Q&A with Hannah Davy: This is not the end, we will keep fighting and never give up.

What message do you have for trans and queer youth?  You are 100% worthy of being here, being you, and having the care you deserve. There are many of us who are here trying our hardest to keep that for you. We see you, we hear you, and we want you to know that we […]

Q&A with Katherine: Many Of Us Will Always Choose to “Aid and Abet” For Trans Kids

What message do you have for trans and queer youth?  We love you. We will fight for you, always. Your only job is to be a kid, to learn who you are, to experiment, to fuck up, to keep going. Our job as the adults who love you is to protect you. They want to […]

Q&A with Kailey Andrew: Gender Affirming Healthcare is Legal in Pennsylvania

What message do you have for trans and queer youth? You are not alone. Don’t let them erase you. This isn’t the first time or the last time that trans people will have to fight to exist – don’t give up the fight. Read up on your history and take pride in it. Make art. Write […]

Open Letter to UPMC From Staff Calling for Reinstatement of Gender-Affirming Healthcare for Youth and Adults Under 19

I have been asked to publish this letter that I think speaks for itself. I will be publishing Q&A’s with some of the employees leading this effort to protect trans youth. I asked them the same questions. The differences in their answers may offer some insight into the tactics UPMC is using to sacrifice trans […]

LGBTQ News: School Districts Suing the State, Trans Day of Visibility, and Update on Legislation

In early March, we reported that two public school districts and several parents have sued Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs include two districts — South Side Area and Knoch, both in western Pennsylvania — and two Republican state lawmakers, Reps. Aaron Bernstine (Lawrence and Butler County) and Barbara Gleim (Cumberland County) as well as three parents and […]

GI Sue: Part Seven in a Chronic Health Crisis

Sue Kerr Cats

When we left my little saga in the spring, I was waiting to see a rheumatologist, That was April. It took until late September to do so. Is it me or does it seem like appointments with specialists are even harder to secure now than before the pandemic? My dermatologist is booking nearly 18 months […]

Q&A With Ed Gainey, Candidate for Mayor, City of Pittsburgh

Ed Gainey Mayor Campaign

Last year, a pro-Trump candidate got the ACDC endorsement in a legislative race, but this year, in endorsing me, the ACDC is supporting a Black candidate for Mayor for the first time in it’s history. What those two results show me is that we are in a fight for the soul of our local party, […]

I Miss When It Felt Good to Be at Persad

Persad Center Delta Foundation Pridefest

I went in for my weekly therapy session today. It is Pride week! I didn’t expect banners or balloons, but I guess I expected some energy and vibes? Instead, it just felt the same as it has for months – a sad place with anxious folks (staff) dealing with a world that does not appreciate, […]

Measles Outbreak in Pittsburgh: I Tried To Get a Booster and Here’s What Happened

Measles Pittsburgh

I was born in 1970 and am reasonably sure my parents had me appropriately vaccinated. But I do not have a relationship with them, nor would they be reliable reporters. My mother actually kept out records for years in our baby books, but those were tossed by my brother. Soooo … I’m relying on the […]

My Essay on Hysterectomies and Trauma Informed Care Published Today at PublicSource

I wrote a thing, summarizing the institutional failures around gynecology and sexual trauma. Among other failings. Also, in the pensive cover photo you can’t see that I am standing next to a litter box while my cat is licking my ankles. I’m a pro. Gynecologists should have nursing or social work staff doing follow-up with […]