Call To Action: Stop Chambersburg from Repealing Local Non-Discrimination Ordinance

The newly elected Borough Council in Chambersburg plans to vote on Monday, January 24 to repeal a local non-discrimination ordinance just four months after it was enacted. From PennLive The ordinance, which extends protections against discrimination to gay, transgender or genderqueer people in employment, housing and public accommodations, was passed in October by the then-Democratic […]

Black Trans Woman Amäriey Lèį (Myara) Shot to Death in Pittsburgh on New Years Day

Amäriey Lèį (Myara)

Southwestern Pennsylvania, specifically Pittsburgh, has once again taken a seat front and center in the campaign of terror targeting the transgender community. The first reported violent death of 2022 took place at 6 AM in the morning in Wilkinsburg, a borough adjacent to the eastern border of the City of Pittsburgh. Her name was Amäriey […]

Political LGBTQ&A with Gregory O. Yorgey-Girdy, Judge-Elect

Greg Yorgey-Girdy

  As gay people, we are not one to sit around and be quiet. We have a history of being marginalized. In 2020, we had one of the highest voter registrations. It’s queer people getting out and doing it. A few days after Election Day 2021, the Victory Fund released a list of known out  […]

Political LGBTQ&A with Sean Strub, Mayor of Milford

Sean Strub Mayor of Milford

That has always stuck with me, this idea that we as queer people have a special role to play in society and, quite frankly, society needs us today more than ever before. A few days after Election Day 2021, the Victory Fund released a list of known out  LGBTQ  candidates who won their offices. They […]

Indigenous Non-Binary Person Whispering Wind Bear Spirit Killed in York, PA

Whispering Wind Bear Spirit

Whispering Wind Bear Spirit, a 41-year-old Indigenous Non-Binary person is the most recent transgender or gender non-conforming person victim of fatal violence. Whispering Wind was shot to death by a 19-year-old man during a botched robbery attempt of their home. Whispering Wind Bear Spirit, 41, died of a single gunshot wound sustained during an attempted […]

Body of 34-Year-Old Trans Woman Jenna Franks Found in North Carolina Community

Her name was Jenna Franks. On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the body of 34-year-old Jenna Franks was discovered in Jacksonville, North Carolina. From The Daily News (misgendering and deadnaming at that link): According to a news release from JPD, Jacksonville City Street personnel were clearing the ditch area when they saw a body located in the […]

Correction: Three Young Trans Folx Were Murdered in Western Pennsylvania This Past Week

Jasmine Cannady

Earlier this week, we reported on the tragic shooting death of 22-year-old Jasmine Cannady and younger brother, Jeffrey ‘JJ’ Bright, in Ambridge, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. At that time, we noted that JJ identified as a trans male teen, having begun his transition at age 12. He was 16 at the time of his death. Since […]

16-Year-Old Trans Male and Older Sibling Shot to Death by Mother in Western Pennsylvania

Jasmine Jeffrey Bright

Another tragedy involving a trans neighbor unfolded Monday, February 22 in Ambridge, Beaver County, Pennsylvania when a 48-year-old mother shot both of her young adult children in the head, killing them at the scene inside the family home. 22-year-old Jasmine Cannady and younger brother, 16-year-old Jeffery ‘JJ’ Bright died. JJ has been repeatedly misgendered and […]

24-year-old Latinx Trans Woman Chynaa Carrillo Killed in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania

Chynaa Carillo

  Her name was Chynaa Carrillo. She was a 24-year-old Latina trans woman. On Thursday, February 18, she was murdered by a man who was so intent on beating her to death that he refused police commands to stop and ended being killed himself. Her family told the media that Chynaa had recently started dating […]

Pennsylvania’s Transgender Community Responds to Dr. Rachel Levine’s Pick for the Biden Administration

Rachel_Levine_Pennsylvania

“Thank you, Dr. Levine.”   When I first heard about that President-elect Biden has selected PA Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine to be  assistant secretary of health, I smiled. She’s been the embodiment of leadership throughout the pandemic in Pennsylvania and has many pre-pandemic accomplishments. She’s maintained dignity, calm, and adherence to science while navigating […]