Derek On Life As a Gay Man With Asperger’s Syndrome #AMPLIFY

Name: Derek Age: 23 County of Residence: Butler Preferred Pronouns: He How do you describe your identity? I am a single, 23-year-old gay man who happens to be gay and who also happens to live with Asperger’s Syndrome. No matter what people say, I try not to let their perceptions define me as a person. Please describe your coming out […]

Shaquanna Wants Families To Have Positive Conversations With LGBTQ Relatives #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Lesbian

Name:  Shaquanna Age: 32 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: Female How do you describe your identity? Organic!  Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face?   Being the oldest sister of three sisters, I grew up in a household where it was okay to voice your opinion, and speak […]

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 […]

Raven Has Not Told Anyone That She’s Pansexual Because She’s Afraid #AMPLIFY

Washington County

Name:  Raven Age: 24 County of Residence: Washington Preferred Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? I am pansexual. Once I did more reading into bisexuality, I realized I am attracted to everyone, every gender, every sex. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I have only come out as […]

Cat is Queer, Genderfluid, and Fully Out #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Queer

Name: Cat Conley Age:  27 County of Residence:  Allegheny Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? I identify as queer/genderfluid. There are days when I hate any reinforcement of my femininity, and other days when I revel in it. I haven’t figured out a solution yet beyond scowling when someone uses words like “dainty” to describe me. […]

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 […]

Zella Ziona, 21 of Maryland, Most Recent Trans Woman of Color Murdered

Zella Ziona Transgender

More heartbreaking news, this time from Gaithersburg, Maryland where 21-year-old Zella Ziona became the 22nd transgender woman to be murdered in the US during 2015. A witness told ABC7 he saw the victim, identified as Zella Ziona of Montgomery Village, surrounded by four or five teenagers. There was an argument, then he says one of […]

Jess is a Lesbian Mother Who Wants More Family Friendly Resources #AMPLIFY

Lesbian Pittsburgh

Name:  Jess Age: 25 County of Residence:  Allegheny Pronouns:  Mrs. How do you describe your identity? I am white, a lesbian, and mother. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I told my parents and they were accepting. My friends didn’t care and my extended family came around. […]

Diane Discusses Being Belligerently Out in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Lesbian Pittsburgh

Name: Diane Age:  57 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: I don’t care what other people say. How do you describe your identity? I don’t bother to define it or claim any term. People can think/say whatever they want. I don’t feel responsible for what’s in other people’s heads. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you […]

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 […]