Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Hello everyone.

This is a quick update to let you that we’ll begin publishing #AMPLIFY posts again in March 2018. I had hoped to start backup in February after recuperating from my hysterectomy, but my recovery is taking a little longer than I expected. Nothing terrible, just a slow process especially during the winter.

To give myself some breathing space, I’m not going to *try* to do it ASAP. Instead, I am going to use this time to continue working behind the scenes on the infrastructure and program growth. As you may recall, we have several as-of-yet unmet goals:

• We do not have any contributions with ties to Cameron, Forest, Jefferson, or Warren counties.
• We have just a few contributors with ties to Armstrong, Blair, Bedford, Clearfield, Elk, Greene, Venango, and Washington counties.
• We have to launch our Q&A’s with elders and others who do not or cannot use our online forms.
• We have repeated requests to include the voices of youth (under 18.)

There’s also a lot of work to be done curating and analyzing the data which will require the time & experience of a social scientist and an archivist. We have some great folks working with us and hope to secure funding to make this possible – to get us physically into these spaces, to cover the transcription, to build the bonds of trust to make people willing to share their stories, etc.

In the meantime, we are accepting stories. You can find the Q&A online here – takes about 30 minutes. Please, please take the time and invite your friends to join in.

If you’d like to be involved, we are searching for folks with social science backgrounds, archivists, and people to help with grant writing. Email us if you are interested.

We are also accepting donations to continue this work. You can find out more here.  We are hoping for one-time donors, monthly pledges, and in-kind donors as well.

We still have a few shirts to sell if you are interested.

250 entries is an impressive archive. If you read the stories, you’ll see a nuanced and robust description of the LGBTQ experience in Western PA in the late 20th and early 21st century. The stories range from coming out under President John F Kennedy to the ‘Nancy Reagan AIDS Fear Generation’. Fear and hope run through each story to lift up our collective resilience, our insistence on being visible, and our survival.

And read. Here’s the archive in reverse chronological order. Read through. Share with your folks. Be inspired. Be challenged. Be motivated.

