Vontashia Bell, 18, is the 18th Trans Neighbor Reported Murdered in the US in 2018

Vontasia Bell

Of course it is just 24 hours after I wrote about the murder of De’Janay Stanton that I am back at the keyboard blogging about another murder of a Black trans woman, this time an 18-year-old Vontashia Bell in Shreveport, Louisiana.  And my heart is broken for a second time in two days. She was […]

Dejanay Stanton, 24, is 17th Trans Person Reported Killed in the US in 2018

24-year-old Dejanay Stanton was murdered in Chicago on August 30, according to the Windy City Times. Her body was discovered at the alley of 40th Street and King Drive at 12:30 p.m., after persons 88nearby said that they had heard gunshots. According to a Chicago Police Department spokesman, Stanton was discovered with a gunshot wound […]

Meg, 34, Wants to Make an Impact With Grace #AMPLIFY

Pittsbrugh Queer

Name: Meg Age: 34 County of Residence: Butler County, previously Allegheny County, Ohio and Mississippi Pronouns:The/ them/ she/ her How do you describe your identity? I don’t. Nothing I am is physical. I decorate my meat sack. It holds my being. Very simple. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Coming out […]

Carla, 39, Identifies as a Bisexual, Non-Binary Scientist and Educator #AMPLIFY

Bisexual Non-Binary Pittsburgh

Name:  Carla Age: 39 County of Residence: Allegheny County. I grew up in Ohio and moved to Allegheny County in the late 90s for college. Pronouns: He/She/They How do you describe your identity? Bisexual, Non-Binary Scientist and Educator Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I have never come out in […]

Allie, 51, Talks Living as a Trans Woman in Washington County #AMPLIFY

Transgender Washington County

Name: Allie Age: 51 County of Residence:  Washington County Pronouns: she/her/hers How do you describe your identity? Transfemale Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? It was kinda slow and steady. I was outed to a coworker by a family member. It ended up as a victory for me since I […]

PA State Human Relations Commission Expands Discrimination Classes to Include Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity

Pennsylvania discrimination

This is a pretty significant move, but please note that this is NOT the same thing as the General Assembly passing legislation. Like the other two statewide rights (marriage equality and second parent adoption) for LGBTQ people, this has not come from our elected officials in the General Assembly. The Commission issued a guidance that […]

Back to School Q&A with Trans Activist Daniel, 16, of Lakeview School District

We’ve blogged earlier in the year about the decision of Lakeview School District in Mercer County to expand their nondiscrimination policies to explicitly address needs of transgender students. This was a rule change to better comply with existing policy, not a new policy altogether. When the School Board met in May, one student – Daniel […]

Eric, 35, is a Gay Man Who Has Learned to Live With Microaggressions #AMPLIFY

Name: Eric Age: 35 County of Residence: Allegheny Pronouns: He/Him How do you describe your identity? Gay Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Many. I was raised in a small town in Ohio. Most people come from a Christian background and not a particularly liberal one. I was lucky enough […]

Hutch, 57, Marched With Harvey Milk and Knows We Have Miles To Go #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Bisexual Man

Name:  Hutch Age: 57 County of Residence:  Allegheny, formerly Westmoreland Pronouns: Male How do you describe your identity? Bi Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I was kind of out in mid 70s in Massachusetts. But officially came out at 16 when I moved to San Francisco in […]

Jay, 27, Discusses Challenges of Being a Straight Trans Man #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County LGBTQ

‘ Name:  Jay Age: 27 County of Residence:  Allegheny County Pronouns: He/Him How do you describe your identity? Straight Trans Man Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? It was very challenging my family is not supportive but my friends have been overwhelmingly great. I still have legal challenges […]