Amanda, 25, identifies in part as genderfluid, ecosexual, and focused on being out to themself #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County LGBTQ

Name: Amanda Age: 25 County of Residence: Allegheny County, also has lived in Hawaii Pronouns: she/they How do you describe your identity? genderfluid/agender, gay/queer, western european roots, over seven generations in North America, ecosexual, priestess, prophet That being said some challenges were not having an accepting family, or an accepting school, or an accepting church; not having anyone safe […]

Bianca Devins Family Establishes Memorial Scholarship Fund, Claim That Other Funds Are Not Authorized

Bianca Michelle Devins Scholarship Fund

  The family of Bianca Devins announced Tuesday that a scholarship fund has been established in her name. Money donated will be used for a scholarship for “students pursuing a degree in psychology so they can continue Bianca’s dream to help adolescents with mental illness,” the family announced in a statement. The scholarship fund was […]

More on the Murder of Bianca Devins

Bianca Devins homicide

  Content Note: misogyny, graphic violence,   The fallout of the murder of 17-year-old Bianca Devins continues as brutal, graphic images of her dead body continue to make their way across social media channels. Mainstream media outlets report that Instagram, 4chan, discord and possibly more are unable to keep up with the viral nature of […]

Priya, 24, Identifies as an Aromantic, Asexual Indian American College Student #AMPLIFY

  Name: Priya Age: 24 County of Residence: Allegheny Pronouns: She/her How do you describe your identity? Aromantic asexual Indian American Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out through a video on facebook to friends. It was generally positive, although some of my female friends asked very intrusive […]

17 year old queer teen Bianca Devins brutally murdered in horrific crime in New York State

Bianca Devins

Rest in power, Bianca. You deserved a long, bright life filled with joy and opportunity. You deserved to be safe in public, at home, and with your acquaintances. You deserve to be remembered for your own content, your chosen images. `

Madi Scull, 20, Identifies as a Nonbinary, Asexual Lesbian #AMPLIFY

Name:  Madi Scull Age: 20 County of Residence: Allegheny Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? Nonbinary asexual lesbian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Coming out experiences are hard to describe because it is never just one experience. It’s a series of interactions that you have to have with […]

Dean Sees Queer Struggles as Stories of Strength #AMPLIFY

Gay Asexual Polyamorous Pittsburgh

Name: Dean

Age: 31

County of Residence: Allegheny

Preferred Pronouns: Male, He, Gay.

How do you describe your identity? Gay male with asexual tendencies in a polyamourus relationship

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Coming out was a matter of lie, deny or try. I was outed by a female friend that had a crush on me in 8th grade. She decided to tell the only out gay male in our class / school – which led to everyone soon bringing the question up to me & family members. At the time I was seeing a fellow classmate on the wrestling team. He denied and I chose to try and not lie.

How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? After experiencing much in the strictly male “gay world” I now prefer to be associated with a queer community than just men. There has been more open arms, plus understanding amongst a community made up of all genders + sexualities & identifications. Not just one orientation alienating my personal views.

Diane, 56, Is Asexual With Lesbian Leanings and a Writer #AMPLIFY

Asexual Flag

Name: Diane Age: 56 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: she How do you describe your identity? I am asexual with lesbian leanings. I am white, never married and live with my sister. I also write GLBT romance novels. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Did not realize I had […]

AMPLIFY! Twist Shares Their Life as Neuroqueer in Greene and Allegheny Counties

Twist

AMPLIFY LGBTQ is a new occasional series of blog posts designed to give a “signal boost” to the voices of our LGBTQ neighbors throughout Western Pennsylvania. We are using a Q&A format and will mostly avoid editing their responses. The questions, however, may change as we ask each participant to tell us what we’ve missed […]