UPDATED! How To Sign Up for Toys for Tots in Western Pennsylvania – 2016 Edition

Toys for Tots Pennsylvania

Here’s my annual roundup of toy distribution resources for Western Pennsylvania. Many Toys for Tots enrollment deadlines are right around the corner while other sites have not yet posted. Please share this information with anyone you know who may need assistance with toys this holiday season.

I will update this post as more information becomes available.

“Your Story Can Heal” Says Rain, 26, #AMPLIFY

Demisexual Greene Washington Allegheny counties

At the end of the day, your silence is damaging. Your story can heal and make people feel like they’re not alone. Name:  Rain Age:  26 ** Update – I made an error and listed Rain’s age as 44. I am sorry for the error. – Sue County of Residence:  Allegheny, formerly Washington and Greene Preferred […]

Jill, 48, Has Ties to Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland Counties #AMPLIFY

Washington County

Name:  Jill Age: 48 County of Residence:  Washington, formerly Allegheny and Westmoreland counties Preferred Pronouns:  I am a human being How do you describe your identity? I am me. Short and fat and happy. Lol. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I feel I have always been out. […]

Latinx Perspective on the #AMPLIFY Project

Latinx Western Pennsylvania

Yesterday, we published a terrific #AMPLIFY contribution from Chi Chi who is a 47 year queer Latina living in Pittsburgh. Chi Chi is from Panama, but grew up about a mile from where I grew up – we went to different schools and never met. Until #AMPLIFY. We have plans to meet in person next […]

Kim, 40, Mother, Pansexual, Mexican-American & Washington Co Resident #AMPLIFY

Washington County

Name:  Kim Age: 40 County of Residence: Washington, formerly Allegheny and Westmoreland counties Preferred Pronouns: pansexual How do you describe your identity? I’m mother to a 20-year-old transwoman. I’m a third generation Mexican American. I tend to take in wayward humans and animals. Im a singer. Im permanently disabled. I bake really crazy cakes. Im many things. Im a […]

Patricia, 41, Does Not Feel Safe As a Trans Woman in Her Urban Pgh Suburb #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County Trans Woman

Name: Patricia Age: 41 County of Residence: Allegheny, formerly Washington Preferred Pronouns: She/Her How do you describe your identity? At some point, the mental switch flipped in my head firmly into a “female” identity. (I think it was always set to “female” but I was trying to force it to say “male”!) So I identify as a trans woman. I […]

Lisa Believes Being Out and Honest is ‘Like Flying’ #AMPLIFY

lesbian washington county

Name: Lisa Age: 34 County of Residence: Washington Preferred Pronouns: Feminine pronouns. She, her, etc. How do you describe your identity? White, female, lesbian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out at 31 and I was married to a man at the time. I faced so much ridicule and […]

Mia Donna Has Wild Happy Life as a Pansexual Polyamorous Person #AMPLIFY

queer Washington County

  Name: Mia Donna Age: 43 County of Residence:  Washington, formerly Allegheny and Westmoreland Preferred Pronouns: she, her How do you describe your identity? pansexual gender fluid human Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? ha. i laugh because i dont believe i really had a true coming out experience. i […]

Bobby, 50, Queer Trans Guy, White Anti-Racism Activist #AMPLIFY

Transgender Pittsburgh

Name: Bobby Age: 50 County of Residence: Allegheny County. Grew up in Venango County. College in Washington County. Lived in Beaver County (Allequippa) Lived in Westmoreland County (Latrobe) Preferred Pronouns: he/him/his How do you describe your identity? Queer Transguy  longterm Wilkinsburg resident. White anti-racism activist Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Early Spring 1983, my […]

Austin, 30, is a Straight Trans Man from Washington County #AMPLIFY

Transgender Washington County

Name: Austin Jacob Age: 30 County of Residence:  Washington  County Preferred Pronouns:  He/Him/His How do you describe your identity? I’m an Austrian, Scottish, Irish American Christian UU who is a straight transman. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Coming out the first time as a lesbian was the hardest. […]