UPDATED: Log Cabin Republicans Bringing Tiffany Trump, Richard Grennell to a Pittsburgh “Pride” Event in Cranberry Township

Trump Pride Rally Pittsburgh

I mean … what? Take a look at what happened when they rolled this dynamic duo out in Florida. “I know what my father believes in,” she said during the event. “Prior to politics, he supported gays, lesbians, the LGBQIA+ community.” (She misstated the initialism — removing the “T” that stands for the transgender community.) […]

My First Letter to the Editor, Published by Vanity Fair in 1995

I used to read Vanity Fair pretty regularly in the 1990’s. I’m unsure how that got started, but I liked the pageantry and almost otherworldly insight into the world of the rich and powerful. So much did I appreciate the magazine that I was compelled to submit a letter to the editor, my very first […]

Honored to Win Best Lesbian Activist, Best Blogger in the 2020 LGBTQIA Pittsburgh’s BEST Awards Sponsored by People’s Pride

Pittsburgh LGBT Awards

I am honored to share the news that we have been honored in two categories by the first LGBTQIA Pittsburgh’s Best Awards sponsored by the People’s Pride and SisTers Pgh. People’s Pride PGH – Breaking The Cistem Presents LGBTQIA Pittsburgh’s BEST: Award Ceremony. This ceremony will honor the work of our LGBTQIA communities and forebears […]

Facemask Q&A with HauteButch Founder & Designer Karen Roberts

Karen Haute Butch

The fear, oppression, and sheer frustration that comes along with having a fierce sense of style and living in a society stuck in out-dated mindsets where women should embrace feminine “appropriateness” is what keeps HauteButch thriving even on our darkest days. One important part of the Pittsburgh MasQUe ProjecT is highlighting safe and affirming places […]

Black Trans Woman Brooklyn DeShauna Smith, 20, Killed in Shreveport, Louisiana

Brooklyn DeShauna Smith

  It has happened again. On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, the body of Brooklyn DeShauna Smith was discovered at 2:15 in the afternoon in a Shreveport, Louisiana apartment complex. Cause of death was gun shot. Brooklyn was a 20-year-old Black trans woman. Brooklyn was born and raised in Shreveport. She studied cosmetology at Bossier Parish […]

Black Trans Woman Felycya Harris Found Murdered in Georgia

Just days after last reporting on the murder of a trans woman in Puerto Rico comes word from Augusta, Georgia of the murder of a 33-year-old Black trans woman, Felycya Harris. Her body was discovered at 1:30 in the afternoon near Meadowlark Drive on Saturday, October 3 with evidence of at least one gunshot wound. […]

24-Year-Old Black Trans Woman Kee Sam Murdered in Louisiana in August

Kia Sam Transgender Woman

In August, a Black trans woman known as Kee Sam was murdered. She was 24 years old according to sources on Facebook. She was a native of Lafayette, Louisiana where she was killed, but had recently relocated to Baton Rouge. Her death is the 30th we’ve reported on this year, far outpacing previous years. According […]

Trans Woman Michelle Ramos Vargas Found Shot to Death in Puerto Rico

Michelle Ramos Vargas

Puerto Rican authorities announced that a transgender woman was fatally shot on Wednesday, September 30. Her name was Michelle “Michellyn” Ramos Vargas.  She was 33 years old and a nursing student. From The Washington Blade The Associated Press reported the body of Michelle “Michellyn” Ramos Vargas, 33, was found along a highway in San Germán, a municipality […]

29-year-old Mia Green of Philadelphia is Most Recent Black Trans Woman Murdered in 2020

Mia Green Trans Woman Philadelphia

Monday morning at 8 AM Philadelphia police pulled over a 2016 Jeep and discovered a 29-year-old Black trans woman shot in the front seat. She died later at a local hospital. Her name was Mia Green The driver, Abdullah Ibn El-Amin Jaamia, was arrested and charged with murder. Philadephia trans activist Deja Lynn Alvarez has […]

Black Trans Woman Aerrion Burnett, 37, Found Shot to Death in Independence, Missouri

Aerrion Burnett

Last Saturday night in Independence, Missouri, a 37-year-old Black trans woman was shot to her death. Her name was Aerrion Burnett She is now the 27th known victim of fatal transphobic violence. From KMBC Independence Police are looking for leads in an early morning homicide. Officers responded to a call around 3:40 a.m. Saturday at […]