Trib Letter to the Editor Prognosticates Intro of Pro-Gay PA Legislation

Trib Letter to the Editor Prognosticates Intro of Pro-Gay PA Legislation

John DeBartola from the Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter wrote to the Trib earlier this month.  He forecasts introduction of 4 pieces of pro-LGBTQ legislation:  marriage, civil unions, hate crimed and non-discrimination legislation. Both [Senator] Leach and [Rep.] Cohen have agreed to submit their respective bills for marriage equality and civil unions on Feb 7. Rep. Dan […]

A note on trans protections (not) in Ohio

A note on trans protections (not) in Ohio

From Autumn Sandeen at Pam's House Blend comes discouraging news about transwomen and transwomen employed by the State losing employment protections under a new executive order which DOES extend protection based on sexual orientation. Another stark reminder of why we need to keep our queer umbrella over everyone and not succumb to the temptation to toss […]

County Chief Executive Possibilities

County Chief Executive Possibilities

Michael Lamb Rich Fitzgerald Mark Flaherty I’m not sure we can go too wrong with any of these candidates for Allegheny County Chief Executive.  I see domestic partner benefits on the horizon for Allegheny County employees (we are thiiiiiis close) which will pretty much seal the deal in terms of our region being a true […]

Pittsburgh’s First Openly Gay Elected City Councilor Announces Intent to Run for Reelection

Pittsburgh’s First Openly Gay Elected City Councilor Announces Intent to Run for Reelection

Councilman Bruce A. Kraus to Seek Second Term January 11, 2011—Councilman Bruce A. Kraus announced today that he will be seeking a second term as a representative on Pittsburgh’s City Council.  The primary election will be held on May 17, 2011.   In a letter to constituents, Councilman Kraus cited—among other accomplishments—a few examples of the […]

Gay intern “Ran toward the bullets” to save Giffords’ life

Openly gay, newly minted intern Daniel Hernandez is credited with saving the life (LezGetReal) of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords when she was shot Saturday in Tucson, Arizona. Hernandez is a Junior at the University of Arizona and a member of  the City of Tucson’s Commission on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues.  Follow the link for […]

HoBo’s

HoBo’s

I missed this in the Trib Review.  To be fair, the online edition is unclear whether it is a local piece or a reprint (there's a byline and a tagline).  But “he” takes a closer look at the pursuit of the institute of marriage for the LGBTQ community in the context of “anti-marriage” movements of […]

Chick Fil A Corporate Speaks

I wrote this piece for Lez Get Real which includes the official statement from Chick-Fil-A corporate along with my analysis of what this whole sordid mess means for Pennsylvania.  Thanks to Lez Get Real for the chance to bring a national audience to a regional/statewide issue.  The story has gone viral and generated a lot […]

Kraus calls Burgess to task on lack of support for LGBTQ community

Kraus calls Burgess to task on lack of support for LGBTQ community

Bram Reichbaum from The Pittsburgh Comet alerted me to an exchange between City Councilors Bruce Kraus and Ricky Burgess during the pension plan bailout meetings. According to Bram: Kraus: “I am neither a Republican, a racist nor am I rich.” Points out that Burgess never has supported gay lesbian & transgendered legislation and so doesn't […]

Allentown to be first Lehigh Valley municipality to offer domestic partner benefits?

Allentown to be first Lehigh Valley municipality to offer domestic partner benefits?

From the Morning Call Allentown may soon become the first municipality in the Lehigh Valley to offer medical benefits to partners of gay employees, whether active or retired. Under a domestic partnership bill before council, partners of gay employees would be eligible for health benefits as long as the couple can illustrate they live together […]

AP piece on Pennsylvania LGBT ordinances/legislation

AP piece on Pennsylvania LGBT ordinances/legislation

Hmm … I missed this yesterday in the Post-Gazette. HARRISBURG — Although his years-long crusade to enact a statewide ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity again died at the end of the most recent legislative session, state Rep. Dan Frankel sees reason for optimism. Frankel's optimism stems from the long-term view […]