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I received this blog post from Carl Davidson, reposted here with permission By Carl Davidson Beaver County Blue Nearly 500 progressive and liberal organizers gathered at Pittsburgh’s Sheraton Station Square over the sunny but bitterly cold weekend of Jan. 22-23 to drawn out the lessons of their setbacks in the 2010 elections and shape a new course for the future. Under the theme of ‘Taking Pennsylvania Forward,’ the two-day meeting was mainly pulled together by[Read More…]

Equality PA, the ACLU, and HRC has been sponsoring a series of town hall sessions across the state to talk about the recent shifts in the PA legislature and what to expect in terms of LGBT Rights legislation. I attended two of these- the meeting in Erie on Wednesday Jan 27th, and the Pittsburgh meeting on Jan 28th, and I have a slew of thoughts racing around my head from these experiences. The ACLU of[Read More…]

However, from my perspective, just because he is an openly gay man, who works hard for his district, doesn’t make him “our champion.” I believe we can name a number of city council members who Kerr and others would name as friends and supporters for the LGBT community. One example: my own councilmember, Patrick Dowd who has been working with me, community members, and the Zone 5 police following last year’s gay bashings. Truly Bill Peduto is our champion. Natalia Rudiak is our champiuon, and so is Patrick Dowd.

In the wake of the horrific Tucson massacre, a few themes have emerged in the public discourse. Some of these seem interesting, most all predictable, but at the same time, a number of themes don’t really make sense, and point out how the conservative movement, wants to have it both ways. This isn’t unusual. One of the things that often drives progressives crazy, is the incongruity and dissonance of various conservative positions and talking points.[Read More…]

I’ve written about this notion of the attempt by some Christian fundamentalists to take control of our government. some refer to it as the American Taliban, and in terms of this incident, Talabama. But all joking aside, everyone who cares about Democracy needs to be uncomfortable with what has happened here in Alabama. The 1st amendment to the constitution guarantees us a Freedom of Religion, and a Freedom from government sanctions/ forced Religion. I do[Read More…]

While the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) was very big news, this change that begins today, may be an even more significant step forward for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Americans. I would go so far as to say it is the most important change that could come about  (next to the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). “There are few moments in our lives that call for greater compassion and[Read More…]

Anne Hathaway to Play Kurt’s Gay Aunt on ‘Glee’! Generally speaking when someone suggests that it is a choice to be gay, I am quick to disagree and defend that people are born with their sexual orientation intact, but for one group of folks, being gay is a choice- straight actors. Anne Hathaway was on Jimmy Fallon last month were she told him, “Can I make a confession? In my head, I’ve written a part[Read More…]