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:

Main PagePoliticsWe are Family!

Fed Court Strikes Down Oklahoma’s Anti-Gay Adoption Law

May 20, 2006 by

Whereas our federal government seems insistent on bringing the anti-gay marriage amendment to the Senate floor, things are looking up in the federal court system.  More accurately, we aren't losing ground in the federal courts On Friday, the US District Court ruled that an Oklahoma law banning LGBT couples from adopting was so extreme that it […]

Main PageMarriagePolitics

Specter, Feingold Clash; Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment Moves to Senate Floor

May 19, 2006 by

From the AP WASHINGTON — A Senate committee yesterday approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, after a shouting match that ended when one Democrat strode out and the Republican chairman bid him “good riddance.” “I don't need to be lectured by you. You are no more a protector of the Constitution than am I,” […]

Faith and ReligionMain PageMarriagePolitics

PA AFA slap down Laura Bush on gay tolerance

May 18, 2006 by

The American Family Association of Pennsylvania is displeased with the First Lady for suggesting that gay marriage not be used as a campaign tool.  Even Laura Bush is not spared their fury when the AFA smells a whiff of tolerance.  From their May 17 press release: Homosexuals have a right to live their lives as they […]

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Butler Co Woman: God is Not Tolerant

May 17, 2006 by

Marlene Lott of Butler County picked up her pen to share her thoughts on gay marriage with the readers of the Post-Gazette. I want my grandchildren to know that their grandmother did what she could to leave a wholesome America for them to live in. Ms. Lott trots out the same tired old connections between […]

Main PagePoliticsRandom Thoughts

PG Readers Sorely Lacking in Christian Compassion

May 14, 2006 by

I think a few PG readers must have slept in on the Sundays when their pastors talked about visiting the imprisoned and other Jesus references to compassion for the less fortunate.  Last week, the paper ran a feature on mothers who are in jail.  It was harsh and difficult to read, especially when a woman admitted […]

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Catherine Specter – Yinzerette Wannabe?

May 14, 2006 by

In yet another ridiculous attempt to court younger readers, the PG's Cat Specter has gotten herself a makeover. At least her photo has.  The Betty Crocker 'do is gone.  Instead, Cat has for a very predictable Pittsburgh look – Yinzerette skeeve.  You know what I mean — pseudo skanky hair and the undernourished look of someone who […]

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No Lesbian Pornography Here!

May 13, 2006 by

Earlier this week, the Correspondents learned that our website was allegedly being classified as “pornography” by the Carnegie Library computer system.  I contacted the librarians to ask for clarification. Richard Kaplan, Manager of Reference Services, wrote back to me with an explanation.  It would seem that my site is not categorized as pornography, but that […]

Faith and ReligionMain PageMarriagePolitics

Howard Dean sucks up to anti-gay 700 Club, will be gay democrat keynote speaker in June

May 12, 2006 by

Ah, Howard.  You were a good homo friend.  Democratic Party Chair Dean sat down with the always-delightful Pat Robertson on The 700 Club and promptly lied that the Democrartic Party platform did not include gay marriage.  In fact, it does support gay marriage.  “We support full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life […]

Entertainment and MediaMain PageWe are Family!

Sue and John McIntire Discuss Mary Cheney on KDKA

May 11, 2006 by

Tune into KDKA Thursday evening when I'll join evening host John McIntire for an in depth look at Mary Cheney's book tour.  Yes, Mary has a new book out “It's My Turn Now” which gives us an inside peek at the life of a traitorous Republican whore who happens to be a lesbian.  John enjoys lesbian peeking, […]

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Anti-Gay Group’s Free Speech Violated in Harrisburg

May 10, 2006 by

A federal judge has ruled that the constitutionally protected freedom of speech of the Worldwide Street Preachers' Fellowship were violated when the Harrisburg Police refused them access to the 2003 PrideFest celebration. (365gay) The Fellowship attempted to enter an unused portion of Riverfront Park which was not roped off for the event.  They were prevented […]