Critical Races for LGBTQ Voters in the Pennsylvania 2024 Election

It is almost election time. I’ve already returned my ballot. But it is still important to remind you about these critical races. *indicates that the candidate participated in our Political Q&A project so you can read that LGBTQ specific information as well as their website. President/Vice President US Senate Congress PA Attorney General PA Auditor […]

Campaign Signs Are a Hot Commodity This Year

yard sign

Campaign signs are a hot commodity this year. A long-time campaign volunteer explained that this is in part due to Pennsylvania’s races being so tight that the two federal races (President and US Senate) are spending mightily on broadcast advertising, forcing up the rates for downballot candidates. Un turn, this forces them to allocate resources […]

Share This Post With PA Political Candidates You Want to Complete Our Q&A

Reminder – we are publishing our Political Q&A series for the 2024 Primary Election. We’ve heard from seven candidates to date. Waiting for others to request a Q&A by emailing pghlesbian@gmail.com Obviously, the Presidency is literally at the top of ballot, but don’t dismiss the many other critical elections. We invite candidates from all races […]

2024 Political Q&A with Lindsay Powell: What You Need to Know About This Incumbent Candidate for PA House District 21

Lindsay Powell. Photo of

I believe this (General Assembly) class is able to bring their full selves to these roles; both their professional and lived experiences to their decision making and community building. I am grateful that we are able to be specific and meaningful in our actions. I’m proud of initiatives like the Black Material Health Caucus, which […]

2024 Political Q&A with Arvind Venkat: What You Need to Know About This Incumbent Candidate for PA House District 30

I believe this diversity both reflects the strength of Pennsylvania and the opportunity to reflect our changing population in our policies. One example is recognizing Diwali – the Hindu Festival of Lights – under state law. That  is something that is very important to my culture and community, yet would never have been considered without […]

Is My 1991 Internship With Rick Santorum No Longer The Most Quirky, Interesting Thing About Me?

Rick Santorum internship

Today, I met an LGBTQ person from Pennsylvania who did not recognize the name Rick Santorum. Huh. This was in the context of an interview with the Philly Gay News about my blogging. It was bound to happen eventually. He left public office in 2006, defeated by current Senator Bob Casey. He has a lackluster […]

Q&A with Sam Schmidt, Candidate for Allegheny County Council, District 13

These are uncertain and often stressful times, and people value honesty and integrity in their leaders above a story meant to idolize a few individuals and their antiquated values. This is especially true when we consider that those “bootstraps” folks are never self-made, but actually quietly or publically supported by both generational wealth and different […]

Q&A with Deb Gross, Candidate for City Council, District 7

Deb Gross

One item the kid’s proclamation mentions is the challenge of housing affordability and security in the trans community. While this is a big problem across the city and its communities, there are some housing forms that are more affordable and appealing for youth. Other cities have created programs like host homes, boarding houses with meal […]

Q&A with Malcolm Kenyatta, Candidate for US Senate

Malcolm Kenyatta LGBT

I am backed by multiple unions and every progressive organization that has decided to weigh in on this race. My support of elected officials spans all across the commonwealth This is the next post of our 2022 primary election season series ‘Political Q&A’ with progressive candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running […]

Here’s Why I Publicly Identify Candidates Who Do Not Complete My Political Q&A

Holding candidates accountable

Someone asked me privately recently about my choice to publicly list candidates I’ve approached to complete my Campaign Q&A series, specifically identifying those who have not responded to my request at all. In other words, this is a long post explaining a blog series policy, procedures, and impact so its on the record for anyone […]