Month: October 2016

Politics

Here’s Why I Think You Should Vote for Hillary Clinton

October 17, 2016 by
HIllary Clinton Pennsylvania

For weeks, my head has been in a muddle over all sorts of things. I have been wanting to write a coherent explanation of why I’m supporting Hillary Clinton in this election, an urge that grows more insistent with each encounter I have with folks I know supporting Trump. But my mind is working against me as it is prone to do when I feel anxious.

So000 I’m going to share a few links with you that I hope will help you to understand where I’m at in my head. I understand the fear of neo-liberal policies is genuine and based in the worst elements of capitalism and democracy. I understand that Hillary is far from perfect, but I do think she is the most perfectly qualified woman to shatter the glass ceiling of the White House as well as the most prepared and experienced candidate for President.

AMPLIFYQueer

Anonymous, 30, Wants More Visibility for the Pansexual Community #AMPLIFY

October 13, 2016 by

Name: Anonymous

Age: 30

County of Residence:  Washington, formerly Allegheny

Preferred Pronouns: Her, she, etc.

In MemoriamTrans

Black Trans Woman Brandi Bledsoe, 32, Murdered in Cleveland

October 13, 2016 by
Brandi Bledsoe

It is with great sadness and anger that I read about the murder of 32 year old black trans woman, Brandi Bledsoe. Her body was discovered over the weekend near her Cleveland home.

Brandi had a job, a passion for art and the support of at least some of her family. Yet, she did not escape the cycle of unrelenting violence against trans women. She also did not escape being misgendered by police or the media, the final indignity that weaves it’s tentacle into almost all of these stories of the lives of our trans neighbors.

From Cleveland.com (note – they use her old name)

Bledsoe was found dead about 10 a.m. in the driveway behind a home on Drexel Avenue, near East 108th Street. 

She was wearing only underwear and had white plastic bags covering her head and both hands, according to police reports.

A 5-year-old boy discovered her body while riding bikes with his 12-year-old brother.  

Police also said she had head trauma. Cleveland police spokesman Jennifer Ciaccia said investigators will take her transgender status into consideration in the investigation. She said the investigation is in its early stages and it’s too early to determine of motive for Bledsoe’s death. 

No arrests have been made in the case.

AMPLIFYBisexual

Janet, 66, is Bisexual, Cisgender and Gender Nonconforming #AMPLIFY

October 11, 2016 by
Bisexual Allegheny County

Name: Janet

Age: 66

County of Residence: Allegheny. I lived in my youth in Cambridge, MA, Bonn, Germany, New Haven CT and Oxford England.

Preferred Pronouns: She, her hers

How do you describe your identity? I am bisexual in my sexual orientation and cisgender but mildly gender non-conforming in my gender presentation.

Other

UPDATED! How To Sign Up for Toys for Tots in Western Pennsylvania – 2016 Edition

October 10, 2016 by
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.

AMPLIFYOther

Why People Share Their Stories With #AMPLIFY

October 9, 2016 by
LGBT History Month Pittsburgh

In June 2015, we added this question to the Q&A

“What motivated you to take part in this project?”

The responses have been enlightening when I consider why people take 30-60 minutes to share some of their most personal thoughts with the wide world. Their investment isn’t fleeting – the Q&A will live on as our archived collective experiences.

“I particularly wanted to participate because I wanted an older perspective to be included.”

In MemoriamTrans

RIP Jazz Alford, Black Trans Woman Murdered in Alabama

October 8, 2016 by

Jazz Alford was 30 years old and a native of North Carolina. She was also a black trans woman discovered dead in a Birmingham, Alabama motel in late September. Alford was deliberately misgendered by police (and the media) as part of their investigation process.

Alford’s sister, Toya Milan, who is also a trans woman reached out to media to clarify Jazz’ true identity.

Police have arrested a 23-year-old man, Denzell Thomas for another shooting of a trans woman and he is now a suspect in the Alford case. The other victim survived and is hospitalized as she recovers from her injuries.

AMPLIFYBisexual

Dominic, 18, Is a Bisexual Man Finding His Comfort Zone in College #AMPLIFY

October 6, 2016 by

Name:  Dominic

Age: 18

County of Residence:  Allegheny County

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him

How do you describe your identity? Cis White Male Bisexual

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? When I came out, my mom took away my computer for the summer (I came out right at the end of the school year), saying that she was taking it away because of my “porn addiction” and that her taking it away on the same day I came out was coincidental. When I got my computer back for the school year, she installed a religious filter on my computer called Covenant Eyes.

ActivismAMPLIFYLGBTQ

#AMPLIFY and LGBT History Month

October 5, 2016 by
LGBT History Month Pittsburgh

We want to keep growing and we especially want to begin offering audio recording options to conduct interviews with community elders as well as others who have limited access to the Internet. We have connected with a lesbian owned transcription service based in Johnstown, PA, but it will still cost $125-250 per interview. That’s one reason we ask people to try to use the online form if possible.

During October, we are again crowdfunding for the project – we hope to raise $3,000 so we can schedule the audio sessions throughout the winter. The funds will be used to set up “AMPLIFY Info” sessions in the outlying counties so we can meet people & encourage them to participate as well as to set up the actual recording times. And, of course, pay for the transcription.

We’ve been invited to New Castle (Lawrence County), Johnstown (Cambria County), Bradford (McKean County), as well as Armstrong, Beaver, Butler and Clearfield counties. If you need a little encouragement, consider this story from Melanie (a Trump supporter) who lives in Washington County.

Activism

Guilty Verdict in the 2012 Assault & Shooting of Lesbian Couple in Texas

October 5, 2016 by
Kristene Chapa Mollie Olgin

Kristene Chapa, then 18, and girlfriend Mollie Olgin, then 19, stopped by a park on their way to see a movie on June 23, 2012. A horrifying encounter with a stranger ended with both young women sexually assaulted and shot, left for dead in that park. Olgin died of her injuries, but Kristene Chapa survived and took the stand to testify against David Strickland more than four years later.

It took the jury less than six hours to return a guilty verdict. Four years, 3 months and six hours after their horrible ordeal, there was finally some justice for Mollie and Kristene and, hopefully, some closure for Kristene.