Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

As someone who does not get clocked as LGBT, i hear a lot of very negative talk at work, from people who are very anti lgbt and unaware that I’m part of the community

Name: QT

Age:  28

County of Residence: Allegheny, previously Armstrong, Indiana, Cambria

Pronouns: she/her

How do you describe your identity? Cis white queer female

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Lack of support from family, had an easy time finding supportive friends. Still not out at work.

How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? Only out in safe spaces

Tell me about the first LGBTQ person whom you met. What impact did they have on your life? My friends in middle school, introduced me to an open community.

Past or present, favorite LGBTQ character or creator in television, film or literature? Please tell us why. Ellen. She definitely showed my family’s discomfort and was the first person i realized that it was not going to be accepted within the household.

How do you stay informed about LGBTQ issues? Online mostly

Describe your geographical community. More friendly than previous counties i have lived in

Describe your local or regional LGBTQ community. More lgbt within the city.

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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.  As someone who does not get clocked as LGBT, i hear a lot of very negative talk at work, from people who are very anti lgbt and unaware that I’m part of the community

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. None more than previously identified

Tell us about your access to health care in Western PA. Has it been LGBTQ competent (or not?) Yes, i have very little problems because of my presentation

Are there issues impacting your LGBTQ neighbors that aren’t visible or part of the local dialogue? Acceptance within schools

What would you like to see elected officials do to improve life for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians? More lgbt rights for school and employment

Please share a lived experience, anecdote or fact about life as an LGBTQ person in your community. People can be very closed minded in stating negative thoughts about being around queer women, not knowing they are around a queer woman, and then ask me why i am not open about my personal life at work.

Beyond discrimination, what other barriers create challenges for your LGBTQ neighbors? Dating, healthy places to meet up, other than clubs

What LGBTQ friendly resources are available for your neighbors? Clubs, doctors offices, and counselors, that are lgbt friendly

What is your greatest fear for the LGBTQ community in Western Pennsylvania?  Being out to unaccepting people

What is your greatest hope for the LGBTQ community in Western Pennsylvania?  That we will continue to grow and move forward

What pieces of local or regional LGBTQ history would you like to preserve and why? N/a

Share your LGBTQ story now using our online form. 

What can allies do to support your LGBTQ community? At the very basic level, stop or correct negative talk when you hear it

How can gay men and lesbians support the bisexual, transgender and queer members of our community? Understand that being a minority needs to be a group effort and shouldn’t isolate people

What motivated you to take part in this project? Helping people within the community achieve goals

Finally, what question should I have asked? Please also share your answer. N/a

Thank you, QT.

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.