Of Coronavirus and Cats

Sue and Laura in Face Masks

This week, it feels like the coronavirus has begun to circle my personal space in an ominous manner that gives me pause. Never mind that I’ve been working on the face mask distribution project since April and paying close attention to lots of tangents of this pandemic. I’m still susceptible to the fear and trepidation […]

Pennsylvania’s Transgender Community Responds to Dr. Rachel Levine’s Pick for the Biden Administration

Rachel_Levine_Pennsylvania

“Thank you, Dr. Levine.”   When I first heard about that President-elect Biden has selected PA Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine to be  assistant secretary of health, I smiled. She’s been the embodiment of leadership throughout the pandemic in Pennsylvania and has many pre-pandemic accomplishments. She’s maintained dignity, calm, and adherence to science while navigating […]

The Blog Post About Dr. Rachel Levine’s Appointment to the Biden Administration

The Blog Post About Dr. Rachel Levine’s Appointment to the Biden Administration

Of course I know about this. Yes, I have thoughts and feelings. But I spent today asking my trans, GNC, and ENBY neighbors what they think, how they feel. So while every blog post I’ve written even an allusion to Dr. Levine is available for you to read, tomorrow I’m going to publish what they […]

Within this COVID-19 pandemic, some of us still get regular old sick. 

Sick during a pandemic

Within this COVID-19 pandemic, some of us still get regular old sick. I’ve had perpetual sinus issues for months, but three specific acute type bouts. That’s when the pressure is actually hurting my face, the headaches are terrible, and I feel exhausted. During the third bout, my doctor thought maybe I was enduring a bacterial […]

Tales from the Pgh Cat Ladies – TNRing the Gingers

Over the past two weeks, we’ve successfully trapped two different ginger male cats – Ginger Snap and Captain Kirk (because of his long flowing locks.) Ginger Snap practically walked into the trap, struggled a teeny bit, but was rubbing the hand of his new foster mom before he was even out of the crate. He […]

37-Year-Old Black Trans Woman Natasha Keianna Found Dead in Her Car in Detroit

Natasha Keianna, a Black trans woman, went missing from her Detroit home soon after Christmas Day in 2020. Her family reported her missing and provided a description of her vehicle to local police. Two weeks ago, residents along Coyle and Vassar reported an unknown vehicle parked near their homes. According to residents, police did not […]

21-Year-Old Trans Man Shot to Death in Puerto Rico

Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín

On January 9, 2021, a Latinx trans man, Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín, was murdered Saturday, January 9, in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Damian Valentin was born and raised in San Juan.  He turned 21 in November of last year. His facebook page is filled with ruminations on sexism, politics, pop culture, and more.  Initial reports […]

28-year-old Black Trans Chicago Woman is First Reported Victim of Homicide in 2021

Black Trans Woman

From Brave Space Alliance in Chicago: Davarea Alexander, 28, also known as Tyianna, was shot to death in the early morning hours in the 800 block of West 75th, Ashburn neighborhood, South Side on January 6, 2021. Officers were called just before 5 a.m. to the 800 block of West 75th Street, where two people […]

Stop Giving ‘Ammonite’ a Bad Rap

Ammonite Mary Anning

What lucky queers we are to have so many movies to compare and contrast this year. From the spirited debates between #TeamHarper and #TeamRiley over the film The Happiest Season to the secondary gay couple in that other holiday movie, plus still talking about David Rose wedding. Let me stick up for an underdog, the […]

Shooting Death of Young Latina Trans Woman Brings 2020 Toll to 44 Known Deaths

Transgender Epidemic Violence

A Latina transgender woman in her early 20’s was shot to death on December 26 in the Bronx borough of New York City. She was shot in the back of her head and died at the scene according to officers responding to the 911 call. Her name was Alexandria Winchester. The Ali Forney Center in […]