Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Name: Marissa

Age: 22

County of Residence: Washington County

Pronouns: n/a

How do you describe your identity? I am female but I am transgender

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I was transgender ever since birth and I found support from my family and the challenges I have faced was my mom not accepting me for me and treating me like a no body

How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? I described as a good thing because everyone knows it and respects that about me. I’m being myself and that’s one thing that everyone likes

Tell me about the first LGBTQ person whom you met. What impact did they have on your life? There was really no one that I knew that made an impact on my life as I mentioned I knew who I was at birth

Past or present, favorite LGBTQ character or creator in television, film or literature? Please tell us why. n/a

How do you stay informed about LGBTQ issues? My phone

Describe your geographical community. Right now it’s not lgbtq friendly since alot have changed you have your usual people screams out rude and nasty stuff to you

Describe your local or regional LGBTQ community. It’s not much of a problem but there are some people who just doesn’t have respect for me and it’s not much of a bother

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Have you ever experienced discrimination based on your identity? Specifically, in a job setting, when applying for housing or while in public.  Yes I been discriminated by my gender and it was at a job that I liked

Have you experienced microagressions based on your identity? Think everyday indignities & slights that you experience, but would not characterize as discrimination. Please describe in your own words. No not really

Tell us about your access to health care in Western PA. Has it been LGBTQ competent (or not?) I got gateway and gateway have been really good of covering the stuff I need for my transitioning

Are there issues impacting your LGBTQ neighbors that aren’t visible or part of the local dialogue? My neighbors were very supportive but thats was at my old house

What would you like to see elected officials do to improve life for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians? Yes and most certainly

Please share a lived experience, anecdote or fact about life as an LGBTQ person in your community. Pretty much over all my living experience is still easy but it’s very tough now since I’m trying to move out of burgettstown pa

Beyond discrimination, what other barriers create challenges for your LGBTQ neighbors? I had to deal with abuse from my mom’s ex and hearing them trashing me and dragging my name in the ground

What LGBTQ friendly resources are available for your neighbors? n/a

What is your greatest fear for the LGBTQ community in Western Pennsylvania?  Being played on by some one who doesn’t care and someone that brings drugs into the LGBT community

What is your greatest hope for the LGBTQ community in Western Pennsylvania? I hope for the better future and a drug free place with in the LGBT community

What can allies do to support your LGBTQ community? Just respect them for who they are and don’t harass them

How can gay men and lesbians support the bisexual, transgender and queer members of our community? Show a lot more respect and let them in with open arms

What motivated you to take part in this project? This town needs a wake up call and most certainly no one is doing it

Finally, what question should I have asked? Please also share your answer. Ask them about themselves and what they hope for

Thank you, Marissa.

Read the entire AMPLIFY LGBTQ Q&A archive.

Submit your own Q&A using our online form.

AMPLIFY LGBTQ is a series of blog posts designed to give a “signal boost” to the voices of our LGBTQ neighbors throughout Western Pennsylvania. These are glimpses in to the lived experiences of LGBTQ people in Western Pennsylvania as told in their own voices.