Update from Cleveland – Rally for Cemia Acoff

I am simply horrified to report that the Cleveland Plains Dealer has yet to eliminate the transphobic and hateful content in their reporting on the murder of 20 year old Cemia Acoff (also known as Ce Ce Dove.)  It is simply unbelievable, but it is important to take note of this degree of institutionalized hate. […]

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 […]

This is How We Help Ce Ce – We Support Youth Programming That Works!

Clybourne Park – It Is Just One House

Five days later, I’m still wrestling with my response to Clybourne Park – a production of Pittsburgh Public Theater. Clybourne Park has earned a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize so it seems fair to take some time to think it through.   In Act One, the problem centers on a black family moving into Chicago’s white […]

Giveaway: Tickets to See Lisa Ferraro and Erika Luckett at Club Cafe

Great news – the folks at Opus One have offered us a pair of tickets to see this duo in concert on Friday, May 17 at Club Cafe.   Tickets are also available for purchase at this link.  Ferraro and Luckett are well-known in the women’s music circuit. Ferraro is a Pittsburgh native and well-known vocalist […]

HER Name Is Cemia!!!

There have been numerous reports of a body found in a retention pond near Cleveland, Ohio. As if that fact, in and of itself, isn’t terrible enough, the media reporting this news have completely and utterly insensitive and irresponsible. The woman found was identified as Cemia, or Ce Ce, or Ci Ci. She was a […]

Transwoman brutally slain, and media fail

Cleveland Transgender

So, here’s what we know—”Cemia Dove” “Ce Ce” (or “Ci Ci”) Acoff was a transgender woman whose battered body was found dumped in a pond in a Cleveland suburb on April 17. Here’s what else we know—after she was victimized by a murderer, she was re-victimized by the Cleveland media. Acoff was found stabbed repeatedly, […]

Are You A Second Class Citizen??

No!!  Of course you’re not! Well, Pittsburgh, here is your chance to tell the world that, and help a great cause at the same time! Get your “I am not a second class citizen” photo this Friday, in Pittsburgh! Ryan James Yezak is the creative mind behind this amazing new concept. A picture is worth […]

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 […]