Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Name: Rach

Age: 36

County of Residence:  Armstrong, formerly Allegheny

Preferred Pronouns:  Just me

How do you describe your identity? I’m just a girl who is in love with a girl.

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face?  Was in high school. I found support through my friends. The challenge was my parents, they where the only ones I did not tell.

How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? Confident

Tell me about the first LGBTQ person whom you met. What impact did they have on your life? A friend in high school. Taught me it’s ok to be me.

Past or present, favorite LGBTQ character or creator in television, film or literature? Please tell us why. Ellen. Such a positive and happy woman who stands her ground.

How do you stay informed about LGBTQ issues? I would rather not. I’m too much of a positive person, I do not watch news or anything.

Describe your geographical community.  Very friendly. No one around seems to make a big deal out of anything.

Describe your local or regional LGBTQ community. Our community is very diverse.

Have you ever experienced discrimination based on your identity? Specifically, in a job setting, when applying for housing or while in public. Not at all. 

Are there issues impacting your LGBTQ neighbors that aren’t visible or part of the local dialogue?  None that I once of.

What would you like to see elected officials do to improve life for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians? Just let us be, why make a scene?

Please share a lived experience, anecdote or fact about life as an LGBTQ person in your community. We are all created in the image of God. No one should hate. We should all love one another!

Beyond discrimination, what other barriers create challenges for your LGBTQ neighbors? Just that people need educated on how not to discriminate.

What LGBTQ friendly resources are available for your neighbors? Pittsburgh has many.

What is your greatest fear for the LGBTQ community in Western Pennsylvania? I have no fear.

What is your greatest hope for the LGBTQ community in Western Pennsylvania? I hope that we all can get past looks,and sexuality. WHO CARES WHO I Love!

What can allies do to support your LGBTQ community? just love us. treat us the same.

How can gay men and lesbians support the bisexual, transgender and queer members of our community? treat them as we want to be treated.

What motivated you to take part in this project? The more the merrier. Need to take part.

Finally, what question should I have asked? Please also share your answer. Children. They need education in school. To not discriminate. To not hate. They also need support if growing up in our community.

Thanks, Rach!

Submit your responses to our Q&A at this link – your story matters!

Read the entire AMPLIFY LGBTQ Q&A archive.

AMPLIFY LGBTQ is a 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. 

Our intent is to highlight the voices of marginalized members of our community who are not always invited to the table or whose voices are not heard. These are glimpses in to the lived experiences of LGBTQ people in Western Pennsylvania as told in their own voices. If you would like to participate, please email me pghlesbian at gmail or visit the online Q&A.

You can read the other Q&A responses here.  AMPLIFY! LGBTQ is a project of Most Wanted Fine Art and Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents.