#AMPLIFY LGBTQ Families, 29 Parents Share Their Experiences

Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day

For the past 18 months, I have been collecting Q&A responses from LGBTQ folks with ties to Western Pennsylvania. The project is called #AMPLIFY and we plan to continue seeking Q&A contributions through the end of 2017. Participants are 18+, identify as part of the LGBTQ community and have ties to Western Pennsylvania. We ask […]

Mel, 40: Bi, Queer and Pan Folks Don’t Always Speak in a Gay or Lesbian Voice #AMPLIFY

Butler County Queer

Name:  Mel Age: 40 County of Residence: Butler, formerly Crawford and Clarion counties Preferred Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? I am a queer, disabled, pagan, working-class fat white chick. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out to my family and friends in high school. I’m […]

Mitch, 52, Believes In The Power of Movies to Create Community #AMPLIFY

gay pittsburgh

Name: Mitch Leib Age: 52 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: he How do you describe your identity? I am a gay man Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I think we all come out in stages. My closest high school friends knew. Others probably assumed. I was pretty much out […]

alexis, 29, talks compensation & community for marginalized lgbtq neighbors #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh

Name: Alexis Age: 29 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? I am jewish white stealth non binary transsexual poly bisexual genderfucked intersex who experiences transmisogyny Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I began publicly ID as bisexual age 7 or 8. I did […]

Camellia, 30, is a Lesbian, Soon-to-be Wife, and Momma #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Lesbian

  Name:  Camellia Age: 30 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She/her How do you describe your identity? Lesbian, soon-to-be-wife, momma. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face?  I was in my painted blue bedroom with posters of Shakira, Destiny Child, Amgelina Jolie, SI swimsuit models and Shaina Twain reading […]

First Issue of AMPLIFY Zine Available Now in Western PA, List of Distribution Spots

It is FINALLY here – Issue one of the AMPLIFY zine. And I think it is pretty awesome myself. You can click here to see a web version of the zine with clickable links. You can download a pdf version here to print. You can pick up a hard copy at these locations – check back […]

Staci, 52, Wants More Representation For The Bi Community #AMPLIFY

Allegheny Bisexual

  Name: Staci B Age: 52 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: she How do you describe your identity?  As a writer, I have often pondered the question, “Who am I?”. I still don’t have an answer. I have come to understand, especially in the last two years or so, the privilege that I’ve experienced as a […]

Rachel, 30, is in the Process of Coming Out as Bisexual #AMPLIFY

bisexual allegheny county

Name: Rachel Age:  30 County of Residence:  Bucks, formerly Allegheny Preferred Pronouns:  she/her How do you describe your identity? Bisexual – sort of becoming comfortable with the term queer also. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I’m still in the process. For reasons I don’t remember, it was […]

Creating the #CatCar: Pgh’s Latest Art Car Hits the Road #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Art Car

Converting my 2000 Honda CRV into an art car seemed like a solid idea. It only has 130,000 miles and is in pretty good shape mechanically speaking. It was technically our second car that I used for my day-to-day errands and the occasional big or ‘messy’ transport. Since I work from home, my day-to-day errands […]

Bill, 52, is a Gay Man Living in a Small Town in Cambria County #AMPLIFY

Gay Cambria County

  Name: Bill Age:  52 County of Residence: Cambria, formerly Indiana Preferred Pronouns: he, him How do you describe your identity? A white gay man who is not butch or fem. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I never formally came out to most family members. Over time it became […]