UPDATED 24 Year Old Trans Man Dies By Suicide in Pittsburgh

Andi Woodhouse

The news about the death of Leelah Alcorn outside of Cincinnati brought to my attention a similar tragedy much closer to home. On Saturday, December 13, 2014, 24-year-old Andi Woodhouse died by suicide near the 10th Street Bridge in Pittsburgh. Andi was from Lebanon, PA. He was in Pittsburgh temporarily for some services and he […]

A Thank You Note To Share from Persad Center

Rainbow Thank You Note

A lovely follow-up to a post I wrote earlier this week. One of the gentlemen from Persad’s SAGE program sent along this thank-you note (written at 4 AM on Boxing Day) in response to your generosity: Hi;I wish to thank you again for the lunch and the company. But I REALLY was floored by the […]

UPDATED Help LGBTQ Seniors in Pgh During the Holidays With a Holiday Card

Send a Card to A Senior Citizen

An off-hand comment on Facebook brought to light a true need in our community – LGBTQ elders who are alone during the holidays. Kathi Boyle, coordinator of older adult services for the Persad Center, is part of a national group called SAGE, Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders has asked me to share that there […]

Don’t Ask Me To Extend an Olive Branch Unless You Have Your Facts Right UPDATED

Dove

Bruce Barron, a Pittsburgh resident and former staffer for Rick Santorum, penned a loathsome piece in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette requesting that the LGBTQ community offer Christians an olive branch. He’s suggesting that we allow Christian business owners “conscientious objector” status with regard to discriminating against LGBTQ persons in private business matters. Like baking wedding cakes. […]

The Risks of Moving Beyond the Blog

This past weekend, I was part of a panel discussion about the #ArtisticVisionPgh project. The audience was small, but asked terrific questions. I think it went well. Video will be available in a few months. This panel also marked my unofficial entry into the world of blogger artist in residence. To be honest, that’s a […]

WESA 90.5 Explores LGBTQ Poverty

WESA

This past week, WESA aired two segments addressing an often overlooked issue in the LGBTQ community – poverty. Deanna Garcia put together a solid segment focusing squarely on poverty, using data from The Williams Institute as well as interviews with local leaders. She interviewed a local lesbian who is disabled and living on Social Security. […]

Post-Gazette Erases Trans Community & Worse in Article About Homeless Youth

GLAAD media guide

Score another one for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s inaccurate and unfair coverage of the LGBTQ community. This time, reporter Mary Neiderberger is at bat. She recently wrote a piece about homeless youth in Allegheny County using somewhat accurate and fair language about the impact of sexual orientation and gender identity on the number of youth on […]

Exploring The Art and Craft of Lesbian Blogging

NaBloPoMo Lesbian

Today, November 1, marks the launch of the *real* NaBloPoMo – National Blog Posting Month. This group-blog idea was founded in 2006 as a little sibling to National Novel Writing Month. Now managed by BlogHer, NaBloPoMo has a simple aim – post something every day. They offer blogging prompts, a blogroll and the opportunity to […]

Nine Things You Never Thought To Donate To The Winter Gear Drive

Homeless donation

As you know, I work hard during the winter to gather your gently used items and help the GLCC redistribute them to neighbors. There’s an Amazon Wish List that you can use. The wish list includes some of the basics – blankets, coats, gloves. So let me help you understand some of the other needs. […]

UPDATED: PA State House Candidate Throws Down the Anti-Trans Card

Transgender Bathroom

In a move not surprising but still ugly, the PA Family Council sent out campaign literature for candidate for State House Jason Ortitay distorting HB 300 to paint his opponent, incumbent Rep Jesse White, as a threat to civilized society. White represents the 46th House District which includes portions of both Allegheny and Washington counties. […]