Just got word from a reader that the Tuscany Cafe, a Southside gay mecca for a decade or so, has unexpectedly closed.

He reports that he stopped by per his usual routine on Saturday afternoon and found a note taped to the door thanking patrons for their business and indicating they (the owners) would see them at Rehobeth Beach. 

The phone number has been disconnected.

Tuscany combined a coffee house front with a quiet bar tucked into the back of the space.  The sandwiches were delish as were the desserts. 

Ledcat and I have frequented the Tuscany often when we venture out for dinner or a cultural event on the Southside.  I was, in fact, planning to stop by tomorrow when I attend an event at City Theater.  We had been pleased with recent renovations and a very friendly staff. 

What a loss. 

In his brand spanking new blog, Slag Heap, the man called Potter critiques media coverage of the recent rescue of Rebecca Hare from being ensnared in the Allegheny River.  Rebecca, who is homeless, had been staying along the riverside of the David Lawrence Convention Center and became trapped.  She was rescued thanks to an astute convention center worker who heard her cries for help.

Thankfully, she was unharmed in the ordeal.

What's yet to be determined is how the ensuing media focus on her identity as a transwoman will impact her well-being.  As Potter puts it:

Some reporters who covered the incident, however, were apparently still at sea.

The ensuing media hue and cry ranged from idiotic (referring to Rebecca as both a man and a woman in the same article) to the oh-so-obvious stupid (WDVE cackling about the price of a sex change versus the price of a home). 

What I think Potter missed is a pretty critical point, namely that Pittsburgh media outed Rebecca Hare as a transwoman.  However inadvertant, the bungling on the coverage of a story involving a person who happens to be a transwoman resulted in the entire region being informed of pretty intimate details of her life.  Details that, on the face of it, have pretty much nothing to do with the story of saving a person who was living alongside the Convention Center.

Or do they?

A research study from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force indicates that LGBTQ kids -- yes, kids -- are disproportionately present among the general homeless population.  It is not a big stretch to imagine that coming out to your family as trans might lead to being unwelcome in your home. 

Similarly, an adult transitioning might experience unwelcomeness at the workplace or even the loss of a job in states that don't protect people based on gender identity or gender presentation.  Loss of a job is a factor leading to homelessness.

An adult might experience similar unwelcomeness among family, even spouses, who aren't receptive to the news about their loved one.  Loss of a support system is a factor leading to homelessness.

An adult might also cope with societal transphobia by turning to drugs and alcohol, also factors leading to homelessness.

My point is that the reasons Rebecca Hare ended up living alongside the David Lawrence Convention Center may very much indeed be connected to her identity as a transwoman, but none of the media coverage was intended to explore that connection, was it?  Any follow up stories on the trans-friendliness of local homeless shelters, especially those administered by faith based organizations?  Nope.  We just get stupid jokes reducing gender transition to a sex change operation and comparing it with rising property rates. 

What if Rebecca's family doesn't know she's living as a woman?  What has happened to her since her rescue -- is she okay?  Is she somewhere where she's being treated well?  Is she okay with the repercussions that everyone in the tri-state area knows she is a transwoman?

One almost thinks the Post-Gazette should pick up the tab for a safe place for her to stay. 

ps:  I have been in touch with people that have connected with Rebecca to ask if there's anything we can do to help her.  If you want to help, email me. 

I am seriously flummoxed by the decision to be made -- Obama or Clinton.  A lot of my progressive friends are very pro-Obama.  And I find that I *want* to be on his team, too. 

But I just can't make the leap.  Thanks to Steel City Stonewall Democrats for links to some comparisons on LGBTQ issues, courtesy of the HRC and the Gay Men's Health Crisis. There aren't a lot of differences. 

It really comes down to a few issues for me and they are all from my gut.  First, the people trying the hardest to convert me to Team Obama are men who in their critique of Hillary veer a little too close to the "assertive women are divisive mentality" for my comfort. 

Second, Obama had ex-gay fringe christian Donnie McClurkin on his parade o' supporters and that scares the livin' hell out of me.  I am afraid that Obama is going to get caught between appeasing the homophobia of some (I say some) African-American churches and defending the civil rights of gay Americans.  That's just as unappealing as Huckabee pandering to the evangelical, homo-hatin' base. Not everything can be as neatly finessed at City Councilman Ricky Burgess handling of the recent pro-gay resolution.  Not that I'm okay with being finessed, but I can sure as hell see a point at which there is a clear moral line on which President Obama is going to have to stand. 

