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Western PA LGBTQA blogger and social media summit coming.

A "summit" may sound a bit intimidating, but it isn't meant to be. Rather, this isn't just getting together for coffee and chitchat. Our goal is to start a process where individuals More »

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Stop saying Mitt Romney bullied some kid!

You! Imagine your son or your daughter, or your brother or sister or someone you know. Close you eyes and thimnk about a group of kids stalking that person, and overpowering them More »

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University of Pittsburgh and Transgender Discrimination

I may at some point write commentary about the policy, but my real interest is illustrating what I am doing, as both an employee as well as an activist/advocate towards this issue More »

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Hate Crime? Does it Matter?

A Hate Crime is a crime committed against a person or persons with the intent to create fear and intimidation within a group of people, such that the crime is one against More »

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Audience applauds genuine couple.

See the folks who oppose our equal rights are loud, well funded and organized, but they are small in number. There are many many who might vote against our rights because they More »

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Open Letter to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl

Mayor Ravenstahl, can you explain to Pittsburgh's LGBTQ community if you plan to sign on, and if you do not, please share your reasons for not signing on. More »

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Concerned Queer’s Questions

but I also realize that a philosophical mindset itself doesn't change things. People who find ways to engage in action can change things. Queer anarchists may believe that by bashing back More »

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Bloomfield Queer Rally: Is there a solution for the anger?

When there is so much anger, there is no solution- no way for these two "sides" to work together for the greater good, and from my experience here, this is one of More »

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The language of same-sex marriage

Marriage Equality is a concept worth fighting for, but a part of that battle is to name our relationships, our marriages and our weddings for what they are: same-sex where they are More »

ACLU Takes Voter ID Law To Court

The future of Pennsylvania’s recently passed voter ID law may be decided in Commonwealth Court. A lawsuit filed Tuesday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the NAACP claims the the law, which requires voters to show state issued photo identification at the polls, is unconstitutional. The groups are asking the court to

Keystone Progress asks PA Senate, House for ALEC Records

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Right to Know Law requests filed for correspondence, financial records related to controversial corporate front group, the American Legislative Exchange Council HARRISBURG, PA  — Keystone Progress today asked the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives to release all records related to the shadowy and controversial corporate front group, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). The

Am I Gay if Batman Is Gay?

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Perhaps, I'm just put off with "Gay" being used as a concept. Isn't that one more way to dehumanize the reality of our shared queer lives? We aren't really in love with members of our own sex, we are just concepts, right?

Who can say what without being a [fill in the word]: The Sharon Needles Controversy.

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Don't love me (or hate me) because of what I look like. Love me (or hate me) because of who I am- the whole of me. Now, Sharon doesn't talk in terms of "love," she uses more shocking confrontational images, and perhaps some of the controversy is more about how her confrontational style makes people feel uncomfortable.

Drummers and Dancers

Here is some video I captured at Art All Night in Lawrenceville last evening. The event is always really great, and I found this year to be no exception. I loved the location this year.  Really amazing old factory. The video isn’t all that good- shot on my iPhone 4, but I think it does

Issues, ideology, process, and people.

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From my perspective, At least four different levels or elements at play and one of the reasons why different people have such different takes on the Pitt Trans Policy issue grows out of assumptions about these four things.

What will an openly gay legislator accomplish?

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In the biggest picture image: how many little girls and little boys growing up across Pennsylvania, will now have one more positive reference for being publicly gay?

Equality PA Issues Statement Regarding Pennsylvania Primary Results

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Statement on 2012 Pennsylvania Primary Results and the Nomination of the General Assembly’s First Openly Gay Member Harrisburg – Today, Equality Pennsylvania is celebrating.  We think yesterday’s election was a bit of a game-changer.  It is with great pride that we watched our former Board President, Brian Sims, win nomination to serve the 182nd House District.  He has

Election Commentary

Sue Kerr has a really great post on Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents talking about the results of yesterday’s primary election. I encourage everyone to check it out. If you appreciate reading my posts, would you like to thank me with a coffee?

The Voter Suppression Bill: Voter ID will keep me from voting.

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I have a Pennsylvania issued valid drivers license that will not meet the ID guidelines. I am a legal voter! The Voter ID bill is doing nothing to protect my right to vote! My partner was told that he could use his passport, but why is that? A passport has an expiration date on it but no address at all. Yet, my valid driver's license won't suffice? This bill in no way creates protection. Rather it creates hurdles, road blocks, and confusion.