Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

March 31 is the International Transgender Day of Visibility, devoted to raising the visibility of transgender and gender nonconforming (GNC) neighbors both in terms of their resiliency and successes as well as the realities of transphobic bias and violence.

I’ve curated 84 stories from our #AMPLIFY project to illustrate the multi-faceted experiences of transgender neighbors in Western Pennsylvania. Our project asks people to describe their own identity so it is possible there are other trans voices amongst the narrative, but these self-identified contributors represent 26% of our total contributors. Data from 2016 shows that about .6% of adults living in the United States identify as transgender so the trans community is well-represented in the AMPLIFY data.

Thanks to them, you have a snapshot of the lived experiences of 84 trans neighbors in their own voices. I hope you will some time to browse their Q&A’s and absorb some of the wisdom they’ve shared with all of us.

And we’d love to include your story as we move forward. Click here to fill out the Q&A. It takes about 30 minutes of your time. You can control what name you use and make the decision about using a photo. Anyone who meets these criteria can contribute

• Identify as part of the LGBTQ community (however you define that)
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have ties to at least one of the 26 counties in Western Pennsylvania (you also define what constitutes a tie)

That’s it. You can submit your story today if you like.

These Q&A’s are not in any particular order, but you can find the full chronological archive on this website.

1. alexis, 29, talks compensation & community for marginalized lgbtq neighbors
2. Rashod Is An Unapologetic Trans Man of Color
3. Donna Met a Female Impersonator Who Made a Lasting Impression
4. Katie-Anne Speaks As Two Spirited Bi Gendered Resident of Johnstown
5. Twist Shares Their Life as Neuroqueer
6. CJ Describes Living Stealth As A Trans Man
7. Patrouious Describes His Fears & Frustrations as a Trans Man in McKean County
8. Sivynn Acknowledges That Some People Just Don’t Pay Attention to His Transition
9. Brandon Believes Pittsburgh Should Have Better Trans Health Resources
10. Jesse Believes in the Power of [Trans]cendence
11. Jessi is a Trans Lesbian Who Asks Questions
12. Kitty Is Out and Open as a Bisexual Trans Woman in Erie County
13. Alex is a Black Trans Man Who Doesn’t Apologize For His Existence
14. Jesse Talks About Living as a Trans Woman in a Culture of Fear
15. Kaley is Trans, Queer and a Fan of Gender Outlaws
16. Roman Knows to the Depths of His Soul That He Is a Man #AMPLIFY
17. Niki Talks About Living as a Gender Queer Trans Woman in Pittsburgh
18. Jazmine, 46, Has Advice for LGB Allies to the Trans Community
19. Moira Describes the Toll of Gatekeeping on the Trans Community
20. Elliot is Bi, Trans and Wishes Westmoreland County Was Talking More About Queer Youth
21. Corvus Regrets the Lack of Sober, Radical, Queer, and Disability Friendly Community in Pgh
22. Cavanaugh, 25, Talks About Genderflux Identity and the Value of Self-Care
23. Alyssa is First Generation Cuban American, Trans, Gender Nonconforming and from Beaver County
24. Sabrina, 50, Found New Friends When She Came Out as Trans
25. Alissa, 34, is Just Another Girl in the Crowd in Lawrence County
26. Austin, 30, is a Straight Trans Man from Washington County
27. Tylor, 30, is a Pansexual Trans Man Who Wants Better for Young People
28. Bobby, 50, Queer Trans Guy, White Anti-Racism Activist
29. Wes, 44: Queer Trans Man, Parent Wants You To Know That He Exists
30. Patricia, 41, Does Not Feel Safe as a Trans Woman in Her Urban Pgh Suburb
