Reach OUT for the Holidays: Supporting LGBTQ Elders

  Once again, we are teaming up with the SAGE program at Persad Center to support LGBTQ elders who may not have strong family support during the holiday season. Some adults in the program struggle to meet their day to day needs because of limited incomes and resources. Homophobia, transphobia and racism in their community […]

Ten Holiday Things To Do In Pittsburgh

I Made It! For the Holidays

I’ve made these lists up in the past, filled with big plans and remorse over what I didn’t accomplish. Still, here we are on December 1 once again and I’m giving it the good try. Here’s my list of things to do in Pittsburgh this year to celebrate the holidays. Or at least things I […]

Kathi Wants To Be More Connected to LGBTQ Elders in Rural Communities #AMPLIFY

Kathi Boyle Pittsburgh

Name:  Kathi Boyle Age: 69 County of Residence: Allegheny. I was born in Carbon County so lived there for the first 6 weeks of my life. My family then moved to Tennessee. Preferred Pronouns: She, her, hers How do you describe your identity? White lesbian. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you […]

Casey, 38, Honors One Year Since Coming Out As a Gay Woman #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Queer Women

Name: Casey Age: 38 County of Residence: Allegheny. I spent some time up in Erie when I was about four or so, and I lived in Philly area for about 7 years right before I moved to Pittsburgh in 2008. But I grew up mostly in the Maryland (Baltimore-DC corridor) area. Preferred Pronouns: her, she…for now How do you describe […]

Kaley is Trans, Queer and a Fan of Gender Outlaws

Transgender Beaver County

Please note that this is our 70th published AMPLIFY q&a since we began in late May 2015. Thank you to Kaley and everyone who has shared their story. Name: Kaley Age: 30 County of Residence: Allegheny, Grew Up in Butler County Preferred Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity?  I am first a human being, then a woman, […]

Alec on Being Genderfluid: It’s Confusing Outside the Binary #AMPLIFY

Name: Alec Age: 25 County of Residence: Allegheny County, grew up in Jefferson County Preferred Pronouns: I’ve been defaulting to “she” and “her”, but “he” and “him” are usually ok too How do you describe your identity? I am a human being, who is attracted to other human beings. I identify as Genderfluid. Gender is a social construct and I don’t […]

Jeff Hopes LGBTQ Community Will Embrace Common Queer Identity #AMPLIFY

Gay Pittsburgh

Name: Jeff Age:  66 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: he, him, his How do you describe your identity? I am a gay man. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? It took me many years to come out. I was 49 when I finally was able to be honest […]

Jesse Talks About Living as a Trans Woman in A Culture of Fear

Transgender Pittsburgh

Name:  Jesse Oak Rise Age:  32 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She / her How do you describe your identity? While physically I appear more masculine, spiritually I feel more feminine and doing what I can to make my physical self aligned with my spiritual self while trying to avoid (more) harassment, beatings, and the possibility […]

Big Burrito Group Updates Trans Inclusive Language

Big Burrito Transgender

You may recall earlier in the year we reported that the folks at Big Burrito had made an ill-conceived attempt at humor by referencing Caitlyn Jenner in their “celebrity” portion of their menu at the Mad Mex restaurants. After backlash from the community, Chef Bill Fuller and his team pulled the menu and issued an […]

Jaime from the ReelQ Film Festival Says ‘Yep, I’m Gay!’ #AMPLIFY

ReelQ Film Festival

Name:  Jaime Age:  35 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She/Her How do you describe your identity? I am a white, cisgender female lesbian. Some refer to me as a chapstick lesbian or a tomboy, but I’m just me. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out […]