Vincent, 54, is a Nonbinary Transmasculine & Queer Asian Pacific Islander in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

As an elderly Queer person, I chronically worry about and struggle with poverty and homelessness. And I’m aware that there are a lot of local Queer and Trans folks who are homeless or struggling with food insecurity. Name: Vincent Age: 54 County of Residence: Allegheny County, previously San Francisco Pronouns: He/Him & They/Them How do you describe your […]

Dave, 33, Identifies as a Queer, recovering Gay White Man #AMPLIFY

Gay Allegheny County

Name: Dave Hutchinson Age: 33 County of Residence: Allegheny County Pronouns: Any of the three sets – I’ve been in different contexts where each one made sense and felt right. How do you describe your identity?  Queer, recovering Gay White Man™ Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out in […]

Jez, 50, Came Out As Trans in 1985 in Rural Washington County #AMPLIFY

Transgender Washington County

  Name: Jez Age:  50 County of Residence:  Washington Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity?  Transgender Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face?  Came out when the AIDS epidemic was rampant 1985 How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? Struggling everyday to stay […]

August, 46, Feels Separate as a Black Gay Man #AMPLIFY

Name: August Age: 46 County of Residence:  Allegheny, formerly Dauphin Pronouns: He How do you describe your identity? Homosexual. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I was by myself and my brother has been my biggest support. As for the LGBT community on a whole, it has proven to be […]

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 […]

Sean, 29, Wants to Change the LGBT Climate in Western Pennsylvania #AMPLIFY

Name:  Sean Meloy Age: 29 County of Residence:  Allegheny, formerly Centre County and Washington DC Preferred Pronouns: He / His / Him How do you describe your identity?  Gay male  Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Well, it was two-fold. Firstly was “coming out” to myself, which was formally […]

Robert Traveled From Fayette County to Los Angeles #AMPLIFY

Gay Pittsburgh

Name: Robert Hensley Age: 37 County of Residence: I was born and raised in Fayette County; I live in Allegheny and Erie Counties while in college. Now lives in Los Angeles, California.  Preferred Pronouns: Human. I find this dialogue block offensive. It perpetuates labeling. How do you describe your identity? I describe myself as a human being, a person with […]

Movie Review: Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List is a Terrible Will & Grace Retread

Naomi & Ely No Kiss List Review

Note – this is not part of the ReelQ Film Festival, but I promised I would review it so here you go. This was one of the worst LGBTQ flicks I’ve seen in recent years. Maybe I’m just too middle-aged, but this ho hum coming of age tale plays out like a fanfic backstory to […]

Shawna on Her Unique Experience as a Lesbian in Indiana County #AMPLIFY

LGBT Indiana County

Read the entire AMPLIFY LGBTQ Q&A archive. AMPLIFY LGBTQ is a new occasional series of blog posts designed to give a “signal boost” to the voices of our LGBTQ neighbors throughout Western Pennsylvania. We are using a Q&A format and will minimize editing their responses. The questions, however, may change as we ask each participant to […]

LGBTQ&A: Mike Testa Works for Equality

An occasional series where we pose some questions to local LGBTQ folks (and Allies) to learn more about their personal experiences with LGBTQ culture. Click here for a complete list of all LGBTQ&A profiles.  During Pride 2013, we are trying to feature someone each day. Mike is the chair of GLEC so I’ve only met him […]