Successful winter cat shelter workshop builds community while helping caretakers

We had great time yesterday at the Betty White’s Birthday Winter Cat Shelter Workshop, Over 20 neighbors got together at Allegheny City Brewing on the Northside. Owner Amy donated the space and provided complimentary beverages. Nearby Bistro-to-Go sent coffee (January weather) and cheesecake bites (Betty White reference.) The good news outcome – we collectively made […]

Multiple Items Stolen Temporarily Shuts Down Local Pet Food Pantry

This project has operated for over a year without much incident. The few mishaps we had with pet distributions were miscommunication. People were helpful to each other, careful when they had to move bags around, quick to alert us of issues like a bag breaking open. Sadly in the past six weeks, we’ve had at […]

Volunteer to Distribute Cold Weather Cat Shelters This Wintry Weekend

UPDATE: Please read this post for an update on the pet food pantry being robbed. There are all sorts of winter shelters to help colony cats endure the worst weather. Some are heated where this is electricity, some are made from multiple layers inside a big Rubbermaid tote, some are cute little wooden houses painted […]

I wish it need not have happened in my time

On September 12, 2001, I was scheduled for an interview with a Post-Gazette reporter about a job fair I was coordinating in October. My boss made me call the journalist to confirm the appointment. As we all surmise, they were covering a far bigger story. I knew that journalist would never talk with me again […]

Anthony Geary challenged masculinity in the soap opera genre

Remember him as Anthony Geary, a gay male actor with many theater credits and a great 30 year on-screen love story, followed by another great 20 year love story. That’s what he wanted even though he acknowledged he would always be remembered as Luke Spencer. Yes, he played the character who revolutionized daytime drama, across […]

Impious and irreverent ‘sweary’ calendars are good for your mental health

I like calendars – being oriented to date and time are good mental health practices. I like calendars with attitude. And cats. In 2025, I had three wall calendars and one daily tear away calendar. The tear away was filled with women’s quotes, but in a bland way that focused on traditional messages. But I […]

Ice Out for Good Events in Pennsylvania

This list compiled from social media listing. Check carefully for local details. Many of these events are organized by chapters of Invisible, others by similar groups. Two events were previously scheduled that are not part of this specific action, but are part of the cause. Please send me (or tag me @Pghlesbian) in photos I […]

Where do we go from here?

I’ve been giving serious thought as to what comes next for this blog. This was before the City Paper closed and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced its closure. Both are not good. And makes me thinking more important. Typically this time of year, I’d be gearing up for the Political Q&A series, but last year’s disrespect from […]

GLAAD Media Award Nominees Reflect Evolution of Independent Journalism

Nominees for the 37th GLAAD Media Awards were announced this week. As you may know, this blog is a two time winner in the Outstanding Blog category (2019 and 2021.) I removed myself from consideration in this category because two is good. The category has morphed into Outstanding Independent Journalism, a choice I applaud. Blogs […]

The alt-weekly paper that explored two (or more) Pittsburghs

The demise of the Pittsburgh City Paper The first thing I did after learning about this turn of events was to go to the CP archives and download a pdf of every article that referenced me (77) so I wouldn’t lose them. Not a single piece covering the closure of this significant media asset mentioned […]