general

The letter to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer community is a vital block of voters, and more importantly, a meaningful community of constituents whose rights, needs and interests deserve real attention by our elected officials. Local government is perhaps the level of government where an elected official can have the most honest and direct relationship with his or her constituents. I seek to ask Mayor Luke to participate in that open and honest direct relationship. I do not demand he do things my way. I request he be clear, host, and articulate what he is going to do or not do, and why.

January 25, 2012 — Comments are Disabled — Activism, Election, general

Thoughts about the Black and White Reunion

I spent Saturday at the Black and White Reunion, Summit Against Racism. While I would not have thought of myself as a racist person, the ways racism is systemic and pervasive as white privilege as well as more explicit racism, is something that has come into my view a number of times recently. It is time for me to better understand what things I can do to combat racism. The Black and White Reunion has[Read More…]

January 23, 2012 — Comments are Disabled — Activism, general

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.

January 22, 2012 — 10 comments — Activism, Election, general, Same-Sex Marriage

Black & White Reunion: Summit Against Racism

From their website: This year the Black & White Reunion will again be holding its Summit Against Racism in its usual location at East Liberty Presbyterian Church on January 21, 2012, the Saturday following the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend. This section will hold all the available information about the 14th Annual Summit Against Racism — check back frequently to find out all the particulars on this year’s event. In the near future you[Read More…]

January 20, 2012 — 3 comments — Activism, general

Facing the Bathroom Bill Arguments Directly.

Most often, when the issue of a “bathroom bill” is introduced, most often the response is to point out that equal rights isn’t about bathrooms. However, Autumn Sandeen wonderfully addresses this issue head on, and points out how in other civil rights battles, bathroom rhetoric became a tool to fight against equality. This whole post is worth reading, but here is an excerpt: What hasn’t occurred is a logical argument. 1.) Is bathroom predation of[Read More…]

January 20, 2012 — 2 comments — general

Rachel Maddow: I Like Gay Culture

Rachel is not alone. I totally get her point. For me however, the issue isn’t simply relationship recognition, but rather equal treatment under the law. I’m sure she would agree. “I feel that gay people not being able to get married for generations, forever, meant that we came up with alternative ways of recognizing relationships,” she told THR. “And I worry that if everybody has access to the same institutions that we lose the creativity[Read More…]

January 19, 2012 — Comments are Disabled — general, Same-Sex Marriage

Are you still thinking about Martin?

We are but a few days past Martin Luther King Jr Day, and I’m wondering if he is sell on your mind. He is still on mine. I wonder what can I do today to keep the inspiration I experienced from the MLKJr celebrations molding and moving my actions. To that end, here is the text of his, I Have a Dream speech: I am happy to join with you today in what will go[Read More…]

January 19, 2012 — Comments are Disabled — Activism, general

Will Brian Sims help or hinder LGBT progress in Pennsylvania?

The thing that is keeping any LGBT legislation from moving out of committee is Darryl Metcalf. He now heads an important committee, and he will continue to do so until he loses his re-election, or Democrats take control of the House again. Electing Brian Sims won’t impact either of these in any way. This is nothing against Brian who is a smart, articulate, and handsome guy. Just the reality of the real issues that are stopping LGBT legislation.

January 18, 2012 — 3 comments — Election, general

Urgent Action Needed: PA Voter IS Bill!

PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS IN PENNSYLVANIA! STATEWIDE PHONE-IN DAY TODAY – 9:00 am – 11:00 PM! Call your state Senator TODAY (Tues 1/17), between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and insist that he or she oppose House Bill 934 as an unnecessary, expensive, and undemocratic obstacle to voting rights. Click HEREto find your senator’s name, his/her State Capitol office number, and some suggestions about what to say. The time is NOW! The Pennsylvania Senate returns from recess this afternoon[Read More…]

January 17, 2012 — Comments are Disabled — Activism, Election, general

Tuesday: Phone Action Day for PA Voter’s Rights!

PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS IN PENNSYLVANIA! STATEWIDE PHONE-IN DAY – TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 9:00 am – 11:00 PM! Join with other defenders of democracy by participating in a Statewide Phone-in Day Against Voter Suppression on Tuesday, January 17, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Call your state Senator’s Capitol office on Tuesday and insist that he or she oppose the Voter Suppression Bill (House Bill 934) as an unnecessary, expensive, and undemocratic obstacle to voting rights. Click HERE to find[Read More…]

January 16, 2012 — Comments are Disabled — Activism, general

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