Sue

Sue is the founder of Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents blog, established in 2005.. She has an MSW from the University in Pittsburgh and a BA in Political Science from Marymount University. Her undergraduate claim to fame is a six month stint as an intern with then Congressman Rick Santorum in 1991. Born and raised in West Mifflin, Sue attended college in Washington DC, then graduate school in Louisiana and ended up in Kentucky doing social service ministry. She returned to Pittsburgh in 1997. She now lives on Pittsburgh’s Northside with her wife, Laura. She was among the first out LGBTQ people named to Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40 in 2004 and is a graduate of Leadership Development Initiative Class VII. After being fully and permanently disabled in 2010, Sue has continued to serve the community. She founded the Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project to address hunger and environmental issues. In 2015, she launched the #AMPLIFY LGBTQ archive in conjunction with a two-year artist in residence stint with Most Wanted Fine Art. Sue and her wife have fostered over 25 kittens through Pittsburgh CAT and Homeless Cat Management Team, and now manage multiple community cat colonies in their neighborhood. In 2020, Sue cofounded the Pittsburgh MasQUe ProjecT to support the queer and trans community during the pandemic, distributing tens of thousands of face masks and other supplies throughout the region. In 2021, Sue created the #PghCatFolx projects to support neighbors working with community cats. Under that heading came the Dr. John P. Ruffing DVM Pet Food Projects, memorializing one of her very best friends who died in 2007. In 2021, Sue worked with community leaders to develop and establish a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities (PLC) where she currently serves as Board President. PLC absorbed the #PghCatFolx projects. Also in 2021, Sue was the first person in history appointed to the City of Pittsburgh LGBTQIA+ Commission and was unanimously elected as one of three inaugural co-chairs. Her blogging has garnered numerous awards Favorite GLBT Media Publication - 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 (Keystone Alliance Gaylife Newsletter Reader’s Poll) Favorite GLBT Social Media - 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 (Keystone Alliance Gaylife Newsletter Reader’s Poll) Best Local Blogger - 2016, 2019 (Pittsburgh City Paper Reader’s Poll) LGBTQIA Pittsburgh’s Best Blogger - 2020 (SisTersPgh, People’s Pride of Pittsburgh) Outstanding Blog - 2019, 2022 (GLAAD Media Awards) Sue has also personally been honored Person of the Year - The Advocate Magazine, 2022 15 Lesbian Icons - LGBTQ Nation, 2023 LGBTQIA Pittsburgh’s Best Lesbian Activist - SisTersPgh, People’s Pride of Pittsburgh 2022 Sue believes in identifying and filling gaps in supports & services rather than recreating the wheel. She uses both her undergraduate and graduate degrees on a regular basis as a blogger and activist and regularly circulates her 1991 internship photo just to shake things up on her social media feeds. Her own experiences with cPTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other health challenges have fueled her health blogging and activism. She also writes extensively about her family history, drawing on her amateur genealogy hobby. The blog regularly reviews arts and cultural events as well as exploring restaurants, soap opera storylines, and hyper-local news. Sue and her wife Laura have been together since 2003. They were married on a very cold February 2, 2021 in their backyard at a very small ceremony co-officiated by their pagan priestess friend, Anne, and then-Mayor Bill Peduto. They have six niblings, four in Pittsburgh and two in Philadelphia.

Posts by Sue:

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Hawaiian Bill: Dead.

March 26, 2009 by
Hawaiian Bill: Dead.

The Hawaiian Civil Unions bill died in committee. DISAPPOINTMENT:  A motion to pull the Hawaii civil unions bill from the deadlocked Senate Judiciary Committee failed this afternoon 18 to 6, effectively killing the measure. The legislation passed the House of Representatives by a 33-17 vote on February 12. Sen. Gary Hooser, who made the motion to pull the bill […]

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Tech

March 25, 2009 by
Tech

TFHEXRW5BUU3 TFHEXRW5BUU3

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Slippery rockOUT rocks the PG Editorial Page

March 24, 2009 by
Slippery rockOUT rocks the PG Editorial Page

First, let me say that rockOUT is an awesome name for the Slippery Rock campus LGBTQ organization.  Kudos to whomever came up with that moniker. The faculty co-advisers have an (I can't help it) awesome letter in today's Post-Gazette, supporting HB 300.  Here's a snippet: This isn't about “pursuing a homosexual agenda” but about extending basic rights […]

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Northside Car Wash to Benefit Doberman Rescue

March 24, 2009 by

My friend Debby is the founder of Damon’s Den Doberman Rescue, based in Brighton Heights.  She is a local dog trainer and a great person.  She’s holding an unusual, but cool fundraiser to help pay for the recuperation of a specific dog which was found abandoned in a foreclosed home (sigh!).  As you get ready […]

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Another fine letter to the editor

March 23, 2009 by
Another fine letter to the editor

Dick Marshall of Crafton writes a moving tribute to his deceased father, noting his loving acceptance and celebration of Dick's identify as a gay man. My father died nine years ago, encouraging me until the very end of his life to be a compassionate, nonjudgmental, loving and inclusive man. He encouraged my leadership with mentally […]

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Chalk up another to religious hypocrisy in Jefferson County

March 22, 2009 by
Chalk up another to religious hypocrisy in Jefferson County

A United Methodist pastor has continued to minister at two Jefferson County churches even though he has been awaiting trial since August 2007 on charges that he molested two women at a mental health center. The Rev. Michael Clair Garvey, 59, of Worthville, also faces a lawsuit filed by one of those women. He serves […]

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Finally, some LGBTQ content from the Trib

March 21, 2009 by
Finally, some LGBTQ content from the Trib

The Tribune-Review interviewed Rachel Maddow.  I've probably read 15 interviews with her as there has been one in almost every publication we receive.  But I've never seen her show.  The Trib has remained shockingly mum on LGBTQ issues of late.  Nothing on HB 300, the Allegheny County HRC ordinance, rallies or anything.  Very curious.   

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Spring Fling Women’s Dance set for April 18

March 21, 2009 by
Spring Fling Women’s Dance set for April 18

  Ladies, ready to dance?   WHO?          WOMEN'S DANCE with D.J. Adele                                PLUS Vendors, Raffles, Door Prizes!   WHERE?   Absolute Ballroom  6617 Hamilton Ave.                              Pittsburgh, PA. 15206            (Across the street from Animal Rescue League)   WHEN?        Saturday, APRIL 18th, 2009, 7 PM                              Ticket sales start March 1st […]

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“Patron Party” to support the important work of Persad Center

March 21, 2009 by
“Patron Party” to support the important work of Persad Center

I realize the absurdity of writing about a fundraiser immediately after posting about poverty, but there's a very important connection … the services of Persad Center, the region's LGBT mental health service provider.  “Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art” is a clear way you can help. Ledcat and I will be live-blogging this year's “Celebrate Life, Celebrate […]

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Study Examines Gay Affluence Myth

March 21, 2009 by
Study Examines Gay Affluence Myth

The Washington Blade has an interesting article on the myth of gay affluence.  A recently published survey by the Williams Institute of UCLA reveals that the percentage of lesbian and gay families living in poverty is significantly higher than same sex families. A new report from a think-tank on sexual orientation reveals how poverty is affecting […]