Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

In ten days, Ledcat and I will celebrate our tenth anniversary. That’s a lot of years of love, tears, laughs, hugs and ice cream.

We met at the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh. We both responded to an invitation to help organize a women’s discussion group. A week later, we both attended a social event and a few weeks later, we had our first official date.

It is a bit of a mixed up feeling today thinking about ten years and ACLU lawsuits and what it all means. This is what I told the Post-Gazette:

Sue Kerr, the editor of Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents, said that she is concerned that this lawsuit will detract from progress already being made to end discrimination in Pennsylvania and that there may be backlash in the form of hate crimes. Despite these doubts, she trusts the ACLU understands the right time to push this lawsuit. “I’m glad that they’re leading the charge,” she said.

If the lawsuit is successful, it could make a difference in the lives of thousands of Pennsylvanians including Ms. Kerr, who has been with her partner for 10 years but is not able to marry in Pennsylvania.

“It’s our 10-year anniversary and we don’t allow ourselves to talk about what our wedding would be like or a reception, we’re too focused on practical issues,” Ms. Kerr said. “It’s sad because it takes away from the joy of anticipating and enjoying your wedding day.”

Not too sad, because at the end of the day – we come home to one another and many blessings.

Still, we know that many people don’t have these blessings and we also know that regardless of marriage equality, there will be a need for safe spaces for people of all ages to get their needs met, year round. Seniors, youth, 30something women, singles, couples, families and more.

So we have a simple request – please donate $10 to the Gay & Lesbian Community Center to ensure they are here for all the Sue’s and Laura’s and others in the future who need that safe space. If you set aside a dollar a day, you’ll reach $10 by our actual anniversary!

Your contribution supports LGBTQ youth, seniors, a phoneline, social groups for men & women & elders, HIV testing, wellness directories, counseling, homeless services, website, and so much much more. The GLCC is all volunteer and was founded in 1981 (legally – it was was running as part of Persad since the mid-seventies.) This is a PayPal widget so it just takes a moment to donate.

We’ll be celebrating our ten year anniversary at a concert at Stage AE (fun and Tegan/Sarah) followed by OUTrageous Bingo the following Saturday – doing the things we love with the people who have made it possible for us to love one another. If we are really lucky, we’ll get to have dinner at our favorite restaurant, Legends of the North Shore. 🙂 Not too shabby.

The tenth anniversary is for diamonds. We can’t buy diamond marriage rings just yet , but we can continue to invest in our community and build a bright future for our neighbors. Will you join us? Thank you.

$25 – supplies, snacks for a support group or a discussion group (adults)

$50 – food and beverages for one youth event (ages 13-17, 18-23)

$100 – one week of phoneline service for people asking for referrals, information or just needing a friendly voice.