LGBTQ&A: Michael David Battle Believes We Can Grow Beyond Our Past as an LGBTQIA Community

An occasional series where we pose some questions to local LGBTQ folks (and Allies) to learn more about their personal experiences with LGBTQ culture. Click here for a complete list of all LGBTQ&A profiles.  I *met* Mike via the Facebook group for the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh – I noticed that he often […]

Why Does WESA Think Tony Norman Is the Go-To-Guy on LGBTQ Issues?

Remember when President Obama announced that he supported marriage equality?  Essential Pittsburgh’s choice to discuss what this meant? Post-Gazette columnist Tony Norman. Remember when Jason Collins became the first openly gay male active in the big four professional leagues? Essential Pittsburgh’s choice to discuss what this meant? Post-Gazette columnist Tony Norman. Now what does Tony […]

Kate Clinton Is Undressing Me With Her Lesbian Glasses

I must confess that I have never seen Kate Clinton perform live. <ducks> So when I had the chance to interview her, I jumped. Well, okay, I typed. She responded in like 20 seconds and I was laughing the entire time I read her answers. That’s good. And I learned stuff. Also, good. Kate, you’ve […]

LGBTQ&A: Matt Merriman-Preston Believes Politics Can Make It Better

An occasional series where we pose some questions to local LGBTQ folks (and Allies) to learn more about their personal experiences with LGBTQ culture. Click here for a complete list of all LGBTQ&A profiles. I can’t remember how/when I met Matt, but he is one of the first people to come to mind when I think […]

Will I Get To San Jose?

My friends in social media are AWESOME! (imagine me singing that word) Amidst a field of 98 super qualified exciting people competing for scholarships to the Netroots Nation Conference, I am in 5th place. That’s staggering, as my high school geometry teacher would often say. The top five “vote getters” earn scholarships that cover registration […]

LGBTQ&A: Joe Wos is Putting the A(lly) in Superman

An occasional series where we pose some questions to local LGBTQ folks (and Allies) to learn more about their personal experiences with LGBTQ culture. Click here for a complete list of all LGBTQ&A profiles. I met Joe when we were both sharing stories about “saving the earth” at the Bricolage Theater in 2010. Then he gave […]

LGBTQ&A: Emily Kesselman – Graphic Designer, Lesbian Activist

An occasional series where we pose some questions to local LGBTQ folks (and Allies) to learn more about their personal experiences with LGBTQ culture. I “met” Emily via Twitter – she was occasionally RTing things I had posted so we struck up an occasional chat. When I put out a call for help with our […]

LGBTQ&A: Ted Hoover – Activist, Father, Leader

An occasional series where we pose some questions to local LGBTQ folks (and Allies) to learn more about their personal experiences with LGBTQ culture. Ledcat has known Ted for many years, but I’ve gotten to know him through his work with Persad Center – Ted is currently coordinating “Safe Zones” projects in outlying counties. Ted […]

Freedom to Marry Ohio

I recently joined the Freedom to Marry Ohio as a steering committee co-chair. As neighbors, the prospect of Ohio bringing marriage equality to it’s state, should be very encouraging to Pennsylvania residents. The goal of Freedom to Marry Ohio is to repeal section 11 of the Ohio Constitution  That section states:           […]

LGBTQ&A: Tonya Payne, Ally and Candidate for City Council

An occasional series where we pose some questions to local LGBTQ (and Allies) to learn more about their personal experiences with LGBTQ culture.  Former member of City Council Tonya Payne is challenging Daniel Lavelle to represent the 6th District – which I should mention includes my neighborhood of Manchester. Tonya has been a staunch ally […]