Below is a reverse chronological list of the AMPLIFY Q&A’s

1. Dezmanian, 28, is a Black Man Who Happens to be Gay 
2. Dakota, 27, Wants You to Support Queer Activists & Queer Art 
3. Lissa, 28, Identifies as Genderfluid, Grey Ace, and Poly
4. Kool Kase, 32, is a Black Lesbian at Peace With Herself
5. Sam, 28, is a Genderqueer Artist in Pittsburgh 
6. Jennifer is 40, Bisexual, and a Fan of Sara Lance 
7. Reece, 31, Grew up in Southern Virginia, but Found LGBTQ Connections in Pittsburgh
8. Tara, 24, is a Femme, Queer Human 
9. Michael, 50, is a Gay Man Who Lives Without Shame 
10. Dan, 36, is a Bisexual Man in Pittsburgh Who Wants to Build a Better World 
11. Ben, 30, Wants All Gay White Men to Learn To Take a Step Back 
12. Rachel, 24, Asks Where Are Our Out, Queer Women Role Models in Pittsburgh? 
13. Laura, 42, is a Bisexual Mom in Pittsburgh 
14. Brad, 33, is a Gay, Black Man Who Does Charity Work as a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence 
15. Tracey, 58, is a Queer Mother Parenting Nonbinary Children 
16. Bebe Beretta, 27, is Nonbinary, Genderfluid, and Wants More LGBTQ Folks to Connect
17. Dave, 33, Identifies as a Queer, recovering Gay White Man 
18. Helen, 51, Came Out as Bisexual in the Army National Guard
19. Meg, 28, is Nonbinary, Genderqueer, Polyamorous, and Pansexual
20. Keith, 48, is a Gay, White Man Using Marriage Equality for Teachable Moments in North Carolina 
21. Hilary, 44, Works Hard to Boost Pansexual Identity in Erie County
22. Lisa, 47, is a Bi Woman Trying to Find Community in Pittsburgh
23. Amy, 46, is Bi in Pittsburgh, But Not Really Out
24. Alexia, 40, is Bisexual, Transgender, and Loves Pittsburgh
25. Jez, 50, Came Out As Trans in 1985 in Rural Washington County
26. Morgan, 31, is a Black, Bisexual, Queer, Polyamorous Woman & Mother
27. Kelsey, 22, Talks Lesbian Life in Elk County 
28. Tristan, 28, is Gay, Mexican-American, a Comedian and Writer and Drag Queen 
29. Pastor Reed, 48, Puts a Face and Name to Being a Gay Christian
30. Carmen is 42, Bisexual, and Resonates With Genderfluid Identity
31. Jamaica, 41, is Bisexual and Wants the Pgh Queer Community to Have a Voice
32. Luna, 25, is a Poly, Gender fluid, Queer Performance Artist 
33. Bobbi Jo, 63, is a Transgender Lesbian in Indiana County
34. Roxxie Thunder, 27, is a Glittery Pansexual Femme from Beaver County 
35. Maya, 20, Identifies as a Black Queer Fat Femme Woman 
36. Mindy, 42, Lives Semi-Open as Trans in Rural Elk County
37. Katie, 25, Identifies as Puerto Rican, White, Cis-Female and Lesbian
38. Dylan, 28, is a Queer, Autistic Transgender Man
39. Angie, 32: Out, Loud, and Proud Black Pansexual Mom
40. Krista, 28, Lives in Washington, PA as a Pansexual Woman
41. August, 46, Feels Separate as a Black Gay Man 
42. Tanha, 36, is a Queer, Bisexual Woman in Erie 
43. Joel, 35, is Gay, a Trans Guy, Polyamorous, Christian, Parent, & Husband 
44. Chrissy, 40, Wants LGBTQ Folks to Educate One Another With a Sense of Humor 
45. Lora, 33, Talks About Coming Out, Family Support, & LGBTQ Narratives
46. Selene, 60, is genderfluid, pansexual, femme-presenting, neuroqueer and more
47. Scott, 53, is a Gay Man Exploring Transition & Identity Anew 
48. Marcia, 58, is Cisgender, Lesbian & Slightly Gender Nonconforming
49. Seth, 21, Came Out as Bi and Trans Via Power Point 
50. Krissy, 34, Talks About Step Parenting as a Bisexual Woman 
51. Rev Leonard, 37, is a Black same-gender loving freedom fighter – #200
52. Wendi, 31, Describes Being a Trans Ally in Her Workplace
53. Chica Discusses Her Bisexuality to Show Solidarity 
54. Brandon, 23, Identifies as a Pansexual Genderqueer Male
55. Angela is a Queer Mother & Intersectional Feminist
56. Tyler, 18, is a Pansexual Trans Man in Erie
57. Chris, 40, is an Aspie Queer Girl With Some Kinks
58. Bi and Demi, Kristen Wants You to Get Uncomfortable With Your Privilege 
59. Caiolin, 56, is Just Another Woman Who Happens To Be Trans
60. Regina, 33, Finds Comfort in Lesbian Ambiguity
61. Megan, 22, is a Bisexual Woman Using Her Voice To Grow Her Community
62. Ally, 20, Describes Her Fluid Sexual Orientation 
