This Week in LGBTQ – February 24, 2013

The New York Times reported on a study that found that the effects of bullying last into adulthood. Individuals who were bullied are more than 4x likely to have an anxiety disorder as an adult. Bullies who were also victims were 14.5x more likely to have a similar disorder  A Puerto Rican court has ruled […]

When Do We Talk About Poverty in the LGBTQ Community?

It is only fitting that days after Amazon releases an “inclusive” commercial for their new Kindle, I am led to a series exploring the lives of transgender persons living on the brink (or deeply enmeshed in) poverty. The cause? Often related to their gender identity, especially in a fragile economy. “Transgender financial struggle: ‘How We […]

Another Trans Bash #Fail Tied to Melissa McCarthy

Last week, we reported on an issue with CBS using a trans slur in their sitcom “Mike & Molly” which stars actor Melissa McCarthy. The slur “shemale” was used by Mike in the show; McCarthy was not in the scene, but people called on her to speak out given the vicious attack she endured at […]

I’ll Stumble For You – More Social Media Homophobia! (Biphobia & Transphobia, Too)

Quite a few folks find my websites n’at via StumbleUpon – great, I think. When you add a page to that site, you insert a few tags, select a category and indicate if its “safe for work” – now I interpret this as meaning 95% of my blog posts are fine with the exception of […]

GLCC Hosts LGBTQ Women’s Group

The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh has scheduled a second in their WOMENSpeak series for Monday February 11, 2013. Join us on Feb 11th from 6:30-8pm and get ready to speak your mind. All women are invited, which means if you identify yourself as a woman…COME!! Light refreshments will be served. I appreciate […]

“Homosexuals used to live their lives and keep to themselves.” Letter to the Editor in Tribune Review.

Well Rudy Gagliardi of Arnold pulls no punches in his absurd rationalizations for his homophobic views. Re. Melissa Charlton’s letter, “Open our minds to gays” (Jan. 13.), which was critical of my letter, “Gay marriage (Jan. 5): I don’t know why anyone would choose to be gay, a pedophile, a druggie or a prostitute. But […]

From CNN: Brendon Ayanbadejo talks NFL gay rights

There are so many wonderful quotes in this interview – his respectful inclusion of the trans community, awareness of international issues, his acnowledgement of his privilege, his understanding of how the Constitution works – this is an ally. And I love his description of masculine culture. “Everyone’s been talking to gay people our entire lives […]

Manager of Bar Where Alleged Queer Bashing Happened Needs to Talk With Police, Not Survivors

This caught my eye in a City Paper blog post about the recent alleged queer bashing at Margaritaville on the South Side. At least one other in the group suffered minor injuries and an employee of the bar was also injured but not hospitalized, according to Brad Rizzo, the bar’s manager, according to PLCB records. […]

NaBloPoMo: Oh My … Almost Didn’t Make It Edition

Wow … such a busy day that I haven’t had time to post. Today, Ledcat and I went to the South Side to participate in the rally in response to recent incidents of violence against LGBTQ women at a local bar. More on that tomorrow. It is a great example of where you get energy […]

When Being an Ally Makes a Difference …

When Being an Ally Makes a Difference …

I was recently “targeted” on LinkedIn for a little gay bashing. The details I’ll save for another post, but it boiled down to someone telling me that the word lesbian was not appropriate in a profession environment. It went downhill from there. This is not the first time I’ve encountered this mentality. I’ve been asked […]