Celebrating Ten Years of Queer Burlesque with the Velvet Hearts

I was thrilled to see another local Velvet Hearts performance scheduled. We’ve been supporters of them over the years. Queer burlesque is special. I like the variety in the performances as well as the body positive messaging. You should check out this show Friday evening and take a few moments to read what the founder, […]

Meg, 34, Wants to Make an Impact With Grace #AMPLIFY

Pittsbrugh Queer

Name: Meg Age: 34 County of Residence: Butler County, previously Allegheny County, Ohio and Mississippi Pronouns:The/ them/ she/ her How do you describe your identity? I don’t. Nothing I am is physical. I decorate my meat sack. It holds my being. Very simple. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Coming out […]

Louie, 50, Identifies as Queer, Pansexual, & Kinky #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County LGBTQ

Name:  Louie Age: 50 County of Residence:  Allegheny Pronouns: No preference How do you describe your identity? Born cis male, identify as Queer, Pansexual, and kinky Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Self aware with lots of research. Found minor support in local kink community. Not really much else. […]

Read These Northside #AMPLIFY Stories

Pittsburgh map - Northside highlighted in pink

We are in the midst of a fundraiser to organize AMPLIFY outreach throughout the 18 neighborhoods of the Northside. This will include working with the GSA at Perry Traditional Academy and other community groups. Now the Q&A does not ask about specific neighborhoods; we simply ask people to identity their county affiliations. But some people […]

Lange, 41, is a Queer Single-Parent in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Mt. Lebanon Queer Single Mother

Name: Lange Age: 41 County of Residence: Allegheny Pronouns: She How do you describe your identity?  Queer Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I first came out to my friends and family as bisexual between the ages of 13 and 15. I can’t say there was a whole lot of […]

Hansen, 20, is an Unapologetic Queer Filmmaker #AMPLIFY

Queer Fox Chapel

  Name:  Hansen Bursic Age: 20 County of Residence:  Allegheny County, Living part-time in Philadelphia to attend Temple University Pronouns: he/him/his How do you describe your identity? Unapologetic Queer Filmmaker Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My mother discovered my sexuality after I unsuccessfully lied about an event I was going […]

Q&A with Singer-Writer Jill Sobule Live in Pittsburgh This Weekend Only

  Your Name: Jill Sobule Your Pronouns: her/She How do you describe your identity? Jeepers, I kind of don’t think about that as much. I guess “bi”, “fluid”, “queer”? They all could work We last ‘spoke’ via Q&A in 2013 when you came to town with the Julia & Jill Show. So I’ll skip the usual […]

Jess, 22, is a Poly, Bisexual Woman in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County LGBTQ

Name:  Jess Age:  22 County of Residence:  Allegheny County, Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? cis polyamorous bisexual/queer woman Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I came out at 18 to most people, and overall my friends and family were very supportive. I was very thankful […]

Lakeview School District in Mercer County Implements Trans Inclusive Student Policies

Lakeview School District in Mercer County serves about 1200 students in a district with a population of 8,600 people.  Mercer County is in Northwestern Pennsylvania, about 60 miles to Erie and another 60 miles to Pittsburgh. The district is comprised of Fairview Township, Jackson Center Borough, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Mill Creek Township, New Lebanon […]

Joseph, 28, is a HIV+ queer and gay man in Pittsburgh #AMPLIFY

A HIV+ queer and gay man Pittsburgh

  Name: Joseph Onstott Age:  28 County of Residence:  Allegheny Pronouns: he/him/his they/their How do you describe your identity? A HIV+ queer and gay man Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I feel like straight people have this idea in their head that it’s an overnight process when it is anything […]