63. Maddy, 23, is Queer and Gender Nonconforming in Allegheny County 
64. Jason, 42, aka Miss Thea Trix Spreads a Positive Vibe in the Mon Valley
65. Jesse, 28, Helps To Build New LGBTQ Community Supports in Mercer County 
66. Sean, 29, Wants to Change the LGBT Climate in Western Pennsylvania 
67. Emily, 40, Talks About LGBTQ Visibility, Intersectionality & Resiliency 
68. James, 54, Is a Gay Pittsburgh Dad Living in Texas
69. Kyle Discusses Privilege & Perception of Gay, White, Cisgender Men
70. Shari, 57, Wants More Inclusivity & Power for QTPOC
71. Leo, 42, is a Bi Man in Erie County Who Wants to be Heard
72. Laura, 44, is a Lesbian Mom in Fayette County 
73. Dawn, 33, Describes Life as a Trans Woman in Westmoreland County 
74. Emma, 28, Keeps Her Queer Eyes Open in Pittsburgh
75. Ravenna, 37, Pansexual Trans Woman Living in the Allegheny County Suburbs 
76. Vanessa, 31, Describes Her Transition & Life as Pansexual in Washington County
77. Tara, 29, Describes Life in the Shenango Valley as a Bisexual Woman  ** #175
78. Lav, 29, a Queer Trans Gender Non Binary Mermaid Witch Warrior 
79. Vi, 24, Is Very Concerned About Trans Health Issues in Pittsburgh 
80. Mitch, 27, Describes Life in Butler County as a Gay Man
81. Kierra Darshell is Pittsburgh’s First Lady of Drag
82. Alexa, 22, Talks About Acceptance as a Bisexual Woman
83. Ira, 30, Identifies as Pansexual, Genderqueer and Possibly Agender 
84. Lavi, 29, is Trans Queer Bi and Wants Your Respect & Support
85. Ciora, 27, Says Trans People Have the Strength of Two Souls
86. Anonymous, 30, Wants More Visibility for the Pansexual Community 
87. Janet, 66, is Bisexual, Cisgender and Gender Nonconforming
88. Dominic, 18, Is a Bisexual Man Finding His Comfort Zone in College 
89. Dean Sees Queer Struggles as Stories of Strength
90. Brian, 29, Wants the LGBTQ Community to Address Social Isolation
91. Morgan, 21, Hasn’t Met Other Openly Gay Suburban Couples 
92. Hayley, 46, Wants To Keep That Pride Feeling Year Round #160
93. Brian, 35, ‘It’s okay to be who you want’ 
94. Jim, 63, Reminds Us That Environmental Issues Are Queer Issues
95. Kitteh, 27, ‘The Door Is Open But I’m Still Sitting on the Floor of the Closet’
96. Samantha, 44, Wants Better Health Choices for the Trans Community
97. ‘Your Story Can Heal’ Says Rain, 26
98. Jill, 48, Has Ties to Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland Counties
99. Caitlyn 51, Lives Her Authentic Self as a Trans Woman in Erie 
100. Melissa, 23, is Androgymous and Queer in Butler County
101. Delilah, 31, Finds Trans Community on Twitter
102. Jamie, 52, Celebrates the Queer Tribe Rising
103. Jessica, 28, is Resisting Bisexual Erasure in Pittsburgh
104. Benjamin, 35, is a Cis Gay Man Who Came Out Four Times
105. Chi Chi, 47, Lives Her Version of Latina, Queer and Spiritual
106. Jay, 33, Says Stories Are Part of Queer Liberation
107. Cheryl, 42, Wants Us To See Everyone in the LGBTQ Community
108. Dave on Coming Out and Being Out in Cambria County
109. Avery is a Bisexual, Latino Tran Man in Cambria County
110. Eileen, 52, Reflects on the Awakening of Her LGBTQ Community  (142)
111. Rach, 36, Loves a Girl in Armstrong County
112. Kim, 40, Mother, Pansexual and Mexican-American in Washington County
113. Kay, 27: Not Ashamed of the Reality of Me
114. Heidi, 28, Learned That It’s Okay To Be A LGBT Christian
115. Mel, 40: Bi, Queer and Pan Folk Don’t Always Speak in a Gay or Lesbian Voice
116. Mitch, 52, Believes in The Power of Movies to Create Community
117. alexis, 29, talks compensation & community for marginalized lgbtq neighbors 
118. Camellia, 30, is a Lesbian, Soon-to-be Wife, and Momma 
119. Staci, 52, Wants More Representation for the Bi Community
120. Rachel, 30, Is In The Process of Coming Out as Bisexual
121. Bill, 52, is a Gay Man Living in a Small Town in Cambria County
122. Patricia, 41, Does Not Feel Safe as a Trans Woman in Her Urban Pgh Suburb
123. Mariah, 38, Wants More Support for Westmoreland LGBTQ Neighbors 
124. Norman, 67, is a Gay Black Male of African Descent
