Avery is a Bisexual, Latino Trans Man in Cambria County #AMPLIFY

Johnstown Bisexual Trans Man

  Name:  Avery Age: 22 County of Residence: Cambria Preferred Pronouns: Him/His How do you describe your identity? I’m a bisexual man. I happen to be Latino, and I happen to also be transgender. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I sort of had two, I guess. I was openly […]

AMPLIFY Project, Blog Voted ‘Best GLBT Media Source’ in 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards

It is always nice when someone acknowledges your work, your vision or even just you. I’ve written in the past about my appreciate for the Keystone Alliance Gaylife Newsletter based in the Johnstown area. So I am pleased to be among the honorees in their 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards. What’s really exciting for me is […]

Reecey Walker, 32 Year Old Trans Woman of Color, Stabbed to Death in Wichita

Reecey Walker

Another tragic day for our community with the news that 32 year old trans woman of color, Reecey Walker was found stabbed to death in their Wichita apartment on Sunday evening, May 1. A 16 year old young man has been arrested, but not yet charged. From The Advocate: Officers were called to investigate a […]

Bill, 52, is a Gay Man Living in a Small Town in Cambria County #AMPLIFY

Gay Cambria County

  Name: Bill Age:  52 County of Residence: Cambria, formerly Indiana Preferred Pronouns: he, him How do you describe your identity? A white gay man who is not butch or fem. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I never formally came out to most family members. Over time it became […]

Patricia, 41, Does Not Feel Safe As a Trans Woman in Her Urban Pgh Suburb #AMPLIFY

Allegheny County Trans Woman

Name: Patricia Age: 41 County of Residence: Allegheny, formerly Washington Preferred Pronouns: She/Her How do you describe your identity? At some point, the mental switch flipped in my head firmly into a “female” identity. (I think it was always set to “female” but I was trying to force it to say “male”!) So I identify as a trans woman. I […]

Updates on the Investigations of Nine Murdered Trans Neighbors

Transgender Murder

  We learn about the violent death of a trans neighbor, we mourn. But too often we don’t know what happens in the criminal proceedings. Is there justice? What does that look like? I don’t have answers to the larger questions, but I did go back and plow through the criminal dockets to determine where […]

Guest Post: You Can Help LGBT Students in Pittsburgh Public Schools Right Now

Pittsburgh Public School transgender

Guest post by Rayden Sorock As you probably know, there have been numerous attacks on LGBT students’ rights recently, many of which revolve around the much-disputed “bathroom issue.” Here are several things you can do RIGHT NOW that will make a real difference in the lives of LGBT and gender-expansive youth in local public schools. […]

TWOC Keyonna Monroe Blakeney, 22, Murdered in Maryland Hotel

Her name was Keyonna. She was 22.   Another brutal loss as we learn that 22 year old Keyonna Monroe Blakeney, a Washington DC resident, was found dead with sever upper body trauma in a Rockville Maryland hotel room. Keyonna was murdered on Saturday April 16. From the Washington Blade The victim, who identified herself […]

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 […]

TWOC Shante Thompson, 34, Murdered in Houston

Shante Thompson murder

Shante Thompson was 34 years old. Next month would have been her 35th birthday. She had a mother and friends who loved her. Last night, she and her male friend were brutally murdered in Houston by a group of eight men. From KHOU (Shante’s family is quoted misgendering her.) There was a barrage of bullets […]