Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

So, this is an unusual day of observance. I get a little skittish around the concept because I am suspicious that TERF’s are behind most contemporary “all things lesbian” these days.  There’s also a Lesbian Visibility Day, Don’t get me wrong – more visibility is a good thing, but it is a truth universally understood that we must always emphasize that lesbians can be both cisgender and transgender women, as well as identify as non binary or gender fluid. We must emphasize that some folx who identify as lesbians have sex with men. We must emphasize that lesbian is an identity, not a prison with rigid walls that keep the men out and the real women in – nope, nope, nope.

I am not inspired to wax poetic about my lesbian identity today. I’m busy with household tasks, taking care of our foster kitten and resident cats, working on an unrelated blog post, driving my partner to and from her place of work – you know, being a lesbian.

So let me make way for 64 lesbians to share their perspective on their lives via the #AMPLIFY project. These Q&A’s stretch back to 2015. None were written with the intent to lift up this day of observance, but all provide insight into the complex nuances of lesbian identity.

If you would like to share your story with the #AMPLIFY Project, you’ll find the Q&A here (it takes about 20-30 minutes – your story is welcome if you identify as LGBTQ, 18+ and have ties to Western Pennsylvania.)

1. bee Revisits 60+ Years of Her Feminist Lesbian Experiences in Pittsburgh 
2. Madelyne, 19, Shares Her Story as a Lesbian Growing Up in Johnstown
3. Helen, 32, is a Lesbian, Immigrant, Irish Comedian Living in Pittsburgh 
4. Rene, 48, is a Lesbian from Mercer County who wants to belong 
5. Maria Talks Lesbian Life in the North Hills of Pittsburgh 
6. Jenna,19, is Proud of Her Lesbian Identity 
7. Madi Scull, 20, Identifies as a Nonbinary, Asexual Lesbian 
8. Kool Kase, 32, is a Black Lesbian at Peace With Herself
9. Kelsey, 22, Talks Lesbian Life in Elk County 
10. Bobbi Jo, 63, is a Transgender Lesbian in Indiana County
11. Katie, 25, Identifies as Puerto Rican, White, Cis-Female and Lesbian
12. Marcia, 58, is Cisgender, Lesbian & Slightly Gender Nonconforming
13. Regina, 33, Finds Comfort in Lesbian Ambiguity
14. Laura, 44, is a Lesbian Mom in Fayette County 
15. Camellia, 30, is a Lesbian, Soon-to-be Wife, and Momma 
16. Patricia, 41, Does Not Feel Safe as a Trans Woman in Her Urban Pgh Suburb
17. Diane, 56, Is Asexual With Lesbian Leanings and a Writer
18. Pixie, 26, is Androgynous, Non-binary, Genderqueer and Lesbian, But Identifies as Pixie
19. Dani Janae, 23, Identifies as a Black Femme Lesbian Poet & Trauma Survivor
20. Char, 62, is a “Very Late Bloomer” Lesbian in Cambria County
21. Jill, 49, Wants Young LGBTQ People To Have a Safe Place to Go In Cambria County
22. Kim, 44, Say She Lost Her Job in Beaver County Because She’s a Lesbian
23. As a Lesbian, Shelly Values Her Ties to Rural Indiana County
24. Gloria a Happy Black Lesbian
25. Sara, 35, On Her Reality as a Lesbian in Western Pennsylvania 
26. Dinah Denmark: Lesbian, Jewish, Buddhist
27. Jess is a Lesbian Mother Who Wants More Family Friendly Resources
28. Saintly Sinner is a Cisgender Lesbi Not So Flexible Black Biological Womyn
29. Alexandria is a Lesbian Artist Trying To Get Her Bearings
30. Shawna on Her Unique Experience as a Lesbian in Indiana County #AMPLIFY
31. Jessi is a Trans Lesbian Who Asks Questions
32. Jan Offers an Older Perspective on LGBTQ Pittsburgh
33. Joyce Believes Tolerance Is Not Acceptance
34. Rae, 48, is a Pansexual Trans Woman Living in Allegheny County
35. Chrissy, 40, Wants LGBTQ Folks to Educate One Another With a Sense of Humor 
36. Wendi, 31, Describes Being a Trans Ally in Her Workplace
37. Emily, 40, Talks About LGBTQ Visibility, Intersectionality & Resiliency 
38. Morgan, 21, Hasn’t Met Other Openly Gay Suburban Couples 
39. Heidi, 28, Learned That It’s Okay To Be A LGBT Christian
40. Delilah, 31, Finds Trans Community on Twitter
41. Sara, 28, Single Mom, Agnostic Jew, and Queer in Ohio
42. Lisa Believes Being Out and Honest is ‘Like Flying’
43. Alissa, 34, is Just Another Girl in the Crowd in Lawrence County
44. Viva Valezz is a Queer Burlesque Performer Parenting a Gender Fluid Child
45. Kathi Wants To Connect with LGBTQ Elders in Rural Communities
46. Jaime From The ReelQ Film Festival Says Yep I’m Gay
47. Taylor Wants More LGBTQ Resources and Community Unity
48. Jessi is a Trans Lesbian Who Asks Questions
49. Amber Has Always Been Proud of Being OUT
50. Vic Lives Closeted in Westmoreland County
51. KK Compares Small Town Michigan to Pittsburgh
52. For Jodi’s Kids, Having Two Mothers Is Just a Fact of Life
53. Cindy Has Been Fundraising for the GLCC for 14 Years
54. Skip Believes The Act of Coming Out Is a Continuous Process
55. Shell is Proud of the Positive Impact of Pittsburgh Black Pride
56. Anastasia, 55, is a Woman Who Identifies as a White Trans Lesbian in Pittsburgh
57. Deb, 60, is a Lesbian Who Wants to Preserve Western PA Gay History
58. Jessica, 38, is a Cis Lesbian Who Came Out Later in Life
59. Laura, 56, is a Lesbian Who Wants to Shine a Spotlight on LGBTQ History, Issues
60. Anonymous, 46, is a Lesbian Who Chooses Not to Be Involved in the Pittsburgh LGBTQ Community
61. Bob, 24, is an autistic butch non binary lesbian. This is their story.
62. Bee Asks Where Single Parents Fit Into the LGBTQ Community
63. Kayden Wants to Be Safe Holding Her Partner’s Hand in Pittsburgh
64. Carmen is a Queer Black Womyn From Pittsburgh