125. Wes, 44: Queer Trans Man, Parent Wants You To Know That He Exists
126. Lisa Believes Being Out and Honest is ‘Like Flying’
127. Sueno, 33, Adds Her Particular Color of the Rainbow to the #AMPLIFY Narrative
128. Maggio, 28, is Unapologetically a Bi-sexual Queer Feminist Scholar
129. Ben, 29, is Proud to be a Queer Pittsburgher
130. Martha, 52, is a Gay Woman Spending Her Whole Life Coming Out
131. Naheen, 29, is a Gay Black Male Who Feels Confident in Himself 
132. Mia Donna Has a Wild Happy Life as a Pansexual Polyamorous Person
133. RevDrRay, 49, Believes LGBTQ Folks Deserve Strong & Powerful ‘Spiritual’ Life
134. Sara, 28, Single Mom, Agnostic Jew, and Queer in Ohio
135. Shain is 32, grew up in Mercer County and now lives in NYC
136. Bobby, 50, Queer Trans Guy, White Anti-Racism Activist
137. Diane, 56, Is Asexual With Lesbian Leanings and a Writer
138. Pixie, 26, is Androgynous, Non-binary, Genderqueer and Lesbian, But Identifies as Pixie
139. Tylor, 30, is a Pansexual Trans Man Who Wants Better for Young People
140. Nayck, 50, Identifies as a Black, Gay, Domini-rican in Pittsburgh
141. Jill, 49, Wants Young LGBTQ People To Have a Safe Place to Go In Cambria County
142. As a Gay Man, Ryan Wants More Scrutiny of Bath Houses and Non-Profits
143. Dani Janae, 23, Identifies as a Black Femme Lesbian Poet & Trauma Survivor
144. Jay, 54, Considers His Gay Identity Both Now and The
145. Ama, 30, is a Girl Who Likes Girls and Who Likes Guys
146. Austin, 30, is a Straight Trans Man from Washington County
147. For Jodi’s Kids, Having Two Mothers Is Just a Fact of Life
148. Char, 62, is a “Very Late Bloomer” Lesbian in Cambria County
149. Minion Wants to Talk About What It Means to Be a Queer Black Futch Leathergirl
150. Kim, 44, Say She Lost Her Job in Beaver County Because She’s a Lesbian
151. Alissa, 34, is Just Another Girl in the Crowd in Lawrence County
152. Carina, 18, Identifies as Plus Sized Monogamous Queer and Femme 
153. John, 38, is a Johnstown Based LGBTQ Activist **#100
154. Corvus Regrets the Lack of a Sober, Queer, Radical and Disability Friendly Community in Pgh
155. KK Compares Small Town Michigan to Pittsburgh
156. De, 49, is Concerned About LGBTQ Youth in Rural Western PA
157. Joe Was Dragged Out of the Closet As A Young Man
158. KD is a Gay Woman Who Chooses to be On the Periphery
159. Sabrina, 50, Found New Friends When She Came Out as Trans
160. Lela Wants Bisexual Voices To Be Heard
161. Kevin, 38, Talks About Jack Kerouac, Senior Housing and Gay Crushes 
162. Jus Hadiya Wants to Spread Education 
163. Viva Valezz is a Queer Burlesque Performer Parenting a Gender Fluid Child
164. Alyssa is First Generation Cuban American, Trans, Gender Nonconforming and from Beaver County
165. Heather Refuses to Marginalize Herself as a Bisexual Woman
166. As a Lesbian, Shelly Values Her Ties to Rural Indiana County
167. Elliot is Bi, Trans and Wishes Westmoreland County Was Talking More About Queer Youth
168. Gloria a Happy Black Lesbian
169. Moira Describes the Toll of Gatekeeping on the Trans Community
170. Sara, 35, On Her Reality as a Lesbian in Western Pennsylvania 
171. Mark, 29, Talks About Gay Stereotypes in Pittsburgh
172. Ade is Pansexual, Androgynous and Finds Comfort in Their UU Community
173. Dinah Denmark: Lesbian, Jewish, Buddhist
174. Jazmine, 46, Has Advice for LGB Allies to the Trans Community
175. Niki Talks About Living as a Gender Queer Trans Woman in Pittsburgh
176. Cavanaugh, 25, Talks About Genderflux Identify and the Value of Self-Care
177. Jean Came Out as Bisexual After Retirement
178. Kathi Wants To Connect with LGBTQ Elders in Rural Communities
179. Casey, 38, Honors One Year Since Coming Out As a Gay Woman
180. Roman Knows to the Depths of His Soul That He Is a Man #AMPLIFY
181. Erin Answered These Questions to Challenge Bisexual Erasure
182. Mair, 55, Came Out the Same Week As Ellen DeGeneres #AMPLIFY
183. Derek On Life As a Gay Man With Asperger’s Syndrome #AMPLIFY
184. Kaley is Trans, Queer and a Fan of Gender Outlaws
185. Shaquanna Wants Families to Have Positive Conversations With LGBTQ Relatives
