It’s not so damned funny

Too many liberals underestimate conservatives, and while we’re laughing, they’re rolling back our rights. There’s a Republican (really, are you surprised?) state legislator from Georgia who is being widely mocked this week. Rep. Tom Kirby introduced legislation making it illegal to splice human embryos with non-human cells. Kirby even gave an interview to a local TV […]

First Ever Trans Specific Civil Rights Bills Introduced in PA General Assembly

PA Rep Mark Cohen

PA Representative Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia) has introduced  the first ever transgender specific civil rights bills in Pennsylvania history. The Transgender Health Benefits Act HB304 is based on a piece of Philadelphia legislation  that allows for transition related healthcare for government workers, but the state bill covers public, as well as private and Medicaid plans. Despite this progress, […]

Will Dan Savage Bring His Best Santorum to the US Capitol Steps?

Rick Santorum internship

I’m fairly certain I’m one of a handful of 44 year old people who still list their college internship on their resume. My six-month stint with then-Congressman Rick Santorum in 1991 has proved to be one of the most unintentionally fruitful items on my list of professional accomplishments. Thanks to Santorum’s decision to run for […]

34 Year Old Gay Pgh Man Missing for Two Months

Andre Gray

  Black lives matter. Andre Gray is a 34 year old black man who has been missing for two months from his Lawrenceville home. Andre is also part of the LGBTQ community – according to his family, he came out when he was 30 and had recently been involved with someone. Andre is also known […]

Don’t Ask Me To Extend an Olive Branch Unless You Have Your Facts Right UPDATED

Dove

Bruce Barron, a Pittsburgh resident and former staffer for Rick Santorum, penned a loathsome piece in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette requesting that the LGBTQ community offer Christians an olive branch. He’s suggesting that we allow Christian business owners “conscientious objector” status with regard to discriminating against LGBTQ persons in private business matters. Like baking wedding cakes. […]

Trans Woman of Color Killed by Gunshot in LA

Deshawnda Sanchez

  Deshawnda “Tata” Sanchez was just 21 years old when she was murdered around 4 AM Wednesday morning (December 3) in Los Angeles. From KTLA: “She was definitely at that door, pounding on that door seeking help,” LAPD Detective Christopher Barling said. The occupant of the home came outside after hearing multiple gunshots but it […]

I Have Never Had To Put My Hands Up For The Police

Hands Up Don't Shoot

UPDATED Earlier this week at 1 PM, I stood outside my home in observance of the 4.5 minute tribute to Michael Brown. I wasn’t able to join my Northside neighbors a few miles up the street so I stood alone on my block in the freezing sleet. It was definitely uncomfortable, but not just because […]

Artistic Q&A: Vannevar Bush on The Art of Urban Observation

As part my NaBloPoMo examination of art and blogging, I asked a few folks to consider some of the same questions I’m pondering. Today, I’m sharing the responses from local blogger Vannevar Bush.   I first met Vannevar via Facebook when I posted about my fear of cycling in an urban environment. That conversation led […]