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.

I actually want the City to chop down this tree …

The tree in front of our house died a tragic death nearly two years ago.  I was sad, nearly as much as when PennDOT and the Redd Up crew slaughtered the perfectly healthy trees in the alley behind my home.  In the ensuing two years, Ledcat and I, along with several neighbors, have dutifully dialed […]

The Hot Metal Church: Traditional Anti-Gay Christianity Wrapped in Punk Rock Clothing?

The Hot Metal Church:  Traditional Anti-Gay Christianity Wrapped in Punk Rock Clothing?

I caught an article in the Post-Gazette about the impending relocation of a local non-traditional faith community  — the Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community.  It seems someone sold the Goodwill Building so the Hot Metal folks are in search of a worship space. The Hot Metal Community is more street than avenue.  Founded by two […]

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

I really believe that this song inspired me to become a social worker.  Yes, I know that it is hokey and Eurocentric, but it is still my favorite holiday song and I get a little lump in my throat every time Bono urges me to thank god its them instead of me.  Now I just […]

I’m the victim of identity theft

I’m the victim of identity theft

Someone has thieved my identity … in the Carnegie Library system. I am not making this up.  Last weekend, when I stopped by Woods Run to renew and pick up some fresh books, I was informed that my account had been coopted and was shut down.  Fortunately, there were no ramifications for me … no […]

This lesbian and other stuff: preholiday wrap up

This lesbian and other stuff:  preholiday wrap up

For the past six weeks, I have been coordinating our agency's holiday projects — Toys for Tots, adopt a family, the holiday party, etc.  It has been exhausting and has consumed nearly every moment of my attention.  I've stood in ankle deep snow for nearly an hour waiting while Marines load a giant box truck […]

Gab Bonesso Needs New Friends

Gab Bonesso Needs New Friends

Last night, Ledcat and I tottered off to the Brillo Box to see our friend and gal-pal Gabrielle Bonesso's Christmas Comedy Special.  On a school night.  In a room filled with smoke.  And, in spite of Ms. Gab's promises, not a single cookie in sight.  That's how much we love her. Almost the entire lineup of […]

so What’s Up with Sue, anyway?

so What’s Up with Sue, anyway?

i have hurt my back.  it started throbbing last week.  the two hour drive in the giant box truck to pick up toys didn't help, I'm sure.  especially the part where i was scrunched up from stress trying to find the marine distribution center.  then when i had to get all slidey with the boxes […]

Larry Craig Doll says “I Am Not Gay”

Ledcat really wants one of these … Apparently, you can bend his feet into all sorts of positions … Last year it was this …   She is once again bound for disappointment. 

This Week in Gay Prez Politics

You should keep up with this stuff.  John Edwards on repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell …we should do it, sayeth he with no details on *how* to do it … Mitt Romney continues to hate on the gays   Several gay-themed questions have been submitted for Wednesday's Republican Debate on CNN-YouTube. Stay tuned for periodic […]

OUTrageous Bingo celebrates 10th Anniversary

OUTrageous Bingo celebrates 10th Anniversary

Want something fun to do this weekend?  Check aht the 10th Anniversary edition of OUTrageous Bingo at its final appearance at Goodwill Industries.  Lots of surprises and promised appearances by spectacular performers.  Sounds like big holiday fun.