Madeline Chandler is receiving an award from the ACLU for her advocacy to change the sexual education curriculum for the City Schools.  She sounds like a woman who rocks. Miss Chandler said she conducted the petition drive at CAPA even though an administrator balked at the idea, and she was one of about 10 students […]

Last night, Ledcat and I volunteered to staff a Steel City Stonewall table at a Dykes on Bikes event at Cattivo.  Also at Cattivo were the Dykes of Hazard comedy troupe.  The evening was good; we collected 62 signed letters in support of HB 300 and distributed a bunch of Steel City information, plus secured […]

It is the Day of Silence.  The Post Gazette reports on a new Pennsylvania study with startlingly sad stats on bullying experienced around gayness.  It doesn't even matter if the kids are LGBTQ; just being picked on for the perception is awful enough. 98% of those surveyed report hearing “gay” used in a negative way. […]

The Valley News Dispatch offers up a discouraging “here's why our region is against this legislation” perspective.  Not a single quote from anyone in their area who supports the legislation which is patently ridiculous.  Obviously, someone needs to reach the gay folks and their folks living out there.  Who is up for the task?  But, […]

You’ve been silent all day.Now it’s time to live out loud!End your Day of Silence by speaking up andsharing your story with us at GLSEN Pittsburgh’s annualBreak the Silence Party.Friday April 17 2009 – National Day of Silence • Meet new people,• enjoy free food, and• bring your ipod and we’ll play your favorite tunes! […]

Prediction time. Lots of little birdies have been whispering in my ears.  These predictions are based solely on my interpretation of recent events, historical behavior and the indignation of anonymous comm enters.  I hope I am wrong.  First, I predict Luke Ravenstahl will announce the formation of Pittsburgh first Mayoral LGBT Advisory Committee two weeks […]

  Pampering Women: a night of Relaxation and Health Care                  Come and let yourself be pampered!   FREE mini spa night featuring: chair massages, hot wax treatments, henna art, guided meditation, facials, hand massages, blood pressure monitoring, breast cancer screenings, hemoglobin checks, BMI, STD testing,  breast exams and vouchers for mammograms Door […]

Dear Allegheny County, Please go read this account of how an incident of transphobia manifested itself as homophobia, almost as an incident of public accommodation.  http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/10382/national-car-rental-employee-to-trans-woman-customer-screwedup-man-faggot    (h/t to Pam's House Blend for a well-done exclusive story) I read this and think of those of you, friend and foe, who think that stripping the County anti-discrimination ordinance […]

Ledcat and I just returned from paying our respects to the slain Pittsburgh Police officers at the City-County building.  We waited in line for about 10 minutes.  We waited with officers from the Federal Reserve, the Port Authority and the state of Indiana amidst a sea of private citizens.  The atmosphere was solemn and reverential.  […]

Hmmmm.  4 states with legalized marriage.  Allegheny County still can't recognize that gay people suffer discrimination NOR deserve health insurance. Remember that the next time a large company picks somewhere else for their headquarters.  Southwestern Pennsylvania is not only behind Erie and State College, but we are behind Iowa.  Iowa.  Have you ever been to […]