Creating the #CatCar: Pgh’s Latest Art Car Hits the Road #AMPLIFY

Pittsburgh Art Car

Converting my 2000 Honda CRV into an art car seemed like a solid idea. It only has 130,000 miles and is in pretty good shape mechanically speaking. It was technically our second car that I used for my day-to-day errands and the occasional big or ‘messy’ transport. Since I work from home, my day-to-day errands […]

Bill, 52, is a Gay Man Living in a Small Town in Cambria County #AMPLIFY

Gay Cambria County

  Name: Bill Age:  52 County of Residence: Cambria, formerly Indiana Preferred Pronouns: he, him How do you describe your identity? A white gay man who is not butch or fem. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I never formally came out to most family members. Over time it became […]

Patricia, 41, Does Not Feel Safe As a Trans Woman in Her Urban Pgh Suburb #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County Trans Woman

Name: Patricia Age: 41 County of Residence: Allegheny, formerly Washington Preferred Pronouns: She/Her How do you describe your identity? At some point, the mental switch flipped in my head firmly into a “female” identity. (I think it was always set to “female” but I was trying to force it to say “male”!) So I identify as a trans woman. I […]

With friends like these …

So, last week, in the “Modern Love” section of The New York Times, there was an opinion piece by one Delacey Skinner, who says she “writes and directs ads for progressive causes and candidates in Washington.” Right away, my guard went up, because if someone has to point out that she’s “progressive,” chances are, she’s […]

Mariah, 38, Wants More Support for Westmoreland LGBTQ Neighbors #AMPLIFY

westmoreland lesbian

Name: Mariah Age: 38 County of Residence:  Westmoreland, formerly Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: Not sure How do you describe your identity? Well I’m A White Female and I Don’t Really label myself I love who I love Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? When I Came Out Fully I had support […]

Updates on the Investigations of Nine Murdered Trans Neighbors

Transgender Murder

  We learn about the violent death of a trans neighbor, we mourn. But too often we don’t know what happens in the criminal proceedings. Is there justice? What does that look like? I don’t have answers to the larger questions, but I did go back and plow through the criminal dockets to determine where […]

Maybe I Underestimated Rich Fitzgerald on LGBTQ Issues

Rich Fitzgerald gay

I’ve been disappointed with Rich Fitzgerald. He’s not especially progressive and his antics with Chelsa Wagner are exasperating. Worst of all, he made the decision to strip County employees of their domestic partner benefits after the Supreme Court decision recognizing marriage equality – a truly terrible and regressive policy decision. It one of the single […]

Guest Post: You Can Help LGBT Students in Pittsburgh Public Schools Right Now

Pittsburgh Public School transgender

Guest post by Rayden Sorock As you probably know, there have been numerous attacks on LGBT students’ rights recently, many of which revolve around the much-disputed “bathroom issue.” Here are several things you can do RIGHT NOW that will make a real difference in the lives of LGBT and gender-expansive youth in local public schools. […]

Norman, 67, is a Gay Black Male of African Descent #AMPLIFY

Gay Black Pittsburgh

Name:  Norman Age:  67 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: he/his/him How do you describe your identity? gay (same gender loving) Black male of African Descent Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My coming out experience happened in the late 60’s with my sisters when I was in my […]

TWOC Keyonna Monroe Blakeney, 22, Murdered in Maryland Hotel

Her name was Keyonna. She was 22.   Another brutal loss as we learn that 22 year old Keyonna Monroe Blakeney, a Washington DC resident, was found dead with sever upper body trauma in a Rockville Maryland hotel room. Keyonna was murdered on Saturday April 16. From the Washington Blade The victim, who identified herself […]