31. Avery is a Bisexual, Latino Tran Man in Cambria County
32. Delilah, 31, Finds Trans Community on Twitter
33. Caitlyn 51, Lives Her Authentic Self as a Trans Woman in Erie
34. ‘Your Story Can Heal’ Says Rain, 26
35. Samantha, 44, Wants Better Health Choices for the Trans Community
36. Ciora, 27, Says Trans People Have the Strength of Two Souls
37. Lavi, 29, is Trans Queer Bi and Wants Your Respect & Support
38. Vi, 24, Is Very Concerned About Trans Health Issues in Pittsburgh
39. Alexia, 40, is Bisexual, Transgender, and Loves Pittsburgh
40. Jez, 50, Came Out As Trans in 1985 in Rural Washington County
41. Bobbi Jo, 63, is a Transgender Lesbian in Indiana County
42. Mindy, 42, Lives Semi-Open as Trans in Rural Elk County
43. Dylan, 28, is a Queer, Autistic Transgender Man
44. Joel, 35, is Gay, a Trans Guy, Polyamorous, Christian, Parent, & Husband
45. Scott, 53, is a Gay Man Exploring Transition & Identity Anew
46. Seth, 21, Came Out as Bi and Trans Via Power Point
47. Tyler, 18, is a Pansexual Trans Man in Erie
48. Caiolin, 56, is Just Another Woman Who Happens To Be Trans
49. Dawn, 33, Describes Life as a Trans Woman in Westmoreland County
50. Ravenna, 37, Pansexual Trans Woman Living in the Allegheny County Suburbs
51. Vanessa, 31, Describes Her Transition & Life as Pansexual in Washington County
52. Lav, 29, a Queer Trans Gender Non Binary Mermaid Witch Warrior
53. Vanessa, 31, Describes Her Transition & Life as Pansexual in Washington County
54. Ravenna, 37, Pansexual Trans Woman Living in the Allegheny County Suburbs
55. Dawn, 33, Describes Life as a Trans Woman in Westmoreland County
56. Caiolin, 56, is Just Another Woman Who Happens To Be Trans
57. Tyler, 18, is a Pansexual Trans Man in Erie
58. Seth, 21, Came Out as Bi and Trans Via Power Point
59. Scott, 53, is a Gay Man Exploring Transition & Identity Anew
60. Joel, 35, is Gay, a Trans Guy, Polyamorous, Christian, Parent, & Husband
61. Dylan, 28, is a Queer, Autistic Transgender Man
62. Mindy, 42, Lives Semi-Open as Trans in Rural Elk County
63. Bobbi Jo, 63, is a Transgender Lesbian in Indiana County
64. Jez, 50, Came Out As Trans in 1985 in Rural Washington County
65. Maria, 37, is a Queer Trans Latinx Challenging Us To Be Better Trans Allies
66. Alexia, 40, is Bisexual, Transgender, and Loves Pittsburgh
67. Madison, 40, is a Pansexual, Trans Woman Who Loves Pittsburgh
68. Rae, 48, is a Pansexual Trans Woman Living in Allegheny County
69. Leo, 24, Fears the Erasure of Nonbinary/Bisexual/Pansexual/Asexual/Demi Narratives in the Queer Community
70. Brian, 32, is Trans, Nonbinary, and Queer in Westmoreland County
71. Kat, 33, Shares Her Story as a Trans Woman to Find Some Peace
72. Jay, 27, Discusses Challenges of Being a Straight Trans Man
73. Allie, 51, Talks Living as a Trans Woman in Washington County
74. Ian, 27, is a Gay Trans Man Resisting Gender Expectations
75. Joslyn, 22, is a Trans Female Concerned About LGBTQ Mental Health Supports
76. Maxwell, 22, is a Queer Trans Man from McKean County
77. Bob, 24, is an autistic butch non binary lesbian. This is their story.
78. Sarah, 38, Talks Transitioning in Her Rural Pennsylvania Community
79. Eli, 41, is a Feminist Trans Man Describing Queer Life in Pittsburgh
80. Anastasia, 55, is a Woman Who Identifies as a White Trans Lesbian in Pittsburgh
81. Eli, 37, is a Queer Bisexual, Trans Man, and Small Business Owner
82. Vincent, 54, is a Nonbinary Transmasculine & Queer Asian Pacific Islander in Pittsburgh
83. Trans Woman Jayme Lyn, 59, Wants Us To Remember the ‘Mature’ Trans Community
84. Patrouious Achatz, 25, Compares LGBTQ+ Resources in Allegheny, Westmoreland, and McKean counties #AMPLIFYupdate