Category: All the Q&A’s

AMPLIFYBisexualQueerTrans

Lavi, 29, is Trans Queer Bi and Wants Your Respect & Support #AMPLIFY

October 20, 2016 by

Name: Lavi

Age: 29

County of Residence: I grew up in Greene county. I moved to Allegheny County when i was 18. Ive lived in Pittsburgh the past 11 years

Preferred Pronouns: She, her

How do you describe your identity? trans queer bi white

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I started coming out when I was about 15 I think. At that time I found support online. There was an online community of mostly other teenage trans kids we helped each other out with what we could.

I didn’t have support from my family and local community. I felt isolated and alone. I was. I tried to run away but it didn’t work.

I came out more finally when I turned 18 and moved to Pittsburgh. It was finally a time when I could start to be myself and figure out who I am.

I still had trouble finding support. I went to transpitt but felt a big generational gap. I learned a lot tho from Nancy. I always remember her.

AMPLIFYBisexualTrans

Ciora, 27, Says Trans People Have the Strength of Two Souls #AMPLIFY

October 18, 2016 by
Pittsburgh Trans Woman

Name: Ciora Thomas

Age: 27

County of Residence: Allegheny

Preferred Pronouns:  she/her/hers

How do you describe your identity? I’m a Bi Transwomn.

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My coming out experience wasn’t really a coming out more so i got caught by my step father and my family then turned on me. I found support in downtown Pittsburgh and the GLCC when it was in Squirrel Hill ran by Lyndsey Sickler. I faced many challenges the main being a homeless trans teenager.

AMPLIFYQueer

Anonymous, 30, Wants More Visibility for the Pansexual Community #AMPLIFY

October 13, 2016 by

Name: Anonymous

Age: 30

County of Residence:  Washington, formerly Allegheny

Preferred Pronouns: Her, she, etc.

AMPLIFYBisexual

Janet, 66, is Bisexual, Cisgender and Gender Nonconforming #AMPLIFY

October 11, 2016 by
Bisexual Allegheny County

Name: Janet

Age: 66

County of Residence: Allegheny. I lived in my youth in Cambridge, MA, Bonn, Germany, New Haven CT and Oxford England.

Preferred Pronouns: She, her hers

How do you describe your identity? I am bisexual in my sexual orientation and cisgender but mildly gender non-conforming in my gender presentation.

AMPLIFYOther

Why People Share Their Stories With #AMPLIFY

October 9, 2016 by
LGBT History Month Pittsburgh

In June 2015, we added this question to the Q&A

“What motivated you to take part in this project?”

The responses have been enlightening when I consider why people take 30-60 minutes to share some of their most personal thoughts with the wide world. Their investment isn’t fleeting – the Q&A will live on as our archived collective experiences.

“I particularly wanted to participate because I wanted an older perspective to be included.”

AMPLIFYBisexual

Dominic, 18, Is a Bisexual Man Finding His Comfort Zone in College #AMPLIFY

October 6, 2016 by

Name:  Dominic

Age: 18

County of Residence:  Allegheny County

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him

How do you describe your identity? Cis White Male Bisexual

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? When I came out, my mom took away my computer for the summer (I came out right at the end of the school year), saying that she was taking it away because of my “porn addiction” and that her taking it away on the same day I came out was coincidental. When I got my computer back for the school year, she installed a religious filter on my computer called Covenant Eyes.

ActivismAMPLIFYLGBTQ

#AMPLIFY and LGBT History Month

October 5, 2016 by
LGBT History Month Pittsburgh

We want to keep growing and we especially want to begin offering audio recording options to conduct interviews with community elders as well as others who have limited access to the Internet. We have connected with a lesbian owned transcription service based in Johnstown, PA, but it will still cost $125-250 per interview. That’s one reason we ask people to try to use the online form if possible.

During October, we are again crowdfunding for the project – we hope to raise $3,000 so we can schedule the audio sessions throughout the winter. The funds will be used to set up “AMPLIFY Info” sessions in the outlying counties so we can meet people & encourage them to participate as well as to set up the actual recording times. And, of course, pay for the transcription.

We’ve been invited to New Castle (Lawrence County), Johnstown (Cambria County), Bradford (McKean County), as well as Armstrong, Beaver, Butler and Clearfield counties. If you need a little encouragement, consider this story from Melanie (a Trump supporter) who lives in Washington County.

AMPLIFYGay

Dean Sees Queer Struggles as Stories of Strength #AMPLIFY

October 4, 2016 by
Gay Asexual Polyamorous Pittsburgh

Name: Dean

Age: 31

County of Residence: Allegheny

Preferred Pronouns: Male, He, Gay.

How do you describe your identity? Gay male with asexual tendencies in a polyamourus relationship

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Coming out was a matter of lie, deny or try. I was outed by a female friend that had a crush on me in 8th grade. She decided to tell the only out gay male in our class / school – which led to everyone soon bringing the question up to me & family members. At the time I was seeing a fellow classmate on the wrestling team. He denied and I chose to try and not lie.

How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? After experiencing much in the strictly male “gay world” I now prefer to be associated with a queer community than just men. There has been more open arms, plus understanding amongst a community made up of all genders + sexualities & identifications. Not just one orientation alienating my personal views.

AMPLIFYGay

Brian, 29, Wants the LGBTQ Community to Address Social Isolation #AMPLIFY

September 29, 2016 by
Pittsburgh Gay Man

Name: Brian Age: 29 County of Residence:  Allegheny, Grew up for the most part in and around Burlington, Vermont. I moved to North Carolina for undergrad and called Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill home for 8 years before moving to Pittsburgh in 2013. Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His How do you describe your identity? I’m a white, cisgender, gay Duke fan. Go, […]

AMPLIFYLesbian

Morgan, 21, Hasn’t Met Other Openly Gay Suburban Couples #AMPLIFY

September 27, 2016 by
Lesbian Pittsburgh

Name:  Morgan Age: 21 County of Residence: Allegheny, Butler county for a couple months when I first moved to PA. I’m originally from a small town in Michigan. Preferred Pronouns: I’m a girl and a Morgan, but call me whatever you want. How do you describe your identity? I’m just me. I’m a lesbian but that’s not all I am. […]