Q&A with Jessica Benham, Candidate for PA State House District 36

Jessica Benham

The residents of district 36 deserve a solution to the flooding that impacts their daily lives. They are tired of constant studies and plans that don’t materialize. We are revisiting our Political Q&A series for the upcoming elections of 2020. We’ve reached out to candidates who are pro-choice and pro-LGBTQ, asking them a series of […]

Q&A with Emily Kinkead, Candidate for PA State House District 20

Emily Kinkead

I make a concerted effort to inform myself about the LGBTQIA+-related issues in my district and in our community and the events that I can attend to demonstrate my support. This spans everything from talking to my queer-identifying friends and activists about their experiences to attending the Trans Day of Remembrance and the protest at […]

Rural PA LGBTQ&A with TransFamily NWPA and Erie Gay News from Erie, Pennsylvania

Rural organizing Erie County

This is part of a new occasional series exploring LGBTQ organizing in rural Pennsylvania communities. After our recent driving trip through the PA Wilds communities, I was impressed that after an almost complete lack of queer visibility, a slew of new LGBTQ projects unfolded in my feed – a Pride event in Elk County, a Pride parade […]

Political LGBTQ&A with Anthony Saba, Crafton Borough Councilperson-Elect

Openly Gay Arab Man

While on the local level we can only have so much impact, I believe that everything starts at the community level.  I would focus on making sure that all of our neighbors, regardless of their identity, understand what we are fighting for, equality and community. – Anthony Saba A few days after Election Day 2019, the Victory […]

Political LGBTQ&A with Edward Alo, Crafton Borough Councilperson-Elect

Openly Gay Crafton Borough Councilperson

I believe it is extremely important to have various representatives of the LGBTQ in elected office as well as in the public view.  I believe it provides a role model for younger generations.  When I was growing up in the 90s, my first experience with the LGTBQ was from MTV and Will and Grace.  It […]

Rural PA LGBTQ&A with OutIndiana from Indiana County, Pennsylvania

This is part of a new occasional series exploring LGBTQ organizing in rural Pennsylvania communities. After our recent driving trip through the PA Wilds communities, I was impressed that after an almost complete lack of queer visibility, a slew of new LGBTQ projects unfolded in my feed – a Pride event in Elk County, a Pride parade […]

Political LGBTQ&A with Jessica Semler, Etna Borough Council Member-Elect

Jessica Semler Etna Borough Council

If I had more folks that look like me out and in positions of power when I was younger, I truly think I would have come out to others, and myself years earlier than I did. It means so damn much. More LGBTQ folks in office means visibility of what it can look like to […]

Rural PA LGBTQ&A with West Branch Pride Organizers in Williamsport, Lycoming County

West Branch Susquehanna River Pride

This is part of a new occasional series exploring LGBTQ organizing in rural Pennsylvania communities. After our recent driving trip through the PA Wilds communities, I was impressed that after an almost complete lack of queer visibility, a slew of new LGBTQ projects unfolded in my feed – a Pride event in Elk County, a […]

Political LGBTQ&A with Jonathan Warnock, Indiana Boro Councilmember-Elect

Openly Gay Elected Official Indiana County

I say all the time that I’m just fighting the future, i.e. doing everything I can to mitigate the effects of climate change. Working for LGBTQIA+ rights feels the same. No minority group in history has gotten rights without a fight, and no group will keep them without vigilance. I’ve been involved with this for a long time now, going back to college and grad school working the the ‘gay/straight’ alliance clubs where I went to school. I seem to be unable to turn down the chance to advocate for equality or work to fight our climate future… just ask my husband.

Q&A with Gisele Barreto Fetterman, Second Lady of Pennsylvania

Gisele Fetterman

“I want Pennsylvania to be a safe, just, and more welcoming place for everyone.  I want everyone to have an opportunity to thrive in our state.” Gisele and I have been social media friends for several years, most typically coming together when there is a need that taps into our mutual social justice skills and […]