Gosh, my whole angst about not donating to public radio here in Pittsburgh because the Catholic Church controls the flagship station has been resolved.  I was torn between my pro-choice support for Planned Parenthood side and my want to pay my share, NPR loving side.  I briefly toyed with donating to the national NPR syndicate even though it took over two weeks for someone to respond to my email inquiry. 

All that is just washed away today.  Thanks, NPR!

Pam has a great writeup of this story, but I'll try to hit the highlights.

NPR's Nathan Lee reviewed Outrage.  His reviewed was edited to remove the names of Charlie Crist and Larry Craig.  Lee removed his byline.  NPR removed his explanatory comment from their website.

NPR claims that they are protecting the privacy of public figures.

NPR had no such qualms reporting on the heterosexual affairs (and possible child siring) of John Edwards.  They even held a roundtable.

NPR once again imposing their moral qualms on you the listener.  I guess they are dutifully absorbing the lessons of moral excellence modeled by the Catholic Church.

I invite all of you Planned Parenthood lovin', homosexual lovin' readers to dash off an email to the Pittsburgh Filmmakers asking them to bring Outrage to Pittsburgh. kaboly@pghfilmmakers.org

Same-sex marriage is on its way, like it or not. Either get on board or get out of the way.

DAVID R. PIERPOINT
Washington, Pa.

Amen, so to speak.  Thank you for writing Mr. Pierpoint.

Found a flyer stuffed into our door knocker inviting us to attend a "Meet Your Candidates" event on Thursday from 5 - 8 PM.  Magisterial district judge Dan Styche and Constable candidate Rob Moye are hosting the event. 

Well, actually they are the ones we are meeting, but the flyer doesn't say who is hosting it.  I think it is supposed to say something like "friends of blah blah blah" candidate.

Interesting note.  The flyer is in color so it wasn't cheap to print. 

Another interesting note.  It is being held at the Manchester Citizens Corporation bldg, but the organization's name is not on the flyer.

Does this mean what's his name is tacitly endorsing these candidates? 

I will probably go so I can figure out what a constable does. 

I wish it were Friday night because I am exhausted.  All this meet and greet stuff is exhilerating.  I might have mentioned that we are stationed at the Information table for the museum so we have met a ton of people. 

My favorite is the man who insisted I provide him with scotch tape EVEN though I was deep in conversation with artist Scott Ward.  Scotch tape?  Really?  For what?

Anyway, I've heard great things as people are rolling out the door.  Lots of art wrapped, taped and trundled alongside the exultant owners.  It is 9:47 and there's still quite a buzz in the air.  And hey!  we just met one of neighbors whose name we never knew. 

People love the option to take their own picture in the mock frames.  So much fun.  What a great little add-on to the event. 

The one negative thing about live blogging is my inability to actually see the art.  I did get a quick browse while Ledcat watched the laptop and it was quite breathtaking.  We actually won our bid on a piece a few years ago and it is just lovely. 

Something I really like about this event is how utterly lacking in pretense it can be.  There are people from every strata of Pittsburgh here tonight garbed in all sorts of attire and everyone mingles together nicely.  I can't think of any other event like this ... it really is something special. 

The official CLCA tee shirts are gorgeous ... this lush shade of blue with the American Gaythic print on the front.  Ledcat has gone off to purchase two and I'm going to wear mine to work tomorrow. 

The crowd is packed.  I chatted with Allegheny County Councilwoman Amanda Green who was thrilled at how diverse the attendees are.  Ledcat saw City Councilman Bruce Kraus. 

GLCC Chair Rick Allison stopped by with a promise of good "new location" news coming soon. 

She's been gone for hours and comes tra la la la ing back.  Ha!  Now she wants to take my camera so she can photograph a painting of a crane.  I think this is going to cost me money.

A few more action shots. 

Hugh McGough charms the camera. 

The scene from our neck of the woods.  People are happy!

So we moved around the corner.  Ledcat is prowling around looking for great photo opps and I'm getting used to the new digs.  I actually commandeered an Information table so I feel official.  Officially what?  Who cares!

Court of Common Pleas Judicial Candidate Hugh McGough just walked by and is being positively swamped with supporters -- his stickers are everywhere! 

A few other familiar faces have rolled in. Everyone literally walks by my new spot.  They seem to believe I'm the receptionist which is actually a bit fun.  I have no idea where the bathroom is, but I've given directions three times already. Shhh.

Anyway, Persad is the nation's second oldest LGBT counseling center.  Last year, they provided services to 900 clients equalling 13,000 hours of clinical care. 

Melissa Meinzer of the City Paper just strode by in some awesome boots and accompanied by an uncommonly handsome man whose name was sort of lost in the introductions.  Steel City's Lance and Joe stopped by to say hello and chat up local politics.  We savored a moment of relish over the Post-Gazette endorsement of Patrick Dowd.  Can you imagine if he won?  <Deep Sigh>

Lynn Cullen arrived.  She looks fabulous. 

The featured artist of the event is Scott Ward, creator of "American Gayothic" which is just awesome.  Scott is from Seattle and is a lovely man.  Our great friend Kerry Kennedy will be carrying a line of Scott's notecards in his Northside shop, K.S. Kennedy Floral so even if you are not in the market for art, you can have a little piece of Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art for your very own. 

Here's a picture of Scott with event PR chair, George Hazimanolis:

sdf

We made it just before the skies opened up!  I was hurried along to my table by the very organized PR crew and am now settling in to absorb.  Ledcat went in pursuit of refreshments to fortify us, but she's already been waylaid by multiple persons so it might be awhile until I get some of the good stuff.  Ah well ... my blogging station is next to the bar.  I took a picture of the official CLCA blogging table. 

I'm next to the photo station where giant frames are positioned so people can be the art.  I would love a purple frame in my home.  I'd also love some of the yummy snacks, but Ledcat was waylaid ... again. 

So here's the scoop:

Persad's goal is to raise $200,000 for the Free Care Fund.  The evening's theme is "Picture Yourself" ... everyone should be in the picture with no one excluded!  The guest auctioneer is Lynn Cullen (yeah!) and there is plenty to see throughout the evening. 

Event co-chairs are Cristina Battaglia and Joe Seletyn. 

PrideFest Chair Jeff Freedman and his partner, Norm just stopped by to say hello.  Ah, here comes Ledcat with dinner!

This promises to be fun.  Tonight, Ledcat and I are heading out to the annual Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art auction to benefit Persad Center.  From there, we'll be liveblogging about the auction and the art and the people and all that good stuff.

I have an official press perch near a stairwell somewhere from whence I can blog.  So tune in tonight for a birds-eye view on a legendary community event. 

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