Don’t Crash Into Me

No Means No

Growing up in emotional, financial, and physical chaos, I learned early on that my saying “no” was at worst, dangerous, and at best, ineffectual. I did not learn the social skills of setting healthy boundaries for myself because almost no one around me modeled that behavior. I grew up in a time when boundaries were […]

What This White Woman Thinks About Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars

What do White People Think about the Oscars

None of your business. It is not my place to inject my opinion into this conversation. That is something my Black friends, especially my Black women friends, requested and so I comply out of respect for them. Yes, my headline is sort of clickbait because I really want you to watch these video clips. I […]

Here’s How a Plastic Bag Ban Can Work with Grocery Stores like Giant Eagle

tote bags food bank

Pittsburgh is one step closer to a ban on single use plastic bags. The bill will be up for a final vote at the Tuesday, April 12 meeting, and if passed will go into effect on April 12, 2023. Essentially, you will have to pay $.10 per paper bag or bring your own bag/box/etc. One […]

Grief, Anger, Fear, and Guilt: Comments from a Friend of Kathryn Newhouse at Her Candlelight Vigil

Kathryn Newhouse

On Saturday March 19, 2022, a 19-year-old Asian-American autistic trans woman living with mental illness issues was murdered by her father (filicide) in their family home. Her father then died by suicide using the same gun. Her name was Kathryn (Katie) Newhouse. Yesterday, friends and neighbors organized a candlelight vigil to honor her life and acknowledge […]

Candlelight Vigil April 4 for Kathryn Newhouse, Trans Teen Murdered by Her Father in Georgia

Kathryn Vigil

Friends and neighbors have responded with outrage to news of the murder of 19-year-old autistic Asian-American trans woman, Kathryn Newhouse, at the hands of her father. The LGBTQ media has barely responded, leaving the media narrative skewed by Kathryn’s brother. That’s rarely good when it comes to violence targeting trans folx. I’ve spent the better […]

PA House Republicans Advance Anti-Trans Legislation That Will Do Nothing to Help Working Families

On its face, the legislation is absolute rubbish. Trans women and trans girl and nonbinary folx are incredibly underrepresented in academic athletic programs. All this fuss and bother to pass these bills in Republican controlled states is such an obvious attempt to delude voters into thinking they are protecting children while actually not attending to […]

How to Support LGBTQ People in Ukraine

Ukraine Grunge Flag

This is a list curated from various sources that I trust. I cannot personally verify each source so I strongly urge you to do your due diligence. But I also urge you to consider donating what you can. The terror of war coupled with the virulent anti-LGBTQ sentiments in the safe haven countries must be […]

Update – Missing Person: Latina Trans Woman Africa Otero Died in a Car Accident

Africa Otero

Sadly, Africa Otero did not survive the evening. She was killed in an automobile accident. RIP, Africa. Africa Otero, 26, has not been heard from since 1 AM Sunday, March 20, when she posted a short video on YouTube from inside the Mamajuana club, on the first block of North 9th Street in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. […]

Trans People Are Relevant

Matthew Spampinato

Yesterday, a family friend of Matthew Spampinosa left a comment on this blog post about his death. I was appalled enough to draft a message in response to her, but my gut tells me she isn’t going to hear me. So I opted to share my thoughts with you. After all, just today Georgia introduced […]

LGBTQIA+ Commission 2022 Black History Month Statement