Christmas Spirit Trumps Scrooge In Pittsburgh

Bill Peduto Toys for Tots

Yesterday, the Marines kicked-off a two-day ‘Open House’ for families throughout the region who wanted to access the Toys for Tots donations. This annual distribution is open to members of the community who have the necessary paperwork and the means to get to the Strip District location, as well as to transport their items home. […]

Mark, 29, Talks About Gay Stereotypes in Pittsburgh

Name: Mark Age: 29 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: He How do you describe your identity? Male Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? When I was 18 to one of my close friends. She had actually been under the impression that I was “100% hetero” and I had to set […]

Jazmine, 46, Has Advice for LGB Allies to the Trans Community #AMPLIFY

Trans Allegheny County

Name: Jazmine Age: 46 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She, her, woman, female, Queen! How do you describe your identity? I was adopted so don’t know my ethnic background. I am a heterosexual female. HIV + Trans woman who often regrets transitioning now that I’m older. Seems things such as relationships would be easier and life less lonely had […]

Holiday Toy Distribution in Pittsburgh 2015

Behind the scenes, this information is some of the most frequently sought from my blog this time of year. So I’m going to make it as accessible as possible. There are two major two distributions that are open to the public. Play It Forward will distribute gently used toys, books and similar items on Saturday […]

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 […]

Cavanaugh, 25, Talks About Genderflux Identity and the Value of Self-Care #AMPLIFY

queer Pittsburgh

Name: Cavanaugh Age: 25 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns:  They or He How do you describe your identity? Queer, Afrolatin@, fat, trans, polyglam femme. Tenderqueer. I recently heard the word “genderflux” and I really love it. The idea is that my gender, and by extension my presentation, is sometimes a really, really loud version of itself and sometimes […]

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 […]

#AMPLIFY Trans Voices on the Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2015

Today is the International Trans Day of Remembrance as well as a day to honor trans resilience. In lieu of our usual Friday #AMPLIFY profile, we are sharing these previously published Q&A posts with transgender neighbors living in Western Pennsylvania. Visibility is an important component of resiliency and a luxury many of us may not […]

Trans Day of Remembrance Events in Pittsburgh

Transgender Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Transgender March of Resilience  Friday, November 20, 2015  at 5:30 PM Schenley Plaza Trans Voices: Open Letters Friday, November 20, 2015 at 7 – 10 PM CMU Washington PA Transgender Candlelight Walk in Remembrance  Friday, November 20, 2015 at 6 PM in Washington PA Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil Sunday, November 22, 2015 at […]

Erin Answered These Questions To Challenge Bisexual Erasure #AMPLIFY

Bisexual Pittsburgh

Name:  Erin Age: 36 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: her/she How do you describe your identity? Cis-Female, BiSexual Woman Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Initially, I only came out to my close friends as Bi, as it was the early 2000s, and “girls kissing girls” was obnoxiously […]