Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

I am so pleased to share this with you – Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities has been voted into the finalist round of the Pittsburgh City Paper ‘Best of Pittsburgh’ Reader’s Poll. The category is Best Social Justice Organization.

That is so amazing – this is our first year of programming and supports. I think the work we’ve been doing around around the #ProtectTransKids effort is what caught folx eyes. I am immensely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in just a month’s time. To have this recognition is a humbling moment in our first year as an organization.

I’ll take a moment here to add that we were also selected by One Northside to receive a grant for our work organizing and building community among the human (the folx) who take are of the critters. It is an honor to see that the animal welfare work isn’t a choice of humans v animals, it is about all of us and how we live in our environments, our communities.

Switching hats from PLC to blogger, I am pleased beyond measure to be a finalist in the Best Writer category with luminaries. Actual luminaries, most of whom write for well known outlets. I just write for you, here on this blog. There are four women and six men in the finalist category so I’m encouraging you to make sure a woman is in the Top Three. As for me, I’m just grinning from ear to ear to be nominated in the same category as Tony Norman.

And our blog has once again been nominated for Best Local Blog which is always a thrill. I wonder what this category would have looked like circa 2007? I was the first blogger to win this category in its inaugural year of 2016. I thought I was being pranked by the CP staffer and hung up on him. I won again in 2019 and in 2021, I took second place. Being in contention as a blogger nearing my 18th year is inconceivable! But here we are.

I have some suggestions for other categories

Best Local T-Shirt Printer – we love our partners at Commonwealth Press

Best Place to Adopt a Pet – the rescue we work with, Pittsburgh CAT has our vote

Best BIPOC owned business – Knotzland holds a special place in our hearts

Best Fashion Designer – Suz Pisano is amazing. She designed the face masks for our wedding.

Best Jazz Artist/Group – Phat Man Dee. I’ve almost worn out my Social Justice Disco CD. Plus she lends her time and talent to help so many – she wrote the theme song for the MasQue ProjecT and is working with us for music on the #ProtectTransKids project.

Best Caterer – Bistro to Go Woman owned, Nikki has not only stayed open during the pandemic, but has grown her staff to over 100 employees.

Best Restaurant (Downtown), Best Restaurant (North), Best Thai Restaurant – Nicky’s Thai Kitchen. Also queer managed, they work tirelessly to support their workers.

I’ll probably add to this list so come back and read it again if you don’t vote right away.

Thank you to the readers of the City Paper for these three honors. I am very grateful.