Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

We are in the midst of a fundraiser to organize AMPLIFY outreach throughout the 18 neighborhoods of the Northside. This will include working with the GSA at Perry Traditional Academy and other community groups.

Now the Q&A does not ask about specific neighborhoods; we simply ask people to identity their county affiliations. But some people choose to be more specific. Here are some of the Q&A’s that are tied to the Northside.

1. Larry Traces His Coming Out to JFK and a Frat Brother – Larry is a 72 year old gay white man who lived in the Mexican War Streets. Please share any anecdotes about life as a LGBTQ person in your community that might help outsiders better understand. No one bothers me and I feel very accepted. I’ve never been harassed. I feel more vulnerable now because my mustache is white and I walk slowly with a cane and usually hang onto someone’s arm and not in a romantic way, more for dear life so that I don’t fall down backwards!
2. DJ Scott Is a Gay Black Man Full of Positive Vibes #AMPLIFY – Scott is a 55 year old gay black man. Please share any anecdotes about life as a LGBTQ person in your community that might help outsiders better understand. No one bothers me and I feel very accepted. I’ve never been harassed. I feel more vulnerable now because my mustache is white and I walk slowly with a cane and usually hang onto someone’s arm and not in a romantic way, more for dear life so that I don’t fall down backwards!
3. Gary Has Lived in Northwest and Southwest PA As An Openly Gay Man – Gary is a 64 year old gay white man.How would you describe yourself in terms of “being out”? Out in every sense of the word. Was in for too long not to be completely out.Describe your geographical community? Urban now. Taught school in Oil City, Pa for 33 years. Moved back to Pittsburgh in June of 15. 

   Tell me about your local or regional LGBTQ community. Just moved back to Pittsburgh after Forty years. Small gay community 

4. Alex is a Black Trans Man Who Doesn’t Apologize For His Existence – Alex is a 45 year old Black trans masculine male/trans man. Describe your community in terms of being LGBTQ friendly (or not) When I first started transitioning I was still on the Northside and most folks would look at me but didn’t say anything out of the way. It probably has to do with me going from living female to male. It’s a lot easier and lots of people don’t seem to notice if you were pretty butch to start with and I was. Other than taking T the only things that really changed was me wearing a binder and getting consistent hair cuts. 😉

5. Kayden Wants To Be Safe Holding Her Partner’s Hand In Pittsburgh  – she is a white lesbian in her early 20’s living in the War Streets. This response is particular salient to this effort. Finally, what question should I have asked? Please also share your answer. Are there any business or public places that you feel comfortable and safe to socialize with others of the lgbt community in?

Kayden’s question is part of the reason we organized this targeted outreach project – it is very hard to find LGBTQ specific spaces on the Northside.

If you know someone with ties to any of the 18 Northside neighborhoods, please forward this post to them.  This is the link for them to contribute their story to the Q&A archive. They just need to be 18+ and identify as LGBTQ+. It takes about 30 minutes and the contributor can control what name they use, if they use a photo, and more.

If you know anyone interested in the 18 Northside neighborhoods, please forward this post to them. This is the link to donate to our crowdfund and help us generate a 100% match.