Make #ProtectTransKids Yard Signs More Visible With This Quick Fundraiser

Protect Trans Kids

Our #ProtectTransKids yard sign effort is going strong, nearly 1200 signs strong throughout the region (plus Philly and Baltimore) Something that’s worked well before was crowdfunding for a batch of 50 signs and then working with a local partner to distribute them quickly on the ground. We then ask people who claim the signs to […]

Support These Veterans Taking Care of Cat Colonies on This Veterans Day

You might be surprised to learn how many veterans from the United States military forces are cat folx. They have pets, they volunteer, and many have memories of cats (and dogs) they encountered in their service. And some are caretakers of cat colonies … continuing to serve their communities by feeding and TNVRing cats. This […]

How to Help

Hey! We have a lot going on right now. Most people do one thing at a time, but we aren’t most people. We exist in a world that is complex, nuanced, and filled with priorities clamoring for our attention. Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities (PLC) has multiple programs PLC is registered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and […]

Just To Be The Ally Who Raised $1000 To Lay Down at Your Door

Da da da (da da da)Da da da (da da da)Da Da Da Dun Diddle Un Diddle Un Diddle Uh Da Da My nickname for the group of queer and trans youth who developed the #ProtectTransKidsDay proclamation is “The Proclaimers” Already unhappy that trans kids reported (too) much misgendering and deadnaming in healthcare settings, they […]

Update on the #ProtectTransKids Yard Sign Distribution in Pittsburgh and Beyond

A few weeks ago, Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities responded to concerns of a LGBTQ family being targeted by a neighbor. The specific focus at that time was targeting their 15-year-old Black trans daughter by hoisting a 9-foot transphobic sign in their backyard facing her bedroom window. Previous encounters included implicit threats to their then 17-year-old Black […]

Official Yard Sign for Pittsburgh Cats Available Now

As I’ve previously shared, our blog works with a new local 501c3, Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities (PLC), on some of our best projects. PLC has no editorial control over this blog and the blog (me) just has one vote on the PLC Board – and other board members who aren’t ever going to just go along […]

My Best Friend’s Funeral: I’m Still Crying 15 Years Later

Dr. John Ruffing Veterinarian

Today, my friend John would be 56 years old. Even in whatever heaven for terrific people might look like, he is cringing about that. But in some sort of heaven is a certainty for John. No doubt. I don’t even really believe in heaven or maybe I do, a little. But I know that a […]

Pittsburgh Based Trans and Queer MasQUe ProjecT Urgently Needs Youth Sized Face Masks

Donate Face Masks for Students

We need your help to help students #MasQUeUp for back-to-school. Please share this post with anyone who might be able to help. Wondering where to donate face masks? The Pittsburgh MasQUe ProjecT is issuing an appeal for donations to provide face masks to school-aged children in LGBTQIA+ households throughout the region. The project needs 100-150 […]

Look for the helpers. Then help them.

One thing I’ve typically done well is filling gaps in services, looking for unmet needs. Right now, I have a lot of balls in the air because the needs are seemingly endless. These are projects where modest donations can have a big impact. Here are some ways to help your neighbors. Help animals. Help veterans. […]

Update on the Pittsburgh MasQUe ProjecT – Connecting Facemasks with LGBTQ Neighbors

Pittsburgh Face Masks

Things are going along pretty busily. As of tonight, we have request for 98 individual masks and 250-350 by organizations including SisTers Pgh, Garden of Peace, and Shepherd Wellness Community. We want to make sure LGBTQ community has access to facemasks, especially that trans and queer folks feel safe and dignified. We are acutely aware […]