Zella Ziona, 21 of Maryland, Most Recent Trans Woman of Color Murdered

Zella Ziona Transgender

More heartbreaking news, this time from Gaithersburg, Maryland where 21-year-old Zella Ziona became the 22nd transgender woman to be murdered in the US during 2015. A witness told ABC7 he saw the victim, identified as Zella Ziona of Montgomery Village, surrounded by four or five teenagers. There was an argument, then he says one of […]

Jess is a Lesbian Mother Who Wants More Family Friendly Resources #AMPLIFY

Lesbian Pittsburgh

Name:  Jess Age: 25 County of Residence:  Allegheny Pronouns:  Mrs. How do you describe your identity? I am white, a lesbian, and mother. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I told my parents and they were accepting. My friends didn’t care and my extended family came around. […]

Diane Discusses Being Belligerently Out in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Lesbian Pittsburgh

Name: Diane Age:  57 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: I don’t care what other people say. How do you describe your identity? I don’t bother to define it or claim any term. People can think/say whatever they want. I don’t feel responsible for what’s in other people’s heads. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you […]

Jaime from the ReelQ Film Festival Says ‘Yep, I’m Gay!’ #AMPLIFY

ReelQ Film Festival

Name:  Jaime Age:  35 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: She/Her How do you describe your identity? I am a white, cisgender female lesbian. Some refer to me as a chapstick lesbian or a tomboy, but I’m just me. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out […]

How #AMPLIFY Has Changed My Life

I’m nine months into my artistic residency and four full months into the #AMPLIFY project, at least the publication phase. Seems like a good time to do some reflecting. If I were going to put up a sculpture to describe my life this year, it would be #AMPLIFY. It would be a beautiful reclaimed wood sculpture. […]

Claudette is a Non-Binary Queer Who Wants Us To See Beyond the L and the G #AMPLIFY

queer Allegheny County

Name: Claudette Sheree Age: 22 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: They/Them/Their How do you describe your identity? I identify as queer non-binary hard femme queen Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face?  coming out as a femme non-binary queer person in a very strict family in a very small town. […]

#ReelQ30 Preview ‘Margarita With a Straw’

Margarita With a Straw Saturday October 10, 6:30 PM at the Harris Theater This lovely movie deftly explores intersectionality. I can’t recall many films that specifically introduce sexual storylines for persons with disabilities. Especially queer people with disabilities. Especially queer people of color with disabilities. Kalki Koechlin portrays Laila, a talented composer who refuses to […]

Taylor Wants More LGBTQ Resources and Community Unity #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County Lesbian

Name: Taylor Age: 27 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: Queen(she) How do you describe your identity? Female Lesbian Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My coming out was hard, I just came out and said I like girls, everyone was quiet for a while, then they started to ask questions. I […]

Alexandria is a Lesbian Artist Trying To Get Her Bearings #AMPLIFY

lesbian Pittsburgh

Name: Alexandria Age: 48 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: Female How do you describe your identity? I’m a compassionate person who is a white, female, lesbian artist. How would you describe yourself NOW in terms of “being out”? All the way out Tell me about the first LGBTQ person whom you met. What impact did they have on […]

The Lack of Bisexual Resources in Pittsburgh #BiWeek

Bisexual Umbrella

  This is National Bisexual Visibility Week (#biweek) and not an especially positive reflection on Pittsburgh.  Our community does not have a single group or resource devoted to the bisexual community, nor do we have any openly bisexual individuals in leadership roles within the community. We have two very prominent community leaders who are bisexual […]