That Time When the Social Security Administration Took Away My Disability Benefits Without Telling Me Why: Part One

SSDI Benefits Stopped

A week ago Friday, I put the final touches on an essay for PublicSource and gave it my blessing to be published the following Monday. The topic was social security and I had a teeny twinge about triggering an unwarranted review by someone who sees all the words I create, but doesn’t read them enough […]

#LetHerRip

Phat Man Dee “I remember the Holocaust so that I can see it happening to other people and speak against it.”

Phat Man Dee International Holocaust Day of Remembrance

A guest blog post from Phat Man Dee on this International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2020   As a child it never occurred to me that people would not remember the Holocaust. After all, who could forget something that stole so many branches of my family tree? It was this deep understanding of horror in my […]

Theresa Kail-Smith Named Pgh City Council President

After genuinely worrying about the potential to put a Christian pastor with a disturbing history into the role of President of Pittsburgh City Council, I am truly relieved even buoyed to share that they unanimously chose Theresa Kail-Smith From WESA Pittsburgh City Council unanimously voted to make District 2 Councilor Theresa Kail-Smith Council President on […]

Do you want Ricky Burgess to be the Mayor of Pittsburgh?

Mayor Peduto Ricky Burgess

This weekend, sitting members of Pittsburgh City Council and the Councilor-elect Bobby Wilson are debating whom to elect as their President. They will vote on Monday at 3 PM. The two contenders are Ricky Burgess, District 9, and Corey O’Connor, District 5. There are lots of factors to consider, including their legislative records and leadership […]

Political LGBTQ&A with Anthony Saba, Crafton Borough Councilperson-Elect

Openly Gay Arab Man

While on the local level we can only have so much impact, I believe that everything starts at the community level.  I would focus on making sure that all of our neighbors, regardless of their identity, understand what we are fighting for, equality and community. – Anthony Saba A few days after Election Day 2019, the Victory […]

Political LGBTQ&A with Edward Alo, Crafton Borough Councilperson-Elect

Openly Gay Crafton Borough Councilperson

I believe it is extremely important to have various representatives of the LGBTQ in elected office as well as in the public view.  I believe it provides a role model for younger generations.  When I was growing up in the 90s, my first experience with the LGTBQ was from MTV and Will and Grace.  It […]

Political LGBTQ&A with Jessica Semler, Etna Borough Council Member-Elect

Jessica Semler Etna Borough Council

If I had more folks that look like me out and in positions of power when I was younger, I truly think I would have come out to others, and myself years earlier than I did. It means so damn much. More LGBTQ folks in office means visibility of what it can look like to […]

Trump Targets LGBTQ Foster Care and Adoption – My Latest for @PghCurrent

Political LGBTQ&A with Jonathan Warnock, Indiana Boro Councilmember-Elect

Openly Gay Elected Official Indiana County

I say all the time that I’m just fighting the future, i.e. doing everything I can to mitigate the effects of climate change. Working for LGBTQIA+ rights feels the same. No minority group in history has gotten rights without a fight, and no group will keep them without vigilance. I’ve been involved with this for a long time now, going back to college and grad school working the the ‘gay/straight’ alliance clubs where I went to school. I seem to be unable to turn down the chance to advocate for equality or work to fight our climate future… just ask my husband.