James, 54, Is a Gay Pittsburgh Dad Living in Texas #AMPLIFY

Gay Allegheny County

Name: James Age: 54 County of Residence: Allegheny. I grew up in the Pittsburgh area. I now live in Texas. What a difference. Preferred Pronouns: Mr. How do you describe your identity? I am a gay man. I am attracted to other gay men. I look for loving tender relationships. I keep my priorities right. Please describe your coming out […]

Guilty Verdict in the 2012 Assault & Shooting of Lesbian Couple in Texas

Kristene Chapa Mollie Olgin

Kristene Chapa, then 18, and girlfriend Mollie Olgin, then 19, stopped by a park on their way to see a movie on June 23, 2012. A horrifying encounter with a stranger ended with both young women sexually assaulted and shot, left for dead in that park. Olgin died of her injuries, but Kristene Chapa survived and took the stand to testify against David Strickland more than four years later.

It took the jury less than six hours to return a guilty verdict. Four years, 3 months and six hours after their horrible ordeal, there was finally some justice for Mollie and Kristene and, hopefully, some closure for Kristene.

Update on the Murder of TWOC Shante Thompson in Houston

shante Thompson Transgender

More information in the murders of Shante Thompson and her male friend Willie Sims. Two vigils have been announced. Friday, April 15 per Monica Roberts, a Houston based trans activist and blogger The vigil will take place at Houston City Hall starting at 6 PM, and in addition to honoring the memory of Shante and […]

Austin, 30, is a Straight Trans Man from Washington County #AMPLIFY

Transgender Washington County

Name: Austin Jacob Age: 30 County of Residence:  Washington  County Preferred Pronouns:  He/Him/His How do you describe your identity? I’m an Austrian, Scottish, Irish American Christian UU who is a straight transman. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? Coming out the first time as a lesbian was the hardest. […]

UPDATED: 22 Year Old TWOC Shade Schuler Found Murdered in Dallas

Shade Schuler Transgender

Another tragic loss, this time from Dallas. A 22-year-old trans woman of color, known as Ms. Shade, was identified this week after her body was found in late July. From Lone Star Q: On Monday, police identified the body of Shade Schuler, which they found July 29 in a vacant field just west of 5600 […]

Ty Underwood Shot in Texas, 2nd Trans Woman of Color Murdered in 2015

Ty Underwood

Even more tragic news to share – this time 24 year-old Ty Underwood, a trans woman of color, was found shot to death Monday morning in Tyler, Texas. A woman called 911 saying a car had hit a telephone pole and that her children heard gunshots. Underwood’s roommate believes Underwood was targeted because she is […]

Another Update in the Murders of Crystal Jackson and Britney Cosby

Crystal Jackson and Britney Crosbey

Following the tragic news that two young queer women of color were brutally murdered in Texas earlier this year comes another story – Kevin Moyer of Dallas was found brutally murdered in his car earlier in April.  Investigators do not believe this was a hate crime, but a sexual encounter gone horribly wrong. Friends held […]

Small Update: Britney Cosby and Crystal Jackson

C.d. Kirven

Earlier this week, LGBTQ folks and allies across Texas gathered in vigil for the two women and solidarity with one another. From LoneStarQ GetEQUAL TX’s Cd Kirven, who organized the vigils, told those who gathered in Dallas that she wanted to hold LGBT-affirming memorials to honor how the couple lived. At a family-organized vigil in […]

TX Statewide Prayer Vigils for Crystal Jackson, Britney Cosby This Weds

via Lone Star Q

Tampons, Texas and Tears – Sister Supplies

The meme about the Texas State Legislature banning state resident from bringing tampons or pads into the General Assembly buildings during a heated debate on abortion really got me thinking. On its face, this is patently absurd – have you ever tried to throw a tampon at anyone? Or a pad? Even drenched in water, […]