UPDATED: Log Cabin Republicans Bringing Tiffany Trump, Richard Grennell to a Pittsburgh “Pride” Event in Cranberry Township

Trump Pride Rally Pittsburgh

I mean … what? Take a look at what happened when they rolled this dynamic duo out in Florida. “I know what my father believes in,” she said during the event. “Prior to politics, he supported gays, lesbians, the LGBQIA+ community.” (She misstated the initialism — removing the “T” that stands for the transgender community.) […]

My First Letter to the Editor, Published by Vanity Fair in 1995

I used to read Vanity Fair pretty regularly in the 1990’s. I’m unsure how that got started, but I liked the pageantry and almost otherworldly insight into the world of the rich and powerful. So much did I appreciate the magazine that I was compelled to submit a letter to the editor, my very first […]

Do You Have a Thanksgiving Plan?

Coronavirus is roaring back. Last week, the US averaged 53,000 new infections per day. This week, that’s up to 59,000. According to the New York Times, experts forecast hitting 75,687 new infections per day in the near future. That’s the highest rate in the US from back in July. It could go higher in the […]

How to Request Toys for Tots in Western Pennsylvania in 2020 – UPDATED

Toys for Tots Pennsylvania

This is our annual (8+ year) round-up of Toys for Tots programs in Western Pennsylvania for 2020. I’ve done my best to sort through the available information and provide you what you may need to know. PLEASE click through to the applicable link to doublecheck the details. I will update as information becomes available. Some […]

Honored to Win Best Lesbian Activist, Best Blogger in the 2020 LGBTQIA Pittsburgh’s BEST Awards Sponsored by People’s Pride

Pittsburgh LGBT Awards

I am honored to share the news that we have been honored in two categories by the first LGBTQIA Pittsburgh’s Best Awards sponsored by the People’s Pride and SisTers Pgh. People’s Pride PGH – Breaking The Cistem Presents LGBTQIA Pittsburgh’s BEST: Award Ceremony. This ceremony will honor the work of our LGBTQIA communities and forebears […]

318 Coming Out Stories from Western Pennsylvania

National Coming Out Day Pittsburgh

Happy National Coming Out Day! Today is the day we celebrate coming out – being more open about our LGBTQIA+ identities AND encouraging folx still “in the closet” to take their own steps. Sharing our own unique stories is an essential tool to offer support. In honor of that reality, I am offering this list […]

Black Trans Woman Brooklyn DeShauna Smith, 20, Killed in Shreveport, Louisiana

Brooklyn DeShauna Smith

  It has happened again. On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, the body of Brooklyn DeShauna Smith was discovered at 2:15 in the afternoon in a Shreveport, Louisiana apartment complex. Cause of death was gun shot. Brooklyn was a 20-year-old Black trans woman. Brooklyn was born and raised in Shreveport. She studied cosmetology at Bossier Parish […]

On Day 199, I Made a post-Election Appointment

I had an appointment with my psychiatrist today. We confirmed some previously discussed medication changes, nixing one and tweeking another. I have to titrate up every two weeks by 25 mg from 25 mg to eventually 200 mg. She asked to see me again at the halfway point and I was quiet when I realized […]

Q&A with Sara-Summer Oliphant, Candidate for PA State House District 39

Sara-Summer Oliphant

  We are revisiting our Political Q&A series for the upcoming elections of 2020. We’ve reached out to candidates who are pro-choice and pro-LGBTQ, asking them a series of questions about their campaigns. We’ve sent out about a dozen Q&A’s to folks and encourage you to suggest others. Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running for any […]

23 year old Black Trans Woman Elie Che Found Dead in New York City

August 31, 2020 we lost another trans neighbor, a 23-year-old Black woman from Harlem. Her body was found in the Bronx. Her name was Elie. Police found the woman unconscious and unresponsive in the sand near Orchard Beach Road and Park Drive at approximately 6:09 a.m. EMS responders arrived shortly thereafter and pronounced her dead. […]