Recent Posts

Should LGBTQ Pittsburghers care about who will be City Council President?

Blogger’s note: The opinions expressed here are my own and do not represent any group, organization, or board with which I may be affiliated. Sue Kerr wrote a must read blog post about Pittsburgh City Council and the efforts of Ricky Burgess to become the next City Council President. Bram at The Pittsburgh Comet has written about it too. I’d encourage you to read their posts. Sue offers her opinion, and highlights a number of very[Read More…]

November 21, 2013 Comments are Disabled general
A gay man sees the film “Blood Brothers.”

A gay man sees the film “Blood Brothers.”

On Saturday, I had the chance to see the film Blood Brothers being screened as a part of the Three Rivers Film Festival. The theater was packed and after the film, the director did a Q/A session. The documentary chronicles the the life of Rocky, an American who seeking a purpose in life, ends up caring for Children with AIDS in a rural hostel. My partner had heard an interview with the director and based[Read More…]

November 17, 2013 1 comment general, Review
Help get ENDA passed by the US House!

Help get ENDA passed by the US House!

Received a link for a petition to get ENDA introduced n the US House. Petitions alone don’t generate what is needed to pass legislation, but they can cause enough of a stir to get the bill introduced. We need your help, now!   http://petitions.moveon.org/keystoneprogress/sign/get-enda-passed-in-the-1?source=c.em.cp&r_by=8542981

November 11, 2013 Comments are Disabled Activism, general, LGBT Discrimination: Exploring Laws and Policies

Moving on with the new Pittsburgh

Just a short note this morning to say that all looks well following the elections here in Pittsburgh. But now the real work begins. I have full faith in Bill Peduto and the City Council lineup is also in good shape. But even good people can get sidelined if they can’t break the process problems and people dynamics that have been such a problem. Now the hard work begins, and there is plenty of it[Read More…]

November 6, 2013 1 comment general
PA Judges and Equality: Castille and Baer

PA Judges and Equality: Castille and Baer

This came to me via Mark Segal: Pennsylvania voter’s – Tomorrow When you VOTE there’s a question on the ballot regarding Equality in PA. Retention of Justices.  Both Ron Castille & Max Baer are up for retention.  PLEASE vote YES.  As Supreme Court Justices they led the battle to have all state court employee’s have domestic partners full rights.  If you support Equality, vote yes

November 4, 2013 1 comment general
Breaking News: PA State Rep. Brian Sims Applauds US Senate vote on ENDA

Breaking News: PA State Rep. Brian Sims Applauds US Senate vote on ENDA

PHILADELPHIA: Pa. State Representative Brian Sims, D-Phila., the first openly gay elected state legislator in Pennsylvania applauded the vote on cloture for the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) in the U.S. Senate tonight. Sims especially commended Pennsylvania Senators Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, and Patrick Toomey, R-Pennsylvania. Both Senators voted for cloture on the landmark LGBT civil rights bill. “I have long believed that civil rights cannot be a one party issue. Senator Casey has supported LGBT civil rights[Read More…]

Local Politics, Pittsburgh, and Deb Gross.

Local Politics, Pittsburgh, and Deb Gross.

I’ve wanted to post about the upcoming elections on November 5th, but rather than just talk about the local election and candidates, I want to put things into a bigger context. This post will be a three part series. Or more, if I’m honest with myself. Do local elections matter? My friend, Adrian Shanker posted this to Facebook the other day. His point was to get people to thank the elected official, and I’d encourage you[Read More…]

November 4, 2013 3 comments general
ENDA advances and Thanks to PA Senator Toomey

ENDA advances and Thanks to PA Senator Toomey

take a moment to thank Senator Toomey. Call his office, send him an email, or even better- send him a short handwritten note. A handwritten note will definately makes its way into his hands, where the email will probably not.

#ENDA MUST remain fully inclusive!

#ENDA MUST remain fully inclusive!

There may be 60 votes to pass ENDA in the Senate, but we must be sure it remains fully inclusive and protects trans persons!

Breaking News: State Rep. Brian Sims Pens Open Letter to Senator Toomey

Breaking News: State Rep. Brian Sims Pens Open Letter to Senator Toomey

State Rep. Brian Sims, D-Phila., the first openly-gay elected member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature penned an open letter today to Senator Patrick Toomey, R-Pennsylvania, urging the Senator to openly declare his support for the federal Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA). A vote in the U.S. Senate on ENDA has been scheduled for next week.