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 […]

Q&A with Stars of Holiday Drag Musical ‘Claws Out’ at City Theatre

For the holidays, City Theatre had to pivot on it’s heel from a live stage production to a pre-recorded show broadcast online. Fortunately, when it came to Claws Out they had plenty of heels to choose from, including stilettos and sensible pumps. A holiday drag musical, Claws Out tells the story of two divas battling for […]

Encourage your children to donate their gently used toys to Play It Forward (Adults, too)

Donate toys for Christmas

There’s a great toy distribution project called Play It Forward Pittsburgh. For the past ten years, they have distributed gently used toys to neighbors in need during this reason. Hundreds of volunteers sort, clean, and pack the toys for distribution out of the Convention Center (DLCC.) Play It Foward Pgh is a super queer friendly […]

Honoring the Dead

Dr. John Ruffing

My friend John Ruffing died on November 9, 2007 at the age of 41. He is someone I loved very deeply and think about often. It was suggested I create a blog altar for my ancestors. John and I are not blood related that I know of, but like many queer people – we created […]

Do You Have a Thanksgiving Plan?

Coronavirus is roaring back. Last week, the US averaged 53,000 new infections per day. This week, that’s up to 59,000. According to the New York Times, experts forecast hitting 75,687 new infections per day in the near future. That’s the highest rate in the US from back in July. It could go higher in the […]

On Day 225, I Feel Weary

It has been awhile since I touched base about my mental health. Overall, I’ve been steadily getting more stable since my bout of symptoms in the summer. I still have the residual effects of lithium poisoning, including unexpected twitches of my arms and legs. My p doc lowered my dose and reintroduced another mood stabilizer […]

318 Coming Out Stories from Western Pennsylvania

National Coming Out Day Pittsburgh

Happy National Coming Out Day! Today is the day we celebrate coming out – being more open about our LGBTQIA+ identities AND encouraging folx still “in the closet” to take their own steps. Sharing our own unique stories is an essential tool to offer support. In honor of that reality, I am offering this list […]

Dear David, September 24, 2020

David DeAngelo Pittsburgh

Dear David, The world has changed since I last wrote to you. Who would have thought? Sigh. We’ve been to Antney’s at least once since then, maybe twice. We’ve learned to go right at 5 PM when they open and there’s no line. I’ve been sticking to pretty basic flavors for some reason although I […]

My First Doll

Content Note: sexual violence, assault, intergenerational trauma, child abuse I still have my very first baby doll, a rag doll named Mary. She sleeps in a cradle that was originally a wooden planter. She lived on a relatives dresser for many years and I finally inherited her when that person moved. I’ve written before about […]

Dear David. September 5, 2020

David DeAngelo Pittsburgh

I haven’t written in awhile. As you know, my sweet little dog Ana died suddenly ten days ago. I’m still struggling with this loss. Please forgive my distance. So Wendy Bell got herself silenced on KDKA AM and very likely got herself a national slot somewhere in white supremacy conservative realms. You’ve done important work […]