Alexia, 40, is Bisexual, Transgender, and Loves Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Transgender Bisexual Pittsburgh

Name: Alexia Age: 40 County of Residence: Allegheny, formerly Westmoreland Pronouns: She How do you describe your identity? Transgender, bisexual Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I talked to my girlfriend and later to my mom. My gf was shocked at first but supportive afterwards. My mom still in denial, she […]

Pastor Reed, 48, Puts a Face and Name to Being a Gay Christian #AMPLIFY

Gay Wilmerding

Name: Pastor Reed Age: 48 County of Residence: Westmoreland County.  Formerly, Dauphin, Snyder, and Adams counties Pronouns: He, him, his How do you describe your identity? Pastor, teacher, son, gay, loving, accepting Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out over years of time. I found support from my closest friends. […]

Jason, 42, aka Miss Thea Trix Spreads a Positive Vibe in the Mon Valley #AMPLIFY

Name: Jason Zubovic Age: 42 County of Residence: Fayette, formerly Allegheny and Westmoreland counties Preferred Pronouns: Mr. and Miss – him and her How do you describe your identity? I am an openly gay white male entertainer with an amazing partner of three years. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My […]

Ravenna, 37, Pansexual Trans Woman Living in the Allegheny County Suburbs #AMPLIFY

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out at 26 years old. It was tough. I was on the verge of suicide and I had a 2-year-old son depending on my existence.

I dropped a bomb on my life. On relationships. It was the only way. I had no friends. Nowhere to really start. I just got myself out into the queer community. My personality aided greatly in forming my initial friendship and support base. Those early days were very lonely though.

How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? Been living openly as a pansexual trans woman for 10 years. I’ve gone through all of the legalities and am quite open in my personal life. I do like to maintain my anonymity in my daily life. I still work where I did through my transition. Work was tough but I fought and survived the experience.

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.

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 […]

Heidi, 28, Learned It’s Okay To Be An LGBT Christian #AMPLIFY

lesbian westmoreland

Name: Heidi Age: 28 County of Residence:  Westmoreland, formerly Allegheny and Fayette Preferred Pronouns: she How do you describe your identity? Female, lesbian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I was 20. I fell in love, but was too afraid to admit it. Eventually the girl (who i knew […]

Mariah, 38, Wants More Support for Westmoreland LGBTQ Neighbors #AMPLIFY

westmoreland lesbian

Name: Mariah Age: 38 County of Residence:  Westmoreland, formerly Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: Not sure How do you describe your identity? Well I’m A White Female and I Don’t Really label myself I love who I love Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? When I Came Out Fully I had support […]