From Saturday's Post-Gazette comes word that the Allegheny County Police successfully prevented five gay men from having sex.  Or at least they successfully punished five men for having sex by arresting them.  Or somewhere in between.

As we reported last week, these intrepid cops have been monitoring a men's bathroom on Corrigan Drive (the park's main drag - no pun intended) that is listed on an Internet site as a "popular place" for sexual encounters. 

And, of course, it is near a children's playground.  No mention of the fact that most likely the sexual encounters take place after dark when the children are, hopefully, home with their parents pursuing wholesome activities.  If children are lurking on a South Park playground after dark, the Allegheny County Police should probably focus more of the lack of parenting angle than the potential exposure to homosex angle.  But I digress ...

So just in time for park season, Allegheny County decides to flex their homophobic muscles to make the parks safe for breeders everywhere. 

I feel better, don't you?

Pam's House Blend is one of my daily absolute must-reads.  Her take on all things anti-gay, anti-black and anti-woman is smart, insightful and devastating.  I've borrowed her phrase "wingnuts" here and linked to her site more frequently that just about any other except the Post-Gazette. 

The Washington Blade offers up a feisty look at what makes the House Blend tick and what ticks her off.   She's labeled "the most important lesbian blogger in America" and attracts 3,000 unique visitors a day. As an African-American lesbian, her voice is especially unique and a necessary part of the contemporary gay experience.

Given the dearth of LGBT women's voices in the blogosphere (both among gay blogs and feminist blogs), Pam's House Blend sets the bar high for the rest of us.  And I prefer it that way.

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 that she loves heroin as much as she loves her child.  That's a difficult line to read.  No matter that its true. 

But these two particular readers took affront at the notion that these women deserve compassion and respect as mothers to their children. 

T. Pawlos of Crafton asks "What about the children and other family members? They are the ones hurting and embarrassed by these women's actions."   T. continues, "I don't feel a bit sorry for them."  And "They think of only themselves, now and forever, trust me."

Well, that's a nice example of Christian compassion.  If a woman embarrasses her family, she deserves no compassion.  I'm surprised T. didn't use the phrase "loose morals." 

Patricia Wilkeson of Robinson (are you surprised?) writes "I don't have any sympathy for any woman who says, "I love heroin as much as my child." I'll never understand all the "do-gooders" who support these creatures of habit."

Creatures of habit.  That's nice.  Patricia goes on "Why don't you honor those who work along with their husbands, sometimes at two jobs, to support their children and grandchildren?"

Shouldn't those working mothers stop being so selfish about their careers and stay home with their kids?  I wonder what human mistakes Patricia's own children made that result in her caring for her grandchildren? 

Then there's the line that is so very sad and reveals the bitterness in Patricia's heart.  "Alcoholics and drug addicts who have to do anything to support their habits belong where they'll end up -- on the obituary page."

I'm tempted to churn out a few sentences lambasting her as an example of how perverted American Christianity has become.  Or how successful the Republicans have been at turning the middle class against other vulnerable groups. 

But all I can think about if whether Patricia is having a nice Mother's Day.  Somehow I doubt it.

Tonight some disturbing news from our good friend Dave over at 2 Political Junkies.  It seems that the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has categorized the Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents' website as pornography and blocked access from their computers. 

OH MY!

Seriously, pornography? 

I took a quick look at the online library policies which indicates that material that is harmful to minors is filtered. 

"Harmful to Minors" involves materials or performances that involve explicit sexual materials that depict nudity, sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse and appeal predominantly to prurient, shameful or morbid interest of minors, is offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community and taken as a whole lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational or scientific value for minors. Pennsylvania Obscenity Statute - 18 Pa.C.S. 5903

Interesting.  I contacted the library for an explanation so we'll see what transpires. 

I'm also interested in what sites are NOT blocked ...   your feedback is welcome.

This week Catherine Specter starts off strong with a well-phrased dose of withering advice for a woman manipulating her husband with a "did he notice my haircut?" test.  Nicely done.  Could I be wrong about Specter's Carrie Bradshaw ambitions?

Not so much.

In the next letter, a reader asks whether a lack of compliments from a guy indicates a lack of interest.  It takes THREE sentences for Specter to fall back into her superficial obsession with looks, clothes and makeup. 

It's de rigueur to tell your girl how pretty she is, or how nice she looks, but sometimes shyness or inexperience or faulty logic about ego-boosting keeps the words from coming out. Try complimenting him and if the gesture is never reciprocated ...

Wait a minute.  Isn't this passive approach sort of the same manipulation she so tartly ripped to shreds in the previous letter?  Why not talk with the guy?  After all, even pretty girls have the ability to speak.  Last time I checked, they don't even have to wait until they are spoken to.  

What's worse is that this is the gussied up version of the mentality whirling through Mt. Lebanon these days --- girls are objects who should be evaluated on their external characteristics.  Maybe the PG should just print a family-friendly version of the Mt. Lebanon score card right next to Specter's column. 

Why is being pretty or looking nice the default compliment Specter assumes this reader is seeking?  How about complimenting her intelligence, wit or compassion?  Maybe her work accomplishments?  Or her strength, bravery, resourcefulness, loyalty, etc? 

Because, in her own words:

Cat's Call: Never give a woman time to ruminate.

'nuf said.

 

 

 

How could I not post this (Mike Tidmus blog)

 

He's Back!

Commence with the lesbian happy dance!

Here's a sad fact: Russian Orthdox Catholics are working in unity with
skinheads to oppose gay rights.

On Sunday
police had to hold back a crowd of bottle-tossing skinheads and Bible-
clutching church folks who were protesting a gay event at a local club.

Not to be outdone by the Christian-Skinhead connection, Russian Muslims are
threatening to kill gays if they proceed with plans to celebrate Pride.

PrideFest is scheduled for May 26 and 27 in Moscow. If the city bans the
event, organizers plan to take the matter to the European Court of Human
Rights.

Sounds like a crowd where Fred Phelps would feel right at home.

I want to thank the man who made it all possible for this little correspondent to hit the big time .... soon to be former US Senator Rick Santorum!  

Yes, folks, I am doing a one month guest stint as a lesbian correspondent for a NATIONAL blog (ooohhhhhhh!).  :-)

It is called Big Gay Picture and we've linked to it from almost Day One.   Founding lesbian editor Sarah has to attend to other priorities, so the dynamic duo of Brent and Michael sought out some new lesbian blood (oh, those gay boys and their lesbian blood fetishes!).  Voila!  I'm joining Christie Keith (fellow dog lover) in a one month guest stint. 

Don't worry Pittsburgh!  I'll still be taking care of my correspondent duties both here and on KDKA's The Flip Side with John McIntire.  Big Gay Picture is all about the national issues like Rene Portland's lesbian baiting, Rick Santorum's reelection campaign and attempts to pass marriage protection amendments ... its like the Big Pennsylvania Gay Picture. 

Obviously, I'm just the woman for the job!   Read often and make lots of comments. 

My mother would be so proud if I could get her to understand what a blog is ...

Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents is pleased to welcome our newest
correspondent Shelly. We've known Shelly for several years -- she is very
active in the local LGBT community. Her writing, you will find, is
articulate, insightful and from a slightly different perspective than Ledcat
and me.

Three's Company, too!

Welcome aboard Shelly!

Sue