You know from whom I have not heard?  Progressive women supporting Obama.  Women that I actually know.  Progressive women who believe in a trans-inclusive ENDA and gay marrriage (the real cahuna).  Are you out there in Pittsburgh, blog-reading land?

I am really sorry that the rich white Southern guy -- the one who talked about poverty -- dropped out.  I hope he makes a fine Attorney General (minus the prayer circles and pro-torture memos).

I haven't blogged about the Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh in a long while.  Their next meeting is on Valentine's Day at 7 PM at the United Cerebal Palsy space in Oakland.  Follow the weblink for more specifics.

This is a nifty little organization that hangs in tenaciously to ensure that pro-LGBT (among other) issues are promoted among candidates, across the party line. It goes hand in hand with Steel City Stonewall Democrats EXCEPT for the allegiance to the Democratic Party thing.  The smart gay politico has their eyes on both groups.

Stonewall has some stuff coming up.  Most important among those is the 2008 Board Elections (and Candidate Reception) on Sunday, Feb 24 from 3 PM - 6 PM at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh on Morewood Avenue in Shadyside.  This is your chance to meet the exciting new slate of board members and probably meet the 75+ Democrats throwing their hats in the ring for Lisa Bennington's seat.  And a few other other candidates as well.  :-)  There's a bunch of little barsy/fundraiserish type things happening involving guessing games and a lot of complicated details that lost my attention. I know that sounds bad, but I'm waiting for local gay politicos to get out of churches and bars into a new environment.  I spend very little, if any, of my time in bars or churches so come meet me where I'm at.  Target.  Kidding. 

Speaking of Bennington's seat, I'm a little pissed that I'm going to lose a strong ally in my County Council Seat as Brenda Frazier resigns to run for the state seat.  That completely sucks, especially as there are 16 million other progressive candidates in that race and it has no bearing on me whatsoever.  Yes, I would love for Brenda to move ahead, but I have enough problems getting a response from her office with regard to my never ceasing unhappiness with One Vision, One Life.  Imagine how much an appointee will disregard me.  Maybe we'll get lucky and someone will appoint a progressive woman to fill the vacancy.  One can only hope.

I like that three out of the four folks who represent me are women (Frazier, Payne and Wagner).  I don't always agree with them (or even like them), but it is a cool situation in which to be a woman. 

You can be damn skippy sure Gertrude Stein won't waiver on the issue when it comes to Luke "Catholics don't like civil unions" Ravenstahl or his boss, Danny "DP benefits cost too much money" Onorato.  Gertrude Stein stood up to attempts by the Tavern Guild to censor them, even going so far as to ban them from the local bars.  Steel City has its hands tied by affiliation to an imperfect party led by Luke and Dan, but finds solace in the leadership of Dan Frankel and the emerging inspiration of Chelsa Wagners of the region.  Hence, the need for both organizations -- sometimes a home needs a little hands tied up and sometimes they don't.   :-)

So, while the field for President whittles itself down to McCain and Clinton/Obama, get off your duff and toddle off to the church or the bar or the street corner and join the revolution.  I'll be in the corner of the church taking notes about the candidates who aren't running for Bennington's seat.

I wonder how Ledcat would respond to a polital meeting on Valentine's Day?  Hmmm ...

The Delta Foundation meeting took place on Tuesday evening.  Reports range from 50-150 people in attendance.  Some of the feedback I've heard: 

- The Delta Foundation claimed it was the first town hall meeting for Pittsburgh's GLBT community.  Surely, that just cannot be the case.  I know that Voices for a New Tomorrow held similar meetings and I'm sure that it took a few of those to get the LGBT Community Needs Assessment off the ground.  Or back in the day, when the PhoneLine and the GLCC were launched.  Am I that blanking on whole chapters of local gay history?  I mean this was a really well attended meeting and more power to them for turning out a big crowd, but I'm curious about that claim.

