The Criminal Complaint Against Gary Van Horn Illustrates (Again) Divides in Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Community

The local LGBTQ community is abuzz with the revelation that Delta Foundation President Gary Van Horn has started a Pittsburgh chapter of the Rosco P Coltrane fan club and “unofficially” brought Allegheny County Sheriff Mullen, a few notaries, and his friend “Timmy” along with him. (see images below to interpret that allusion.) Gary has been […]

Emilee, 21, Describes Life as a Chinese-American Lesbian in Rural Fayette County #AMPLIFY

Chinese-American Lesbian

Being the minority for both race and sexuality can be a nightmare here. I have not experienced any [microaggressions] for my sexuality, but it’s a constant battle because of my race. Strangers will constantly make rude comments to me about being Chinese. I’ve had customers at work make rude and or ignorant comments about it. The worst part is when people try to ask me where I’m from. Honestly I don’t know because I was adopted as a baby. It hits a certain nerve when people bring up anything to do with my ethnicity.

Coroner Reports Death of Black Trans Woman Elisha Stanley was Accidental

Elisha Stanley Cause of Death

Earlier this year, we reported on the September 16 death of 46-year-old Pittsburgh native, Elisha Stanley, who had traveled to her hometown to visit family. Elisha was a Black trans woman and her death was sudden and unexpected so understandably people were very concerned both for the loss of her as an individual and the […]

Kids in Blackface Controversy in Armstrong County

White silence

Content Note: racism, racial justice, white complicity   Around Halloween, two 12-year-old girls allegedly decided to dress up in blackface for Halloween. They were spotted and photographed at a local Dunkin Donuts. The ensuing thread on Facebook, seemingly including the girls’ family members, is filled with threats and more racism and also resistance. While I […]

Pittsburgh Organizes Four Back-to-Back Protests During Trump Visit on Weds, Oct 23

Organizing around resisting White Nationalism, Fracking, while demanding Clean Water, and Impeachment. Expect thousands on the streets from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Standing in solidarity directly outside President Trump’s fracking industry speech and campaign rally at Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center this Wednesday, over a dozen local activists, environmentalists, politicians, and performers will […]

Itali Marlowe, 29, of Houston is the 20th Known Transgender Person Killed in 2019

Itali Marlowe

Itali Marlowe was just 29 years old when she was shot to death by Raymond D. Williams on September 20, 2019. It was a little past 2 PM in the afternoon when the Houston woman was found dying in her driveway near the home she shared with Williams. Itali was a Black trans woman. Williams […]

What Happens When We Don’t Listen to Black Women in Pittsburgh

Black Women Pittsburgh

I’m still struggling along this week so I’ve had to skip a few significant stories I’d typically blog about. But I am paying attention. I live about a mile away from the Exxon gas station in Marshall-Shadeland where three male employees assaulted two Black women over what amounted to $17 worth of gas. I encourage […]

Worthington Borough Billboards Once Again Display Hateful, Racist Content in Armstrong County

John Placek Worthington billboards

Content Note: racism, white supremacy Earlier this year, we reported on the racist and offensive content displayed by Worthington businessman John Placek on his giant electronic billboard along State Route 422 in Armstrong County. After resistance from the community, Placek lost his Sunoco franchise and seemed to retreat from this tactic of displaying the seedier […]

22-Year-Old Black Trans Woman Tracy Single Was Murdered in Houston #SayHerName

Tracy Single Transgender Woman

August has been a cruel month. From Monica Roberts at Transgriot comes word that Tracy Single, a 22-year-old Black trans woman, is the 16th official transgender person*** to be murdered in the US during 2019.  While her body was discovered on July 30, it wasn’t until August 11 that local activists were able to confirm […]

Updated: Keyiariah Quick, 25, Might Be the 15th Black Trans Woman Murdered in 2019

Keyiariah Quick

UPDATE: Out.com has an article with more information about the circumstances around Keyiariah’s death. Most important is the dispute of claims she was murdered. I’ll continue to follow the reporting and hope that the truth comes to light. While Wilson claims a man Quick was casually seeing forced her to ingest an unknown substance which […]