186. Raven Has Not Told Anyone That She’s Pansexual Because She’s Afraid
187. Walter Wants Western PA to Be More Vibrant, Tolerant and Diverse
188. Janie From Brackenridge: Being Trans Limits Many Things
189. Cat is Queer, Genderflued and Fully Out #AMPLIFY
190. Jeff Hopes the LGBTQ Community Will Embrace a Common Queer Identity
191. Jesse Talks About Living as a Trans Woman in a Culture of Fear
192. Jess is a Lesbian Mother Who Wants More Family Friendly Resources
193. Saintly Sinner is a Cisgender Lesbi Not So Flexible Black Biological Womyn
194. Diane Discusses Being Belligerently Out in Pittsburgh
195. Jaime From The ReelQ Film Festival Says Yep I’m Gay
196. Scott Describes Life as a Gay Bear in Rural Armstrong County
197. Claudette is a Non-Binary Queer Who Wants Us To See Beyond the L and the G #AMPLIFY
198. Taylor Wants More LGBTQ Resources and Community Unity
199. Alexandria is a Lesbian Artist Trying To Get Her Bearings
200. Anonymous Grieves How Pittsburgh’s Gay and Lesbian Community Treats Bisexuals
201. Erik Is a Cis White Working-Class Queer from Clearfield County
202. Maria Wants You To Know a Family Like Hers #AMPLIFY
203. Lyndsey Identifies as a Queer Genderfluid Lipstuck Butch
204. Alex is a Black Trans Man Who Doesn’t Apologize For His Existence
205. Mario Identifies As Queer Rustbelt Genderfluid Artist #AMPLIFY
206. PJ Identifies as a Cis White Gay Man With a Twist of Genderqueer</a
207. Ashe Believes To Be Queer Is To Be Yourself #AMPLIFY
208. DJ Scott Is a Gay Black Man Full of Positive Vibes #AMPLIFY
209. Kitty Is Out and Open as a Bisexual Trans Woman in Erie County #AMPLIFY
210. Shawna on Her Unique Experience as a Lesbian in Indiana County #AMPLIFY
211. Miss Erie Pride 2015: Embrace Who We Are Meant To Be #AMPLIFY
212. Daniel Wants to See More Diverse Employers in Western Pennsylvania
213. Alex Describes Erie’s LGBTQ Community as Live and Let Live
214. David Talks About the State of Equality in Erie
215. For Kristina, Being Out is Her Normal
216. Bee Asks Where Single Parents Fit Into the LGBTQ Community
217. Jessi is a Trans Lesbian Who Asks Questions
218. Larry Traces His Coming Out to JFK and a Frat Brother
219. Jesse Believes in the Power of [Trans]cendence
220. Vic Lives Closeted in Westmoreland County
221. Kayden Wants to Be Safe Holding Her Partner’s Hand in Pittsburgh
222. Tony Believes Everyone in the LGBTQ Community Matters
223. Brandon Believes Pittsburgh Should Have Better Trans Health Resources
224. Cindy Has Been Fundraising for the GLCC for 14 Years
225. Coley Claims to Be Invisible in Plain Sight
226. Carmen is a Queer Black Womyn From Pittsburgh
227. Darcell Hopes Everyone Will Find Love
228. Sivynn Acknowledges That Some People Just Don’t Pay Attention to His Transition
229. Amber Has Always Been Proud of Being OUT
230. Shell is Proud of the Positive Impact of Pittsburgh Black Pride
231. Gary Has Lived in Northwest and Southwest PA As An Openly Gay Man
232. Patrouious Describes His Fears & Frustrations as a Trans Man in McKean County #AMPLIFY
233. John is a Geeky, White, Cisgender, Queer, Pagan, Proletariat Hippie #AMPLIFY
234. Skip Believes The Act of Coming Out Is a Continuous Process
235. Sam Prefers the Ambiguity of Queer Identity to a Specific Label
236. Jan Offers an Older Perspective on LGBTQ Pittsburgh
237. Meg Is a Country Queer
238. CJ Describes Living Stealth As A Trans Man
239. Bob Is the First Openly Gay Elected Official In Northwestern PA
240. Paula Speaks Out About Bi-Erasure and Bisexual Exclusion
241. Joy KMT Values Intersectional Healing Spaces
242. Katie-Anne Speaks As Two Spirited Bi Gendered Resident of Johnstown
243. Twist Shares Their Life as Neuroqueer
244. kelly emphasizes that ‘gay is not the totality of me’
245. Gina Shares Her Truth With Those Who Deserve To Know
246. Donna Met a Female Impersonator Who Made a Lasting Impression
247. Joyce Believes Tolerance Is Not Acceptance
248. Mike Talks About the Privileges of Living in Erie as a Gay Man
249. Rashod Is An Unapologetic Trans Man of Color
250. Tara Wants Us To Talk About Intersectionality