- DF committed to two events:  PrideFest and Pride in the Streets.  The other events will require others to get involved, which isn't unreasonable per se.  So the concept of "Pride Week" is a bit vague unless other groups come forward to set up what are being labeled partner events.  It will be interesting to see what grows from this challenge of sorts. (I am going to organize a partner event in my daytime guise and I've already identified some partners so I am putting my money/time where my mouth is on this one.)   The DF has a board member dedicated to building these partnerships and she is off to a really good start. 

- Again, the issue arose that the board is entirely white and almost nearly gay men with money.  So, you have the claim that PrideFest is for everyone balanced against a pretty "business as usual" group of decision makers, however well intentioned.  It is going to take a lot of effort on the part of this group to demonstrate a real commitment to diversity.  My personal fear is that those on the board are not going to make substantial overtures to under-represented segments of the community, at least not to share power.  It would be great if the planning committees are filled with women and persons of color and men and women who are transgendered and bisexual, but it is equally important that power and authority be shared.  I hope the Foundation will commit to fill their two vacant board seats with individuals from these communities.  That would be a significant statement about inclusivity.

- Luke Ravenstahl is going to hire a part-time liaison to the LGBT community and is accepting applications from the LGBT community to serve on an advisory board.  I'm working to track down the contact information to send in your resume.  This could be interesting if we can get some community representation on the boards and authorities (beyond the arts.)  This could be an interesting development.  Again, it would be powerful if the liaison were a lesbian or a woman who is transgendered or someone outside the political normative power structure. 

- There's 12 hours of entertainment to fill.  I nominate Gab Bonesso. Someone named Kimberly Locke is going to headline at Pride in the Streets. I don't know who she is, but I think she's from American Idol.  I'm woefully out of the American Idol loop.  I am much more in the local queer talent loop and think Gab Bonesso would be a wonderfulacious emcee for Pridefest -- she's young, hip and have proven she can work a family oriented crowd really well. 

My impression?  They have good intentions and some significant resources.  I would personally like to see the organization prioritize diversity and inclusivity among the leadership as well as the rank and file, but I certainly wish them well.  It will be interesting to see what happens with the events and if they can take PrideFest to a new level -- is the event ready to take that leap?

One caveat. I dislike the rhetoric that builds up the new projects at the expense of those who came before.  The GLCC took a bankrupt event and rejuvenated it.  The GLCC board attempted to be diverse.  The event wasn't perfect, but some of the "dawn of a new gay" rhetoric makes me cringe a bit.  The GLCC is still our community center and if it isn't working for us, then we can make some changes (some are underway).  I hope we don't toss out the baby with the bathwater in this regard.

There's been quite a little exchange going on at the Tribune Review with readers from New York City with Pgh roots defending the homosexuals and folks from Jeannette and Squirrel Hill condeming us. 

The latest round features a January 25 letter from New York explaining how anti-gay rhetoric impacts his family:

Growing up Catholic and gay in Greensburg, I can attest to the harm produced by such language. Through 16 years of Catholic education I was demeaned on the playground and from the pulpit.

My heart broke as my parents' priest took a public stand against my marriage and encouraged others to fight against my family. It pressed the old wounds that made me as a boy want to end my life. Gay children listen to this same hurtful message today.

Kris Sanders of Squirrel Hill comes roaring back in full attack mode.

He throws the stones and then bandages himself so as to look like the victim. Indeed, the pro-homosexual lobby uses "hate speech" laws as a means to stifle Christian preachers in many parts of the world.

Clearly, this lobby wants to pressure the Catholic Church into endorsing the morally disordered acts of homosexuality -- such as two men pretending they can live as husband and wife.

I don't know any married gay men who pretend to be husband and wife.  That's silly rhetoric designed to drag a little genderbashing into the discussion. 

Kris doesn't get that.  We aren't pretending to be anything.  Well, we pretend to be straight at work and school and church, but that's a matter of survival and self-preservation. 

But my point is .... why are gay men from New York City filling the pages of the Tribune Review with this discussion, while the multitudes of local homos remain quiet?  Why aren't local folks writing letters?  You don't have to live in Greensburg!  Pick up a pen.  Respond to Kris Sanders pigeonholing your family as a homosexual lobby. 

Tomorrow, the Delta Foundation hosts the latest incarnation of a Pittsburgh Queer Town Hall Meeting.  It is at 7 PM at One Mellon Center.  You should go.  Find out what's happening. 

I have to work, so I'll be relying on you to report out to the community.