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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Musings

January 25, 2009 by

Womanist Musings has some data on the issue priorities of LGBT folks, and writes, “just like any other social grouping in the GLBT community, whiteness seeks to lead and make its issues primarily the focus for organizing.” (courtesy of Feministing). This is an issue we just tend to shy away from here in Pittsburgh.  The […]

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Same Sex Ballroom Dance Lessons

January 24, 2009 by

This looks like big fun.  I've always wanted to learn how to ballroom dance.  Getting dressed up and attending the Lambda Ball was a big thrill for me.  I love when people design these things for same sex couples so that folks can be comfortable.  I'd posit that a mixed-couple session should be the way […]

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New PG online forum

January 24, 2009 by

Check out the Post Gazette's new community forum.  There are some bugs in the program, but it does make the paper more interactive.  More reading to fit into my day.  Sigh.   Check it out:  http://community.post-gazette.com/

Letters to the EditorMain Page

PG Letters to the Editor on County Anti-Discrimination Bill

January 24, 2009 by

Ray McGogney of Shaler sees right through the culture wars.  His letter to the editor in the Post-Gazette shatters the right-wing argument that the County Anti-Discrimination legislation is going to limit the religious freedom of anyone.  The anti-discrimination bill before County Council (“Discrimination Bill Draws Large Crowd,” Jan. 16) has nothing to do with personal […]

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Democratic, Republican and Senate Leaders Remain Silent in the Face of Anti-Gay Rhetoric

January 23, 2009 by

I am disappointed.  It has been more than 72 hours since John Eichelberger of the Pennsylvania State Senate uttered his hateful comment that he is “allowing” gay persons to exist.  Everyone knows. This hits to my blog post and the one at 2 Political Junkies are filled with visitors from all sorts of chambers and governmental […]

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City Paper publishes article on Council hearing (are you paying attention, PG?)

January 22, 2009 by

Melissa has the story at the City Paper. She covered the Allegheny County Council hearing on a proposed Human Rights Commission.  She talked to pro-ordinance folks.  She talked to anti-ordinance folks.  She considers multiple angles on the gay rights versus religious freedoms issues.  All in all, she does a pretty good job covering the event.  […]

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Google Groups is broken

January 22, 2009 by

I can't get to any of the groups I manage.  There are dozens of help requests posted on the boards, but nothing from Google yet.  Anyone have word?  Also, I opened up today's PG and learned that check cashing places are regulated.  Some dude in Monroeville broke the existing laws and is heading to jail.  […]

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“There’s a queen on the board as well …”

January 22, 2009 by

This is absolutely wonderful …   The Daily Show With Jon StewartM – Th 11p / 10c Bishop Gene Robinson Barack Obama InterviewJohn McCain Interview Sarah Palin VideoFunny Election Video

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In the neighborhood ..

January 22, 2009 by

As I've mentioned before, we live in the Northside neighborhood of Manchester on a fairly quiet block.  Our neighbors are a mix of races, socio-economic classes and family compositions. It is the kind of neighborhood where people nod and wave, occasionally exchange a few words and pretty much mind their own business (especially when business […]

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The Agenda: Civil Rights

January 21, 2009 by

From the updated White House website.  It sounds great.  Now let's see what kind of inclusive action unfolds. Support for the LGBT Community “While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by […]