts. Note. I […]

Five Articles about Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ History You Don’t Want To Miss (re)Reading

Pittsburgh Pride

I’ve been on this kick lately of reading archived media coverage of Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ history. I set up several “Scoop.It” sites to curate the information. One is specific to the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh and the other is general LGBTQ Pittsburgh history. Scoop.It is a neat tool – you can follow my […]

Five Pieces of Advice I Needed Ten Years Ago

Lesbian Avengers

What’s the one piece of advice you wish someone had given you a year (or five, or ten…) ago? I recently finished reading “Body Counts” by Sean Strub, a memoir that illuminates the cultural and political history of HIV in the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s. As soon as I finished this book, I began reading […]

So Where the Heck is the Lesbian Content?

Someone asked me if I had decided to stop writing about LGBTQ “stuff” – I suppose my recent posts have been a bit eclectic. But they are about me and I am LGBTQ so I think it is a fit. I realize there is a lot happening in the world so let me offer up […]

“We Are Family” Tee Shirt Sales to Benefit Pittsburgh LGBTQ Community Center

We Are Family Tee Shirt Pittsburgh

Soap Fans, Please Send Your #CheersToSochi to Support #WilSon, Lucas, Brad, Felix and Friends

The Olympics begin tonight on NBC and while DAYS will apparently not be bumped for coverage, there is a very important concern for viewers, especially fans of #Wilson, Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis. As you may know, Russia has cracked down on “homosexual propaganda” under federal law and informal use of brutal and repressive tactics […]